What to actually pack for a Tanzania safari

Bush flights cap you at 15 kg in a soft bag. That constraint is a gift: it forces sensible packing.

Neutral layers beat head-to-toe khaki. Mornings on the crater rim are genuinely cold; midday is 30°C. Three t-shirts, two trousers, a fleece and a windproof cover a week — camps do laundry.

Binoculars are the single most underrated item. 8x42 changes what you see far more than a longer camera lens.

Bring a headtorch, a dust buff, high-SPF sunscreen and any medication in its original packaging. Plastic bags are banned in Tanzania — leave them home.

Carry small US dollar notes issued after 2009 for tips; older bills are often refused.