Please read this if you are planning a trip to Tanzania or Zanzibar in 2027. Both now require every foreign visitor to hold a mandatory inbound travel insurance policy to enter. Zanzibar has required it since October 2024. Mainland Tanzania introduced its own requirement in September 2026. Each policy costs about US$44 per person. They are two separate schemes, so if your trip includes both a mainland safari and Zanzibar, you generally need both, roughly US$88 per person in total. This is on top of your own travel insurance, which you should still have.
On this notice
The new Mainland Tanzania rule
In September 2026, the Government of Tanzania introduced new rules, the Inbound Travel Insurance Regulations, under Government Notice No. 256 of 2026, requiring mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania. This was reported in a legal update by the international law firm Clyde & Co, and here is what it means for you in plain terms.
- Who it applies to: every foreign visitor entering Mainland Tanzania by air, land border or seaport.
- Cost: about US$44 per person (roughly TZS 116,000), for adults and children.
- How long it lasts: up to 92 days from your arrival, and it covers multiple entries in that time.
- Who provides it: the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), or insurers working with it.
- When to buy: before you travel, or on arrival at the point of entry.
- What it covers: emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, emergency repatriation, and loss of luggage.
- If you do not have it: the rules state you can be denied entry.
The Zanzibar rule
Zanzibar has had its own version of this for longer, since October 2024, so if you have travelled to the island recently you may already know it.
- Who it applies to: every foreign visitor to Zanzibar.
- Cost: about US$44 per person, for adults and children.
- How long it lasts: up to about 92 days.
- Who provides it: the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
- When and where to buy: online, from the official Zanzibar government portal, before you travel. You save the confirmation, usually a QR code, and show it on arrival.
- Important: it is required even if you already have your own travel insurance.
The difference between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania insurance
They are two separate policies from two different insurers. Here they are side by side.
| Mainland Tanzania | Zanzibar | |
|---|---|---|
| In place since | September 2026 | October 2024 |
| Applies to | Foreigners entering the mainland (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, southern parks, cities) | Foreign visitors to Zanzibar island |
| Provider | National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) |
| Cost | About US$44 per person | About US$44 per person |
| Validity | Up to 92 days, multiple entry | Up to about 92 days |
| When to buy | Before travel or on arrival | Online, before travel |
| Covers | Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation, lost luggage | Medical and emergency cover during your stay |
| If missing | Can be denied entry | Delays or problems at immigration |
Do I need both?
For most of our guests, the answer is yes, and here is the simple way to think about it.
Safari and Zanzibar trip: you enter the mainland for the safari and Zanzibar for the beach, so you generally need both policies, about US$44 each, roughly US$88 per person in total.
Zanzibar only: if you fly straight to Zanzibar and never set foot on the mainland, you need only the Zanzibar policy, about US$44.
Mainland safari only: if you do a safari but do not visit Zanzibar, you need only the Mainland Tanzania policy, about US$44.
Because most safari-and-beach holidays touch both, budget for both. If you are not sure which applies to your route, that is exactly the kind of thing we sort out for you, just ask.
Does this replace my own travel insurance?
How and when to buy it
Our advice is simple: sort both policies out before you fly, so nothing holds you up at the airport.
- Zanzibar: buy online from the official Zanzibar government portal in advance, and save the confirmation and QR code.
- Mainland Tanzania: you can buy before travel or on arrival, but buying ahead avoids queues. It is issued through the National Insurance Corporation's system, with a certificate you keep.
- Keep proof: carry both certificates with your passport and visa, printed or on your phone, so you can show them at immigration.
If you book your trip with us, we will remind you about both policies at the right time and point you to the correct official places to buy them, so you are not caught out.
Who is exempt
Under the Mainland Tanzania rules, residents of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are not treated as foreigners for this purpose, so they are not required to buy the mainland policy. Most other visitors, including those from Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia, do need it. If you are unsure about your own status, check the current official rules before you travel.
What this means for your 2027 safari
In practice, this adds a small, known cost to your trip, about US$44 to US$88 per person, and one simple task to do before you fly. It is not a reason to change your plans, just something to budget for and tick off. When you travel with us, we build the reminder into your pre-trip checklist so it is handled.
If you are still shaping your 2027 trip, here are our main Northern Circuit safaris and planning guides to help.
Have a question? Ask Justus directly
Not sure whether you need one policy or both, or how to buy them for your exact route? Message me directly and I will answer you personally, usually within a few hours. There is no charge and no obligation, I would rather you had the right information before you travel.
WhatsApp Justus Email JustusJustus Kahwa, Safari Operations Director · +255 672 530 415 · info@kaitoursandsafaris.com
Common questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for Tanzania in 2027?
Yes. Under new regulations introduced in September 2026 (Government Notice No. 256 of 2026), every foreign visitor entering Mainland Tanzania by air, land or sea must hold a mandatory inbound travel insurance policy, costing about US$44 per person and valid for up to 92 days. Without it, a visitor can be denied entry. Residents of East African Community and Southern African Development Community countries are exempt. This is separate from Zanzibar's own requirement and from your personal travel insurance.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Zanzibar?
Yes. Since October 2024, every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must buy the Zanzibar inbound travel insurance, which costs about US$44 per person and is valid for up to about 92 days. You buy it online from the official Zanzibar portal before you travel and show the confirmation, usually a QR code, on arrival. It is required even if you already have your own travel insurance, and it is separate from the new Mainland Tanzania requirement.
What is the difference between the Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania insurance?
They are two separate schemes run by different insurers. Zanzibar's, in place since October 2024, is provided by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and bought online before travel. Mainland Tanzania's, new from September 2026, is provided by the National Insurance Corporation and can be bought before travel or on arrival. Both cost about US$44 per person and last up to 92 days. If your trip includes both a mainland safari and Zanzibar, you generally need both policies.
Do I need both if I do a safari and Zanzibar?
In most cases, yes. If your trip includes a mainland safari, in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire or the southern parks, and time on Zanzibar, you enter both jurisdictions, so you generally need the Mainland Tanzania policy and the Zanzibar policy, about US$44 each, so roughly US$88 per person in total. If you only fly directly to Zanzibar and never enter the mainland, you need only the Zanzibar one. Tell us your route and we will confirm what applies to you.
How much does the mandatory travel insurance cost?
Each policy costs about US$44 per person, for adults and children, and covers up to about 92 days. So a visitor entering only Zanzibar pays about US$44, and a visitor doing a mainland safari and Zanzibar pays about US$88 in total, once for each jurisdiction. The premium is generally non-refundable. Budget for this on top of your trip cost and your own separate travel insurance.
Does this replace my own travel insurance?
No, and this is important. The mandatory government schemes provide only basic cover, emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage. They do not replace a proper personal travel insurance policy. We strongly recommend you still buy your own comprehensive travel and medical insurance from home, ideally one that also covers trip cancellation and safari activities, in addition to the mandatory policies. The two work together, not instead of each other.
When and where do I buy the mandatory insurance?
For Zanzibar, buy it online from the official Zanzibar government portal before you travel, and save the confirmation to show on arrival. For Mainland Tanzania, you can buy it before travel or on arrival at the airport, land border or seaport, through the National Insurance Corporation's designated system. We recommend buying both before you fly to avoid queues and delays at the airport, and keeping the certificates, printed or on your phone, with your travel documents.
Who is exempt from the Mainland Tanzania insurance?
Under the regulations, residents of East African Community (EAC) partner states and Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states are excluded from the definition of foreigner and so are not required to buy the Mainland Tanzania inbound insurance. Most other foreign visitors, including those from Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia, are required to hold it. Check your own status against the current official rules before you travel.
What happens if I do not have it?
For Mainland Tanzania, the regulations state that a foreigner who does not hold the required inbound travel insurance can be denied entry. For Zanzibar, travelling without the required policy can cause delays or problems at immigration. The safest approach is to buy both policies that apply to your trip before you fly and carry the confirmation with you, so entry is smooth. If you are booked with us, we will remind you and help you get it sorted.
Keeps guests up to date on Tanzania's travel rules, and would rather you knew about this before you book than be surprised at the airport.
