Foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania must now buy a government inbound travel insurance policy, regardless of any personal travel insurance they already hold. The requirement took effect on 1 October.
The government has warned that “a foreigner who enters mainland Tanzania without a valid policy shall be denied entry”.
The policy costs the equivalent of US$44 for adults. Children aged 3 to 17 pay half, children under 3 are free and groups of 10 or more get a 10% discount.
It is valid for up to 92 days and allows multiple entries. The policy covers emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation and lost luggage.
Policies can be bought before travel or upon arrival.
Travellers buy the policy based on where they arrive in the country. Visitors arriving on the mainland buy from the state-owned National Insurance Corporation (NIC) at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz.
Those arriving on the island of Zanzibar, which has run its own programme since October 2024, buy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz.
Under current guidance, one policy covers clients combining a northern Tanzania safari with Zanzibar, though advisers emphasise that arrangements between the two programmes are still being clarified and advise confirming this on the NIC or ZIC website at the time of purchase.
Advice for advisors
Operators like Lemala Camps & Lodges recommend that clients buy the insurance before departure. They should keep their certificate with them at all times, as it may be checked during the trip.
“This new requirement is straightforward once you know where to go, and we want every traveller to arrive with their certificate in hand,” said Leanne Haigh, managing director of Lemala Camps & Lodges. “That way, the first thing they notice in Tanzania is the landscape, not the paperwork.”
The government policy does not replace comprehensive travel insurance. Clients climbing Kilimanjaro or taking part in other adventure activities still need personal cover that includes those activities and evacuation.
Source: Travel Weekly