UPDATED: August 13th, 2025

Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance Now Required for All Tourists in Zanzibar

Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Starting 1 October 2024, all visitors must purchase mandatory travel insurance for just 44 USD, offering comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, accidents, and more during your stay. This new requirement ensures peace of mind while exploring the beautiful archipelago. Find all the essential details you need to know about this insurance in the article below.

MANDATORY INBOUND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Government’s Intentions and Management

Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum, the Finance and Planning State Minister in the Zanzibar President’s Office, announced this initiative during a stakeholders meeting, stating, “Setting up an insurance arrangement is expected to increase the number of tourists and thus improve revenue collection.” Even though the idea sounds great, how much this will attract new tourists, who mostly come from mainland Tanzania or Kenya and thus already have their insurance for their entire trip, is debatable. Compulsory insurance schemes are also in place in other countries such as Cuba, Seychelles, and the Galapagos Islands. Here, insurance is compulsory, either purchased from the local government or from your own chosen insurance company.

The Zanzibar government has also issued an official statement outlining the main reasons behind the introduction of this mandatory insurance policy, which you can read HERE.

Key Benefits of Zanzibar’s Travel Insurance

The insurance is managed by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), a Government-owned corporation aiming to make Zanzibar a safer destination. The settlement of the claim for the loss will be within the mentioned Corporation only. The insurance is valid for up to 92 days from your arrival, allowing unlimited trips within this period. If you stay longer than 92 days, you will need to purchase a new insurance policy. This also applies to business visas arriving after the 1st of October.

Here are the key benefits of this mandatory travel insurance:

Medical & Related Expenses

Emergency medical expenses (including epidemics & pandemics) up to USD 50,000 (sports like kitesurfing and scuba diving should be covered as well)
Compulsory quarantine expenses because of epidemic and pandemic
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation expenses. (including epidemics & pandemics)
Extension of stay of the beneficiary due to the medically not fit to fly plus one accompanying

24/7 Assistance Services

24/7 Emergency Medical assistance services
Consular referral
Emergency accommodation and travel arrangements
Transmission of an urgent message

Personal Accident, Repatriation and Liability

Accidental death occurred by means of public transport, USD 20,000
Personal Liability up to USD 30,000
Permanent Total Disability as per % scale up to USD 20,000
Body Repatriation in case of death

Legal Expenses and Baggage

Lawyer’s expenses up to USD 2,000
Advance for bail up to USD 2,000
Baggage delay, USD 25 per hour up to USD 200
Theft, loss, or damaged baggage (within the care of the airline) up to USD 400

Final Thoughts on Mandatory Zanzibar Insurance

The new mandatory insurance for Zanzibar visitors aims to enhance visitors’ safety, minimize care-related incidents, and ensure a smooth hospitalization and treatment process if an incident occurs during your stay. While the initiative has sparked some debate, its effectiveness will become clearer over time. If you are planning to visit Zanzibar, we recommend you carefully review the mandatory policy and consider maintaining your own insurance to ensure comprehensive protection tailored to your specific needs. Regardless of the requirements, it’s always wise to travel with a good understanding of the local healthcare system and other potential risks. Travel smart, stay safe, and enjoy your journey.

MANDATORY INBOUND TRAVEL INSURANCE – FAQs

Inbound Travel insurance cover for unexpected medical illness or any other uncertainties while travelers are in Tanzania. The basic covers provided are the cost of emergency medical expenses and repatriation expenses (body and medical), personal accident, baggage delay, theft and lost, legal expenses, personal liabilities etc.

Policy covers are valid inside of Tanzania for a maximum of 92 consecutive days. The policy covers as per the dates mentioned on the policy certificate.

Our Inbound Travel insurance provides you with medical covers for the eligible emergency medical expenses that may not be covered in your medical plan. While your existing medical insurance is valuable, it might not offer the specialized coverage that travel insurance provides.

The comprehensive protection against a variety of travel-related risks, makes travel insurance a necessary and prudent choice for any traveler and is essential even if you already have medical insurance because travel insurance provides a broader range of coverage specifically designed for travel-related incidents and emergencies. This plan also covers other benefits on top of the medical expenses such as loss of baggage, repatriation of body, legal liability etc.

Please refer to your policy terms and conditions.

It is advisable to purchase travel insurance straight after you’ve paid the first deposit for your trip. The earlier you purchase, the sooner you have coverage to protect your trip.

Our basic plan does not provide terrorism cover.

Our Inbound Travel insurance policy covers individual trips up to 92 days per trip. Unlimited trips can be taken during the policy period, up to the maximum days purchased per trip.

its non-renewable and if you are still in Zanzibar after 92 days you must purchase a new policy.

Yes, but it is difficult to list all exclusions here. However, the following exclusions are generally not covered:

Circumstances provoked intentionally by the Beneficiary.
Foreign or civil war whether declared or not, riot and popular.
Effects of pollution, natural disasters, and their consequences.
Uprising, act of terrorism or sabotage.
Surgical treatments and interventions of an aesthetic nature not resulting from an Accident.
olvement in fights, except in case of self-defense, and in bets, dares, duels, or crimes.
Pregnancy conditions and their consequences, such as miscarriages.
The consequences of alcohol abuse.
medical expenses relating to check-ups, medical examinations, scheduled or preventative.
Pre-existing Medical Condition / Illness / convalescence.
Failure to respect the recognized safety rules for the practice of any. For other applicable exclusions, please refer to your insurance policy terms and conditions.

You can purchase Inbound Travel insurance though this link : www.visitzanzibar.go.tz

The cost of this policy is US $44 and is inclusive of all charges per visitor.

Yes, the insurance will offer special designed package for a family.

The insurance premiums can be paid by debit card or credit card.

No, only one policy per visitor is allowed per trip.

No, the insurance policy must be issued by The Zanzibar insurance Corporation (ZIC) that registered in Tanzania.

Yes, your policy documents will be sent to your registered e-mail address. The confirmation of coverage will include policy information such as your unique policy number, policy effective date, benefits, terms and conditions, limitations, exclusions, and other important information. Don't forget to keep a copy of your policy with you while travelling!

No, there is no waiting period. Your policy cover is effective upon arrival to Zanzibar.

Our insurance offer is based on the information disclosed by you. In case of any changes in your earlier submitted information or the policy, contact us on +33 170 95 70 25 or 0800008005, 24/7 for our review of the newly submitted information in order to make necessary amendments to your Policy.

If your trip has not started and you have not made any claim, then you can cancel your policy by contacting us on 0800008005 or +33 170 95 70 25 or email us at inbound@zic.co.tz

Remember to take your Inbound Travel insurance policy documents which contain the unique policy number, emergency contact telephone 0800008005 or email us at inbound@zic.co.tz or +33 170 95 70 25 or email address: medical-service@axa-assistance.ma to report a claim (24/7 Helpline). Kindly, keep receipts for everything you need to support your claim.

Should you have a complaint about deficiency in the services or the products offered, please contact by phone on the following numbers 0800008005 or email us at inbound@zic.co.tz Or kindly visit our office to the following postal address: Bima House No: 1 Mpirani St, Mlandege Rd. P.O.Box 432, 71102 Urban West, Zanzibar. We handle customer complaints fairly, efficiently and with due diligence as per the complaint procedure.

Discover our Prestige luxury yachts and make the sea your home.

What our customers are saying us?

We love hearing about your travel experience with us! Our goal is to make your journey unforgettable. If you are just back from your vacation, welcome back! When you get a chance, we would love to hear from you to know about your visit! Please review us on TripAdvisor or email your review to us at support@greenzanzibartours.com and let us know what you think. With your permission, we will post your review, location and names here on our website after approval.

Newsletter Sign up

Subscribe to Get Special Offers

Questions? Let's Chat
Customer Support
Need Help? Chat with us on Whatsapp
Chat with us on Whatsapp