Planning a safari in the Serengeti or a beach week in Zanzibar? Budget for a new line item. From 1 October, everyone over 18 entering Tanzania — mainland or the islands — has to buy a compulsory inbound travel insurance policy costing $44 (about £33) before being allowed in.
The rule came via new regulations issued by Tanzania's Ministry of Finance on 4 September, and it caught plenty of travellers off guard. The key catch: your existing travel insurance doesn't count. Arrivals on the mainland must buy cover from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), valid for up to 92 days, while those landing in Zanzibar buy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). The UK Foreign Office has warned that visitors without the required policy may be refused entry altogether.
There is some sensible flexibility built in. You only pay once: if you're heading to both the mainland and Zanzibar on the same trip, the NIC has confirmed you don't need two separate policies — just buy at your first port of entry. Policies can be purchased online in advance or at the border or airport on arrival. Families and groups get a break too: children aged three to 17 pay half price at $22, and group policies of ten or more earn a 10 per cent discount.
Tanzania is a big draw — the country welcomed 2.29 million international tourists in 2025 — so this affects a lot of trips. The upside for travellers is that it's a one-off fee, not a daily levy, and paying online before you fly will save you queueing at arrivals after a long-haul flight. If you're travelling in a tour group or safari package, check with your operator: some may bundle the payment into the booking, but don't assume it's covered.
The NIC has pitched the move as a safety net rather than a tax, arguing that visitors get local support if something goes wrong — a medical evacuation from a remote safari camp being the obvious example. Critics will note it also funnels money to state-owned insurers, but either way, the practical advice is the same: factor the $44 per adult into your trip cost and sort the policy before you board.
Worth remembering that this is on top of Tanzania's visa requirements, so allow time for both when preparing documents. The scheme applies to all foreign visitors regardless of nationality, and the 92-day validity window comfortably covers most holidays, even multi-stop itineraries combining Kilimanjaro climbs with Zanzibar downtime.
