You are back at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Hot shower. Clean clothes. And in the corner of your room: a duffel bag of muddy, salt-stained climbing gear that you have been stepping over since you walked in the door. Your boots are stiff with volcanic ash. Your base layer has five days of mountain on it. Your summit puffy still smells like the equator at midnight.
What do you actually do with all of it? Most climbers make one of three mistakes: they panic-ship everything home at inflated rates, they leave useful gear behind and regret it on safari, or they pack the wrong things and spend their first game drive carrying mountaineering equipment they will never use. This guide gives you a decision framework for every category of gear.
Gear you can use on safari
Some of your Kili kit transitions directly to the safari environment. Bring these — but launder the base layers first.
Down jacket / puffy — Keep. Bring it.
June–August Ngorongoro game drives can hit 5°C at 6am. Your summit puffy earns its place on early morning drives. Once the sun is up and you are on the Serengeti plains, it packs down small enough to leave in the vehicle.
Base layers (clean, dry) — Keep. Wash first.
Moisture-wicking safari shirts do the same job as your climbing base layers. After a wash at your hotel, they are perfectly adequate — and often better suited than typical tourist safari clothing.
Sun hat and buff — Keep. Bring both.
The savanna sun is relentless. Your Kili sun hat and buff serve exactly the same function on game drives. No need to pack alternatives.
Daypack / hydration system — Keep. Useful on all terrain.
A 20–30L daypack and water bottles transfer directly to game drives and walking safaris. Your hydration system from the climb works fine for day use.
Broken-in hiking boots — Keep. With caveats.
Adequate for short nature walks, crater floor terrain, and most walking safari conditions. Avoid deep sand — they perform worse than trail shoes in loose terrain. If your hike was on softer trails, trail shoes may be a better safari choice.
Do not bring on safari
Crampons and ice axes — no mountaineering on safari. Gaiters — sand and heat destroy them. Summit boots (rigid plastic double boots) — too heavy and hot for safari vehicles. Climbing harness and carabiners — irrelevant in a Land Cruiser.
Gear to ship home
Some items are too heavy, too specialised, or simply not needed for the safari portion. Ship these rather than drag them across the Serengeti.
Summit boots
Heavy, stiff, and designed for ice — not open vehicle seats. Your luggage weight budget is better spent elsewhere.
Crampons and ice axe
Pure mountaineering tools. No snow or ice on safari. Ship or return to your operator.
Sleeping bag (if rented or borrowed)
Rental agreements require return to the operator. Bobby Tours can arrange collection from your Arusha hotel.
Personal climbing hardware (ascenders, figure-of-8, etc.)
Specialised Kili-specific items with no safari application.
Shipping options from Moshi / Arusha
- DHL Express: Reliable but expensive. Roughly $80–150 for a 20kg box. Pickup from your Arusha hotel can be arranged.
- Excess baggage on your international flight:Often cheaper than DHL, especially for heavy items. Book at the check-in counter of your return flight.
- Dar es Salaam departure: If you are heading to Zanzibar or departing from Dar, ship from there — international courier rates are better than Arusha.
Pro tip: Bobby Tours can arrange courier pickup directly from your Arusha hotel. Ask us when you book your safari extension.
Gear to donate or leave behind
Some items are not worth the logistics of shipping — but may still be useful to someone climbing after you.
What we accept for donation
- Headlamps (with working batteries)
- Trekking poles
- Base layer tops and bottoms (clean, intact)
- Warm hats and gloves (clean, no holes)
- Buffs and neck gaiters
These go to our climbing crew and local partner operators. Gear in good condition helps reduce costs for the next climber.
What to leave at your hotel
- Most Arusha hotels offer free storage for 7 days
- Useful if you are on a multi-part trip (e.g., safari then Zanzibar then home)
Coordinate with your hotel front desk on pickup timing before you check out.
What NOT to donate
- Heavily worn items with structural damage
- Anything with broken zippers, torn seams, or compromised waterproofing
- Used base layers that have not been washed (hygiene)
Safety gear with structural compromise creates real risk on the mountain. When in doubt, leave it out.
Environmental note
Do not leave any gear on the mountain or at campsites. Equipment left behind creates litter at altitude and becomes a porter safety hazard. Everything either comes home, goes to donation, or is disposed of responsibly in Arusha.
Safari-specific gear to buy or pack
Some safari essentials are different from what you brought for Kilimanjaro. Here is what to add or replace.
Safari sunglasses (polarized, wraparound)
Kili sunglasses may not be adequate for extended game drive exposure. Polarized, wraparound frames reduce glare off the savanna and cut wind on open vehicles. This is worth the weight in your carry-on.
Safari-specific sunscreen
Higher UVA protection and sweat-resistant formulas exist specifically for safari conditions. Standard beach sunscreen washes off faster in heat and wind.
Safari binoculars (8x42 minimum)
Compact hiking binoculars fall short for wildlife observation. A good 8x42 or 10x42 pair is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade for any safari. If you already own them from Kili, bring them — they work the same everywhere.
Safari pants (zip-off convertible legs)
Your Kilimanjaro convertible pants work well for this — the zip-off legs handle heat while the full pants protect against sun and insects on evening drives.
Safari-appropriate footwear
Lightweight trail shoes or broken-in hiking shoes for walking safaris. Not your summit boots — not because they are bad, but because safari walking is different from mountain hiking.
Quick decision checklist
Run through this before you pack your safari bag.
Continue planning
Let us handle the gear logistics. We can arrange courier pickup, storage, and make sure you are safari-ready from the moment you descend.
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