Most important is a sense of adventure and of course some practical items as listed below.

Travel insurance -

Please make sure to have comprehensive travel insurance. I will ask for policy details and information later on.

Clothing and comfort

It can be quite chilly sometimes in the mornings especially in an open vehicle so bring some warm clothes that can be layered. Usually a few hours after sunrise it is already warm or even hot.

Please refrain from bright clothing or flashy clothes. Natural colors are best, light, cotton clothing in light tones. Khaki etc, No white clothes or dayglo, dark colors are fine. Ideally natural colors or neutral colors.

 
  • Sun hat
  • Warm hat
  • Light long sleeve shirt
  • Wind breaker
  • Rain jacket
  • Sweater
  • Sandals
  • Walking shoes ( sneakers etc.) We won’t be doing serious trekking so you probably don’t need heavy duty hiking boots.
  • Dusk mask if you are sensitive to dusty roads etc.
  • Shorts
  • Long pants
  • Sunglasses
  • Scarf or turban
  • Swimsuit
  • Yoga wear and light yoga mat for those so inclined.
  • Travel pillow for more comfort in the vehicles.
  • A good novel or two
  • Daypack to keep with you on day trips and in the vehicle
  • Journal/notebook
  • Large duffel bag. When we arrive you will have to repack into a soft case bag for easy packing in vehicles. The vehicles usually do not have space for hard cases so I recommend a large duffel bag for the times we are in transit. Your hard case will be left at Ngaresero lodge.

Cameras & electronics

  • Universal adapters
  • Multiple batteries for cameras etc. because we will not always be able to charge during the day. Some vehicles may have outlets but not always.
  • Portable chargers for you phone and other devices. ( Be aware that you cannot usually check these in your luggage depending on the airline and have to be carry-on) Though sometimes the opposite is true as well!

*Be aware that drones are not usable in the national parks but there will be places you can use them. Ngare Sero etc.

Bath and medical -

!! All visitors to Tanzania must have yellow fever vaccination!!

 
  • Lotion and any skin care products
  • Chapstick
  • Contact lens and cleaning solutions
  • Immunization cards : Yellow fever vaccination mandatory
  • Reading glasses etc.
  • Electrolyte mix
  • Sunscreen ( non greasy if possible since you will be handling equipment and inside a vehicle)
  • Bug spray: deet and non-deet bug spray (deet dissolves plastic which is dangerous for binoculars and cameras)
  • Anti-itch cream
  • Necessary medications for allergies etc.
  • Vitamins and or supplements
  • Tissues or wet wipes

Animal guides & books on Africa -

I will be bringing some all around safari books for everyone to share and to have at least one per vehicle so you don’t really have to bring them if you want to travel light. Mine are only about the ecosystem and animals. History and culture of Tanzania and Africa are highly recommended. Any book on East Africa wildlife or culture will be pertinent. Also casual reading or novels

Food and Snacks -

Snacks. Energy bars, etc. We probably won’t go to many places that have decent shopping so good chocolate, nuts, energy bars etc are better to bring with you for long vehicle rides. Also other snacks are nice to have for the trips. We will be well fed at camps and lodges.

Money -

ATMS are available in some of the towns. For our daily activity we won’t need much cash but US dollars are fairly universal. Cash is necessary for tipping and buying drinks, snacks and souvenirs. I usually bring USD $200- $500 for exchange and if I need more you then withdraw money in local currency from ATMs. You can exchange dollars at many places. We can make time to withdraw Tanzanian shillings so you have tipping and souvenir shopping money. US dollars are ok but you will pay more when using dollars.

There may be things that i have forgotten or omitted from this list. If there is something glaringly obvious please feel free to let me know so I can add it and also share with other members of our safari. I may now and again send more updates and information.
“To witness that calm rhythm of life revives our worn souls and recaptures a feeling of belonging to the natural world. No one can return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever prowl our memory and great herds throng our imagination.”
George Schaller (American conservationist and author)
““If there were one more thing I could do, it would be to go on safari once again.”
Karen Blixen author best known for “Out of Africa”, —