Tanzania Implements Mandatory Travel Insurance

Tanzania has implemented a new requirement on October 1, 2026, mandating that all foreign visitors buy a government-approved travel insurance policy, even if they already have other coverage through their credit card or an independent provider. 

Here are the details:

• The National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) have been designated as the Inbound Travel Insurance service providers for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, respectively.
• Foreign visitors entering the United Republic of Tanzania through Mainland Tanzania must obtain Travel Insurance from NIC, while foreign visitors entering through Zanzibar must obtain Inbound Travel Insurance from ZIC. 
• In the event of an emergency occurring within the United Republic of Tanzania, the foreign visitor will be provided with services by the insurance provider from which the Inbound Travel Insurance was obtained, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
• The Inbound Travel Insurance will provide coverage against medical emergencies and will be valid for a period of up to ninety-two (92) days, at a premium of US$44 per visitor.
• International travellers are strongly advised to make the necessary arrangements and obtain the required Inbound Travel Insurance before travelling to Tanzania in order to facilitate entry procedures and avoid unnecessary inconvenience or delays upon arrival.

Experts at travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth say the mandatory coverage alone may not be enough for travel to this popular safari destination.

According to Squaremouth’s Q3 2026 Travel Insurance Trends Report, the average insured trip to Tanzania costs over $24,000. With that much money at stake, and given the risk of high medical bills if an injury or illness occurs, proper travel insurance coverage is especially important.

Squaremouth says the published Zanzibar policy details highlight potential gaps:

No listed Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption coverage: the Zanzibar policy does not list these benefits, meaning travellers could be out thousands of dollars in trip costs if they need to cancel. For more flexibility, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption for Any Reason (IFAR) policies allow travellers to cancel or shorten a trip for any reason, reimbursing 50-75% of trip costs.

Low Emergency Medical coverage limits: The Zanzibar-specific policy only provides $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage. However, experts at Squaremouth recommend at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation overage for safaris or trips to remote areas far from major medical facilities.

No coverage for Trip Delays and Missed Connections: Long flights and multiple connections can lead to additional expenses if disruptions happen. A comprehensive travel insurance plan can cover crucial expenses during delays, such as food, transportation, or accommodations.

“A safari is often a bucket-list experience that requires months of careful planning and thousands of dollars in booking,” explains Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth. 

“Tanzania’s required coverage provides basic coverage, but with so much money invested in these trips, a more comprehensive travel insurance policy can better protect your investment and offer greater peace of mind.”