Anytime you travel to another country, one of your first thoughts should be how you can respectfully immerse yourself. When I heard the news I’d be going to Tanzania for a month this past summer, I panicked because I had no idea about simple things like how I should act and what clothes I should wear. To prepare, I read multiple blog articles, each helpful in their own way. However, in my first week I soon found there were multiple different “appropriate” situations and clothing to match. I want to be clear that where in the country you are going, what the trip is for, and whether or not you will be in an urban or rural setting are very important factors to planning your outfit. I would advise to pack for both rural and urban settings, because chances are you will want to see different areas of Tanzania. I stayed mainly in in a rural setting, a beautiful village called Marurani. The village was a 2 hour drive from pavement, and very conservative. Often times you could tell when you were wearing something inappropriate, just from the way people interacted or looked at you. Although in the United States acts like that could often be seen as rude, the brutal honesty was refreshing. Unfortunately, some men will make it VERY clear that what you’re wearing is scandalous. Just like home, ignore them and don’t feed into it.
Rural Clothing
I found that a tasteful black midi skirt was my must-have. I’m only 5’1 so a midi skirt easily goes halfway down my calf. My favorite was this cheap skirt I found on amazon a few weeks before I departed, and it’s still one of my favorite pieces of clothing. I almost always matched the skirt with a simple tee, never showing cleavage. It’s much more common for women to wear skirts in a very rural area, but of course, if you’re at a tourist destination locals are pretty desensitized to more western styles. I was mainly in the north of the country, in Maasai territory, where showing knees is disrespectful. For both men and women, showing your knees is a sign of having low class. If you are showing your knees, as a woman, you will likely be approached by men with the “she’s asking for it” mentality. Some girls that I stayed with accidentally went outside with their shorts on a time or two, and men would look away as if they had walked out naked. As a man, you will be treated as a real mzungu (white person), which means you’ll probably be swindled and/or treated unkindly. That’s honestly the biggest rule for dressing. The only thing you really have to do is be modest, and you’ll do fine!
Urban Clothing
When I was in Arusha, the perceived dress code was a lot more lax. Still, almost no one showed their knees, and if they were, they were usually foreigners. Things like skinny jeans and V cut shirts were a pretty common sight among young people, so don’t be afraid in the city! A cute jumpsuit is a perfect way to dress to impress, while still staying fairly modest. Some comfy pants like joggers are really perfect for everyday. I would say that leggings or crop tops are never okay. I saw a few girls on vacation who wore them. Not only did they get some wild looks,but it just felt disrespectful on their parts. The big thing I found in the city is that, as a foreigner, you’re going to stick out enough without an eye catching outfit. Often it can be better to try and blend in when you’re a tourist to avoid petty theft or just unwanted attention. My favorite accessory when I was out was this cute little over the shoulder pouch that I could easily put my money, vaccination sheet, and wallet. Some people from the area told me to avoid backpacks, because thieves have been known to walk behind you and cut out the contents. I loved this little bag because I could slip it behind the waist of my skirt out of sight. Some thieves will cut the purse right off your shoulder and run, so be careful with your bags and ALWAYS leave your passport wherever you are staying.
The big takeaway is to just pack for multiple occasions and be prepared. Make sure that you pack hiking boots and pants, as you’re likely going to be doing some walking about to see the beautiful natural resources Tanzania has to offer. As a general rule for traveling: LEARN TO BARGAIN. Even if you don’t know swahili, learning a few numbers and phrases can help you negotiate a lower price in the markets. This can get you some sweet deals on anything, including some nice counterfeit clothing. But most importantly, have fun!
Leaving The Nest 