What to Wear on a Tanzania safari

Early morning game drives usually start around sunrise, when it is cool and often windy in the open-roof vehicle. Wear a T-shirt, a long-sleeved shirt and a warm fleece or light jacket, plus a buff and beanie at Ngorongoro. Hot drinks help too, and you will be glad of every layer until the sun climbs.

By late morning the sun is strong and temperatures rise quickly, especially on the open plains of the Serengeti. Remove your warm layers and stay in a light long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Breathable trousers or shorts keep you cool and comfortable during long, sunny hours in the safari vehicle.

Afternoon drives start warm, but the temperature drops quickly once the sun sets. Keep a light jacket or fleece in your daypack for sundowners and the drive back to camp. Long sleeves and trousers are also helpful in the early evening, when mosquitoes and other insects become more active around rivers, swamps and waterholes in the parks.

Safari lodges and tented camps are relaxed, with no formal dress code. Smart-casual clothing such as a clean shirt, trousers or a long skirt and comfortable shoes is perfect for dinner. Evenings can be cool, so bring a warm layer for dining outdoors or sitting by the campfire under the African stars after a delicious dinner.

These are the coolest months in Tanzania. Days are sunny and pleasant, but mornings and evenings can be cold, particularly at Ngorongoro Crater and in the Serengeti. Pack a warm fleece or light down jacket, a beanie, light gloves and a buff for the dust, alongside your usual light safari clothing for the warm, sunny afternoons.

Late dry season brings warmer days and dusty roads as the land dries out. Pack light, breathable shirts and trousers in neutral colours, a wide-brimmed hat and a buff or scarf for dust. A light fleece is still useful for early mornings, and the southern parks can be very hot at this time of year.

The short rains in November and the long rains from March to May bring warm, humid weather and afternoon showers. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothing, a waterproof cover for your camera and shoes that dry quickly. Extra insect repellent is wise, and a light fleece still helps for cool early mornings on game drives.

December to February is warm, green and mostly dry, with occasional showers, and it is the calving season in the southern Serengeti. Pack light, breathable clothing, a sun hat and sunscreen, with a light rain jacket just in case. Mornings at Ngorongoro remain cool, so a fleece is still a sensible addition to your bag.

Tanzania, including Zanzibar, has banned single-use plastic carrier bags, and they may be confiscated on arrival at the airport. Pack your toiletries in reusable zip pouches or fabric wash bags instead, and use packing cubes or cloth bags to organise your clothes. It is a simple step that helps protect Tanzania's wildlife, rivers and beautiful landscapes.

Military-style camouflage clothing is associated with the army and is best avoided by visitors in Tanzania and many other African countries. Choose plain khaki, olive, sand or brown instead, which blend into the bush just as well. This also applies to camouflage bags, hats and accessories, so check your luggage carefully before you leave home for Tanzania.

If your safari includes flights between parks or to Zanzibar, small aircraft usually have strict luggage limits and require soft duffel bags rather than hard suitcases. Limits are often around fifteen to twenty kilograms per person, including hand luggage, depending on the airline. Our team will confirm the exact allowance for your private itinerary before you pack.

Tanzania is a conservative country, and modest clothing is appreciated in towns, villages, markets and on Zanzibar. Cover your shoulders and knees when you are away from the lodge, beach or game drive vehicle. A light scarf, sarong or long skirt is easy to carry and makes it simple to dress respectfully at short notice.

Most safari lodges and tented camps offer laundry, often included or at a small cost, so you can pack much less. Many lodges in Tanzania do not wash underwear for cultural reasons and provide washing powder instead, so pack a small bottle of travel wash. Quick-dry fabrics usually dry overnight, even in the humid green season.

Dark blue and black clothing is known to attract tsetse flies, which are found in parts of Tarangire and some other woodland areas. Bright white shows dust quickly, and bright colours can be distracting on walking safaris. Light khaki, beige, sand and olive are the most practical colours for every Tanzania safari destination, from the Serengeti to Ruaha.