Since 1 October 2026, a foreign visitor landing at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam may need one more document beside the passport and visa: a mandatory inbound travel insurance certificate. The requirement applies to eligible visitors; residents of East African Community and Southern African Development Community partner states are exempt on the mainland. Zanzibar has required its own version since October 2024. Two insurers run the two schemes, and travellers planning a safari followed by a few days on the coast have reasonably asked whether they need both. They need one.
The Short Answer
- Buy one policy, from the insurer for the place you first enter Tanzania. It must remain valid and applicable for the whole journey.
- Arriving on the mainland (Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar es Salaam or a land border): the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
- Arriving in Zanzibar first: the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
- Residents of East African Community and Southern African Development Community partner states are exempt from the mainland requirement, though not necessarily from Zanzibar's.
- Cover lasts up to 92 days, with further entries allowed during that period.
- Buy it online before you fly and keep the certificate with your passport. It does not replace your own travel insurance.
Which Insurer Applies to Your Journey
| First point of entry | Insurer | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro International Airport, Dar es Salaam or another mainland entry point | National Insurance Corporation (NIC) | inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz |
| Zanzibar International Airport or another Zanzibar entry point | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) | inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz |
Take a common shape for an AGE journey: arrival at Kilimanjaro, a week across Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, then a flight to Zanzibar. That traveller buys the NIC policy before departure and, provided it remains valid and applicable for the whole journey, needs nothing more for the beach days. NIC states that its cover is valid across all of Tanzania, mainland and Zanzibar, and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation confirmed in a public notice on 7 October 2026 that visitors are not required to buy two policies for the same journey. A journey that starts in Zanzibar and continues to the mainland works the other way round: the ZIC policy covers both, on the same condition.
What It Costs
NIC charges the Tanzanian shilling equivalent of USD 44 per adult. Its published discounts make cover free for children aged 0 to 2 and half price, USD 22, for children aged 3 to 17. ZIC publishes USD 44 per adult and USD 22 per child, and sets how a child's age is classed when you apply. With either insurer, the price shown in the application is the one that applies, so check it before paying. Travellers who are exempt on the mainland may still pay in Zanzibar, at a rate ZIC sets for them.
What the Policy Covers
NIC lists cover for medical emergencies, emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, and loss of luggage. ZIC's policy also includes personal accident, baggage delay and theft, legal expenses and personal liability. Neither insurer publishes its limits on its public pages; they are in the policy document, so read it when it arrives. ZIC's basic plan does not cover terrorism.
How to Buy It
- Confirm where you will first enter Tanzania.
- Open the official portal for that entry point.
- Enter your passport details and travel dates, then pay online.
- Keep the certificate, on your phone or printed, with your passport. It is checked on arrival.
NIC also sells cover at mainland entry points, with card or cash payment, but asks visitors to buy before arrival. After an overnight flight, it is one less queue.
How Long It Lasts
Up to 92 days, following the dates on the certificate, with re-entry allowed in that period. For a longer stay, ask the insurer about an extension before the policy ends.
Who Is Exempt
On the mainland, residents of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states are exempt from the NIC requirement. That exemption belongs to the mainland scheme. Zanzibar applies its own rules, so check with ZIC before travelling to the islands. If your residency is anything other than clear-cut, confirm your status with the insurer in writing.
If Something Goes Wrong
Contact the insurer that issued your policy. Assistance and claims numbers are printed on your certificate and listed on each insurer's portal. Keep your policy number, passport and any medical or incident paperwork together.
Field Note from AGE
Treat the certificate like the visa: arrange it once flights are confirmed, then keep a copy on your phone and a printed copy in your day bag. If your journey includes Kilimanjaro, do not assume the mandatory policy covers the climb. Check that your own insurance names high-altitude trekking to the height you will reach and evacuation from the mountain, and read the wording rather than the summary.
What We Would Not Recommend
- Buying a second mandatory policy for the Zanzibar part of a journey that starts on the mainland.
- Treating the mandatory policy as your only insurance. Your own cover should handle cancellation, pre-existing conditions and the activities on your itinerary.
- Buying through any website other than the two official portals.
- Leaving the purchase until you reach the arrivals hall.
Plan Your Tanzania Journey
If your journey combines safari, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, we can confirm which entry point applies to you and where to find the official insurance information.
Plan Your JourneyInformation reviewed: 3 November 2026. Rules, prices and policy terms can change; confirm the latest position with the insurer before you travel.