Packing list for Tanzania, travel insurance for Tanzania, and taking your belongings

To take or not to take to Tanzania, leave at home or arrange locally?

Sufficiently insured or not for your activities in Tanzania?

Sufficiently insured or not for your trip to Tanzania?

What to take with you to Tanzania: spotlighted

• Documents: Passport, valid for at least 6 months after the end of your trip. An online and/or offline copy of your passport.
• Money: Enough Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) in cash (preferably small) for most of your holiday – US dollars are also acceptable, but they must be new and free of tears. Debit and credit cards for the big cities.
• Care: Enough sunscreen, as it is cheaper and easier to find at home (read more about sunscreen and sun block).
• Outdoor and practical: sunglasses and something for your head (read more about a hat, travel cap or cap here!
• Clothing: light and neutrally colored tropical clothing that is best for safaris and warm areas if it covers your body because of the mosquitoes. A not too thin sweater for the cooler hills.
• Shoes: suitable, light shoes for walking and the tropics. And possibly travel sandals, tevas or open shoes.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhea, disinfectant and of course good anti-mosquito repellent (see also DEET anti-mosquito repellent).
• Technology and equipment: world plug type D & G (see also world plug or travel plug), power bank for your multi-day nature trips.
• Women: menstrual products. You can even take some extra to leave somewhere. Also check the Binti project and Reenpad if you want to contribute.
• Extras: a reusable bag. Plastic bags are prohibited, so don't bring them! (Wet), biodegradable wipes for toilet visits.

What are some other options for packing as well?

• Reusable water bottle with filter (read more about drinking bottles).
• Mini binoculars or monocular.
• Water shoes, given the coral and rocks in the water at various locations.
• Mosquito net, impregnated or not (read more about mosquito nets or impregnated mosquito net or mosquito net).
• Sandals/slippers for at the hotel.
• Headlamp (read more about headlamp or flashlight) and entertainment for evening adventures.
• Money belt if you want to feel a bit safer (but not really necessary).

What should you keep in mind when traveling to Tanzania with your belongings?

• That you will spend quite a bit of extra cash on tips (10%). 
• The culture of the regions you are going to - in Zanzibar and Islamic regions for example: no bare shoulders or knees, not even on the beach in local neighborhoods.

Are there mosquitoes in Tanzania?

• There are mosquitoes throughout Tanzania.
• Mosquitoes in Tanzania can transmit both malaria and dengue.
• Mosquitoes are particularly active at sunrise and sunset.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Tanzania?

• Sand flies are not a big problem in Tanzania, but have been found in the north of the country (where they can transmit leishmaniasis) and tourists report sand flies on some islands.
• If you are already protecting yourself against mosquitoes, you probably don't have to worry about sand flies.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Tanzania?

• DEET is available at large pharmacies in Tanzania and also natural mosquito repellent. But… the choice is a lot more limited and often a lot more expensive than at home because it has to be imported.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Tanzania, or take it with you to Tanzania?

• Weed is illegal and foreign tourists are severely punished with prison sentences.
• Even small amounts can cause big problems. So: Hakuna matata? Only without a joint.
• So you are not allowed to take it with you!