Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance for Zanzibar Visitors
Planning a holiday to Zanzibar in 2026?
There is one entry requirement you should arrange before travelling: mandatory inbound travel insurance for Zanzibar.
The requirement was introduced by the Government of Zanzibar on 1 October 2024 for international visitors entering the Zanzibar archipelago.
Even if you already have travel insurance from your home country, visitors covered by the requirement are expected to obtain the official Zanzibar inbound insurance before arrival.
In this guide, Tanzania Safari Experience explains how Zanzibar travel insurance works, how much it costs, where to purchase it and what you should have ready when you arrive.
Quick Guide to Zanzibar Travel Insurance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Is Zanzibar travel insurance mandatory? | Yes, for foreign visitors covered by the regulation |
| Current stated price | US$44 per person |
| Maximum validity | Up to 92 consecutive days |
| Where to purchase | Official Visit Zanzibar website |
| Official website | https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/ |
| Provider | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) |
| Proof of insurance | Electronic policy / QR code |
| When to purchase | Before travelling to Zanzibar |
| Coverage area | Zanzibar archipelago |
Because regulations and prices can change, travellers should always confirm the latest information on the official Zanzibar government website before departure.
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Zanzibar in 2026?
Yes. Zanzibar introduced mandatory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors beginning on 1 October 2024.
The system is intended to provide visitors with insurance protection against certain unexpected events while travelling within Zanzibar.
This requirement is important because your existing international travel insurance may not replace the compulsory Zanzibar policy.
For example, you may already have comprehensive insurance from your home country covering Tanzania, medical emergencies, lost luggage and trip cancellation. You should still check the official Zanzibar requirements because the mandatory inbound policy is a separate entry requirement.
How Much Is Zanzibar Travel Insurance?
The stated price for the mandatory Zanzibar inbound travel insurance is:
US$44 per person.
The policy can provide coverage for stays of up to 92 consecutive days, according to the programme information.
The price should always be confirmed through the official purchasing website before payment because government fees and insurance terms can be updated.
Where Do I Buy Zanzibar Travel Insurance?
The safest option is to purchase the policy directly through the official Zanzibar tourism website:
Avoid purchasing a policy from an unofficial website simply because it appears at the top of a Google search.
When dealing with immigration requirements, always use the official government portal or a link confirmed by the Zanzibar authorities.
How to Buy Zanzibar Travel Insurance Online
Purchasing the policy should normally only take a few steps.
You will need to visit the official Visit Zanzibar website, enter the requested traveller information, provide your travel details and complete the insurance payment.
After successful registration and payment, your insurance documentation should be sent electronically.
The confirmation includes information relating to your policy and may include a QR code used to verify your insurance coverage.
Save the documents on your phone and consider keeping an additional offline or printed copy when travelling.
What Do I Need to Show When I Arrive in Zanzibar?
Travellers should have their insurance confirmation easily accessible when going through immigration.
Your policy documentation or QR code may be requested together with your other entry documents.
Having everything ready before reaching the immigration counter can make the arrival process smoother.
Do not rely entirely on airport Wi-Fi to retrieve the policy from your email. Download a copy to your phone before travelling.
Does Zanzibar Travel Insurance Cover Tanzania Mainland?
The mandatory Zanzibar policy is specifically designed for travel within the Zanzibar archipelago.
Zanzibar forms part of Tanzania, but this particular insurance requirement should not be treated as comprehensive insurance for your entire Tanzania holiday.
If your trip includes places such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha or other parts of mainland Tanzania, comprehensive international travel insurance is still strongly worth considering.
For travellers combining a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar, this distinction is especially important.
What Does Zanzibar Travel Insurance Cover?
According to the programme information, the mandatory inbound policy can include protection for circumstances such as:
- emergency medical expenses;
- medical and bodily repatriation;
- personal accidents;
- baggage delay;
- baggage theft or loss;
- certain legal expenses; and
- third-party liability.
Coverage limits, exclusions and conditions matter.
Travellers should therefore read the actual policy wording rather than assuming every medical, cancellation or baggage-related situation will automatically be covered.
Do I Still Need My Own Travel Insurance?
In many cases, having additional comprehensive travel insurance remains sensible.
The mandatory Zanzibar policy exists primarily to satisfy the Zanzibar requirement and provide defined protection during your stay.
A more comprehensive policy from your usual insurer may provide additional protection for other parts of your holiday, depending on the policy you purchase.
This becomes particularly relevant when combining Zanzibar with a Tanzania safari, Kilimanjaro climb or international flights.
Before travelling, compare the coverage, limits and exclusions of both policies rather than assuming they provide identical protection.
Do I Need Zanzibar Insurance If I Already Have Travel Insurance?
Having travel insurance from your home country does not necessarily exempt you from Zanzibar’s mandatory inbound insurance requirement.
The Zanzibar policy is a government-mandated programme with an authorised provider.
Therefore, travellers should not assume that insurance from their bank, credit card company, airline or private insurance company automatically replaces it.
Check the latest official Zanzibar regulations before travelling.
Do Children Need Zanzibar Travel Insurance?
Families travelling with children should include every traveller when checking the insurance requirements.
Do not assume that children are automatically covered under a parent’s individual policy.
The official insurance system provides different options, including arrangements intended for individuals, families and groups.
Check the current family and child requirements when completing your application.
Zanzibar Insurance for Families
Families travelling together may be able to select a family insurance option rather than processing each traveller independently.
When completing the application, ensure that the personal details for every traveller exactly match their passport information.
Incorrect passport numbers, spelling errors or wrong travel dates can potentially cause unnecessary complications when documents are checked.
Zanzibar Insurance for Groups
Travellers visiting Zanzibar as part of a group can also check the available group insurance options.
This may be relevant for larger family groups, corporate travel, organised tours or groups combining a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday.
Group organisers should ensure every traveller covered by the booking has the correct documentation before departure.
How Long Is Zanzibar Travel Insurance Valid?
The mandatory insurance has been described as providing coverage for up to 92 consecutive days from arrival.
This makes it suitable for the majority of short-term Zanzibar holidays.
Travellers planning longer stays, repeated visits, residency arrangements or unusual itineraries should confirm the applicable rules directly with the authorities.
Do I Need Zanzibar Insurance If I Fly From Mainland Tanzania?
If your itinerary begins with a safari on mainland Tanzania and you later travel to Zanzibar, the Zanzibar requirement can still apply when you enter the islands.
For example, a holiday might look like:
Kilimanjaro Airport → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Zanzibar
Your safari takes place on mainland Tanzania, while Zanzibar has its own inbound insurance requirement.
The fact that you entered Tanzania earlier in the holiday does not automatically mean you should ignore Zanzibar’s entry requirements.
What If I Travel to Zanzibar by Ferry?
Travellers arriving by ferry from Dar es Salaam should also check the mandatory insurance requirement.
The regulation concerns entry into Zanzibar rather than only international flights landing at Zanzibar Airport.
Therefore, travellers should arrange the required documentation before travelling to the islands, regardless of whether they arrive by air or sea.
Is Zanzibar Travel Insurance the Same as a Tanzania Visa?
No.
A visa and travel insurance are two different requirements.
Your Tanzania visa concerns immigration permission to enter the country.
Zanzibar inbound insurance provides insurance coverage during your stay in Zanzibar.
Having one does not automatically replace the other.
Depending on your nationality and immigration status, you may therefore need to prepare both your appropriate Tanzania entry documentation and your Zanzibar insurance.
When Should I Purchase Zanzibar Travel Insurance?
Do not leave it until you reach the airport.
Purchasing your insurance before departure gives you time to confirm that your personal information is correct and save the policy documents to your phone.
Ideally, make it part of your final Tanzania travel checklist alongside your passport, visa requirements, flight documents, accommodation confirmations and safari information.
Common Mistakes Travellers Should Avoid
One common mistake is assuming an existing private insurance policy automatically replaces Zanzibar’s mandatory insurance.
Another is purchasing insurance from an unofficial website without checking whether it is the authorised portal.
Travellers should also make sure their passport details are entered correctly and keep their insurance confirmation accessible during the journey.
Most importantly, check the official requirements close to your departure date because immigration policies, insurance prices and procedures can change.
Combining Zanzibar With a Tanzania Safari
Zanzibar works particularly well after a wildlife safari.
After several days exploring places such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, travellers can fly to Zanzibar for a few days of beach relaxation.
Depending on your itinerary, flights connect Zanzibar with safari gateways and airstrips in northern Tanzania.
A typical trip could combine several days of private safari with four to seven nights in Zanzibar.
At Tanzania Safari Experience, we create private Tanzania safari itineraries that can be combined with a Zanzibar beach holiday, allowing the safari and beach sections to work together as one itinerary.
Zanzibar Travel Checklist Before Departure
Before travelling, make sure your passport and Tanzania entry documentation are in order, confirm the latest Zanzibar insurance requirement, purchase the authorised policy where required, download your policy and QR code, check your flights and accommodation details, and keep digital copies of important documents available offline.
If your holiday includes a safari before or after Zanzibar, also keep your safari itinerary and local contact information easily accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zanzibar Travel Insurance
Is Zanzibar travel insurance compulsory in 2026?
Zanzibar introduced mandatory inbound travel insurance for international visitors on 1 October 2024. Travellers should check the official Visit Zanzibar website for the latest requirements before departure.
How much does Zanzibar travel insurance cost?
The programme information provided lists the insurance at US$44 per person. Verify the current price on the official website before purchasing.
Where can I buy official Zanzibar travel insurance?
The official portal listed for purchasing Zanzibar inbound travel insurance is:
Can Tanzania Safari Experience buy the insurance for me?
The insurance should be purchased by the traveller through the authorised Zanzibar system because personal and passport information is required.
We can, however, remind our guests about the requirement when preparing their Tanzania and Zanzibar trip.
Do I need Zanzibar insurance if I already have worldwide travel insurance?
You should not assume your private insurance replaces the mandatory Zanzibar policy. Check the official requirements before travelling.
Does the insurance cover Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
The mandatory policy is intended specifically for Zanzibar. Travellers visiting mainland Tanzania should consider comprehensive travel insurance covering their full Tanzania itinerary.
How long does Zanzibar insurance last?
The policy information states that coverage can be valid for up to 92 consecutive days from arrival.
Do I need insurance if I am only staying in Zanzibar for a few days?
If the mandatory insurance rules apply to you, a short stay does not automatically remove the requirement.
Do children need Zanzibar travel insurance?
Families should check the current rules for every traveller, including children, rather than assuming they are automatically covered by a parent’s individual insurance.
Is Zanzibar insurance included in my safari package?
Unless specifically stated in your booking agreement, travellers should expect to purchase the mandatory Zanzibar insurance directly through the authorised portal.
Official Zanzibar Travel Insurance Information
For the most current requirements, insurance terms and application procedures, use official sources.
Official Zanzibar tourism and insurance portal:
Zanzibar Insurance Corporation email:
ZIC toll-free contact listed for the programme:
0800008005
Because travel regulations can change, always check the official website shortly before departure.
Plan Your Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Holiday
A Tanzania holiday does not have to be complicated.
You can experience elephants in Tarangire, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, explore the endless plains of Serengeti and then finish your journey beside the Indian Ocean in Zanzibar.
Tanzania Safari Experience can create a private itinerary around your travel dates, preferred accommodation style, number of travellers and budget.
Whether you are planning a honeymoon, family safari, wildlife adventure or safari-and-beach holiday, we can arrange the Tanzania portion of your journey and help you understand the practical preparations for Zanzibar.
Ready to start planning?
Request your personalised Tanzania safari and Zanzibar itinerary with Tanzania Safari Experience.
