Safari First Aid Kit Checklist for Tanzania
A compact, well-thought-out first aid kit handles the small annoyances of safari life, from dusty eyes to insect bites, while you leave medical decisions to your doctor.
Safari vehicles and lodges in Tanzania generally carry first aid supplies, and guides are trained to respond to emergencies. Still, a small personal kit means you can deal with minor issues immediately, without waiting to reach camp.
This checklist is general guidance. Before you travel, visit a travel clinic or your doctor, ideally several weeks ahead, to discuss vaccinations, malaria prevention and any medications that suit your health and itinerary.
Quick tips
- See a travel clinic several weeks before departure.
- Carry prescription medicines in your hand luggage with copies of prescriptions.
- Pack a repellent recommended for tropical travel and use it from dusk.
- Include oral rehydration sachets and blister plasters.
- Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
Start with a travel health consultation
A travel clinic can advise on recommended vaccinations, whether you need antimalarial medication, and what to carry for stomach upsets. They can also check entry health requirements, such as whether you need a yellow fever certificate based on your route and countries visited.
Bring enough of any prescription medication for the whole trip plus a few extra days, in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription. Keep it in your hand luggage, not checked bags.
Keep a written list of your medications, allergies and blood type in your daypack, together with your insurance details and emergency contacts. If something does happen, this information helps your guide and any medical team respond quickly.
Bites, stings and skin
Insect repellent is the most important item in any safari kit. Ask your pharmacist or clinic which repellent is suitable for you and your children. Add something to soothe bites and stings, as recommended by your pharmacist.
Dry heat and sun can be harsh on skin, so include after-sun lotion and lip balm with sun protection.
- Insect repellent suitable for tropical travel
- Bite and sting relief cream
- High-factor sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- After-sun or aloe gel
Dust, eyes and minor injuries
Dry-season roads are dusty, and grit in the eyes is common. Eye drops recommended by your pharmacist and a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses are worthwhile. Contact lens wearers often find glasses more comfortable on long, dusty drives.
For small cuts, blisters and scrapes, pack a basic set of supplies.
- Assorted adhesive bandages and blister plasters
- Antiseptic wipes
- Small roll of medical tape and sterile dressings
- Tweezers, kept in checked luggage
- Hand sanitizer
Stomach and general comfort
Changes in diet and long travel days can unsettle stomachs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to carry for diarrhea, rehydration and mild pain or fever, and how to use it. Oral rehydration sachets are a small, light addition that many travelers find useful.
Drink bottled or filtered water provided by your lodge and guide, and stay well hydrated during hot game drives.
Pack your kit in a small, clearly labeled pouch in your daypack, so it travels with you on every game drive rather than staying in your room. Medicines can degrade in heat, so keep them out of direct sun inside the vehicle.
Motion sickness and altitude
Some safari roads are bumpy, and small aircraft can be turbulent. If you are prone to motion sickness, discuss options with your pharmacist before travel. The Ngorongoro highlands are at higher altitude than the plains, which is usually not a problem for safari travelers, but mention any heart or breathing conditions to your doctor.
Comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is strongly recommended for every safari.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need malaria tablets for a Tanzania safari?
Malaria is present in many parts of Tanzania, so this is an important question for a travel clinic or doctor, who will consider your health, itinerary and season. Bite prevention is important regardless of medication.
Do safari vehicles carry first aid kits?
Professional safari vehicles generally carry a first aid kit, and guides can help in emergencies. A personal kit is still useful for your own medications and minor issues.
Can I buy medicines in Arusha?
Pharmacies in Arusha stock many common items, but brands differ and remote areas have none. Bring everything you need from home.