PACKING LIST
Essential Gear
Daily essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, shower cap, body soap, etc.
Light-weight binoculars.   Models such as 8 x 21 or 6 x 16 provide suitable magnification and illumination. 10 x models are usable, but are usually heavy, expensive, and require a very steady hand.

• Spare eyeglasses/contact lens
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen, SPF 15 or stronger
• Insect repellent with DEET (30%-35% strength)
• Travel money bag or money belt
• Photocopies of passport, air ticket, credit cards
• Extra passport-sized photos
• Moisturizer and sun-blocking chapstick
• Pocket-size tissues
• Moist towelettes (not individual packets) and/or anti-bacterial "water-free" hand cleanser
• Flashlight, extra batteries/bulb

Medicines

• Your own prescription medicines
• Cold remedies: Sudafed, etc.
• Ibuprofen or aspirin
• Laxatives, such as Senokot or Ex-Lax
• Pepto-Bismol or Mylanta
• Benadryl or other antihistamine
• Anti-diarrhea tablets: like Imodium
• Band-Aids, several sizes
• Moleskin foot pads
• Neosporin or bacitracin
• Prescription antibiotic for diarrhea
• Prescription medicine to prevent malaria
• Optional: Prescription medicine for altitude sickness
• Optional: Tylenol with codeine, or another strong pain medication

Optional Gear

• Camera gear
• Cell phone
• Travel alarm or travel watch with alarm
• Hanging toiletry bag (with hook to hang on doorknob and pockets to organize items)
• Basic sewing kit
• Hand-wash laundry soap such as Woolite and plastic hang-up clothespins
• Wash cloth
• Reading materials
• Travel journal/note pad and pens
• Eye drops. The dry air and dusty roads can cause itchy eyes.
• Field guides
• Favorite snacks
• Electrical transformer & plug adapters
• Address book
• Photos or post cards from home
• Phrase book
• Folding walking staff, sold in most camping stores
• Folding walking staff, sold in most camping stores
• Inflatable seat cushion for bumpy roads
• Packets of decaffeinated coffee/sweetener/Crystal Light

Note: We do not recommend electric shavers or hair dryers, as electricity is limited at many of camps and lodges.  Hairdryers are available at most hotels & lodges in each major city.
Packing tips:
As you will experience a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, our list suggests several layers of clothing. Most of your clothing can be made of cotton or cotton-synthetic blends. If you like to hand-wash your clothes, bring socks and underwear, and even shirts and pants, made of silk, synthetics, or a cotton-synthetic blend that will dry out overnight. You can buy clothing designed especially for travel. And one more tip—when traveling with a companion we recommend “cross-packing”, i.e. pack 2 outfits of your clothing in your companion’s luggage and vice-versa, in case one bag is delayed.
Style recommendations
Dress on safari is functional and casual, yet neat and presentable in the lodges. Your choice of color is important. As a general rule of thumb, khaki is your best bet. During game drives we suggest that you dress in subdued colors to avoid alerting animals. Earth tones allow you to blend into the scenery. Try to avoid brights or even white, as this color is the danger or alert signal for many species. You should also avoid wearing dark blue or black clothes, as these colors tend to attract tsetse flies. 
Camouflage and military-type clothing is not recommended.

Recommended Clothing (Laundry services are available at most camps, lodges and hotels)

• Short-sleeved cotton shirts: 2 or 3. Golf-style/polo shirts are more versatile than T-shirts.
• Long-sleeved cotton or cotton-blend shirts: 2
• Trousers: 2 or 3 pairs, comfortable and loose fitting.
• Walking shorts, long-cut for modesty: 2
• Sleepwear: 1-2 pair light- or medium-weight pajamas
• Wide-brim sun hat or visor for sun protection
• Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood
• Shoes should be comfortable walking or running shoes
• Underwear: 3 or 4 changes
• Socks: 3-4 pairs
• Optional: swimsuit
• For Fall and Winter (May-August), add these cool-weather items to your list:
• At least one of your long-sleeved shirts should be of a warm, heavy fabric for cool nights, i.e., flannel or knit
• A warm, insulated jacket in addition to a wool or fleece sweater. If you own a light or medium-weight insulated field jacket or parka, you can use that, if you like.
• Warm hat and a wool scarf (needed on the game-drive vehicles).
• Warm sleepwear for winter
• Note: During the winter, it is cold. You may not need both pairs of shorts recommended and can substitute a warm sleeping outfit or a pair of long pants.

A Packing Tip
To have a varied travel wardrobe—yet keep your luggage light—we recommend you select a color scheme and pack color-coordinated pants, shirts, skirts, sweaters, etc. that can be mixed to create different outfits.

VISA
Due to the fluid nature of visa requirements throughout Africa, we recommend that all of our guests check the current visa requirements with their local Tanzanian Embassy at least two months prior to their arrival. Visas can be obtained on arrival in Tanzania – US$ 100.00 for American Passport Holder and US$  50.00 for the rest..

HEALTH

MALARIA:
By far the largest health concern raised by travelers to Africa revolves around the issue of Malaria.  Rather than provide you with reams of information regarding the malaria carrying female Anopheles mosquito and the prevention and cure of the disease, we would far rather refer you to your personal physician or the Centers for Disease Control
We suggest Malaria precaution, Malarone or Larium. Also wearing long sleeved shirts and long trousers after dark will significantly reduce the remote possibility of contracting malaria. Likewise applying insect repellent to exposed areas will deter the mosquitoes further.  Where available please make use of mosquito nets over your bed and the insect sprays left for your use.  Please note however that we suggest you use the spray at least 20 minutes before retiring for the night.  To reassure you still further, we should like to point out that the mosquito is a fan of neither altitude nor lightly inhabited areas - we actively seek out such locations so as to minimize the slight chance of infection. 
Please note: Tanzania currently DO NOT requires a Yellow Fever vaccination, however, please consult THE Tanzania High Commission or Embassy at your respective country.
WATER:
When it comes to water supplies, we supply bottled mineral water for you in all vehicles and would suggest that you personally check with the management at your lodge to ensure that ice cubes have been made using bottled rather than tap water.  Please remember that such simple precautions as avoiding local salads and brushing your teeth with mineral water may save you from discomfort.

INSURANCE
When paying your deposit we would suggest you take out insurance at the same time against unforeseen cancellation, medical evacuation and luggage loss.  Equally important is the need to check that your health and life insurance will cover you throughout your safari.  The health insurance policy will need to cover you in the unlikely event of you requiring emergency evacuation or repatriation. Safari Legacy recommends the following companies for your travel protection and air evacuation services
When paying your deposit we would suggest you take out insurance at the same time against unforeseen cancellation, medical evacuation and luggage loss.  Equally important is the need to check that your health and life insurance will cover you throughout your safari.  The health insurance policy will need to cover you in the unlikely event of you requiring emergency evacuation or repatriation.

SAFARI BEHAVIOUR
The first thing to bear in mind on arrival in East Africa is that your guide is the gateway to the adventure which you’re about to embark.  Getting to know him and recognizing his skills will be one of the unexpected pleasures of your safari. His ability to find game barely discernible even with binoculars and ability to identify all varieties of wildlife will astound.  In order to make the most of these opportunities we would like you to bear in mind a number of issues whilst with us - these will make your guide’s job easier and your safari more enjoyable.

• Please observe arranged departure times closely lest you keep your fellow guests waiting unnecessarily.
• One of the most pleasurable elements of a successful safari is your ability to adjust to the rhythms of nature and make the most of a more relaxed approach to life. Try to avoid the trap of pressurizing your guide to find all of Africa’s Big Five in the first hour of your trip.  Rather, enjoy the interaction between species and allow your guide to explain their significance.
• Your guide will, as a matter of course, place your vehicle to enable you to take the best photograph possible - please do not exert pressure on him to edge closer to the game or to pressurize wildlife in any way - always treat the animals with the respect that their dignity demands. Loud noises likewise may intimidate game.
• Facilities for the environmental disposal of rubbish exist at all locations, please keep your trash with you in the vehicle rather than risking choking or poisoning unsuspecting wildlife.
• Never, ever approach wildlife on foot around a lodge or attempt to feed game.
• When taking photographs of local tribes people please remember to request their permission and where necessary negotiate the appropriate fee through your guide.
  

SAFARI DINNING
We offer a choice of continental or full English breakfast and a buffet style lunch or picnic, depending on the activities of the day.  Supper is a more formal four-course affair.  The East African diet is traditional and hearty - a prefect accompaniment to the environment, although if you have any specific dietary requirements we will take pleasure in accommodating you - but please advise us in advance.
In a permanent location such as a lodge or hotel you will have more privacy and we will leave you to dine alone.  Should you request the pleasure of the guide’s company, please bear in mind the fact that the lodge management will expect you to settle directly with them for this service.
Throughout your safari you will find that bottled (and thus recyclable) sodas are plentiful - please note however that diet and caffeine free drinks are not yet available (unless noted otherwise in your detailed itinerary, your drinks are not included in your safari price)

LAUNDRY
Laundry facilities (dependent upon water availability) are available at all accommodations.  Please note that all laundry services to be paid direct client/s. 

AIR TRANSFERES
All the companies that we use for transfers, whether they be scheduled or chartered are locally licensed and fully authorized. Max luggage allowece is 15 kgs in soft bags. Excess to be paid direct.

ELECTRICTY
Mains electricity in East Africa is 240 volts, 50 cycles.  In bush locations usually arrives courtesy of a generator that will function in the evening until about 2300 hours.  Sockets are of the British 3 square pin variety and whilst adapters are available at some reception desks. We would recommend travelling with your own.

CURRENCY
Local currency is East Africa is the shilling and is freely convertible although we would urge you strongly to never exchange money with street venders.  Please carry small bills and keep on changing as many times you need. Changing shillings into your currency will cost you a lot (commission)

PRECAUTION
We urge all our guests to either keep their valuables with them or to take advantage of lodge safe deposit boxes - never to leave them unattended. Hotels/lodges  + Simba Safaris take no resposiblity of lost or stolen of such items.

SHOPPING
Curio shopping in Tanzania & Kenya has been elevated to an art form - you cannot be too outgoing when bargaining, so do not be shy.  In terms of produce the following are ever popular:

• Maasai beadwork
• Hard wood carvings
• Batiks
• Tribal masks
• And Tanzanite (which should be accompanied by on certificate of authenticity)

LANGUAGE
Kiswahili is the official language of Tanzania and English of Kenya and is spoken throughout the country, although English has become the lingua franca of the tourism industry.

TIPPING
Tipping is customary in EAST AFRICA, but is entirely at your discretion. As a guideline you may like to consider the following;

Your private safari guide:    US$5-10 per person per day
Porters / Waiters:               US$1 per person
Transfers Drivers:               US$5 per person
All tips are highly prized; you might like to consider rewarding outstanding service still further.

AIRPORT  DEPARTUR TAX
All International Departures from Tanzania airports, whether they be to Kenya or further a field, attract International Departure Tax.  We would recommend that you contact your ticketing agent in order to check that this is included within the price of your ticket.  To discover that you have to pay directly on the day of departure at the airport can ruin the memory of an otherwise great safari.