By the PMK team | Requirements checked on 9 October 2026
Your Tanzania holiday should be about the experiences you have been looking forward to: a sunrise game drive, time with your family and a few quiet days beside the Indian Ocean. Getting your travel documents ready before departure gives you more room to enjoy those moments.
Travel insurance is now part of that preparation. From 1 October 2026, eligible foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must obtain mandatory inbound travel insurance. The standard premium is USD 44, with cover for up to 92 days. The provider depends on where you first enter Tanzania. Source: Tanzania Ministry of Finance notice
If you are planning a Tanzania safari from Nairobi, a Serengeti and Zanzibar holiday, or a longer Kenya and Tanzania itinerary, here is how to prepare.
Which insurance do you need for your itinerary?
Start with your first arrival point in Tanzania, rather than the airport where your international journey begins.
| Your first entry into Tanzania | Mandatory insurance provider |
|---|---|
| Mainland Tanzania, including arrival at Kilimanjaro or a road crossing from Kenya | National Insurance Corporation, known as NIC |
| Zanzibar, including a flight from Nairobi directly to the island | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, known as ZIC |
You do not need to buy two mandatory policies simply because you visit both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. NIC confirms that an applicable policy purchased for the first entry can cover the onward journey between the mainland and Zanzibar, subject to its terms. Source: NIC clarification
For example, a Nairobi to Arusha safari followed by Zanzibar begins on the mainland. A beach holiday beginning with a Nairobi to Zanzibar flight starts in Zanzibar. Use that distinction when choosing the official application portal.
How much does Tanzania travel insurance cost?
The current standard pricing published in the tourism industry’s implementation update is:
| Traveller | Published premium |
|---|---|
| Adult aged 18 or above | USD 44 |
| Child aged 3 to 17 | USD 22 |
| Infant aged 0 to 2 | Free |
A family with two adults and two children aged 3 to 17 would therefore budget USD 132 at these standard rates. Confirm each traveller’s eligibility and the final amount on the official portal before paying. Source: ATTA implementation update
ZIC also publishes a USD 22 rate for qualifying travellers from EAC and SADC member states. This should not be confused with the mainland exemption explained below. Fees can change, so use the insurer’s current quotation for your travel dates. Source: ZIC inbound insurance
Are Kenyan residents and other regional travellers exempt?
NIC’s guidance excludes foreign visitors who are residents of East African Community or Southern African Development Community partner states from the mainland requirement. Ask the insurer what evidence of residence is needed if you expect to use this exemption. Source: NIC FAQs
Starting your holiday in Nairobi does not, by itself, make you exempt. An international visitor spending a few nights in Kenya before a Tanzania safari should check their own eligibility rather than assume their departure point qualifies them.
ZIC’s notice of 7 October 2026 makes a separate point: a mainland exemption does not automatically exempt you from Zanzibar’s requirements. If Zanzibar is on your itinerary, confirm the island’s rules with ZIC. Source: ZIC public notice
How to buy the correct policy before travelling
Use the official portal that matches your first entry:
- Mainland first: Apply through NIC.
- Zanzibar first: Apply through ZIC.
- Have your passport information, travel dates and personal details ready.
- Check names, dates and the period of cover before paying.
- Download the certificate and save an offline copy on your phone. Carry a printed copy as a useful backup.
NIC accepts online debit or credit card payments and describes purchase options at entry points. We recommend completing the application before departure so your arrival day has fewer tasks competing for your attention. Source: NIC FAQs
Keep your certificate and QR code accessible throughout the trip, including transfers between the mainland and Zanzibar. Source: ZIC public notice
What does mandatory inbound insurance cover?
NIC lists emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, evacuation and repatriation among the benefits. Its policy period is up to 92 days, with multiple entries within the dates shown on the certificate. Source: NIC FAQs
The certificate is not a promise that every incident will be paid for. NIC explains that benefits have limits and exclusions, including provisions concerning certain pre-existing illnesses. Read the policy wording and ask the insurer about anything relevant to your circumstances. Source: NIC policy guidance
Should you keep your own comprehensive travel insurance?
Yes, we recommend checking your wider protection as well as meeting the entry requirement. An existing private policy does not replace the required local inbound policy for visitors to whom the requirement applies. Source: UK government entry guidance
Before buying or relying on a comprehensive policy, ask whether it covers:
- Every country on your route, including Kenya and Tanzania.
- Cancellation and interruption costs for your actual booking value.
- Emergency treatment, evacuation and assistance from remote safari areas.
- Declared medical conditions and any age-related restrictions.
- Your planned activities, such as ballooning, walking safaris, diving or mountain climbing.
- Cameras, valuables and baggage within suitable limits.
Treat this as a checklist of questions for your insurer, rather than an assumption that any particular policy includes these benefits.
A simpler way to prepare for a Kenya and Tanzania safari
When a holiday includes several parks, border crossings and a beach extension, it helps to keep the route and documents in one place.
The PMK team can help you plan the safari around your budget, preferred accommodation, travel pace and special occasion. Once the route is clear, you can identify the correct insurance portal and discuss the activities with your insurer before committing to cover.
Explore our Tanzania safaris from Nairobi and 11 day Kenya and Tanzania safari for itinerary ideas. Tell us whether your priority is wildlife, a honeymoon, family time or a safari followed by Zanzibar, and we can shape the journey around it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate mandatory policies for a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar?
Generally, no. Purchase the applicable policy for your first entry and retain its certificate. The onward journey must fall within the policy’s validity and terms. Source: NIC clarification
What if I already purchased ZIC insurance before 1 October 2026?
ZIC confirms that a valid, fully paid policy purchased before that date need not be cancelled or duplicated solely because the insured journey begins on the mainland. Source: ZIC public notice
Does purchasing insurance replace a Tanzania visa?
No. Check your immigration requirements separately. An insurance certificate is not a visa or an assurance of admission.
Is mandatory insurance included in my PMK safari price?
Check your written quotation. Do not assume it is included unless the quotation expressly says so. The PMK team can clarify your package inclusions before you book.
Who should I contact about a claim or policy question?
Use the issuing insurer’s assistance details on your certificate. Keep that information offline alongside your booking documents so you can find it quickly when needed.
Plan your safari with the PMK team
You do not have to arrive with every detail decided. Share your travel dates, group size, approximate budget and the experiences that matter most to you. We will help turn those priorities into a practical safari plan, with clear package inclusions and room to refine the details.
Request your personalised safari quote. No payment is required to enquire.
Insurance requirements, premiums and eligibility can change. This guide reflects information checked on 9 October 2026. Confirm the current rules with NIC or ZIC before departure; the insurer’s policy wording governs coverage.
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