AFRICA PACKING RECOMMENDATIONS

Below are our packing recommendations for a 7 to 10-day safari.

WEIGHT ALLOWANCE: 44 pounds (20 kilos) is the baggage allowance for each traveler (total weight of main check-in bag + day pack/carry-on bag).

MAIN CHECK-IN BAG: Your bag/luggage must be a sturdy, soft duffle type bag, NOT a hard-sided suitcase. Your bag can have handles and/or wheels (with one hard side – often the bottom, where the wheels are attached) but rigid luggage or bags with hard internal frames will not fit on the aircrafts used for the internal flights. The bag size should be no larger than 32 inches long x 15 inches wide x 15 inches high. Please use the lightweight High Sierra rolling duffel that we have provided.

DAY PACK/CARRY-ON BAG: This should be used to pack essentials such as valuables, trip documents and prescription medication including, anti-malaria prophylaxis. It is also important to have sunglasses, a sunhat, sunscreen and insect repellent handy. Camera equipment that you carry on the plane is counted as part of your weight allowance. Your day pack/carry-on bag and any camera equipment should be able to sit on your lap or under the seat on the aircrafts used for internal flights.

ESSENTIALS

We strongly recommend the following:

• A pair of binoculars per couple
• A flashlight per person with spare batteries. Although all properties have one in the rooms, it is a good idea to have your own.
• Wide brimmed hat

CLOTHES

When packing, keep in mind that laundry service is available at all of the lodges with many of them offering it complimentary or at very reasonable prices.

Complimentary laundry service: Tarangire Treetops & Swala, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Laundry credit each day: Four Seasons Serengeti

Laundry service charges apply: Gran Melia Arusha, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Zuri Zanzibar

What you wear on safari is very important and listed below are guidelines:

• Comfortable, closed walking shoes/boots
• Acceptable dull bush colors are khaki, green, light brown, beige or grey. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are preferred
• Avoid wearing blue or black (these colors attract tsetse flies) or white (does not wear well in the bush)
• A hat/cap, sunglasses and sunscreen are strongly recommended
• Early morning and night drives can be chilly so bring a fleece/lightweight jacket with you. This can be left in the vehicle once it warms up. For game drives, it is always recommended to dress in thin layers so you can add or remove depending on the weather. The Ngorongoro Crater is quite cold in the evenings so pack some warmer clothes.  A windbreaker, fleece or shawl would be useful.
• There is no particular dress code for the evenings on safari, but smart casual and comfortable clothes are the best. Laundry Note: Although all care is taken with laundry service, please remember that the standards and equipment are not the same as you are accustomed to back home. Please refrain from using the service for delicate items.

PACKING CHECKLIST

We suggest you bring the following on safari:

Day Wear

• 1 pair of light walking boots/closed shoes/trainers; white not recommended
• 1 pair of sandals
• 1 wide brimmed hat and/or baseball cap
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 2–3 pairs of trousers/long pants (cotton/linen material recommended as they are quick to dry)
• 2–3 pairs of shorts (East Africa is still rather conservative, so avoid very short ones)
• 2–3 t-shirts
• 2–3 long sleeve shirts (loose fitting that can be worn over t-shirts for layering)

Evening Wear

• 1–2 sets of casual evening clothes (any color long-trousers and long-sleeves aid to reduce insect bites)
• 1 medium-weight sweater or fleece
• 1 pair of deck-shoes or smart-casual shoes (optional). The terrain can be uneven even in the lodges. High heels are not recommended.

Other Clothes

• 3–4 pairs of light-weight socks
• Undergarments
  • A sports bra can be useful on game drives since the roads can be bumpy
• 1 pair of pajamas or something to wear in bed
• 1 swimsuit

For Ngorongoro

• 1 warm/windproof jacket
• 1 warm/wooly hat (invaluable on cold morning drives when descending in the Crater)
• 1 scarf or shawl or pashmina

For Zanzibar

• Pack for a hot, tropical beach vacation
• Shorts, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, tanks, swimwear, sandals

TOILETRIES/PERSONAL ITEMS

Although all lodges have great amenities, there are some items that you will need to bring including face and eye creams, high SPF sunscreen, after sun cream/aloe, lip balm, insect repellent (containing at least 30% DEET), toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving cream, razor (non- electric is better), conditioner and anything that is part of your daily routine. All lodges have a little shop where a limited selection of products can be purchased. The shops normally have major brands but with limited variety.

MEDICATION

Make sure to bring all necessary prescription medicine with you with an extra supply, as they are difficult to get in East Africa. Also bring preferred painkillers, antihistamine cream and tablets, nausea and diarrhea relief, and any other medication/remedies you typically use.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Prescription and reading glasses plus a spare pair if possible and cleaning supplies
• Contact lenses, spares, cleaning supplies and eye drops (for dust)
• Reading material and guide/identification books; each lodge has a small library
• Zip-lock bags and some spare plastic bags are always useful (Note: If you are going to Rwanda, you cannot bring in plastic bags. Please bring/use plastic-alternatives.)
• Adapter plug (to convert to UK 3 square pinned socket)
• Hand sanitizer (wipes or gel)
• Cash (ideally $10, $20 & $50 US$ post 2006 bills). Money can be changed into local currency; however, you don’t really need to do so since you can settle any bill in USD or with credit cards.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

All lodges have recharging facilities with international plug adapters available for cameras, iPads, laptops, etc.

Whether an amateur with a small digital camera or a more experienced photographer, the following is suggested:

• Camera
• Spare memory cards
• Charger and spare battery
• Camera cleaning equipment
• Dustproof, waterproof padded camera bag
• Beanbag, monopod or small tripod

For Keener Photographers

• Camera body (make sure you know how to use it before you leave home)
• Wide angle lens (35-80mm)
• Telephoto zoom lens (80mm up to 500mm, but 200/300mm will suffice)

Optional Suggestions

• Laptop/iPad for image storage/backup
• Video Camera – with lots of memory plus spare batteries

Effective June 2019, Tanzania has banned the importation and use of all plastic bags including Duty-Free bags. Ziplock bags required by airport security are still permitted into the country.