From the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to the streets of Stone Town, learn why travel insurance is recommended for Americans in Tanzania.
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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
Home to Serengeti National Park where lions and giraffes roam among the plains. Home to the snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point on the African continent. And home to the white sand beaches and turquoise waters surrounding the island of Zanzibar.
Tanzania is famed for its thrilling wildlife experiences, its picturesque national parks (21 to be exact), and its diverse culture. It’s no wonder that it is a top destination for Americans. You can also trek with chimpanzees in Gombe National Park (where Jane Goodall set up a chimpanzee research center many years ago), learn age-old traditions with Maasai warriors, and savor Swahili food in busy markets.
While a trip to Tanzania is an incredible experience, there are always some things to be aware of, from lost baggage to natural disasters. We encourage you to consider travel insurance* for Tanzania to help protect your vacation.
International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises - like watching a leopard make a kill while on a safari tour in Ngorongoro Crater.
Some surprises aren’t so great, though. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. You might come down with symptoms for malaria and need to see a doctor. Or perhaps you fell and broke your ankle while climbing Mount Meru and need to be evacuated to a hospital. You may wish then you had travel insurance for Tanzania.
There are four plans to select from, and when you get a quote, you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
While summitting Mount Kilimanjaro and taking a safari are among Tanzania’s most popular attractions, there are plenty of adventures to be had. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Tanzania and includes things like scuba diving off Pemba Island, undertaking a volunteer project in a local school, or embarking on one of Tanzania’s other incredible treks.
Before you get a quote for your travel insurance for Tanzania, it’s smart to have an idea of which activities you’d like to do. Each insurance plan covers different activities so a rough itinerary can help you select the best insurance for your adventure.
For example, if you’re itching to kite surf on Paje Beach in Zanzibar or go hiking in the Usambara Mountains, all World Nomads travel insurance plans, including the Standard Plan, will cover you. However, if you’re dreaming of taking a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, you’ll want to upgrade to the Explorer or Epic Plan to get full coverage.
Before you take off on your Tanzanian excursion, we recommend that you make an appointment with Runway Health-- an online travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. The telehealth service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain necessary vaccinations or medications, such as malaria prevention and medication to help with altitude sickness and traveler’s diarrhea.
We also recommend packing a few basic supplies for your trip, as some things aren’t always available, especially in rural areas of Tanzania. Strong mosquito repellant to help prevent malaria, sunscreen, and bandages are a good place to start.
If you have a medical emergency when traveling in Tanzania, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your Tanzanian medical team if there is a cultural or language barrier.
Maybe you broke your hip while attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care. The repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Tanzania may cover the costs to get you there.
From routine to more complicated procedures, health care in Tanzania can be challenging and different than what you’re used to in the US. Tap water isn’t safe so make sure to drink bottled or filtered water. You’re not always going to have a place to wash your hands before you eat – and a lot of local food is eaten with hands—so carry disinfectant wipes to reduce your chances of getting sick. Malaria is a reality in Tanzania. If you suspect that you may have malaria symptoms, go to a local clinic for a test. That is something that most clinics can test and treat—and is more commonly understood than if you were to seek treatment for it back in the United States.
If you’re planning to climb Kili, you probably packed your hiking boots. You will be pretty bummed to land in Arusha and realize that the airline lost your bag.
If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If your bag is delayed at least 12 hours, your travel insurance for Tanzania may reimburse you for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.
The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact Blue Ribbon Bags, our non-insurance service partner that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
Theft is something to watch out for in Tanzania—especially in crowded markets or on the streets of Dar es Salaam. Dress modestly and leave flashy jewelry at home to blend in as best you can and reduce your chances of being a target of theft.
A few other things you can do to stay safe include carrying your bag in front of you and leaving unnecessary valuables in a locked place in your accommodation, including credit cards (you’ll pretty much just be using cash, anyway!) Crime can increase at night, so it is advised to avoid walking after dark unless you are in well-lit areas.
If you take one of Tanzania’s famed buses across the country, they are typically packed with chickens, goats, luggage, and lots of people-- so be aware of your belongings!
And if you’re planning a road trip through this incredible country, remember that driving in Tanzania is different than in the US. Expect rough roads, look out for potential animal crossings, and avoid driving at night, if possible, as crime can increase, and roads are often unlit in remote areas. Your Explorer, Epic or Annual travel insurance plan for Tanzania could also include rental car damage protection, covering potential mechanical failures or delays caused by car issues along your adventure.
When you’re searching for the best travel insurance for Tanzania, check to make sure it has coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay, and trip interruption. If it does, you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if something unexpected happens.
Nature is unpredictable and natural disasters are always a possibility. If flash floods sweep through Serengeti National Park and wash out your safari lodge, your travel insurance for Tanzania may help you be reimbursed for non-refundable, prepaid tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance.
World Nomads travel insurance may also help if you’re already on your trip and something happens. For example, you may need to go back to the United States early if an immediate family member has an unexpected medical emergency or dies.
Tanzania is a long way from the United States, and a bucket list destination for many Americans. If you want an additional safety net for your trip, consider purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) as an add-on to your Explorer or Epic Plan during the time sensitive period. Whether you simply change your mind or need to cancel your vacation for any reason not covered by the insurance plan, CFAR allows you to cancel and get back a portion of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses, whether that be a cruise or a cultural excursion.
Home to over 120 ethnic groups and 126 languages, Tanzania is incredibly diverse. Kiswahili is spoken by a large part of the population and knowing a few words and phrases will go a long way. You may want to read out guide for cultural do’s and dont’s in Tanzania, including dressing modestly – especially in Muslim areas like Zanzibar.
Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Tanzania. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.
If you purchase travel insurance for Tanzania, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
ATMs can be difficult to find in remote areas, and can run out of cash, so travel with sufficient cash. American dollars are widely accepted by major tour operators and in safari lodges but for markets and smaller purchases, you’ll need to use Tanzanian shillings.
When you’re booking tours, research for ethical, responsible excursions. The same goes for booking a trek to Kili. Look for a company that treats the porters fairly, including pay and proper gear for the environment. Speaking of the outdoors, keep those camera batteries charged so you can snap all the incredible wildlife you’re sure to be spotting—and don’t forget to read our guide to safely photographing wildlife. Have fun, and safari njema!
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.My flight was delayed due to mechanical issues, which caused me to miss my connecting flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. This delay meant that I missed the first night in my hotel and the pre-arranged transfer from the airport. I also needed to purchase a new transport from the airport to the Machame Gate at Kilimanjaro National Park.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.