The Best Shoes for a Tanzania Safari, Trip by Trip

Footwear is one of the most over-packed items on safari. Many travelers bring heavy hiking boots expecting long treks, then realize they spend most of the day seated in a Land Cruiser. Others arrive with only flip-flops and find them impractical in camp at night.

The right answer depends on your itinerary. Here is how our guides think about shoes for a classic Tanzania safari.

For game drives: comfortable closed shoes

On a typical game drive you will sit, stand through the pop-up roof and occasionally step out at designated picnic sites, viewpoints or toilet stops. A pair of lightweight, breathable sneakers or trail shoes is ideal.

Choose a neutral color that will not mind dust, and avoid brand-new shoes that have not been broken in. Many travelers wear their trail shoes on international flights to save luggage weight.

Socks matter too. Breathable, moisture-wicking socks help keep feet cool on hot afternoons, and a thicker pair is welcome on cold early-morning drives. Pack a few spare pairs, since dust works its way into everything.

For walking safaris: proper support

If your trip includes a walking safari, a nature walk with an armed ranger or a hike in the Ngorongoro highlands, you will want shoes with good grip and ankle stability. Lightweight hiking boots or sturdy trail runners both work.

Thorny bushes are common, so thin mesh or open sandals are a poor choice on walks. Neutral colors help you blend in when on foot.

Before any walk, your ranger or guide will brief you on how to move quietly and safely. Shoes that are comfortable, quiet and already broken in let you focus on tracks, birds and plants rather than your feet. Long socks tucked over trousers are also a simple way to keep grass seeds and ticks off your ankles.

For camps and lodges

In the evening, a pair of comfortable sandals or slip-on shoes is a welcome change. However, closed shoes are wiser after dark in tented camps, both for insects and because paths can be uneven. Many camps provide escorts after dark; follow their guidance.

Lodges rarely have dress codes, so there is no need for formal shoes.

When you leave shoes outside a tent or at the door of a room, tap them out before putting them on again. It is a sensible bush habit that guides practice themselves, and it takes only a second.

If you are climbing Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is a different matter. Trekkers need broken-in, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, plus camp shoes. If you are combining a climb with a safari, wear the boots on the plane and keep the safari shoes light.

Make sure boots are comfortable over long days well before your trip.

Gaiters, warm socks and blister care are also essential on the mountain, but that is a separate packing list we are happy to share if you are planning a climb.

How many pairs to pack

For a standard safari, two pairs are usually enough, and three at most if you are adding a beach stay or a mountain trek.

• Lightweight trail shoes or sneakers for game drives
• Sandals or slip-ons for camp and Zanzibar
• Hiking boots only if walking safaris or Kilimanjaro are planned
• Water shoes if you plan to snorkel off coral beaches