HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP

PASSPORTS AND VISAS
All travelers will need a current passport with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the last day you’ll be in Tanzania. Tanzania tourist visas can be applied for in advance and only through the Tanzanian government's official website at https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. We recommend applying at least 3 weeks prior to your departure. Each traveler, including children, will need to apply for a visa separately. See the Downloads below for a help sheet to assist you with the application process. If you choose to purchase your visa upon arrival be prepared to pay in cash, USD only ($100 per person for US citizen, $50 per person for all other nationalities). Note that the process to purchase your visa on arrival has multiple steps and can be time consuming.

VACCINATIONS
Proper health preparations for the trip are your responsibility. You may be able to get your vaccinations from your own physician, but a travel clinic will be more familiar with the necessary vaccines and can also provide other helpful information.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
Tanzania Choice Safaris does not provide insurance for travelers, but we strongly encourage you to insure your trip. Speak with your travel agent or airline about options for travel insurance to cover personal accidents, medical expenses and medical evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, and loss of personal effects.

CLOTHING
The weather may vary considerably throughout your trip, or even throughout the day, so plan on clothing that can be layered if it’s cool, or removed if it’s warm. Choose separates that can be mixed and matched, and avoid fabrics that require special care. Neutral colors are good for safari; avoid black and blue clothing as tsetse flies are attracted to those colors. Accessorize with modest jewelry.

Depending on your itinerary, consider a pair of sturdy closed-toe shoes in case of mud or rough terrain. Sandals will be appropriate for safari. Most days will be sunny, so bring appropriate sun protection: hat (wide-brim is best to protect the neck and ears), sunscreen, sunglasses.

PACKING TIPS
Packing for a trip like this is a delicate balance between bringing what you’ll need and not overburdening yourself with luggage. As you review the packing list and determine what to bring with you, remember this:

“He who would travel happily must travel light.” —Antoine de Saint Exupéry, pilot and author

Clearly mark your luggage on the outside and inside with your contact information in case it gets lost. A bright ribbon or large, unique luggage tag will help you spot your luggage on the carousel among the hundreds of other bags also arriving on your flight. It's also a good idea to snap a quick photo of your packed luggage before you check-in so you have an easy reference in case any luggage gets lost along the way and you need to submit a claim form.

Check with your airline(s) for guidelines on the number and size of bags you may carry—especially any domestic or chartered carriers you’ll be using in Tanzania, as their restrictions will be more extreme than for international flights. Soft-sided luggage is much easier to manage when packing in your safari vehicle and may also be required by the airline if you are flying in or out of the national parks. You can find specific luggage information for domestic airlines here:

• Air Tanzania
• Auric Air
• Coastal Aviation
• Flightlink
• Precision Air

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Tanzanian government has banned plastic bags. Zip-lock style bags for carrying toiletries are accepted.

ESSENTIALS TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY-ON BAG:

• passport (keep a photocopy of your photo page in each of your suitcases)
• printed copy of your eVisa if you applied online in advance (which we recommend)
• printed copy of your air travel itinerary
• International Certificate of Vaccination (not required of most travelers, only those whose itinerary requires them to have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination)
• prescription and essential over-the-counter medications in their original containers
• money and/or ATM/credit cards (see the Money section of What to Expect for more information)
• toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any other essential hygiene items
• a few clothing items to hold you over a couple of days if your luggage gets lost
• valuables such as your camera and phone

OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER BRINGING BEYOND WHAT YOU MAY TYPICALLY TRAVEL WITH:

• passport carrier/money holder
• small day pack/backpack for carrying items you need during the day
• wide-brimmed hat
• converter/adapter
• binoculars
• small flashlight
• travel alarm
• mini sewing kit and safety pins
• extra batteries or charger for camera
• bandana for a variety of uses—washcloth, dust mask, head cover, etc.
• snacks—granola bars, trail mix, hard candies; chocolate may melt but could still be worth the risk
• hand sanitizer
• feminine sanitary supplies (even if you aren't expecting your period during the trip because travel can sometimes affect your cycle)—options are very limited for local purchase, especially tampons
• insect repellent
• lip balm with sunscreen
• roll of toilet paper or travel packs of tissue
• shampoo and hair styling products (some tented camps and lodges operate on solar power and cannot accommodate a hair dryer or other styling implements; select a low-maintenance hairstyle for your safari)
• sunscreen
• wet wipes
• Swahili phrasebook
• Tanzania guidebook

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS: click here for a specialized packing list.