Tanzania Mandatory Travel Insurance: Mainland & Zanzibar Explained
Travelling to Tanzania from 1 October 2026? There is an important new entry requirement to know about.
From 1 October 2026, mandatory inbound travel insurance will be required for foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania. Zanzibar already has its own mandatory travel insurance system.
If your trip combines a safari on the mainland with a stay in Zanzibar, this may sound confusing...
Do you need two insurance policies?
Which one should you buy?
And what if you already have travel insurance from your home country?
The good news is that for most travellers, it is quite straightforward.
What is the new mandatory travel insurance for Tanzania?
From 1 October 2026, foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania by airport, seaport or land border are required to have mandatory inbound travel insurance.
The new Mainland Tanzania insurance is provided by the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC).
The standard premium is USD 44 per person and the policy is valid for up to 92 days.
Zanzibar has had a similar mandatory insurance requirement since 2024. The Zanzibar policy is provided by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
Do I need both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar insurance?
In most cases, no.
If your holiday combines Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, you do not need to purchase both the NIC and ZIC insurance. The insurance you need is determined by where you first enter Tanzania.
Arriving in Mainland Tanzania first
If you first arrive in Mainland Tanzania, for example at:
Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam
Kilimanjaro International Airport
another mainland airport
a mainland seaport
a land border
you should obtain the mandatory insurance through NIC.
Your NIC policy remains applicable when you later continue your trip to Zanzibar, so you do not need to purchase the Zanzibar ZIC insurance as well.
Official NIC insurance portal:https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/
Arriving in Zanzibar first
If your first arrival in Tanzania is in Zanzibar, you should obtain your mandatory inbound travel insurance through ZIC.
If you later travel from Zanzibar to Mainland Tanzania for a safari or another part of your holiday, you do not need to purchase a second NIC policy.
Official Zanzibar insurance portal:https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/
An easy way to remember it
Mainland Tanzania first → NIC
Zanzibar first → ZIC
Visiting both → one policy, based on your first point of entry
What if I fly to Zanzibar and then go on safari?
This is a very common itinerary for our guests.
For example:
Europe → Zanzibar → Nyerere National Park → Zanzibar
Because you first enter Tanzania in Zanzibar, you should arrange the ZIC insurance before your trip.
When you later fly or take the ferry to Mainland Tanzania for your safari, you do not need to buy the NIC insurance as well.
The same principle works the other way around.
For example:
Europe → Dar es Salaam → Nyerere National Park → Zanzibar
In this case, you first enter Tanzania through Mainland Tanzania, so you should arrange the NIC insurance. You can then continue to Zanzibar without purchasing another mandatory insurance policy.
What if I have a connecting flight?
What matters is where you actually enter Tanzania and pass immigration, rather than simply where you spend the first night of your holiday.
For example, if you fly internationally into Dar es Salaam, clear immigration there and then take a domestic flight to Zanzibar, Mainland Tanzania is your first point of entry. You therefore need the NIC insurance.
If you fly internationally into Zanzibar, clear immigration in Zanzibar and later take a domestic flight to the mainland, Zanzibar is your first point of entry and you need the ZIC insurance.
If you have an unusual flight connection and are unsure where you will officially enter Tanzania, check your flight itinerary or ask your tour operator before purchasing the insurance.
How much does the mandatory Tanzania travel insurance cost?
The standard Mainland Tanzania NIC insurance premium is the Tanzanian Shilling equivalent of USD 44 per visitor.
The insurance is valid for up to 92 days and allows multiple entries during the period stated on your insurance certificate.
Different rates or exemptions may apply to certain travellers. Because the regulations are new and details can change, we recommend checking the official NIC or ZIC portal for the rate that applies to you before making payment.
What does the insurance cover?
According to NIC, the mandatory Mainland Tanzania policy includes cover for situations such as:
emergency medical treatment
emergency medical evacuation
repatriation
loss of luggage
Exact limits, conditions and exclusions apply, so always check the policy documents before travelling.
Do I still need my own travel insurance?
We strongly recommend it.
The mandatory Tanzanian inbound insurance is an entry requirement and should not automatically be considered a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance from your home country.
Depending on your own insurance policy, additional cover may include things such as trip cancellation, missed flights, personal belongings, medical expenses, activities and other situations that may not be fully covered by the mandatory Tanzanian policy.
Having your own international travel insurance does not remove the requirement to obtain the mandatory Tanzanian inbound insurance when it applies to you.
When should I buy the insurance?
We recommend arranging it online before travelling to Tanzania.
For Mainland Tanzania, NIC states that insurance can also be purchased upon arrival at an entry point. However, the Tanzanian authorities strongly recommend arranging it before travelling to avoid unnecessary delays during arrival and immigration procedures.
Once purchased, keep your insurance certificate easily accessible on your phone. Having a printed copy with your travel documents is also a good idea.
Where should I buy the mandatory Tanzania travel insurance?
Always use the official insurance portals.
Entering through Mainland Tanzania
Purchase your policy from the official National Insurance Corporation (NIC) portal:
Entering through Zanzibar
Purchase your policy from the official Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) portal:
Be careful with third-party websites offering to arrange the insurance for you. Using the official portals ensures that you are applying through the designated insurance provider.
Do children need mandatory travel insurance?
Different premiums and conditions may apply to children and infants.
As the Mainland Tanzania system is newly introduced, we recommend checking the official NIC portal for the current rate for every traveller in your family before purchasing your policies.
Who is exempt from the Mainland Tanzania insurance?
NIC currently states that the mandatory Mainland Tanzania insurance does not apply to residents of East African Community (EAC) Partner States or Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States.
Other exemptions or special conditions may apply depending on residence or immigration status.
If you believe an exemption applies to you, check the latest information from NIC before travelling and carry any documentation needed to prove your status.
Planning a Zanzibar holiday with a safari in Mainland Tanzania?
Combining Zanzibar with a safari is one of the easiest ways to experience two completely different sides of Tanzania.
From Zanzibar, you can fly directly to Nyerere National Park for a short safari, or travel by ferry to Dar es Salaam and continue into Southern Tanzania. Travellers arriving in Dar es Salaam can also start their safari on the mainland before finishing their holiday on the beaches of Zanzibar.
At Kasaka Tours, we specialise in private, tailor-made safaris in Southern Tanzania, including Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park and combinations with Zanzibar.
If you are unsure how the new insurance requirement applies to your itinerary, you can always ask us. We can tell you which point of entry applies to your trip and direct you to the correct official insurance portal.
Tanzania mandatory travel insurance: quick summary
From when?1 October 2026 for visitors entering Mainland Tanzania.
How much?The standard Mainland Tanzania NIC premium is USD 44 per visitor.
How long is it valid?Up to 92 days.
Arriving in Mainland Tanzania first?Purchase the NIC insurance.
Arriving in Zanzibar first?Purchase the ZIC insurance.
Visiting both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar?You normally only need one mandatory inbound policy, based on your first point of entry into Tanzania.
Already have international travel insurance?You still need the mandatory Tanzanian policy if the requirement applies to you.
Where should you buy it?Only use the official NIC or ZIC insurance portals.
Travel requirements can change. This information was last updated in September 2026 and is based on the latest information published by the Tanzanian authorities and official insurance providers. Always check the official NIC or ZIC website before travelling.
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