Joanna James
With its diversely gorgeous ecosystems, exhilarating encounters with the rarest wildlife, and colourful local communities, there are varied elements to factor in when it comes to preparing for your Tanzanian escapade! Here’s your curated checklist for an unforgettable safari experience.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of smart packing and crafting a customised itinerary for this dream destination of vibrantly lush wildlife vistas, sweepingly dramatic alpine peaks dipped in astounding biodiversity, and nature-kissed cobblestoned island towns full of ancient enchantment, don’t forget to ensure that your travel documents are prepared and up-to-date well in advance, from your passport and required entry permits to your flight itinerary and vaccination certificate for yellow fever.
Crisp new dollar notes are the order of the day when holidaying in the African bush and this part of the continent has a specific tipping etiquette that can make or break the smoothness and quality of your expedition. As you will be carrying a significant wad of cash, make sure that you divide it and stow it away carefully in different sections of your carry-on bag, purse, and backpack.
Looking snazzy on your stimulating wildlife adventure isn’t difficult as long as you adhere to the handful of safari guidelines, which include, wearing layers of breathable fabric, chucking on a wide-brim hat (after slathering on sunscreen), bringing along a utility jacket for chilly mornings, and opting for earthy tones to avoid being a target for Tsetse flies. If you’re looking for immersive tours in Tanzania that offer authentically customised experiences, venture no further than the likes of SkySafari.
Bush flights often restrict the weight of luggage to 15 kilos and favour soft-sided or duffle bags. Make sure you pack only the absolute essentials and leave space for the one-of-a-kind souvenirs you’ll pick up at one of the many fascinatingly beautiful stops like Zanzibar and Arusha City.
Even in the untouched wilderness, you’ll need to bring your favourite moisturiser, lip balm, shampoo, and conditioner to make sure your skin and hair are not hard-hit by the extremely dry climate, and you can’t forget a massive bottle of sunscreen!
While long sleeves and pants minimise insect bites, a spray bottle of repellent containing Deet or all-natural citronella is a must-have to enjoy the majestically wild African bush without bugs getting in the way!
A universal plug adapter and converter are vital if you want to charge your electronics with minimal hassle, from your camera batteries, computer, and cell phone to your hairdryer, portable power pack, and flatiron, with most of Sub-Saharan Africa using 220-240 volts electricity at a 50 Hz frequency.
The safari experience is full of incredible moments and stunning views of lions climbing trees, herds of mountain zebras, countless wildebeests, and flocks of flamingos on the lakeshore. It's natural to want to capture every moment, so it's important to protect your camera, lenses, memory cards, and USB flash drive from mud and dust. This is especially true during rainy safari rides, so be sure to store your equipment in a waterproof dry bag to keep those safe and secure.
From cold medicine, cough drops, dietary supplements, and personal prescription meds to anti-malaria pills, pain killers, and an antihistamine for allergic reactions to bites or stings, make sure you stock up on all the medication you need as the nearest pharmacy will be hours away.
Your foray into this epic and untamed playground needs to be accompanied by a comforting miscellany of items to make you feel more at home, including sanitary products, hand antiseptics, and wet wipes that can easily fit into your backpack.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
