Tanzania is the perfect destination to take part in a wide range of activities such as safari tours, trekking, hiking and mountain climbing. All these activities are safe if you listen to your expert guides and instructors and participate with safety first in mind. However, accidents can happen and even though Tanzania is a safe destination to visit, travel insurance is as much of a necessity here as it is for any foreign holiday destination.
The most important factor you will require cover for will be travel insurance. This policy is vital in case you require medical assistance or fall ill whilst on holiday. Cover for your treatment and repatriation home can cost thousands, so it is best to be prepared for any eventuality and be covered just in case. You will also require cover for lost or stolen items, cancellation/cutting short of your trip and lost baggage.
Ensuring that you take out an insurance policy that covers all of the activities you are planning to take part in whilst in Africa is very important. For example, most tourists in Kenya and Tanzania will take a safari trip. The majority of insurance providers consider organised safari trips as a low risk activity, and will cover safaris in their basic policy. However, you should always read the provider’s “policy wording” to find out what you will be covered for. If the provider does not cover safari tours in their basic insurance policy, consider trying an alternative provider – most reputable ones will cover you without asking for additional fees.
If you are planning a trekking trip to Mount Kilimanjaro you may need a more comprehensive (sometimes referred to as “premium”) travel insurance policy. Hiking the Mountain will expose you to high altitudes which, on occasion, can cause health problems. The chances of you needing medical assistance are still low, but insurance providers insist that a more premium policy will be needed for any trekking expeditions over 6,000 meters altitude. You should inform your insurance provider you will be trekking Mount Kilimanjaro before you request information on an insurance for your trip. If you are mountaineering Mount Kilimanjaro (i.e. using technical climbing skills), then you would definitely need a premium insurance policy and may even need to purchase a policy from a specialist mountaineering insurance provider.
If you are planning on taking part in any other activities you should, as always, check your provider’s “policy wording” to see if they would be covered by the insurance policy.
By taking out travel insurance you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday in East Africa safe in the knowledge that in the rare case of something unexpected happening, you will be covered by your insurance.
For more impartial information on travel insurance and what sort of policy you should purchase visit the Worlds Nomads.
