For a safari in Tanzania, you only need a few well-chosen items of clothing. Three things matter:
- neutral colors, such as khaki, sand, olive green, and gray;
- layers you can add or remove, because it’s cold at dawn and hot at noon;
- a soft-sided bag weighing no more than 15–20 kg, if you’re taking domestic flights.
There are also two rules that many people discover too late. In Tanzania, civilians are not allowed to wear camouflage clothing, and plastic bags are prohibited—even in your suitcase.
The Five Rules of Safari Attire
1. Savannah colors, but without dark blue and black
The best colors are khaki, beige, sand, light brown, olive green, and gray. They hide dust, don’t attract the attention of animals, and don’t draw insects. However, there are three groups of colors to avoid:
- Dark blue and black. These colors attract tsetse flies, which are abundant in parks such as Tarangire, Ruaha, and Nyerere. The tsetse traps you see along the trails are, in fact, blue and black sheets.
- White and neon colors. White turns brown after an hour on the trail. On walking safaris, white and bright colors make you visible from a distance, and some guides ask you to change your clothes.
- Camouflage. In Tanzania, including Zanzibar, military-style patterns are reserved for the armed forces. A camouflage garment may be confiscated, and even backpacks with military-style patterns can cause problems.
2. Dress in layers
The safari begins at dawn, when temperatures on the highlands can drop below 10 °C. By noon, temperatures easily exceed 28–30 °C. The solution is to dress in layers:
- a breathable T-shirt underneath;
- a long-sleeved shirt;
- a lightweight fleece;
- a windbreaker.
Throughout the day, you’ll take off and put on layers one at a time. The coldest spot of all is the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, at about 2,300 meters, where you’ll need a proper jacket in the evening, especially between June and August.
3. Long sleeves despite the heat
Long shirts and pants, made of light cotton or technical fabric, protect against sun, dust, brambles, and insects. In the evening, they are especially useful against mosquitoes, so they are also helpful against malaria, along with repellent and the prophylaxis recommended by your doctor. We discuss this in our guide to vaccinations and prophylaxis for Tanzania . Convertible pants, with zip-off legs, are very convenient.
4. Comfortable shoes, not heavy hiking boots
During a jeep safari, there’s very little walking, so closed-toe sneakers or light hiking shoes are sufficient. High-top hiking boots are only needed for walking safaris on rough terrain or for climbing Kilimanjaro. Be sure to pack a pair of sandals for the lodge and the beach.
5. Soft-sided bags and light luggage
On the small planes that connect the parks, the baggage limit is usually 15–20 kg per person, including carry-on luggage. Bags must often be soft-sided, without a rigid frame. Even if you’re traveling only by jeep, a soft-sided bag fits better in the vehicle. Rules and tips on domestic flights can be found on our page about Tanzanian airports. Almost all lodges offer laundry service—either for a fee or included—so you can pack fewer clothes than you might think. Some accommodations do not wash underwear for cultural reasons: you’ll usually find detergent in your room so you can wash it yourself.
How to Dress According to the Season
| Season | Climate in the Northern Parks | What to add |
|---|---|---|
| June–August | Dry. Mornings and evenings are cool or cold; days are mild | Heavy fleece or light down jacket, beanie, light gloves for sunrise |
| September–October | Dry, warmer, and dusty | Neck warmer or scarf to protect against dust, lightweight fleece |
| November–December | Short showers, almost always in the afternoon | Lightweight waterproof jacket, shoes that dry quickly |
| January–February | Warm and sunny, with some rain | Very light clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and extra changes of clothes |
| March–May | Prolonged rain, humid | Raincoat, waterproof backpack cover, technical fabric clothing |
Month-by-month and area-by-area temperatures are provided in the article on temperatures in Tanzania.
Packing List for a 7–10-Day Safari
Clothing
- 3–4 T-shirts made of cotton or technical fabric, with short and long sleeves
- 2–3 lightweight long-sleeved shirts
- 2 pairs of long pants (preferably convertible) and 1 pair of shorts
- 1 medium-weight fleece
- 1 lightweight, packable windbreaker and rain jacket
- Underwear and socks for half the days, planning to do laundry
- 1 tracksuit or a comfortable outfit for the evening and for sleeping
- 1 swimsuit for the lodge’s pool or for Zanzibar
Shoes
- 1 pair of closed-toe sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes
- 1 pair of sandals or flip-flops
Accessories
- Wide-brimmed hat with a wind cord for when the jeep’s roof is open
- Sunglasses
- Neck warmer or scarf, useful against dust and the cold at dawn
- Binoculars, either 8×42 or 10×42: this is the accessory that most enhances the safari experience
- Small backpack to keep in the jeep
- Headlamp: lighting is sparse in the tented camps in the evening
- Power adapter. In Tanzania, British three-pin plugs (Type G) are most commonly used, with a voltage of 230 V
- Power bank and reusable water bottle
Hygiene and first-aid kit
- High-protection sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen
- Insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin
- Antihistamine ointment for stings and bites
- Personal medications and malaria prophylaxis, if prescribed
- Basic first-aid kit: anti-diarrheal medication, pain reliever, bandages, antiseptic, eye drops for dust
- Hand sanitizer gel and wipes
Cameras, lenses, and memory cards deserve a separate discussion. You can find this in our guide to cameras for safaris.
What Not to Bring
- Plastic bags. They have been banned in mainland Tanzania since 2019, and must be turned in at the designated drop-off stations upon arrival. The only exceptions are transparent, resealable zip-top bags for liquids in carry-on luggage, which you must take home with you. The same applies to duty-free bags. To protect your luggage from dust, use fabric bags or backpack covers.
- Camouflage clothing and accessories with military prints.
- Hard-sided suitcases, if your trip includes domestic flights.
- Jewelry and valuables. They’re unnecessary and can weigh on your peace of mind during the trip.
- Too many clothes “just in case.” With laundry service available at the lodges, a few items are enough.
Special Cases
Walking safari
For walking safaris, neutral colors are required, even more important than in a jeep, as are closed-toe hiking boots, long pants resistant to brambles and tall grass, and nothing that makes noise, such as rustling jackets or bracelets. Your armed guide will explain the rules before you set off.
Trekking on Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is in a league of its own: the trail takes you from the rainforest to the glaciers at the summit, at 5,895 m, where nighttime temperatures can drop to –15 °C. You’ll need technical high-altitude clothing, broken-in hiking boots, and a suitable sleeping bag. You can find the complete list in our guide to trekking on Kilimanjaro.
Cities, Villages, and Zanzibar
Outside the national parks and resort beaches, Tanzania is a reserved country. Along the coast and in Zanzibar, the population is largely Muslim. Covering your shoulders and knees is a sign of respect, whether in Stone Town or when visiting a Maasai village. A sarong or a light scarf in your bag will solve any problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safari Clothing
What colors should you wear on a safari?
It’s best to choose neutral colors such as khaki, beige, sand, olive green, and gray. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies; white, which gets dirty quickly; fluorescent colors; and camouflage patterns, which are prohibited for civilians in Tanzania.
Is it cold on a safari in Tanzania?
At dawn and in the evening, yes—especially from June through August and in highland areas like the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, where temperatures drop below 10 °C. During the day, however, it’s hot, so it’s best to dress in layers.
Can you bring plastic bags to Tanzania?
No, plastic bags have been banned in mainland Tanzania since 2019 and must be handed over upon arrival. The only exceptions are clear, zip-top bags for liquids in carry-on luggage, which you can take home with you.
What kind of shoes do you need for a safari?
For a jeep safari, closed-toe sneakers or lightweight hiking shoes are sufficient, plus a pair of sandals for the lodge. Hiking boots are only necessary for strenuous walking safaris or for climbing Kilimanjaro.
How many kilograms of luggage can you bring on a safari?
If the trip includes domestic flights on small planes, the limit is generally 15–20 kg per person, including carry-on luggage, in a soft-sided bag. When traveling only by jeep, there are no strict limits, but a soft-sided bag is still more practical.
How can you protect yourself from tsetse flies?
You can avoid tsetse flies by wearing light-colored long sleeves and avoiding dark blue and black, which attract them. Repellents are only partially effective, and an antihistamine ointment is helpful after a bite. The risk of sleeping sickness for travelers is very low.
Still have questions about what to pack, perhaps because you’re traveling during the rainy season or want to add Kilimanjaro to your itinerary? Before departure, we send each traveler a personalized list based on their dates and itinerary. If you haven’t booked your trip yet, you can start by checking out our Tanzania vacation packages or ask us any questions you may have.
