Your policy should include
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital costs
- Emergency medical evacuation, including by air
- Trip cancellation and curtailment
- Lost or delayed baggage and valuables such as cameras
- The activities you plan — balloon flights, walking safaris, trekking to the altitude you will reach
Why insurance matters on safari
Safari areas are remote. Lodges and camps are well run and our guides are trained in first aid, but serious medical care is a long way from the Serengeti. If something goes wrong, the answer is usually an air evacuation to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam or Arusha — which is very expensive without cover. Insurance also protects the money you have paid for the trip if illness or a family emergency stops you travelling.
Medical and evacuation cover
Choose a policy with a high limit for emergency medical costs and one that clearly includes air evacuation from remote areas. Check whether it pays the hospital directly or expects you to pay first and claim later — and keep the insurer's 24-hour emergency number on your phone and on paper.
Cancellation cover
Lodges, camps and parks ask for deposits well ahead, and many are non-refundable close to your travel date. Buy your insurance as soon as you pay your deposit, so you are covered for cancellation from that day. Our cancellation terms are in our terms and conditions.
Activities and altitude
Standard policies do not always cover adventure activities. Tell your insurer what you plan to do:
- Hot-air balloon flights over the Serengeti.
- Walking safaris and canoeing.
- Climbing Kilimanjaro — your policy must cover trekking up to 6,000 metres; Uhuru Peak is 5,895 m. See Kilimanjaro trekking.
- Snorkelling and diving on Zanzibar — diving often needs a specific add-on.
Zanzibar's mandatory insurance
If your trip includes Zanzibar, you must also buy the Zanzibar government's own inbound travel insurance before you arrive — even if you already have a full policy. It is a separate, low-cost policy bought online. Everything you need to know is in our Zanzibar travel insurance guide.
Before you travel
- Send us your insurer's name, policy number and emergency number, so we can help you quickly if you ever need it.
- Carry a copy of your policy with your passport.
- Declare any medical conditions to your insurer when you buy the policy.
