The Serengeti's packing problem is weight. Most travelers reach camps on small planes with strict luggage limits, often in soft bags only, so every item has to earn its place, and dawn game drives still need warm layers.
Serengeti weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 27°C81°F | 29°C84°F | 28°C82°F | 25°C77°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F | 23°C73°F | 24°C75°F | 26°C79°F | 27°C81°F | 26°C79°F | 27°C81°F |
| Low | 16°C61°F | 16°C61°F | 17°C63°F | 18°C64°F | 17°C63°F | 15°C59°F | 15°C59°F | 15°C59°F | 15°C59°F | 17°C63°F | 17°C63°F | 16°C61°F |
| Rain days | 11 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 25 | 21 |
What to bring to Serengeti
0 of 26 packedTanzania uses Type D and G sockets, so you need an adapter for camp charging stations.
- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
The Serengeti is a malaria area, and picaridin repellent helps prevent bites at dusk.
- CALACH XL Compression Packing Cubes 2-PackBags & Luggage
Compression cubes squeeze safari layers into a soft duffel under strict bush-flight weight limits.
- Anker Nano Magnetic Power Bank 5,000mAh (Qi2)Tech & Power
Solar camps limit charging hours, so a power bank keeps your camera phone running on game drives.
- A warm wrapClothing
Dawn game drives are cold in open vehicles, and a warm wrap packs small for flight limits.
The long rains bring 26 rain days in April, and this shell handles sudden downpours.
The men's version of the same light shell, for short-rains and long-rains showers between game drives.
- Cabeau Evolution S3 Travel PillowSleep & Comfort
Getting to Tanzania usually means a long-haul flight with connections.
Clothing
- Neutral-colored shirts · 4Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies
- Long-sleeve shirt · 2Cover up against mosquitoes at dusk
- Neutral pants · 2
- Fleece · 1Lows of 15–17°C on dawn drives
- Warm hat · 1Jun–Oct cold early drives
- Wide-brim sun hat · 1
- Modest outfit for towns · 1Cover shoulders and knees
Footwear
- Closed walking shoes · 1 pair
- Camp sandals · 1 pair
Gear
- Soft duffel bag · 1Light aircraft require soft bags
- Binoculars · 1
- Sunglasses · 1
- Headlamp · 1Camps often run on solar power
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen · 1
- Malaria prophylaxisAsk a doctor or travel clinic
Documents and money
- Passport
- Travel insuranceRemote camps and bush flights
Tech
- Camera with zoom lens · 1
Short rains (November–December)
Showers return. Arusha records show 25 rain days in November and 21 in December, with highs of 26–27°C (79–81°F) and lows of 16–17°C (61–63°F). These numbers are from Arusha airport records for 2022–2025; Arusha is the safari gateway at about 1,400 m, and the Serengeti plains are similar to warmer by day. Pack a light rain jacket.
Dry spell (January–February)
Warm with fewer showers. Highs are 27°C (81°F) in January and 29°C (84°F) in February, with lows of 16°C (61°F). January had 11 rain days and February 6. This is calving season in the southern Serengeti. Bring sun protection and a fleece for early drives.
Long rains (March–May)
The wettest stretch. Arusha recorded 20 rain days in March, 26 in April and 16 in May, with highs of 24–28°C (75–82°F) and lows of 17–18°C (63–64°F). Some camps close. Pack a proper rain jacket and quick-dry clothes.
Long dry season (June–October)
Cool mornings and peak safari season. Highs are 23–27°C (73–81°F) and lows 15–17°C (59–63°F), with 0 rain days in August and just 2 in July and September. Rain returns in October with 13 days. Dawn drives in open vehicles are cold, so bring a warm jacket and hat.
What shoes should you pack for the Serengeti?
One pair of closed, comfortable walking shoes and a pair of camp sandals. You spend most of the day in a vehicle, and soft-bag limits leave little room for more.
What do people wear on safari in the Serengeti?
Neutral colors: khaki, tan, olive and brown. Avoid dark blue and black, which attract tsetse flies, and bright colors that stand out. Camps are casual. In towns, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is respectful.
How much luggage can you bring on a Serengeti safari flight?
Less than you think. Light aircraft have strict weight limits and usually require soft-sided duffels, not hard suitcases. Check the exact limit with your operator before you pack.
Do you need malaria pills for the Serengeti?
The Serengeti is a malaria area, so talk to a doctor or travel clinic about prophylaxis before you go. Use repellent at dusk and wear long sleeves in the evening.
What plugs does the Serengeti use?
Tanzania uses Type D and G sockets at 230V. US, EU and Australian visitors need an adapter. Many camps run on solar, so charging may be limited to certain hours.
Tours and things to do in Serengeti
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Serengeti.
What should you leave at home for the Serengeti?
Hard-shell suitcases, dark blue and black clothes, and a drone. Hard cases often do not fit light aircraft, dark colors attract tsetse flies, and drones are not allowed without permits.
Packing for Serengeti: questions people ask
What should I wear in the Serengeti in August?
Layers in neutral colors. Arusha recorded a 24°C (75°F) high, a 15°C (59°F) low and 0 rain days in August.
When is the rainy season in the Serengeti?
The long rains peak around April, when Arusha recorded 26 rain days. Short rains come in November and December.
When is the Great Migration?
It moves all year. Calving is in the south roughly January to March, and Mara River crossings run roughly July to October.
Why avoid blue and black on safari?
Tsetse flies are attracted to dark blue and black.
What adapter do I need for Tanzania?
One that covers Type D and G sockets at 230V.
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