Two of Africa's most popular safari destinations have added a new step to their entry rules this month. Since 1 October 2026, most foreign visitors to Tanzania, including Zanzibar, must buy a government-designated inbound travel insurance policy. Kenya followed with its own requirement from 5 October. Both countries say a policy from your home country does not count.
If you are planning the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Kilimanjaro or a Zanzibar beach stay this winter, here is what changes and how to avoid problems at the border.
Kenya: insurance bought with your eTA
According to the UK government's travel advice, from 5 October 2026 most travellers visiting Kenya for less than 12 months must have Kenyan government-provided travel health insurance.
- If you need a Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), you buy the insurance as part of the eTA application.
- If you already hold a valid eTA, you must get the insurance through Kenya's eCitizen insurance portal.
- Foreign travel insurance policies are not accepted in place of it.
- The cover lasts 90 days and can be used for multiple entries into Kenya during that time.
- It does not apply to Kenyan citizens, holders of Kenyan residence status, citizens of East African Community partner states, or transit passengers who do not pass through Kenyan immigration.
Cost: Travel visa news site VisasNews tested the official eTA portal on 6 October and found that applicants without recognised insurance were asked to pay a US$44 premium, plus an access fee and a payment gateway fee, for a total of US$52 in its test. The eTA fee is on top of this.
Legal uncertainty: VisasNews also reports that Kenya's High Court suspended the enforcement of the insurance rule on 24 August following a petition, and that as of 6 October it had found no public ruling lifting that suspension. Even so, the requirement is now built into the official portal and appears in UK government advice. Travellers should assume they need it.
Tanzania and Zanzibar: it depends on where you land first
Tanzania's requirement took effect on 1 October 2026 under the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, according to the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC). Zanzibar had already introduced its own scheme. The UK government's advice says:
- All visitors to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, except residents, must have the mandatory government-provided insurance, even if they already have a personal policy.
- It is valid for the length of your stay, up to 92 days.
- You buy it only once, based on your first point of entry: from NIC if you arrive on the mainland, or from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) if you arrive in Zanzibar.
- You can buy it online before travel or on arrival, and you may be refused entry without it.
In a 7 October notice, ZIC confirmed that travellers would not have to buy two policies for a trip covering both the mainland and Zanzibar, and that a valid policy covers re-entry during its 92-day period. It said qualifying travellers from East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) states are exempt from the mainland requirement, but not automatically from Zanzibar's. Travellers should keep the insurance certificate and QR code, on paper or on their phone, as it may be scanned at the border.
What it means for a typical safari
A classic Kenya-Tanzania combination, such as the Maasai Mara followed by the Serengeti and Zanzibar, now involves two separate government insurance purchases: Kenya's, and either NIC's or ZIC's, depending on where you first enter Tanzania. Many tour operators are adding guidance to their pre-departure information, so check with yours.
Practical checklist
- Apply early. UK advice notes that Kenya recommends applying for the eTA at least two weeks before departure. Allow extra time now that insurance is part of the process.
- Use only official portals. In Kenya, the eTA and insurance are purchased through the government system. For Tanzania, use NIC's or ZIC's official inbound insurance sites.
- Keep your own travel insurance. The government schemes are a condition of entry and may not cover everything, such as cancellations. GOV.UK advises travellers to make sure they still have insurance that meets their needs.
- Carry proof. Keep certificates and QR codes offline on your phone and as printouts.
- Check health requirements. Both countries may require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from a country with a risk of transmission, and Kenya has enhanced health screening for some arrivals from the region.
- Check your passport. Both countries require at least six months' validity on arrival.
FAQ
Do I need to buy insurance to visit Kenya? Yes, for most visitors since 5 October 2026. It is bought with the eTA or through eCitizen, and foreign policies are not accepted, according to the UK government.
How much is Kenya's mandatory travel insurance? VisasNews found a US$44 premium on the official portal, with extra fees bringing its test total to US$52.
Do I need separate insurance for Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania? No. You buy one policy based on your first point of entry, and it is valid for up to 92 days.
Can I use my own travel insurance instead? No. Both Kenya and Tanzania require their government-designated policy, though you should still keep your own cover.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Kenya travel advice, entry requirements
- GOV.UK: Tanzania travel advice, entry requirements
- VisasNews: Kenya ETA portal now requires $44 travel insurance (6 October 2026)
- Zanzibar Insurance Corporation: Public notice on mandatory inbound travel insurance (7 October 2026)
- National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania: Inbound travel insurance, travel with peace of mind
