Tanzania Makes Travel Insurance Mandatory: What Safari-Goers Need to Know
St. Petersburg, FL – October 15, 2026 — Tanzania, a top safari destination, 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. However, experts at Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance marketplace, say the mandatory coverage alone may not be enough.
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.
Publicly available information on the required policy’s coverage is limited; however, the published Zanzibar policy details highlight potential gaps:
1. No listed Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption coverage: The Zanzibar policy does not list these benefits, meaning travelers could be out thousands of dollars in trip costs if they need to cancel. However, a comprehensive policy can reimburse up to 100% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. For more flexibility, Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR) allow travelers to cancel or shorten a trip for any reason, reimbursing 50-75% of trip costs.
2. 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 coverage for safaris or trips to remote areas far from major medical facilities.
4. 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.”
Travelers can compare travel insurance policies and review coverage for Tanzania, safari activities, and other adventure travel through Squaremouth.com.