Below are some general packing tips and information. Please read the luggage requirements and travel insurance information carefully.
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS FOR SAFARI:
Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles. Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24″ will not be stored in vehicles and should not be brought. You will not be able to bring suitcases larger than the dimensions above and will sacrifice storing oversize luggage at the Tanzania Airport for the entire duration of your trip. Please pack light to avoid this issue.
*Camera gear bags which can pass as carry-on during flight are OK to bring in addition to other carry on size luggage.
Packing Suggestions:
- Shorts/quick dry fabric is great
- T-shirts/short sleeve shirts/quick-dry shirts
- Light weight long sleeve shirts (for cooler mornings)
- Light weight long pair of pants/ quick dry fabric is great
- Layers of clothing
- Ear plugs (especially if sharing a room)
- Rain protection gear (poncho is fine but rain jacket better)
- Wide brimmed hat/baseball cap
- Sandals/flip flops for lodges, pool, etc.
- Comfortable running/tennis shoes/Hiking Shoes
- Bathing suit(s)
- Sunglasses, prescription glasses, and a spare pair
* Please remember: Neutral colors are best for safari. Avoid bright colors and white clothing. Light, quick drying pants, shorts and tops are best.
Toiletries, Camera Gear, & other essentials
- PASSPORT!
- AT LEAST 2 BACKUP PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT
- Insect repellant/bug spray (SHOULD CONTAIN 20% DEET MAX OR ALTERNATIVE (Higher concentrations are NOT more effective and can damage clothes and your health!).
- Sunblock
- Toiletries: shampoo, lotion, deodorant (try to avoid strong scents), toothbrush, toothpaste, 1-2 rolls of toilet paper
- SheWee (For women) (http://www.backpacker.com/skills/the-complete-guide-to-female-urination-devices/)
- Prescription medications (if any) & Malaria Pills
- International Plug Adapter (see below)
- Daypack/ small backpack
- Ziplock bags
- Personal first aid kit (Imodium, Pepto Bismol, Band-Aids, Neosporin, etc.)
- Headlamp/ flashlight
- After bite
- Anti-bacterial hand lotion
- Dramamine/Bonine or other motion sickness medication (We cannot stress bringing enough even if you don’t usually have motion sickness)
- Camera, extra memory cards/sticks, extra battery or recharging gear
- OPTIONAL DLSR LENS RECOMMENDATIONS: wide angle and telephoto with at least 300 mm (400-500 is preferred)
- Binoculars (There is one pair per vehicle but we highly recommend bringing a pair of your own.)
- Tripod (optional)
- Cash (small denominations are best like $1, $5, $10 and $20 for tipping and spending money)
- International Credit Card (no international fees!)
Voltage and Plug Adapters
The voltage in Tanzania is 220-240, TYPE G: British BS-1363. They also occasionally use Type C CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type D (BS-546) plugs.
Please go to below link for more information. Be sure to bring a plug adapter to charge camera batteries and any other electronics you may need.
https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/tanzania/
All of our lodges, hotels, and camps have electricity.
Weather in Tanzania
Tanzania lies just south of the equator and has a pleasant, tropical climate, but there are large regional climatic variations influenced by several factors, including altitude. Temperatures drop by about 3.5°F per every 1,000 ft. Tanzania’s daytime temperatures average between 20°C/68°F and 28°C/82°F, but it is warmer on the coast. Tanzania is too close to the equator to experience a real winter and summer. There is, however, both a Dry and Wet season.
In April…
Although this is considered the “rainy season”, it’s actually a preferable time to explore the country for many reasons. First, even though precipitation occurs frequently, it’s usually only for a couple hours out of the whole day. The rest of the day sees cloudy, and partly cloudy skies (occasionally no clouds). For wildlife photography, cloudy skies are often preferred in the middle hours of the day because they provide a more even light to photograph the animals. Despite the rains, this season is many travelers’ favorite time to visit Tanzania because the parks are often devoid of hoards of safari vehicles, yet full of animals making the most of the abundant water supplies! The south and south-eastern parts of the Serengeti generally have wide open plains with poor tree coverage at all times, therefore game viewing is still good here even during this season.
AND, wildebeest start to return to the hills in the north in April as the young are now a few months old so we should be able to get some great photos during this time!
Vaccines
IMPORTANT: We are not doctors and do not have the authority to give medical advice, including vaccine recommendations. Please consult your doctor, a travel clinic, and the website below. Your vaccine decisions are at your discretion only.
No vaccination proof is “mandatory” in order to get through customs however for your own personal safety you will want to get Hep A, Hep B, Malaria Pills, & Typhoid vaccines. Please consult your physician for more information and recommendations.
Please see the government recommendations here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania
Travel Documents
- Passport
- Vaccine certificates (*not needed but if you have them, bring them)
- Visa, online application OR on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport. A passport and visa are required for entry into Tanzania. While single entry visas are currently still available upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport, Tanzania Immigration plans to end visas upon arrival at some point in the future. Therefore, it is a good idea to apply online through the e-visa process which may speed up your time at customs on arrival as well. You can apply online before the trip here – https://travel.state.gov/
* The application may ask for the local “sponsor” or company and address. You can put the following information for this if needed:
Leopard Tours
+255 27 254 8441 Nyerere Rd, Arusha, Tanzania
Money/Tips/Gratuities
Tips and gratuities to house cleaning/camp staff, drivers, & guide(s) are expected in the travel industry, especially when with a group. Budget approx. $ 2.00 – $ 4.00 per person per day for lodge and hotel staff, $ 1.00 per bag for porters, $7.00 – $ 10.00 per person per day for our local guide, and $ 3.00- $5.00 per person per day for our driver. Tips are optional but we highly encourage them if you feel the service deserves it. *You do not need local currency while in Tanzania. Credit cards and USD will be accepted.
All meals are included so unless you plan on doing a lot of shopping at the gift shop, there aren’t a lot of expenses you need to bring money for aside from tipping. Water and other beverages are sometimes not included with our meals or at other times during the safari.
Please budget 3-5 USD per day on bottled water and other beverages (for alcohol specifically) *Tea & Coffee is complimentary throughout at all hotels…
Tips and gratuities for hotel house cleaning, porters, and drivers & guide(s) are expected in the travel industry when with a group. Budget approx. $ 2.00 – $ 4.00 per person per day for lodge and hotel staff, $ 1.00 per bag for porters, $10.00 – $ 12.00 per person per day for our local guide, and $ 3.00- $5.00 per day for our driver. Tips are optional but we highly encourage them if you feel the service deserves it.
*TOTAL recommended tipping budget for Safari: 225.00-350.00 USD
(*You will be able to tip in USD & we do not recommend changing currency on this trip)
General Info: Most Tanzanians in the travel industry are paid very low wages and rely heavily on tips. Tipping is down to individuals as you tip according to the service you get. Tip what you feel is appropriate and what has been deserved.
