The short answer
- Bag
- Soft, about 15 to 20 kg if flying
- Colours
- Khaki, olive, brown; avoid blue and black
- Must have
- Fleece, binoculars, sun hat
- Banned
- Plastic carrier bags
Tanzania's safari parks are high, so days are warm but mornings and evenings are cool, and the Ngorongoro rim at 2,300 metres can be cold. Tick off your list below and print it.
Your packing list
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Climbing Kilimanjaro? Add these
Most of this can be hired in Moshi. See our Kilimanjaro guide.
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Good to know
- Tsetse flies: Common in Tarangire and parts of the Serengeti, and attracted to dark blue and black. Wear neutral colours.
- Light aircraft: Luggage is usually limited to 15 to 20 kg in soft bags without wheels.
- Zanzibar: Bring clothes that cover shoulders and knees for Stone Town.
- Laundry: Many lodges wash clothes, but some camps don't wash underwear for cultural reasons; bring travel wash.
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Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on safari in Tanzania?
Light layers in khaki, olive or brown, a warm fleece for mornings and evenings, a sun hat and comfortable shoes. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies.
Are plastic bags banned in Tanzania?
Yes. Plastic carrier bags are banned and can be confiscated on arrival. Clear zip bags for liquids are allowed.
How cold is the Ngorongoro Crater?
The rim is at about 2,300 metres, so nights can drop to around 5 to 10°C, colder in June to August.
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026