We ask every traveller to have their own travel insurance. We do not sell insurance or recommend a particular company, but we do know what matters on safari. The most important item is emergency medical evacuation cover, because many parks are hours from a major hospital. If you are trekking, check the altitude limit carefully.
On safari or a mountain, the nearest well-equipped hospital may be a flight away. Look for a policy that includes emergency evacuation by air and medical treatment, with high enough limits for East Africa. Check whether the insurer works with an air ambulance service in the region and how you contact them in an emergency.
If your trip includes Kilimanjaro (5,895m) or Mount Kenya (Point Lenana, 4,985m), confirm in writing that your policy covers trekking to that altitude. Many standard policies stop at a lower height, or exclude "mountaineering" without clearly defining it. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is usually treated as hiking, but check.
See our Kilimanjaro guide and Mount Kenya guide for more on these treks.
If you plan hot-air ballooning, white-water rafting at Jinja, scuba diving in Zanzibar or horse riding, check that each is covered. Diving often has its own depth limits.
Safari deposits and permits (such as gorilla permits) can be costly and non-refundable. Cancellation cover protects you if illness or other covered events stop you travelling. Some benefits only apply if you buy the policy soon after paying your deposit.
Keep your policy number and the insurer's emergency phone number on your phone and on paper, and share them with us before you travel so your guide has them if needed.
Buy insurance when you pay your deposit, make sure it includes medical evacuation, confirm altitude and activity cover for anything adventurous, and keep the emergency number to hand.
Yes - we ask every traveller to have their own travel insurance in place before the trip.
No. We recommend comparing policies from providers that cover East Africa and your planned activities.
Only if your policy covers trekking to 6,000m. Check the altitude limit before you buy.
Then send us your dates and we will start planning the trip itself.
