What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania {+ Checklist} 2025
Planning what to wear on safari in Tanzania can be a tricky task. For most of us, going on safari is a trip of a lifetime and not something we do often.
Chances are, if you’re reading this guide on what to wear on safari in Tanzania, this is your first ever safari trip and you’re feeling a little out of your depth.
I know, because that’s exactly how I felt!
I was imagining looking like an intrepid adventurer, bounding off into the Serengeti in search of lions, fitting in seamlessly with my surroundings. Perhaps with a stylish camera slung over my shoulder and maybe a sketch pad or two.
But in truth, I had absolutely no idea what I’d need. I didn’t know what the weather would be like, I didn’t know what colours to wear to stay as camouflaged as possible, and I didn’t even know what travel adaptor I needed!
So I did what I enjoy doing most before an upcoming trip – a whole load of research into what to wear on safari in Tanzania.
Now, several years later and several safaris wiser, I have my safari packing list down to a fine art.
From sun hats to socks, I’ve got it covered in this guide to what to wear on safari in Tanzania. I hope this packing guide will help you in preparing for what will be the most incredible experience and a holiday you will never forget.
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Table of Contents
- What Clothes To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
- Example Outfit To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
- What Colours To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
- The Weather In Tanzania
- What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania For Ladies
- Safari Packing Checklist
What Clothes To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
The most important thing to remember when on safari in Tanzania is comfort. You will be doing a whole lot of travelling, and days will be long (though in all the excitement they certainly won’t feel it!) Casual, comfortable and easy-to-wash clothes are recommended.
You will also want to pack light. It’s no fun lugging bags and bags worth of clothes you’re never going to wear from hotel to hotel. On top of that, you will need to fit all your suitcases into one jeep. Save your driver a whole load of hard work by packing as efficiently as possible.
Tops and Layers
The most important thing about packing clothes for a safari in Tanzania is that you pack PLENTY of layers. It’s going to be a whole range of different temperatures so you’ll want to be prepared for it all.
T-shirts
You will want some light-coloured, lightweight T-shirts to wear on safari during the day when it’s hot. I preferred vest type tops without sleeves so I could pair them with a sun shirt to protect me andkeep the bugs off.
As a preference, I found loose fitting tops were cooler and more comfortable in the sweaty jeep seats!
✅ A top like this is perfect
Long-sleeved blouse
Get a lightweight one for use as a sun cover-up during the day, extra points if it’s UPF-rated like this one. It also makes a great extra layer in the evening, or you can wear it over your evening wear to keep the chill off.
Long sleeved T-shirt
Wear this over your t-shirts to keep you warm during the morning and evening game drives. It’s honestly pretty nippy, so layers work best.
Jumper
Something warm and snuggly in neutral colours. You can wear it for sunrise or nighttime game drives, or just for lounging around in your hotel room. It’s nice to have a little home comfort when you’re travelling!
✅ A neutral hoodie like this is great
Jacket
I absolutely love this one from Amazon basics, and can’t believe how cheap it is! One like this will be perfect for the colder evenings and early mornings, plus the handy pockets are great for storing lenses in for easy access.
You won’t want to be fumbling around in the bottom of your bag when you spot a leopard!
Helpful Tip: If you’re heading off for a safari in Tanzania during the rainy season then bring a lightweight waterproof poncho with you. They’re so easy to get on and off and they pack away really small. I’ve also found they’re far better than raincoats or umbrellas for keeping the rain off.
Bottoms To Wear On Safari
This a tricky one as they’re not as easy to layer up as tops, and the morning safaris can start cold and warm up through the day. I usually wore a pair of baggy trousers over shorts and then I could whip them off when needed.
Shorts
✅ Loose shorts are the way to go. Make sure the fabric is breathable!
Comfy Trousers / Leggings
When you’re sitting around in the jeep for long periods at a time you’re going to be thankful you bought some loose, comfy trousers to wear.
Make sure they’re made out of a lightweight material, and that you’re really comfortable in them. Leggings are another great option as you can layer them under a skirt or dress for when it’s cold and whip them off in the midday heat.
✅ These trousers are perfect
Safari Essentials
These are few a must-haves that you’ll want to shove in your day bag for safaris or trips out. It’s really important not to forget cover-ups for the sun, because even though you’ll probably be in a jeep for most of the day the sun still gets in as most of them are open.
You’ll end up with one arm in the sun for hours on end and things like that, so take clothing you can use to protect yourself.
Hat
Protect yourself from the heat of the sun with a wide-brimmed sun hat that will keep the sun off your face. Just make sure it isn’t made of a thick material, or your hair will be stuck nice and sweaty to your head all day!
Scarf
A lightweight scarf makes a wonderful travel accessory and I never leave for a trip without one. You can use them in all sorts of different ways. To keep you warm on sunset and sunrise game drives, to use as a cover up from the sun or to keep the dust off your face.
Make sure you have at least one lightweight scarf in your luggage – this one comes in a range of designs, is super good value and will serve a million different purposes!
Sunglasses
Sunglasses, because you don’t want to be squinting at all those animals! Keep the sun out of your eyes with some polarised sunglasses, and keep the dust out too!
Polarised is always best for sun protection, and since living on a boat and hearing lots of horror stories about what the sun can do to your eyes I am a lot more willing to spend money on a decent pair of sunglasses.
Note: This post is about what to wear on safari but it’s worth adding in a note about a few extras I see as essentials. A water bottle (for obvious reasons), insect repellant (again, pretty obvious), and possibly binoculars.
These aren’t essentials and can be quite expensive so we haven’t included them in the packing list, but you might want a pair for spotting animals in the distance. I’d say they’re especially important if you’re interested in bird watching while on safari.
Evening Wear
Dinner Dress. Bring something nice to wear in the evening. You’ll be thankful for it when you get back from safari and all your clothes are covered in dust!
Maxi Dress. Something long and floaty like this is great for if you’re outdoors for longer periods of time. You can wear it for your safari with boots and a jacket, or save it for lounging by the pool or having dinner.
Shoes
Shoes are bulky to pack and you shouldn’t need too much variety here.
Wear a pair of hiking shoes, boots or trainers on the plane and pack another pair of shoes that you can wear in the evening or by the pool. Something like a pair of sandals or nice flip-flops are perfect alternatives that have lots of uses.
You will probably only need one pair of shoes while you’re on safari. There isn’t much walking involved, but when there is you will want your feet covered up from the dust, dirt and creatures!
Bring a pair of boots that you can wear during the day and with your evening dress, that way you can save room in your bag for more camera equipment!
Swimwear
Your lodge or camp will most likely have a pool area. We chose the cheapest safari on offer and every place we stayed still had the most gorgeous pool looking over incredible views.
You won’t want to miss out on taking a dip! Make sure you bring at least one set of swimwear so you can make the most of the beautiful swim areas. Even if you’re camping, having swimwear on hand will mean you can wash and keep your dignity!
Day Bag/Camera Bag
You’re going to need something to carry around essentials while you’re on your safari in Tanzania. Something durable and easy to carry is best for a safari, and something with lots of pockets so that you can get to things quickly and easily while you’re in a bumpy jeep.
Unfortunately, Peak Design hadn’t released their sling camera bag when we went to Tanzania but it would have been our bag of choice.
The biggest sling they have will fit in all your camera gear including zoom lenses, or a smaller bit of camera gear and your essentials like suncream and a cover-up.
✅ Buy the 10l sling bag here
Luggage Bag For Safaris
Consider taking a soft luggage bag with you, like a backpack or a duffel bag. These make packing up the jeep much, much easier.
This super cute duffel bag has wheels and folds down really small. It’s the perfect compromise between something great for safari and travel and something that’s easy for getting onto flights. It also looks great too!
Check your flight luggage allowance, but also remember to check the luggage allowance for any internal flights you might be taking. The luggage allowance on these is often much smaller, so make sure you know before you fly out a huge bag full of all your favourite things!
Example Outfit To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
Your outfit choices will probably look a little like this.
Safari – Vest top/ T-shirt with some comfy trousers and boots, layered with a long-sleeved blouse, jacket and scarf. Don’t forget your sunglasses and hat!
Evening – Cute midi dress, boots and your long-sleeved blouse or scarf to keep off the chill!
You will want a few different T-shirts and long layers so you don’t have to wash them, and you might like a couple of dresses or skirts/tops to wear between your safari and dinner, but you can see how it’s pretty easy to keep packing to a minimum.
Your jacket, blouse and scarf can all double up for evening or daytime, as can lightweight dresses. If you take clothing that is versatile it will be much easier to pack!
What Colours To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
You should avoid wearing any dark colours on a safari in Tanzania and stick with neutral or khaki colours. Tanzania has a bit of a problem with Tsetse flies, which are attracted to dark colours.
You’ll see dark-coloured flags hung from trees in areas that are especially bad, to attract and catch them.
The other problem with dark colours is that they attract heat, so wear lighter colours and they will keep you cooler for longer.
The Weather In Tanzania
The weather in Tanzania doesn’t change too much throughout the year temperature-wise (though obviously it does a bit, so make sure you research before you pack!)
The thing you’ll want to consider if whether you’re travelling during rainy season, as this brings the biggest changes in weather.
Rainy season isn’t considered a great time for safari so you might not have booked to travel then, but if you have then don’t worry – we still had the most fantastic time during the off-season and saw so many animals.
What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania In June
The dry season in Tanzania lasts from late June to October. This is when you’ll have the best chance of seeing some of the more elusive creatures such as leopards, as they tend to be driven to water holes due to lack of rain. This is also when you’ll find the highest prices and biggest crowds!
The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July.
Mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, with temperatures as low as 10°C (50°F), especially in areas like the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Bring a warm fleece or jacket for early game drives, and layer with lighter clothes underneath as the day warms up.
By midday, temperatures can reach 25°C (77°F) or higher, so lightweight clothing like breathable long-sleeve shirts or T-shirts is essential for comfort during the warmer hours.
What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania In July
The temperatures are very similar in July to June, so check out the information above as a guide to what to wear on safari in Tanzania in July.
What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania In September
In September, Tanzania is transitioning from the dry season into the short rains, making it an excellent time for a safari.
The temperatures are generally warm, but mornings and evenings can still be cool, especially at higher altitudes like the Ngorongoro Crater.
The key to dressing for a safari during this month is layering and choosing functional, lightweight, and neutral-colored clothing that can protect you from the sun, insects, and changing temperatures.
What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania In October
In October, Tanzania’s weather starts warming up, and it’s still part of the dry season.
However, mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in high-altitude areas like the Ngorongoro Crater, while midday temperatures can rise significantly. You’ll need to be prepared for both warm days and cool nights, so layering remains essential.
Early morning game drives can still be just as chilly with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). Bring a lightweight fleece or jacket to keep warm.
As the day warms up, you can shed layers to stay comfortable. Temperatures during the day can climb up to 30°C (86°F), especially in lower altitudes.
Wear a breathable t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt made of natural fibers like cotton or linen, which are ideal for hot weather. Zip-off trousers that can convert to shorts are also a versatile option or you can just bring baggy trousers to wear over shorts like I did.
Tanzania’s Rainy Season
Tanzania’s main rainy season lasts through March, April, and May. That being said, we visited during April and had beautiful, clear weather with only one evening of rain.
We saw all the big five, including two leopards, countless lions, a rhino and cheetahs. So if you can’t go during the dry season then you could always take a chance and go in the rainy season.
It’s not the easiest place to pack for, but hopefully this guide has helped you out there.
What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania For Ladies
I would love to be able to say wear whatever you like, no matter where you visit. What a world that would be.
Unfortunately, it’s simply not the case, and as women, we do have to be mindful of how we dress.
I always felt extremely comfortable on safari. It’s a tourist activity and the locals who work in the safari industry understand this and are used to all sorts of dress styles.
That being said, I do think it’s important to be respectful of local cultures when you visit a country you haven’t grown up in. You would expect the same from visitors to your country.
So while shorts are fine, stick to longer shorts and avoid clothing that’s incredibly skimpy or tight.
To be honest, it would be totally impractical anyway. You’ll want to cover up to protect yourself from the sun, the bugs, and the sticky Jeep seats!
Handy Packing List For A Tanzania Safari
We’ve put together a super handy safari packing list so that you have a tick-list of all the things you’ll need.
You can obviously adapt it to include items of clothing you can’t live without, but hopefully it will prompt you to remember all the essentials.
Conclusion: What To Wear On Safari In Tanzania
When preparing for a safari in Tanzania, what you wear can impact your comfort and experience so you’ll want to get it right.
Tanzania’s landscape and climate are diverse, ranging from the humid coast to the cooler highlands, with safari destinations like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire offering warm days and cool nights.
For daytime game drives, lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral colours—like khaki, olive, or beige—is ideal. These tones help you blend in with the natural environment, reducing your visibility to wildlife and preventing bugs from being attracted to bright colours.
Wearing layers is essential because temperatures can shift significantly between early mornings, hot afternoons, and chilly evenings. You don’t want to be doing a full change mid safari though, so items of clothing you can whip on and off are perfect.
A long-sleeved shirt and trousers not only protect you from the sun but also help shield against insect bites. Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics to stay cool during the heat of the day.
A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen are essential for sun protection. Sturdy, comfortable shoes or boots are a must, especially if you plan on any walking safaris, and don’t forget to pack a light jacket or fleece for cooler evenings.
For evenings, casual, comfortable clothing will suffice, but a jacket or sweater will keep you warm as temperatures drop. Also, packing a scarf or shawl is useful to cover up during cooler nights or dusty game drives. I’d pack something nice to wear if you’re staying in hotels so you can dress up a little for evening meals, but it’s not a requirement.
Lastly, a good pair of binoculars, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle are key accessories to bring along.
Proper clothing and gear can make all the difference in staying comfortable while enjoying Tanzania’s breathtaking wildlife and landscapes. Whatever you pack, you’ll have the most amazing time – enjoy, and take lots of photos to send us!
