Travel Insurance for
your Tanzanian Safari

A Tanzania safari takes you far beyond the city, often into places where medical help requires a longer journey. Before departure, arrange the government insurance required for entry and check that your personal travel policy covers your itinerary, activities and holiday costs.

From 1 October 2026, mandatory inbound travel insurance applies to eligible foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Island by air, land or sea. The policy you should purchase depends on where you first enter Tanzania.

Which government insurance you need

The National Insurance Corporation (NIC) handles mainland arrivals; the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) handles Zanzibar arrivals.

An overseas policy does not substitute for the required NIC or ZIC policy. You can keep comprehensive personal insurance alongside the mandatory cover. Insurance is also separate from any visa you need.

Apply before travelling through the official NIC portal. Have your passport, arrival date, travel dates and personal details ready. Enter them exactly as they appear in your travel documents and check the policy dates before paying.

After payment, retain your confirmation email and issued insurance certificate. Save an offline copy and carry a printed copy to present on arrival. Cover lasts up to 92 days from arrival, subject to the dates on your certificate.

If Zanzibar is your first entry point, apply before departure through the official ZIC portal. Cover is available for up to 92 days from arrival in Zanzibar.

Keep the policy certificate and QR code issued after payment ready for airline checks before boarding and for officials on arrival. Check that each traveller is covered. For a mainland arrival followed by Zanzibar, use the valid NIC certificate as explained above.

Standard NIC and ZIC premiums cost USD 44 per adult and USD 22 for children aged 3 to 17. Children under 3 are listed as free.

Yes, we recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every safari. Tanzania's mandatory inbound policy provides specified local cover, including emergency medical treatment, evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage. Your own comprehensive policy may offer broader protection appropriate to your individual journey and circumstances.

When choosing your cover, consider your full itinerary, including cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses and evacuation, luggage, cameras and personal belongings.

If your adventure includes climbing Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, diving, or other specialist activities, it is also worth making sure these are specifically covered by your policy.

Whether you need proof of yellow fever vaccination will depend on where you are travelling from and the countries you pass through on your way to Tanzania.

We recommend checking the latest official health guidance for your particular journey and speaking with your doctor or travel health clinic well before departure.

If a yellow fever certificate is required for your journey, keep the original certificate safely with your travel documents.

Check that your passport details and dates match your insurance certificate. Keep your certificate or QR code, insurer assistance number and any required yellow fever documentation accessible during the journey. Recheck official requirements shortly before departure, especially if your flight routing changes.

Planning a safari with a Zanzibar extension? Contact Grafton Safaris with your arrival airport and proposed itinerary. We can help you plan the route; your insurer should confirm the cover that suits it.