Planning for Tanzania Trip
October 13th, 2026
I am a planner. Surprises are hard for me unless it is something like a break in the clouds that falls on a lovely subject in front of me like the Goldfinch in my picture for this blog. The following article is my AI notes as I have planned for my trip.
I am making a once in a lifetime trip to Africa early next year. i thought the biggest concern was cost. If you decide to go, be prepared for a large bill to make it happen. Not just the costs of being there, but the airfare too. Much more than I ever thought but also worth it a big bucket item for me of many years. But that is only the half of it in terms of logistics.
I am going for photography which makes for challenges that a non-photographer might not think of. There is nothing scarier than being asked to check in expensive equipment. Why? because it tends to disappear and the airline will not help you if it does. Do a search on the web and you will find many stories about this topic where photographers have lost equipment. Horror stories of locked bags being returned with the locks broken somehow. I have also heard other stories where the sensitive equipment is broken. Hard when you are going on a trip and end up there with no equipment to use.
My solution has been to fly first class/business. This way you board very early and can easily find an overhead for your equipment bag. The higher cost is a challenge but worth it when you consider how much replacing your equipment will be. Just total all your equipment prices together. I had to do this to get insurance though the Professional Photographers Association PPA. I was honestly shocked how much it all totalled up to and was glad I did it.
In this journey of logistics, AI has been my friend. It has uncovered many things I have needed to address as I have explored preparations. It is a good idea to double check the answers and ask clarifying questions. Sometimes you will get a different answer on different days. I used Google AI for all my planning. It has been good at giving me lots of information that helped with planning. If you point something out to the AI it will sometimes tell you it made a mistake. So be careful to ask specific questions. I have learned to do more than a prompt like “Show me my options for flying to Tanzania”. You need to add what you do not want such as “Show me my option for flying Tanzania and don’t show me options that have stop overs in African countries”
Getting There
There are various choices for getting there including KLM, QTAR, and Turkish Airlines. I was limited here for several reasons. QTAR seemed great a first until I discovered that their weight restrictions didn’t fit my equipment needs. KLM flights works but has the really annoying issue that it takes 40 hours to get there with 10 hour layovers. Or I can pay twice as much.
I chose Turkish Airlines for my trip (20 hours for flying through Istanbul). They put 8kg limits on bags and with my camera equipment, I needed to buy lighter bags that can handle my specialized equipment. My choices were an Airport Advantage, a Mindshift Backlight Sprint 15L, and. Pakt Storage backpack.The major benefit was that with business class I can take two 8kg carry ons and one personal item that can be 4kg. This is where AI Google helped me to figure out how to get all my equipment under these limits. I had to add some items into my Baerskin 4.0 sweatshirt in order to make it work, but I fully made use of the limits to get everything I needed. I ended up going with Turkish Airlines
eVisa for Tanzania
I have gotten conflicting direction on whether to do my eVisa upfront. When I asked AI about it I found out this is because people wait too long before filing for one or have issues with their application. The cost is currently $100, but there was a recent new law that costs $44 additional but I don’t know if you need to pay that or not. Will update when I know.
If you want to wait until you are there, bring a $100 bill to pay for it.
Do 4 Weeks before
https://visa.immigration.go.tz
Browser Selection: The Tanzanian Immigration Department notes the system functions best using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Avoid using Apple Safari or private/incognito browsing windows, as they frequently cause payment errors.
Save Your Application ID: The very first screen will generate a unique Application ID. Write this down or snap a picture of it immediately. If the website crashes or logs you out, you will need this exact number alongside your custom security question to recover your draft.
Document Sizes: Ensure your passport scan and passport-style photo are small file sizes (ideally under 300KB) and formatted as clear JPEGs before you start uploading.
Travel Insurance
Get some. The cost of emergency care could set you back multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am using Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com
Bring clothing expecting to use laundry
My lodge will do laundry for me at the cost of $2 to $5 per item. Cheap when you consider how much pain it is to carry two weeks of clothing with you.
How I have my equipment in my bags
Airport Advantage 17.3kg
RF 600mm F4
Microfiber cloths
Cover for the think tank advantage
R5 Mk2 with booster
Alchol Wipes (Smaller)
Towel
Mindshift BackLight Sprint 15L 15.5kg
2 R5s with boosters
1.4 Telextender
Canon 100-500mm
Canon 24-105mm
Blackrapid Camera Sling
Zemlin 113mm Hood
Medium Rain Cover
Size 8 Outdoor Photography Gear Rain Cover
Cables and charger (In front pocket)
Hard Drives (In front pocket)
Pakt Storage 4kg
Apple 16" M1 Macbook Pro
Medications Liquids
Mouse
Adapters for Tanzania and Istanbul
Apple Airpods
Apple charge Station, cable, and charger
Checked Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel 40L
3 short sleeve shirts
3 long sleeve shirts
4 underwear
4 socks brown
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Tilley Hat
Knitted Hat and Gloves
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Soap (Non scented)
Shampoo (Non scented)Bag of Heat Pads
Bag of Hydration Salts
Baerskin jacket
Camera Batteries and charger
Anker Battery bank
Medication bag
Water bottle
Three bags into two
TSA rules are different than Turkish Airlines rules. TSA only allows 2 but Turkish Airlines allows 3 for business class passengers. This presented a problem for how I get through TSA with two bags and then convert to 3 after I get through TSA. In my case I did that by making use of my Baerskin sweatshirt to hold the contents of my personal item and putting the laptop and Pakt bag into while I approach the X-Ray machine. After going through the scan, I will rearrange to 3 bags for the flight. Otherwise I would be overweight on the Airport Advantage.
CF Card(s) Purchase
The AI recommended that I buy two 512gb CF type B Cards for my cameras for the trip. I already have Prograde 160gb CF Type B cards for my Canon R5s. My initial reaction was why would I need new ones. They cost $800+ so after all the purchases I have done that rankled me so I asked the AI. I got an education of the volcanic dust I talk about later in this blog entry. It gets into everything. Do I really want to expose the internal workings of my camera to this dust when I change cards. The simple answer Hell no so I got these cards.
Vaccines
An AI prompt will give you a list of medications you need including the following
Be up to date with all your Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Tdap, chickenpox, and polio shots. I am including my choices, but do your own research with your doctor as I am NOT a physician.
Hepatitis A and B (You can get the combined one called Twinrix) 6 months before trip!
Prescriptions
Use the original bottles with the instructions on them that is standard in US. However they also want you to bring a single piece of paper with all of them listed on there from your physician.
Malaria medications (atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) in my case)
Diarrhea Antibiotic (Azithromycin in my case)
A clear printed copy that shows:
• Your full name
• Medication name (brand + generic/INN if possible)
• Strength / dosage
• Quantity or directions
• Prescribing doctor or pharmacy details
• Date
Other things to bring
Peptobismol chewables
Imodium AD tablets
Tylenol
Not allowed
THC or CBD related products
ADHD medications (like Adderall or Ritalin)
Strong painkillers (especially anything containing codeine or tramadol)
Sleeping aids or anxiety medication (like Xanax or Valium)
Yellow Fever
If you travel to Tanzania through another African country you need the Yellow Fever vaccine and a certificate to prove it. Fortunately I am going through Istanbul. A good reason to fly Turkish Airlines.
Strategy for handling jet lag
I am flying out on a Saturday evening at 7:05 my time with a major time difference between Pacific time and Istanbul/Tanzania time. This could be a problem if you don’t plan ahead. With the help of AI I came up with the following plan to start acclimating to the time difference as soon as I get on the plane. I am not suggesting you do this just showing how I plan to handle it. Your choices may vary.
I have been told that Creatine can help with this. Going to get some for the trip.
An aircraft’s air is very dry. I have heard it compared to a desert. Bring a water bottle and keep hydrated as much you can will help as well.
06:05 AM Sunday Local Time (19:05 Saturday PST) — Departure from Seattle
Strategy: Change your watch and phone clocks to 06:05 AM Sunday the moment you sit down. Treat the first 5 to 6 hours of the flight as your active daytime. Enjoy the main business class dinner service, watch a movie, and stay awake to align your body with the sun.
12:00 PM Sunday Local Time (01:00 AM Sunday PST) — Mid-Flight / Noon
Strategy: Continue to stay awake and active at your seat to simulate a normal morning/afternoon.
01:00 PM Sunday Local Time (02:00 AM Sunday PST) — Sleep Window Opens
Strategy: You have now been awake for about 7 hours. Head to the lavatory to change into your sweatpants, brush your teeth, and have the flight attendant dress your lie-flat bed. Try to sleep for a solid 4 to 5 hours.
05:00 PM Sunday Local Time (06:00 AM Sunday PST) — Pre-Landing Wake-Up
Strategy: The cabin lights will come up for the pre-landing meal service. Change back into your clothes or stay comfortable for landing.
06:05 PM Sunday Local Time (07:05 AM Sunday 06:05 AM Sunday Local Time (19:05 Saturday PST) — Departure from Seattle
Strategy: Change your watch and phone clocks to 06:05 AM Sunday the moment you sit down. Treat the first 5 to 6 hours of the flight as your active daytime. Enjoy the main business class dinner service, watch a movie, and stay awake to align your body with the sun.
12:00 PM Sunday Local Time (01:00 AM Sunday PST) — Mid-Flight / Noon
Strategy: Continue to stay awake and active at your seat to simulate a normal morning/afternoon.
01:00 PM Sunday Local Time (02:00 AM Sunday PST) — Sleep Window Opens
Strategy: You have now been awake for about 7 hours. Head to the lavatory to change into your sweatpants, brush your teeth, and have the flight attendant dress your lie-flat bed. Try to sleep for a solid 4 to 5 hours.
05:00 PM Sunday Local Time (06:00 AM Sunday PST) — Pre-Landing Wake-Up
Strategy: The cabin lights will come up for the pre-landing meal service. Change back into your clothes or stay comfortable for landing.
06:05 PM Sunday Local Time (07:05 AM Sunday PST) — Landing at Istanbul Airport (IST)
Strategy: You arrive in the evening. Step off the aircraft and immediately begin navigating your tight 1.5-hour layover.PST) — Landing at Istanbul Airport (IST)
Strategy: You arrive in the evening. Step off the aircraft and immediately begin navigating your tight 1.5-hour layover.
Istanbul to Tanzania Flight
07:35 PM Sunday Local Time — Departure to Tanzania
Strategy: Board your connecting flight heading south. Because it is already evening locally, you can relax, have a light meal, and rest as much as you can.
02:35 AM Monday Local Time (03:35 PM Sunday PST) — Landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Strategy: You arrive in the early morning darkness. By the time you clear immigration, process your e-visa, and collect your checked bags, it will be closer to 03:30 AM Monday morning.
Arriving at your Lodge: Your safari vehicle will transfer you straight to your lodge. You will be able to crawl into a real bed by 04:30 AM Monday morning to catch a short block of sleep before daybreak.
Istanbul and Tanzania Touchy stomach issues
I used AI to figure out how the layover in Istanbul would work. Asked about foods and got a good list of what I can eat and have a lesser risk. For example, AI said seafood there not a good idea for visitors like myself. I am sure it is delicious but need to avoid issues like that when traveling 20+ hours on a plane.
Cash
You need it for tips and based upon your trip duration you will want to consult AI for the amounts based upon duration. Bring a money belt and keep the majority of your cash hidden.
One requirement nothing less than the date of 2013 and must be in good condition.
Tipping
An example of what you could do for a 2 week trip.
Envelope 1: "Driver-Guide Tip" ($450)
Contents: 8 x $50 bills, 2 x $20 bills, 1 x $10 bill.
Action: Hand this directly to your private guide at the airport on February 21st ($30/day).
Envelope 2: "Communal Lodge Staff Box" ($300)
Contents: 4 x $50 bills, 5 x $20 bills.
Action: Drop this into the central staff box at the front desk when checking out to cover the behind-the-scenes kitchen and laundry crews ($20/day).
Envelope 3: "Daily Room Steward & Tea Service" ($100) — NEW
Contents: 5 x $20 bills.
Action: Keep this envelope in your room's safe. Every few days (or halfway through your stay), leave a $20 note on the main table with a small "Thank You" note for your dedicated room steward. This directly rewards the specific person ensuring your daily laundry returns pristine and your morning ice and black tea arrive exactly on time.
Credit Cards
You need to think about a few things when traveling. Some credit cards charge you for converting currency. Be sure to check that yours doesn’t. My Apple card does not and so I plan to use that as my primary. Since some places do not take Master Card, I also have a Visa Credit Card. Be sure to inform your credit card company of your planned travel, UNLESS your company does not require it like my Apple Card. Be sure to connect your phone at least once a day to wifi so that the credit card company knows where you are and does not flag purchases as possibly fraudulent and block it.
Camouflage Clothing
Not allowed in Tanzania. It is reserved for military and police. If you bring it, it will be confiscated. I somehow stumbled upon this in asking questions. Glad I did because would have been a problem with my raincoat. The police are increasingly cracking down on things like camo lens coats that we protect our lenses with. I had a lot of challenges with this until I found a company called Outdoor Photography Gear https://www.outdoorphotographygear.co.uk. They sell covers for lenses were are not Camo. They also sell rain coats for your lenses that will cover the bulky combination of Canon RF600mm F4 with telextender 1.4x and the Canon R5 Mk2 with booster (size 8). Since I have not been there myself yet I do not have any details other than what I have read, will update when I get back.
Tetse Flies considerations
Sleeping sickness can result from these bug bites. There are meds for it, but you really do not want it. They can bite through clothing. So you have to avoid all black or blue clothing. I found out from research that they catch these nasty bugs with large blue and black colored traps so best to avoid those colors. Most of what I typically wear when doing photography needed replacements so had to get those. Also need to spray all clothing with Picaridin to keep them off of you. Follow the instructions below around a week before you leave. WARNING Toxic to cats.
Apply Outdoors: Set up a temporary clothesline or hang the garments on hangers on a porch or in a wind-shielded garage. Critical Safety Warning: Liquid permethrin is highly toxic to cats while wet; keep your pets entirely away from the area until the fabric is bone dry. It is completely safe for all animals once dried.
The 30-Second Spray: Hold the trigger spray 6 to 8 inches away from the fabric. Use a slow, sweeping motion to spray each side of the garment for about 30 seconds until the fabric color darkens slightly and looks damp (not dripping wet).
Let It Dry Completely: Allow the clothes to air dry in a shaded area for at least 2 to 4 hours before folding and packing them into your suitcase.
Picaridin and sunscreen
You will also want to wear sunscreen and bug spray on your exposed skin. The sun in africa is harsh and if you want to avoid sunburn, good idea to wear. I had not thought about how to apply both but got good advice from AI for a process for doing both.
Sunscreen first then wait 15 minutes to apply picaridin
The "Camera Grip" Rule: Even though Picaridin is gear-safe and won't melt the structural plastics or labels of your cameras like DEET does, it is still a liquid that can leave smudges on optics. When applying the lotion to your face and neck, try to use the back of your hands to rub it in, or keep a wet wipe handy to thoroughly clean your palms before picking up your camera body to shoot.
The Tsetse Fly Defense: While mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, the daytime brings out tsetse flies—particularly in the thick acacia woodlands of the Serengeti or Tarangire. Picaridin is clinically proven to be more effective at repelling aggressive biting flies than DEET.
Layering with Sunscreen: Always apply your sunscreen first, let it completely dry and absorb for 10 to 15 minutes, and then layer your Picaridin on top. Putting the repellent on last ensures the active molecules remain on the outer layer to actively deter insects.
Volcanic Dust
Lots of it. Not healthy to breathe and you need to use a face covering as well as cover your equipment while moving because dust it gets into everything. Also not good for the cameras if you change them out in the field. Thus I need 3 cameras instead of 2 and had to work on getting weight workable to avoid issues with Turkish Airlines. I may even use gaffer tape on my camera connections to lenses to make the fine dust even less likely to get in.
Things to think about if you decide to travel to Africa or anywhere else. Check AI will help you plan and helped me avoid a number of issues.
Mobile Service Option
You can download Airalo app on your phone to get eSIM for almost any country.
For my trip I will get one for both Turkey and Tanzania.
NOTE: For Turkey you must activate it before you leave on the plane to travel there or it will not work.
The Cost: Typically around $11 to $25 depending on how many gigabytes of data you purchase.
The Setup: Download the Airalo app from the App Store, purchase the "Tanzania" or “Turkey” eSIM profile, and follow the on-screen steps to install it on your device.
How it works on Safari: Once your plane lands at in Turkey, JRO, your phone will automatically switch its data connection over to local Tanzanian networks (like Vodacom or Airtel), allowing you to immediately use iMessage, FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Google Maps right inside your safari truck.
Handling Customs in Tanzania
Here are instructions for how to handle situations when you are asked to pay a fee when going through customs. This is taken directly from AI Google.
Be prepared and fully legal: Make sure your passport has 6 months of validity. Apply for an online eVisa in advance to minimize interaction times. If you are coming from or transiting through a Yellow Fever endemic country, ensure you have your official yellow card vaccine record.
Remain calm and polite, but firm: Smile, be respectful, but do not offer money. If they imply there is a problem, politely ask them to explain the exact rule.
Ask for a receipt: If they demand a "fine" or "fee," immediately state: "I am happy to pay, but I will need an official government receipt for my embassy/records." Because corrupt officials cannot provide a receipt, they will usually back down.
Ask for a supervisor: If they delay you or threaten to confiscate an item, firmly ask to speak to their supervisor or the airport station manager.
Mention anti-corruption authorities: Tanzania has an active anti-corruption agency called TAKUKURU / PCCB. Simply asking, "Should we call the PCCB to clarify this rule?" is an incredibly effective deterrent that usually causes the official to quickly hand back your passport and send you on your way.
Tactics
De-escalate with extreme politeness: Do not raise your voice, do not show anger, and do not make physical gestures. Corrupt officials look for "contempt" or "disrespect" as an excuse to fabricate a real offense. Keep your posture open and repeat a polite, broken-record phrase: "I want to follow Tanzania's laws. Please let me know what the official procedure is so I can comply."
Insist on going to the main office: If an immigration officer or a police officer tells you that there is a problem with your Tanzania eVisa or paperwork, do not negotiate at the desk or in a corner. Say: "Let's go to the supervisor's office or the main Immigration desk. I would like to speak to the station manager to clear this up." Corrupt actors hate an audience and usually do not want their superiors seeing them actively shaking down a tourist.
Ask for an official written citation: If they claim you broke a rule or your visa is invalid, say: "I understand. Please give me the official written notice or fine, and I will pay it directly to the bank counter or the government cashier." In Tanzania's major airports, real government fines are paid at specific designated cashier desks with official receipts—not in cash directly to an individual officer.
The Transit Advantage (Your Istanbul Route): If they attempt the classic "Yellow Fever Fine" trick, remember that you are flying out of Istanbul, Turkey (a non-endemic, low-risk zone). Tanzanian health regulations explicitly state that a Yellow Fever certificate is only mandatory if you are arriving from or transiting for 12 hours or more through a high-risk endemic country. Politely point out your airline ticket: "I flew directly from Istanbul. I have not been in a Yellow Fever zone."
Contacting the Anti-Corruption Hotline
If you have a Tanzania Sim (Look at my section on mobile for how)
Dial 113
If you are dialing from a foreign phone number using international roaming,
use the full international format (+255):
Main Line 1: +255 22 215 0043
Main Line 2: +255 22 215 0046
App Support Contact: +255 738 150 200
If your check in does not arrive
Your safari company will likely help with this but ask.
File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR): Go directly to the Airlines baggage desk right inside the baggage claim hall. Fill out the paperwork to report the missing bag and obtain a physical copy of the report with a unique tracking reference number.
Provide Your Safari Itinerary: Give the airline agent the phone number of your safari company and a list of the specific lodges where you will be staying over the next 48 to 72 hours.
Write a Formal Authorization Letter: Kilimanjaro Airport authorities require written authorization to release a passenger's bag to a third party. On a piece of paper, write a quick, signed note stating: "I, [Your Name], authorize [Safari Company Name] and my driver-guide to collect my delayed baggage (Tag #XXXXXX / PIR #XXXXXX) on my behalf." Take a photo of the baggage tags stuck to your boarding pass and hand the physical tags and your note to your safari guide the moment you step outside.
Image Storage Solution
Now the issue of how to store 2 weeks of images? When I go to Yellowstone National Park, I sometimes shoot as many as 12k images. In my recent trip to Alaska I was shooting that much on several days. A simple calculation told me that I had enough space with 2 Crucial X9 Pro drives (2TB each). For a two week trip I needed 2 more to allow for backups. Then I ran afoul of the current shortage and high prices in $1,000 prices each. I solved it with UGreen Enclosures paired with SSD 2TB drives.
Copy and backup process
Now my process for handling images is copy them using Lightroom to single Crucial X9 Pro and simultanously copy to the back UGreen drive. This way my hard drive on my laptop only has the ones I have chosen as best of the day. You can do this in lightroom as follows.
Connect All Drives: Plug your camera memory card, your primary drive, and your backup drive into your MacBook Pro.
Open the Import Window: Launch Lightroom Classic and hit Import... (or Cmd + Shift + I).
Enable the Backup Feature: Look at the Right Panel and expand the File Handling panel (located near the top right).
Check the Box: Check the box next to Make a second copy to:.
Select Your backup drive: Click on the tiny folder path or arrow next to that option to open a file browser window.
Navigate to the left sidebar under Locations.
Select your backup drive.
Set Primary Destination: Scroll down to the bottom of the Right Panel to the Destination tab and verify it is still pointed to your backup drive.
Import: Click Import in the bottom right corner.
Cleaning equipment at the end of day
Step 1: The Heavy De-Dusting (Lens & Body Exterior)
Never open a camera body or remove a lens until the outside of the gear is 100% clean. Doing so will instantly invite floating dust inside.
The Tool: A 2-inch clean, soft cosmetic makeup brush or a dedicated heavy-duty lens brush, plus a dry microfiber cloth.
The Action: Extend your RF 100–500mm fully to its 500mm position. Use the brush to vigorously sweep fine dust out of the crevices, including your BG-R10 booster grips, around the custom dials, the lens mount seam, and the cracks of the extended zoom barrel.
Wipe Down: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away the loosened dust from the lens barrels and your 113mm Zemlin hood.
Step 2: Cleaning the Front and Rear Glass
The Tool: Rocket blower, lens cleaning solution (like Eclipse or Zeiss), and specialized lens tissues/microfiber cloths.
The Action: Turn the lens face-down and use a heavy-duty Rocket Blower to blast away any gritty volcanic dust particles. Never wipe glass before blowing it first, or you will grind the abrasive dust into the delicate fluorine coatings of your L-glass.
The Polish: use alchol wipe on the front element in a gentle, outward spiral pattern.