Packing List

What to bring on the northern circuit, and what to leave behind. Written from what guests actually turn up with, and what they wish they had.

The one rule that catches people out

If any part of your trip involves a light aircraft (Seronera, Kogatende, Lake Manyara airstrip) you are limited to 15kg including hand luggage, in a soft bag. Not 15kg plus a daypack. Hard cases are refused at the desk, not negotiated over. Camps will do same-day laundry, so pack for four days and wash.

Clothing

Three or four neutral shirts: khaki, olive, stone. Long sleeves protect from sun and insects better than sunscreen does.
Two pairs of lightweight trousers. Zip-off legs are practical and nobody is judging.
A fleece and a windproof layer. The Ngorongoro rim can sit near 10°C at dawn.
A wide-brimmed hat that will not blow off through an open roof.
Closed walking shoes plus sandals for camp. Hiking boots are unnecessary unless you are also climbing.
A swimsuit: some lodges have pools, and the ones that do not will not mind.

Leave at home: dark blue and black clothing, which attracts tsetse flies; camouflage print, which is illegal for civilians in Tanzania and will be confiscated; and anything you would be upset to get dust on.

The things people most regret not bringing

Binoculars. 8×42 is the right compromise between magnification and steadiness in a moving vehicle. One pair per person, not one per couple. This causes more friction than any other item.
Twice the memory cards you planned. Nobody has ever come back with too many.
A dust-proof bag for camera bodies. A dry bag works.
Small US dollar notes printed after 2009. Older notes are widely refused. You need these for visas and tips.

Health and documents

Passport valid six months beyond your return date, with two blank pages.
Visa: obtainable online in advance, which is easier than on arrival.
Yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from an endemic country, including a layover over twelve hours.
Malaria prophylaxis, prescribed by a travel clinic six to eight weeks out.
Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover. This is a condition of travelling with us, not a suggestion.
A small personal first-aid kit: rehydration salts, antihistamine, plasters, any prescription medicines in their original packaging.

Electrics

Tanzania uses UK-style Type G three-pin sockets at 230V. Camps generally have a charging point in the main mess rather than in your tent, and solar camps may only run it for part of the day. A power bank removes the problem entirely.

What not to bother with

Mosquito nets: every camp provides them. A sleeping bag. Water purification tablets; drinking water is supplied throughout. Formal clothes; no camp on the northern circuit has a dress code. A drone, which requires permits most visitors will not get and is banned in the national parks.

Questions this does not answer? Reply to the email, or message us on WhatsApp. A person in Arusha answers.