Tanzania Travel Insurance 2026
Tanzania's mandatory travel insurance for visitors
Since 1 October 2026, every foreign visitor entering mainland Tanzania needs an inbound travel insurance policy issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), in the same way that Zanzibar has required its own policy since 1 October 2024. Several of the lodges we work with wrote to us about the change in September and October, and this page brings together what they told us and what the official notice says, so that you can arrange the policy before you fly. All details were last checked on 31 October 2026.
At a Glance
What the inbound policy costs
The policy is a fixed government premium rather than a commercial product, so the price is the same whoever you buy it through. It covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage, and one policy is valid for up to 92 days with multiple entries allowed. The certificate is issued electronically, usually within a few minutes of payment.
USD 44
Per adult, aged 18 and over
USD 22
Per child, aged 3 to 17
92 days
Validity, with multiple entries
1 Oct 2026
Required on the mainland from
Who needs the policy
The requirement applies to foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania through an airport, seaport or land border. It is set out in the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, which were published as Government Notice No. 256 of 2026 on 4 September 2026 under the Insurance Act, and a Ministry of Finance public notice set 1 October 2026 as the start date. Regulation 4 states that a foreign visitor without a valid policy shall be denied entry.
Because the rule depends on the date you arrive, it also applies to safaris that were booked before October 2026. Current NIC guidance lists the following travellers as exempt:
- Tanzanian residents
- Holders of a valid Tanzanian work or residence permit
- Members of the Tanzanian diaspora
- Diplomats
- Transit passengers who stay airside
- Residents of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states
Please note that these exemptions depend on residence and status rather than nationality alone. If you believe you are exempt, we recommend confirming it with NIC before you travel.
Premiums
Premiums by traveller
The premium is set in US dollars and charged in Tanzanian shillings at the equivalent rate. The age bands below are the ones given in the implementation guidance shared with tour operators.
| Traveller | Premium | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 18 and over | USD 44 | Paid as the Tanzanian shilling equivalent |
| Child, 3 to 17 | USD 22 | Half the adult premium |
| Infant, under 3 | Free | No premium is charged |
| Adults in a group of 10 or more | USD 39.60 | 10% discount on the adult premium |
A couple
| AdultsUSD 44 × 2 | USD 88 |
| Total | USD 88 |
Flying into Kilimanjaro for a safari and then on to Zanzibar, one NIC policy each.
A family with two children
| AdultsUSD 44 × 2 | USD 88 |
| Children aged 9 and 14USD 22 × 2 | USD 44 |
| Total | USD 132 |
A child who turns 18 before the trip pays the adult premium.
A group of 12 adults
| Adults, group discountUSD 39.60 × 12 | USD 475.20 |
| Total | USD 475.20 |
The discount applies to adults in groups of 10 or more.
Mainland and Zanzibar
Which policy to buy for a safari and Zanzibar
Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar run separate schemes through two state insurers, and the policy you need depends on where you first arrive in Tanzania. Under current operational guidance, one policy is enough for a trip that combines a northern safari with time in Zanzibar. Most of our guests fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and finish on the coast, so the NIC policy is the one they need.
| First arrival in Tanzania | Insurer | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland TanzaniaKilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, or a land border such as Namanga | National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz |
| ZanzibarAbeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), for example on a direct international flight | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) | inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz |
The arrangements between the two schemes are still being clarified. If your trip starts in Zanzibar and continues to the mainland, or if you are unsure, please confirm on the NIC or ZIC website when you buy the policy.
How to buy the policy
The policy can be bought online before you travel or at the point of entry. We recommend buying it before you fly, as the certificate usually arrives within a few minutes of payment and you will then have it ready for immigration.
- Confirm where you first arrive. If you land at Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or cross a mainland land border, buy from NIC. If you land in Zanzibar first, buy from ZIC.
- Buy a policy for each traveller. Adults and children aged 3 and over each pay their own premium, as shown in the table above.
- Keep the certificate with you. It may be checked on arrival and again during the trip, so we suggest keeping a copy on your phone and a printed copy with your passport.
The premium is paid directly to NIC or ZIC by each traveller, so it is separate from the cost of your safari.
You still need your own travel insurance
The inbound policy is an entry requirement with limited cover, and its listed benefits leave out trip cancellation. Our booking terms ask every guest to travel with comprehensive insurance covering medical care, emergency evacuation and cancellation, and this remains the case. When you choose a policy, check that it names the activities on your itinerary, as balloon flights, walking safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs often carry their own exclusions or altitude limits.
Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover is a third, separate arrangement, which we can add to your booking on request. Our safari safety page explains what that cover does and does not include.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Tanzania travel insurance
Is travel insurance mandatory for Tanzania?
Yes. From 1 October 2026, foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania by air, land or sea must hold a valid inbound travel insurance policy, unless they qualify for an exemption. The requirement is set out in the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, published as Government Notice No. 256 of 2026. Zanzibar has had its own mandatory scheme since 1 October 2024.
How much does the Tanzania inbound travel insurance cost?
The premium is USD 44 per adult, paid as the Tanzanian shilling equivalent. Children aged 3 to 17 pay USD 22, infants under 3 are free, and adults travelling in a group of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. One policy is valid for up to 92 days.
Do I need both the NIC and the ZIC policy for a safari and Zanzibar?
Under current guidance, one policy is enough. You buy it from the insurer for your first point of arrival in Tanzania, so a guest who lands at Kilimanjaro, goes on safari and then flies to Zanzibar buys the NIC policy only. As the arrangements between the mainland and Zanzibar schemes are still being clarified, we recommend checking this on the NIC or ZIC website when you buy.
Does my own travel insurance replace the inbound policy?
The inbound policy is a separate government entry requirement, so you need it even if you already hold comprehensive travel insurance. You should also keep your own insurance in place, as it covers cancellation and the activities on your itinerary, which the inbound policy is unlikely to include.
Can I buy the policy when I arrive in Tanzania?
The policy can be bought online before you travel or on arrival at the point of entry. We recommend buying it before you fly, because the certificate is usually issued within a few minutes of payment and you will then have it ready for immigration.
What happens if I arrive without the insurance?
Regulation 4 of the inbound travel insurance regulations states that a foreign visitor entering mainland Tanzania without a valid policy shall be denied entry. Insurance certificates may also be checked during the trip, so please keep a copy on your phone and a printed copy with your passport.
Who is exempt from the mandatory travel insurance?
Current NIC guidance lists Tanzanian residents, holders of work or residence permits, members of the diaspora, diplomats, transit passengers and residents of EAC and SADC partner states as exempt. Please note that the exemption depends on residence and status rather than nationality alone, so if you think you are exempt, we recommend confirming it with NIC before you travel.
Does the policy cover a side trip to Kenya and back?
The policy is valid for up to 92 days and allows multiple entries within that period, so you can leave Tanzania for Kenya and return on the same policy, provided you are back within the 92 days. A stay longer than 92 days needs a new policy.
I booked my safari before October 2026. Does this apply to me?
Yes. The requirement depends on the date you enter Tanzania, so it applies to every trip arriving on or after 1 October 2026, including safaris that were booked earlier.
What does the inbound policy cover?
The policy covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage. The Zanzibar policy from ZIC covers emergency medical expenses up to USD 50,000, including evacuation and repatriation. The official notices we have seen give no benefit limits for the NIC policy, which is one more reason to keep your own travel insurance in place.
Related pages
Is a Tanzania safari safe?
What official advisories say, and what Flying Doctors evacuation cover does and does not include.
Tanzania visa requirements
The other document you need to arrange before you fly.
Tanzania safari cost 2026
What a private safari costs, and what is included in a quote.
Tanzania park fees 2026
Entry and overnight fees for the Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Sources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
This requirement is new, and NIC and ZIC are still clarifying how the two schemes work together. The details on this page were checked against the sources below on the date shown, and we will update the page when the official guidance changes.
- Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, Government Notice No. 256 of 2026 (gazetted 4 September 2026, as reported by TanzaniaInvest)
- Tanzania to implement mandatory inbound travel insurance, TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, 26 September 2026)
- Tanzania's mandatory travel insurance implementation update, ATTA (premiums by age and group, 29 September 2026)
- NIC Inbound Travel Insurance portal (mainland Tanzania, checked 31 October 2026)
- ZIC Inbound Travel Insurance portal (Zanzibar, checked 31 October 2026)
- Notices to tour operators from three of our partner lodges and hotels (operator observation, received 28 September to 27 October 2026)
Planning a safari for 2026 or 2027?
Send us your travel dates and we will put together a private itinerary, with a quote that lists every park fee separately.