RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

1. Passport: Bring your Passport, and also carry 2 photocopies of the relevant pages. One copy can be left in your suitcase/luggage. In case your luggage is lost and the luggage tags are missing, airport authorities will open your luggage to search for identification. Keep the second copy with you, but separate from your Passport, in case your Passport gets lost.
2. Visa (if required): You will need your Visa. If it is not attached in your Passport, be sure to carry it, along with a photocopy that you should keep separately.
3. Ticket(s): Be sure to bring your return ticket, and any travel tickets you may have purchased before-hand for travel within Tanzania or to other destinations before your return home.
4. Vaccination Records: If you have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever, and/or have already taken care of any vaccination requirements, bring your vaccination certificate(s) with you.
5. Itinerary: Bring a copy of your itinerary with you. It would also be a good idea to leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member at home, in case of an emergency.
6. Map: Local maps can usually be easily found in the Kilimanjaro region, but if you have one that you like, bring it along.

CONTACT INFO

1. Embassy / Consulate: First on your list should be your Embassy or Consulate in Tanzania. A list of Diplomatic Missions in Tanzania can be found HERE.
2. Emergency Contacts: Be sure to bring a list of all your emergency contacts. Your Doctor or Physician should be on this list in case they need to be consulted in a medical emergency.
3. Bank and/or Credit Card Company Contacts: Bring a list of the phone numbers of your bank and/or credit card company, in case any issues arise.
4. Travel Contacts List: Bring a list of all your travel contacts, including your Travel Agent (and local representative if applicable), Airport Transfer(s), Hotel(s), etc.
5. Personal Contacts: Bring a separate list of your personal contacts. If for any reason you are unable to access your phone/sim-card, you will still be able to stay in touch.

MEDICATION(S)

1. Prescriptions & Prescription Medications: Carry your prescriptions and prescription medication(s). Be sure to carry your drugstore receipts to avoid problems with customs. Prescription medications must be in their original containers. Write down the generic names of your medications, as names may vary.
2. Allergy Medications: If you have allergies, be sure to bring your allergy medication. Also carry translation cards for any food allergies you may have.
3. Other: You may also want to bring some of the items below with you. Although most of the items are readily available locally, you may prefer to bring a brand that you are familiar with:
   1. Anti-Malarial Medication.
   2. Hay Fever Medication if susceptible.
   3. Insect Repellents.
   4. Sunscreen.
   5. Sunburn Relief.
   6. Pain Relief Medicine. (Oral and Topical)
   7. Motion Sickness (Seasickness) Medicine.
   8. Water Purifying Tablets.
   9. Heartburn Medicine.
   10. Diarrhea Medicine.
   11. Travel Size First-Aid Kit.
   12. Jet Lag Relief.

APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

1. Light Colored Clothing: Bring light colored clothing for game drives outside of the Kilimanjaro area. Dark colors attract Tsetse Flies, which bite!
2. Cotton: Cotton material is best for hotter climates, due to its porous and absorbent properties.
3. Rugged Clothing: Depending on your planned activities, bring some 'rugged' clothing, such as Jeans or Cargo Pants.
4. Hat: Bring a hat (or buy one locally), to protect you from direct sunlight while outdoors.
5. Sunglasses: Bring a good pair of sunglasses or spectacles with UV protection, to protect your eyes from the tropical sun's glare while outdoors.
6. Walking Shoes: Bring at least one pair of good comfortable walking shoes.
7. Light Sweater: Bring a light sweater or jacket in case you'll be outdoors in the evenings.
8. Handkerchief: Bring a handkerchief.

1. Umbrella
2. Light Raincoat
3. Comfortable Boots

CAMERA(S) & OTHER GADGETRY

1. Chargers: Finding a charger locally that works with your camera model may prove difficult.
2. Power Converter: If your camera adapter is not rated at 220v - 240v, you will need a power converter to connect to the electricity mains.
3. Extra batteries: Carry an extra battery - Your specific camera battery may not be available locally.
4. Extra Memory Cards: These may or may not be available locally, depending on the specifics of the memory cards you prefer.
5. USB Transfer Cable(s): If you'll need to transfer images from your camera to a computer, be sure to bring the necessary transfer cables.
6. Travel Bags/Cases: Travel Cases with locks to keep all your cameras and accessories safe and organized.
7. Extra Lenses: If you are a photography buff, don't forget to bring your extra lenses and filters.
8. Other: You may also want to bring such things as:
   1. Small Binoculars: There will undoubtedly be times when you will want a 'closer view'.
   2. Laptop and Extra Computer Storage: Though not a necessity, this may be useful for some travellers.
   3. Pocket Calculator: For calculating exchange rates, tips, etc.
   4. Flashlight (Torch)

MONEY

1. Small Bills: Carry some cash (Dollars or Euros) in small bills, which can be used for Airport Transfer payment, tips and other small cash payments that can be made in US Dollars or Euros.
2. Traveller's Cheques: Traveller's Cheques are still an excellent way to carry money while travelling, and there is no charge for returning any unused TCs. However, some banks may refuse to cash Traveller's Cheques, so be sure to have alternatives.
3. Travel Cash/Credit Card: Look into getting a Travel Cash or Credit Card, such as the STA Travel Cashcard in the UK. These cards work like Credit or Debit cards, but you pre-load them, and can only spend what is on the card. They can also be topped up by anyone anywhere, and can be used to withdraw cash, which means you would not need to exchange currencies.
4. Credit & Debit Cards: Credit and Debit Cards with the Visa and/or Mastercard logos are accepted in locations that accept credit card payments. You will also be able to withdraw local currency from a Bank ATM using your card, to pay for such things as curios and souvenirs. Bring 2 cards, just in case one doesn't work, and be sure to notify your credit card company and/or bank of your travel plans, so that they do not block your transactions. Some ATMs only accept cards with 6-digit PINs - consult your bank if your card uses a 4-digit PIN. It is also a good idea to leave a copy of your Credit Card numbers with a trusted friend or family member back home, and keep a copy of the numbers separately with you. Also be sure to carry the phone numbers of your bank and/or credit card company.

TOILETRIES

1. Travel Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Mouthwash
2. Shower Sandals
3. Nail Clippers
4. Wet Wipes
5. Cotton Balls / Q-Tips
6. Body / Hand Lotion
7. Travel Sewing Kit
8. Lip Balm
9. Eye Drops
10. Travel Soap
11. Hair Brush / Comb
12. Pocket Mirror
13. Hand Sanitizer

COMMUNICATION

1. Mobile Phone with Global Sim Card: This will help you stay in touch with friends back home wherever you are, and also help you keep the contact information of any interesting people you meet while in the Kilimanjaro. Your usual handset will probably not work with the sim-cards in the region, but please check with your mobile provider. One can also buy a cheap handset and sim-card locally for use while in the region.
2. Roaming: Be sure to activate roaming services for both your voice and data plans, if you would like to be able to access email on your phone, in addition to making international calls. Please note that roaming charges will apply depending on your service provider.
3. Translation: Aid in translating to Swahili (Kiswahili), which is the prevalent language in the Kilimanjaro region. Some locals also speak English in varying degrees of fluency.
   1. Book or Swahili Dictionary.
   2. Pocket Translator.
   3. Phone App.

NOTEBOOK(S)

1. Personal Journal: Whether electronic or physical, a personal journal will help you document all your experiences.
2. Note Book: Among other things, you can use a small note book while on game drives, to document the animals/species you encounter in chronological order. This will make it much easier when sorting through all the photographs you've taken.

SENSIBILITIES

1. Valuables: Keep your valuables (Money, Credit Cards, Passport, etc) safe, and do not leave them in places where they are easily accessible. If there is a safe in your hotel room, make use of it. If there isn't one, ask the management what to do about keeping your valuables safe.
2. Luggage: Make sure all your luggage is tagged, and has appropriate locks to avoid petty theft.
3. ATMs: As you would anywhere else in the world, be aware of your surroundings when using ATMs.
4. Communication: Communicate with the locals and interact with them whenever possible. However, it is always prudent to exercise caution when dealing with 'strangers'.
5. Game Drives: When on Game Drives, be sure to ask for what you want to see. If you don't ask for anything specific, you will probably get a 'generic' tour. Although it may not always be possible to see everything, your guide will usually do their best to cater to your wishes. Also, listen to your guide and don't take their advice for granted.