The most common anxiety points for first-time safari guests are always the same: vaccinations, luggage for bush flights, and whether they are adequately insured. This guide answers exactly those questions.
Timeline: what to do when
| Time before departure | Action |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | Travel medicine clinic appointment: malaria prophylaxis, vaccinations |
| 4–6 weeks | Travel insurance with Medevac; book AMREF Flying Doctors |
| 3–4 weeks | Apply for eVisa (evisa.go.tz) |
| 2 weeks | Get USD cash; confirm luggage limit with operator |
| 1 week | Copies of all documents (digital + physical); flight tickets + confirmations |
| Day of departure | Malaria tablets packed; first-aid kit in bag |
1. Health and vaccinations
Malaria prophylaxis (required below 1,800m)
Malaria is present throughout Tanzania below 1,800m — this includes: Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, Zanzibar, Tarangire, Arusha, the coast, Saadani. The Ngorongoro highlands (crater rim, ~2,200m) have lower risk, but most visitors also spend time in the lowland parks.
Three approved options (professional consultation required — see a travel medicine clinic, not just a general practitioner):
- Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone): Daily tablet. Start 1–2 days before arrival, continue 7 days after return. Well tolerated. More expensive.
- Doxycycline: Daily tablet. Start 1–2 days before arrival, continue 4 weeks after return. Photosensitising — use good sunscreen throughout.
- Mefloquine (Lariam): Weekly tablet. Start 2–3 weeks before arrival. Less commonly prescribed today due to side effects in some individuals.
No prophylaxis is 100% effective — always combine: tablets + DEET mosquito repellent + mosquito nets.
Yellow fever vaccination
For direct flights to Tanzania from Europe and North America: NOT required — these are not yellow fever risk countries. The vaccination is only required on arrival from a yellow fever endemic country or after transiting there for more than 12 hours.
Other vaccinations (recommended, not mandatory)
Hepatitis A + B, typhus, tetanus booster — discuss with your travel medicine doctor. Rabies is relevant only for extended stays with significant wildlife contact.
First-aid kit
Pack: antibacterial wound disinfectant, plasters, hydrocortisone cream (insect bites), anti-diarrhoeal medication, antihistamines, thermometer, tweezers (thorns, ticks), DEET insect repellent 50%.
2. Luggage for bush flights
Bush flights (light aircraft: Cessna Caravan, Beechcraft etc.) are the most efficient way to move between parks — but with strict limits:
Standard limit: ~15 kg per person including carry-on Format: Soft bag/duffel (NO hard-shell suitcase, no roller case) Individual exceptions: Coastal Aviation XL seat allows 30 kg — confirm with your operator
What you actually need for 7–10 days on safari:
- 4–5 safari outfits (neutral colours, layer-compatible)
- 1 fleece or lightweight down jacket (morning game drives)
- 1 lightweight rain jacket (wet season)
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, hat
- Binoculars + camera
- Medications
- Charging cables + universal adapter (Tanzania: UK plug Type G)
Realistic assessment: A 35-litre duffel is sufficient for 10 days without compromise.
3. Clothing: the colour rule
Khaki, green, brown, light beige — and not merely as an aesthetic suggestion.
Tsetse flies are present in parts of the Serengeti, Tarangire, and other parks. They detect prey visually — black and dark blue are the most active attractor colours (the same pattern as zebra stripes, which attract tsetse flies). Khaki and neutral tones measurably reduce bites.
Practical clothing list:
- Long-sleeved shirt × 2–3 (cotton or merino, breathable)
- Convertible zip-off trousers × 2 (zip off for midday heat)
- Fleece × 1 (pre-dawn game drives, Ngorongoro crater can reach 5°C)
- Lightweight waterproof jacket × 1
- Hiking socks × 4–5
- Sturdy walking shoes or firm hiking sandals
- Wide-brim hat (sun protection is critical — the savannah sun is more intense than most visitors expect)
4. Insurance
Travel health insurance with Medevac
In the Serengeti, the nearest adequate hospital is in Arusha — approximately 3 hours’ drive or 45 minutes by Medevac flight. In more remote parks (Katavi, Ruaha, Mahale), even farther.
Recommendation: Minimum USD 250,000 Medevac coverage — this is the figure cited by travel medicine specialists as the lower threshold for East Africa.
Standard European travel health insurance from your home country provider often covers repatriation, but not all Medevac scenarios in remote parks. Check the policy wording explicitly before departure.
AMREF Flying Doctors
Dedicated Medevac insurance for East Africa — the standard for long-term travellers and expatriate residents.
| Option | Price | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip | USD 45/person | Up to 14 days, Tanzania + Zanzibar |
| Medium | USD 60/person | Up to 2 months, Tanzania + Zanzibar |
Book at amref.org. Print the policy card or save it offline — you will need the number if there is an emergency in an area with no signal.
Zanzibar ZIC insurance
If your trip includes Zanzibar: USD 44/adult mandatory insurance (required since October 2024). Covers medical evacuation from Zanzibar. Does NOT replace your own travel health insurance for the Tanzania mainland safari.
5. Documents and money
Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Airlines enforce this at check-in.
eVisa (apply in advance):
- Most nationalities: evisa.go.tz — USD 50 single entry, 90 days
- US citizens: USD 100 multiple entry, 12 months
- Processing time: 3–7 business days. Apply early.
USD cash:
- Small bills: USD 5, 10, 20 (tips, local payments, occasional park fees)
- Large bills (USD 100) can cause change problems in remote areas
- ATMs: reliable in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, NOT available at national park entrances or remote villages
- Credit card (Visa/Mastercard) for lodge billing
Copies: All documents digitally (cloud storage) + paper copies stored separately from originals.
Emergency numbers to save before departure: AMREF Flying Doctors, your travel insurer hotline, your home country embassy in Dar es Salaam.
6. Optics: binoculars vs camera
Binoculars are priority #1: For the safari experience — watching a cheetah at 400m, identifying bird species at distance — good binoculars are more important than any camera. Recommendation: 8×42 or 10×42. Zeiss Victory, Nikon Monarch, and Swarovski are the premium options; Celestron is a solid budget choice.
Camera: For acceptable wildlife photos, you need a zoom starting at 300mm (full frame) or 200mm with APS-C. Compact cameras with optical zoom are limited for distance shots. Smartphones work well for close animals, landscapes, and portraits.
Drones: PROHIBITED in Tanzanian national parks without special TANAPA/NCAA permits. Do not bring one without prior authorisation — they are confiscated at customs.
Bean bag: A camera bean bag (bought cheaply in Arusha outdoor shops) stabilises your lens on the vehicle’s open window or roof hatch better than any tripod. Leave the tripod at home.
For combination trips with Zanzibar
If your trip ends in Zanzibar: full-size suitcases or roller cases are fine on scheduled airline flights (Condor, Ethiopian, Kenya Airways) to ZNZ. No bush-flight weight limits apply.
Luggage strategy: Large suitcase (stays at the hotel in Arusha or Dar during the safari), small duffel for the safari itself. Reunite after the game parks. This approach makes both legs comfortable without the 15 kg constraint affecting your island wardrobe.
What to expect in a safari camp
Many first-time guests are surprised by the safari camp rhythm — especially the timing.
Typical day:
- 05:30: Wake-up call (knock on tent or camp gong)
- 06:00: Early tea/coffee + light biscuits before the drive
- 06:30–10:00: Morning game drive (prime time for big-cat activity)
- 10:00–11:00: Full breakfast at camp (not before the drive)
- 12:00–16:00: Midday rest — animals rest too; guides often use this for network updates
- 16:00–18:30: Afternoon game drive with sundowner stop
- 19:00: Dinner, usually outdoors by the fire
What surprises most visitors:
- Minimal or no internet in bush camps — by design
- Power outlets for cameras and phones are limited (solar system) — bring a 20,000 mAh power bank
- Wildlife visits the camp at night: staff guidelines apply (no walking between tents alone after dark; always wait for a staff member with a torch)
Tipping culture on safari
Tips in Tanzania form a substantial portion of safari staff’s income.
Guidelines (per person, per day):
- Safari guide: USD 15–20/person/day (the most important person on your safari)
- Driver (if separate from guide): USD 10–15/person/day
- Camp cook/steward: USD 5–10 total per group per day
- Camp manager: Personal thank-you, no separate tip expected
When and how: On the last day, hand tips in an envelope in USD cash (small bills). Some camps have a communal tip box — ask whether individual or collective is preferred.
For a 5-day safari with 2 people: Budget approximately USD 200–300 in tips total.
What NOT to bring
Some items are prohibited or actively counterproductive:
- Plastic bags: Banned in Tanzania (and Kenya) since 2019. Customs can confiscate them. Bring reusable bags instead.
- Dark blue or black clothing: Tsetse fly attractors (see colour rule above)
- Strong perfume or scented deodorant: Attracts insects, intrusive in camp
- Drones: Prohibited in national parks without TANAPA/NCAA special permit — confiscated at customs
- Valuable jewellery: Lost/stolen/damaged is a common outcome. Leave it in the hotel safe in Arusha.
- Hard-shell suitcases (if taking bush flights): Will not fit in bush aircraft cargo holds — left at the airport
What to book in advance vs what to arrange on the ground
Book in advance (essential):
- Safari operator and lodges: 4–6 months lead time (high season: 6–12 months)
- Bush flights between parks: book with the safari package
- Zanzibar connection flight (Arusha → ZNZ): book in advance, especially in high season
- Zanzibar hotel: 2–3 months lead time for boutique hotels in high season
- eVisa (at least 2 weeks before departure)
- ZIC insurance for Zanzibar (before departure, not at the airport)
Fine to arrange locally:
- Serengeti hot air balloon (arranged via lodge or direct contact — no online booking system required)
- Kizimkazi dolphin boat trip (Zanzibar, local via hotel or beach)
- Chumbe Island day trip: 2–3 days’ notice is sufficient (except peak season)
- Jozani Forest entry (no advance reservation needed)
- Spice farm tour (hotel concierge or local operators)
What to buy in Arusha rather than packing from home:
- Insect repellent spray (available cheaply at local pharmacies)
- Camera bean bag (Arusha outdoor shops and souvenir stores)
- Fresh USD in small denominations (forex bureaux give better rates than home)
Power and connectivity in camp
Power supply: Most tented camps run on solar. This means: device charging often limited to specific windows (09:00–17:00 when the vehicle is not using power). At luxury camps: 24-hour power. At budget camps: sometimes no power at all. A 20,000 mAh power bank charges a phone 4–5 times and camera batteries too — bring one.
Connectivity: 4G in Arusha is reliable. Tarangire: occasional. Serengeti: minimal to none. Ngorongoro rim lodges: occasional signal. Most bush camps offer Starlink in the evenings or no connection at all. No Wi-Fi at camp is not a failure — it is the product.
Have offline: Google Maps of the Arusha region and JRO airport (for the return day). Booking confirmations saved as screenshots. Emergency contact numbers saved in your phone — signal-free access only when not relying on an email app.
→ Related guides: Tanzania safari costs — what to budget · Tanzania northern circuit — park sequence and logistics · Serengeti — season, zones, what to see · Ngorongoro Crater — crater fee and what you see · Tanzania entry requirements — eVisa, airport procedure · Tanzania and Zanzibar itinerary — combining safari and beach