· Golden Memories Safaris
Tanzania now asks most foreign visitors for a US$44 government insurance policy at the border, and arriving without it can mean being refused entry. This is the practical checklist for safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar travellers, written by a Tanzanian safari company in Arusha, so the new rule costs you nothing but the premium.
In this guide
- At a glance
- What changed on 1 October 2026
- Who is affected on a safari or Kilimanjaro trip
- How to buy the policy, step by step
- Your pre-departure checklist
- Which policy for which trip
- Countdown: what to do and when
- What it costs your group
- What the policy covers, and what it does not
- Kilimanjaro and altitude: what to check
- Safari activities and insurance
- Travelling this December or in 2027
- If you arrive without the certificate
- Mistakes and scams to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
At a glance
- Rule: government inbound insurance for most foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania, from 1 October 2026
- Price: about US$44 per person
- Validity: up to 92 days from arrival
- Applies to: safari guests, Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru trekkers, beach travellers and business visitors
- Not a replacement for: your visa, or your own comprehensive travel insurance
- Do this: buy before departure, print the certificate, tell your tour operator
What changed on 1 October 2026
Until this autumn, mainland Tanzania asked for a visa, a valid passport and, for some travellers, a yellow fever certificate. From 1 October 2026, most foreign visitors also need a government inbound travel insurance policy issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). The rule comes from the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, published as Government Notice No. 256 of 2026, with the start date confirmed by the Ministry of Finance in late September.
The headline numbers are simple:
- About US$44 per person
- Up to 92 days of validity from the date of arrival, with multiple entries during that period
- Applies to arrivals by air, sea or land
- Required in addition to your visa and any insurance you already hold
That last point catches people out. Cover from your home insurer or your credit card does not count towards this requirement. It is a separate local policy, and the regulations make valid cover a condition of entry. Zanzibar has had its own compulsory insurance scheme since October 2024, run by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
Read: Tanzania mandatory travel insurance explained
Who is affected on a safari or Kilimanjaro trip
If you fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR) for a northern-circuit safari, a Serengeti and Ngorongoro itinerary or a Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru climb, the rule applies to you. Travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Europe are all treated as foreign visitors.
Reported exemptions cover certain residents of East African Community (EAC) and SADC states, residents of Tanzania, diplomats, and foreign nationals who hold valid work or residence permits. Reports differ on transit passengers and on child fares. If you think you qualify for an exemption, confirm it with the issuer before you travel instead of relying on a general guide, including this one.
How to buy the policy, step by step
- Check whether you are exempt (see above). If you are not sure, assume you need the policy.
- Have your passport and flight details ready. The certificate is tied to your passport details.
- Open the official NIC inbound portal, inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz, from its own address and not from an advert or a message. Pay by debit or credit card.
- Check that the name, passport number and dates on the certificate match your passport exactly.
- Save the certificate, with its QR code, on your phone and print one copy.
- Send a copy to your tour operator or climbing company so they have it on file.
NIC also sells the policy at entry points for cash, but buying online before you fly avoids queues and last-minute problems. Official cover is sold only by the designated issuers, so be careful with any site, advert or message offering it at a different price.
Official NIC inbound travel insurance portal
Your pre-departure checklist
- Check your passport is valid for the period required by Tanzanian immigration
- Apply for your e-Visa, unless your nationality is visa-exempt
- Confirm whether you are exempt from the insurance rule
- Buy the official inbound policy from the official issuer once your dates are fixed
- Check the name and passport number on the certificate match your passport exactly
- Save the certificate on your phone and print one copy
- Arrange comprehensive insurance for cancellation, medical evacuation and adventure activities
- Share your policy details with your tour operator
Which policy for which trip
The insurer depends on where you first enter Tanzania. These are the four common combinations. Because the interaction between the two schemes is still being clarified, treat them as a starting point and re-check the official portals a week before you fly.
Safari and Kilimanjaro only (mainland)
You need the mainland NIC policy.
Zanzibar beach holiday only
You need the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) policy.
Safari first, then Zanzibar
Buy the mainland policy for your first entry. ZIC has said visitors should not need two mandatory policies for one trip, but confirm with the issuer.
Zanzibar first, then mainland
A ZIC policy bought and fully paid before 1 October 2026 can reportedly be kept. Otherwise confirm which policy applies before you buy.
Countdown: what to do and when
- Three months before: book flights and tours, check passport validity, and start your e-Visa and vaccination planning.
- Six to eight weeks before: buy comprehensive travel insurance with trekking and evacuation cover.
- Three to four weeks before: buy the official inbound policy once your dates are final.
- Two weeks before: check the certificate details against your passport and send a copy to your operator.
- One week before: re-check the official portals for updates and print your documents.
- Departure day: carry your passport, visa, yellow fever certificate if needed, and the inbound insurance certificate, both digital and printed.
The policy is valid for up to 92 days from arrival, so buying early should not shorten your cover, but confirm with the issuer how the start date is set.
What it costs your group
The premium is charged per person, so budget it into your trip total. At about US$44 each, the cost for common group sizes is:
- 1 traveller: US$44
- 2 travellers: US$88
- 4 travellers (family): US$176
- 6 travellers (small group): US$264
- 10 travellers (climbing group): US$440
If you add Zanzibar to your trip, ask the issuer whether any additional premium applies before you add it to your budget. Premiums are reported as generally non-refundable.
What the policy covers, and what it does not
The mandatory policy is reported to cover emergency medical treatment, evacuation, repatriation and lost luggage, at limits shown on your certificate. It is basic entry cover, not full travel insurance. Safari and trekking itineraries carry other risks that a basic policy does not address:
- Trip cancellation and interruption. Park fees, lodge deposits and flights are largely non-refundable.
- High-altitude trekking. Kilimanjaro reaches 5,895 metres, and many standard policies exclude trekking above a set altitude. Check the wording before you pay.
- Higher medical and evacuation limits. Remote parks can be hours from major hospitals.
- Optional activities. Balloon flights, walking safaris and diving in Zanzibar may need specific cover.
A good rule is to hold two documents: the mandatory certificate for the border, and a comprehensive policy for the trip itself.
Kilimanjaro and altitude: what to check
Kilimanjaro’s summit is 5,895 metres above sea level, and altitude sickness is the main medical risk on the mountain. The mandatory policy is a basic emergency product, so check that your comprehensive plan:
- Explicitly covers trekking to the altitude you plan to reach, not just general hiking
- Includes emergency evacuation from the mountain, including helicopter rescue where available
- Does not exclude pre-existing conditions you have disclosed
- Covers the cost of the trek if you must abandon it for medical reasons
Climbing companies on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru usually ask climbers for their insurance details before the trek, so keep both policies to hand. Our own climb packages list insurance with high-altitude evacuation up to 6,000 metres as something each climber arranges. For more on the mountain itself, read our guides to altitude sickness and to the cost of climbing Kilimanjaro.
Read: Altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro
See our Kilimanjaro climbing tours
Safari activities and insurance
- Game drives: low risk, but remote parks mean long transfers in an emergency.
- Hot-air balloon flights: some policies exclude or limit them.
- Walking safaris: check the wording on guided walks near wildlife.
- Zanzibar diving and snorkelling: often needs a specific water-sports extension.
- Domestic flights between parks: check baggage and delay protection.
If you are planning a first Tanzania safari, our guides to the cost of a safari and to a first-timer’s 7 day itinerary show what a typical trip includes and what you pay for separately.
Read: How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
Read: The best 7 day Tanzania safari itinerary
Travelling this December or in 2027
The December and January holidays are among the busiest weeks for Tanzania’s airports, and the February calving season in the southern Serengeti is one of the most requested safari periods of the year. A few habits make arrival smooth:
- Buy the inbound policy online at least a week before you fly, and take a screenshot of the QR code
- Carry printed copies of your certificate, e-Visa approval, passport page and return ticket
- Book your camps and flights early. December to March is a peak season for safaris
- Allow extra time at the airport on arrival, because the holiday weeks are busy
- Tell your driver-guide your arrival time so they can wait if the queue is long
If you are travelling in 2027, check the official portals again a week before you leave, because guidance on exemptions, child fares and the Zanzibar rules may be updated as the scheme settles.
The complete arrival document list
Keep these together in one folder, printed and on your phone, so the queue at immigration is short and your driver-guide is not left waiting:
- Passport, valid for the period Tanzanian immigration requires, with blank pages
- Your e-Visa approval, or proof that your nationality is visa-exempt
- The inbound insurance certificate with its QR code
- Your yellow fever certificate, if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission
- Your return or onward ticket
- The name and address of your first hotel or camp, and your tour operator’s phone number
- The policy number and 24-hour emergency number of your own comprehensive travel insurance
- A little US cash in small notes, and a bank card, for tips and small purchases
Two example trips
A couple on a 7 day safari and a Zanzibar beach finish
They buy comprehensive insurance two months before they fly, then buy the mainland NIC policy a month before departure, because their first entry is at Kilimanjaro. The mandatory policy costs about US$88 for the two of them. They check the certificate against their passports, print it, send a copy to their safari company and carry both documents. They confirm with the issuer that the Zanzibar leg of the trip does not need a second policy.
A group of six climbing Kilimanjaro, then a short safari
The group leader collects passport details early, and each person buys their own certificate online, which comes to about US$264 for six. Because Kilimanjaro reaches 5,895 metres, each climber also checks that their comprehensive policy covers trekking to that altitude and helicopter evacuation, and sends the policy number to the climbing company. They agree to carry the certificates on their phones and as printed copies, and to meet one week before departure to check that nobody has missed a step.
What to tell your safari or climbing company
Your operator plans around your arrival, so it helps to share these details a few weeks before you fly:
- Your arrival airport, flight number and arrival time
- Whether any traveller believes they are exempt, and why
- The names of everyone in the group exactly as they appear in the passports
- Your comprehensive insurance company and policy number
- Any medical condition or medication your guide should know about
If you arrive without the certificate
Reports say you can still buy the policy at the airport desk, but only in cash, and that travellers who cannot or do not buy it can be refused entry. Queues can be long at busy times, and the desk can be slow when several flights land together. Do not plan on paying a fee instead of holding the policy, and do not leave it to the border.
Budgeting for the rule
For most travellers the new policy is a small line in a large trip budget. A safari or a Kilimanjaro climb usually costs several thousand dollars per person, so about US$44 adds a little more than one or two percent. The bigger costs are the ones the policy does not cover: park fees, lodge deposits, domestic flights and climb fees that cannot be recovered if you cancel late.
Add the premium for every traveller to your budget when you plan the trip, keep the receipt with your travel documents and, if you are paying for a family or a group, ask each person to confirm the name and passport number before you buy. That small check saves the most time at the airport.
Mistakes and scams to avoid
- Assuming your home insurance counts. It does not satisfy the entry requirement.
- Using an unofficial website. Reach the issuer from its own site or your embassy’s guidance, and be wary of adverts and messages offering cover.
- Typing passport details incorrectly. A mismatch can cause problems at immigration.
- Relying on a phone only. Carry a printed copy in case of low battery or poor signal.
- Treating it as full trip protection. It is entry insurance with basic emergency cover.
How Golden Memories Safaris can help
We are a locally owned safari company in Njiro, Arusha. Send us your arrival airport and dates, and we will tell you which policy applies to your entry point and what to carry, and answer any question about your safari, Kilimanjaro climb or Zanzibar extension. The policy itself is bought directly from the official issuer, and you remain responsible for checking that your certificate matches your passport.
Compare Tanzania safari packages
Popular safaris to book from October to June
The insurance rule applies to every trip, so it is easiest to handle it together with the safari you are planning. From October 2026 to June 2027 northern Tanzania moves through the late dry season, the festive and calving season, the green season and then the return of the dry months. These are the trips we recommend for each part of the season.
October and November 2026
The end of the dry season, with the herds in the northern Serengeti in October and quiet lodges in November. Good for a 5 day safari in Tanzania, Tarangire elephants and a Ngorongoro Crater safari before the short rains.
December 2026
Warm, green and festive, with the herds returning to the southern plains. A good month for a family safari in Tanzania, a honeymoon safari in Tanzania and a Zanzibar beach finish. Book camps early for the holidays.
January and February 2027
The calving season. Our 6 day calving safari is built for this window, with a 7 day safari in Tanzania and Serengeti safari tours as longer options. These are also dry months for the Kilimanjaro climbing tours.
March to May 2027
The green season, with lower prices and fewer visitors. A budget safari in Tanzania or a luxury safari at green-season rates is good value, and calves are still on the plains in March.
June 2027
The dry season returns. Tarangire National Park, the Great Migration safari in the western Serengeti and the best time to climb Kilimanjaro all begin again, so book early for July.
6 day calving safari Tanzania 2027
Great Migration safari Tanzania, month by month
Tanzania safari packages 2026 to 2027
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance for Tanzania?
Most foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania from 1 October 2026 must hold the government inbound policy. Separate comprehensive insurance is strongly advised.
Is the US$44 policy the same as safari insurance?
No. It is a basic entry policy. Safari insurance, covering cancellation, higher medical limits and activities, is a separate purchase.
Does it cover Kilimanjaro?
The mandatory policy provides basic emergency cover and is not a substitute for a trekking policy. Check altitude limits in any comprehensive policy you buy.
Can children travel without it?
The rule applies to foreign visitors, including children. Reports differ on child fares, so check the issuer’s portal for child rates and requirements.
Will I be refused entry without it?
The regulations make valid cover a condition of entry, so you risk being turned away. Do not leave it to the border.
What if my trip includes Zanzibar?
ZIC has said visitors should not need two mandatory policies for one trip. Confirm which policy fits your itinerary with the issuer.
How do I spot a fake insurance website?
Official cover is sold only by the designated issuers. Be cautious of adverts, social media offers, unsolicited emails and sites that charge more than about US$44 per person. Start from the issuer’s own site or your embassy’s guidance.
What should I show at immigration?
Carry your passport, visa or e-Visa and your inbound insurance certificate, plus any other documents your nationality requires.
Can my tour operator buy the policy for me?
The certificate is tied to your passport details and is bought from the official issuer, so you remain responsible for checking it. Ask your operator what help they offer.
Do I need it for a day trip from Kenya?
The rule applies to foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania, so assume yes unless you qualify for a reported exemption.
What if I stay longer than 92 days?
You would need a new policy rather than an extension, according to reports on the scheme.
Is the policy refundable if I cancel my trip?
Premiums are reported as generally non-refundable, so confirm the terms with the issuer. Use comprehensive insurance for cancellation protection.
Will the rule change my Kilimanjaro climb booking?
It does not change park or climb fees, but each climber should hold the certificate before reaching immigration.
Are there fines instead of refusal?
The regulations treat valid cover as a condition of entry. Do not plan on paying a fee at the border.
- 6 Day Tanzania Wildebeest Calving Safari, Ndutu, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
- 5 Day Migration Safari
- 5 Day Mid-Range Safari: Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater 2026–2027
- 7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Adventure via Lemosho Route
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Tanzania mandatory travel insurance explained
Tanzania visa and entry requirements
Tanzania vaccines, malaria and health
How much does a Tanzania safari cost?
Is Tanzania safe for tourists?
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, Government Notice No. 256 of 2026 (Tanzania).
- National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC), inbound travel insurance portal, inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz.
- TanzaniaInvest, Tanzania mainland makes USD 44 NIC travel insurance compulsory from 1 October 2026.
- VisasNews, Tanzania’s mandatory travel insurance requirement takes effect.
- Savannah Explorers, Tanzania mandatory travel insurance from 1 October 2026.
- Golden Memories Safaris climb package inclusions and exclusions, October 2026.
NIC inbound travel insurance (official)
Information reviewed on 12 October 2026. The rule is new and details such as exemptions, child fares and the Zanzibar arrangements may change, so always confirm with the official issuer before you travel.