Zanzibar Travel Insurance: Mandatory ZIC Insurance, Cost & What You Need
NARU ZANZIBAR GUIDE
Last checked: September 2026
Yes — Zanzibar has mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors.
And yes — you still need the required Zanzibar policy even if you already have travel insurance from your home country.
This is one of the entry requirements that causes the most confusion because travellers often think:
“I already have excellent worldwide travel insurance. Why do I need another policy?”
The important thing is to separate two different questions.
The first is:
What insurance does Zanzibar require me to have to enter?
The second is:
What insurance do I personally want for my complete trip?
Those are not necessarily the same thing.
Zanzibar's mandatory inbound policy is issued through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, commonly called ZIC.
At the time of this guide's latest review, the standard price is US$44 per adult, with reduced pricing for children, and the policy can cover a stay of up to 92 days.
This guide explains what you actually need to know before flying.
Zanzibar Travel Insurance: The Quick Answer
Is travel insurance mandatory for Zanzibar?
Yes. Foreign visitors entering Zanzibar are required to hold the designated inbound travel insurance.
How much is Zanzibar travel insurance?
The current standard adult price is US$44.
How much is it for children?
Children aged 3–17 currently receive a 50% rate of US$22.
What about babies?
Infants aged 0–2 are currently free of charge under the official inbound insurance portal.
How long does the policy last?
Coverage can apply for stays of up to 92 days, subject to the dates and terms on your certificate.
Do I still need it if I already have travel insurance?
Yes. Existing international travel or medical insurance does not remove the Zanzibar entry requirement.
Where do I buy it?
Through the official Zanzibar inbound travel insurance system operated through Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.
Can I buy it when I arrive?
Current travel guidance indicates purchase may be possible on arrival, but Naru strongly recommends arranging it online beforehand.
What do I receive after buying it?
You receive insurance documentation and a QR code associated with your policy.
Is this the same thing as a Tanzania visa?
No. Your Tanzania visa and Zanzibar insurance are separate entry requirements.
Naru's Two-Layer Insurance Rule
This is the easiest way to understand Zanzibar travel insurance.
Layer One: Zanzibar's Mandatory ZIC Insurance
Think of this first as an entry requirement.
If it applies to you, you need it regardless of another policy you may already hold.
Layer Two: Your Own Travel Insurance
Then ask a second question:
“Does the mandatory policy give me all the protection I personally want for my trip?”
Your wider journey might include:
International flights
A Tanzania safari
Expensive hotels
Prepaid activities
Diving or watersports
Valuable luggage
Trip cancellation
Medical needs
Emergency evacuation
Missed connections
Do not automatically assume one policy replaces the other.
Read the terms of both.
For many travellers, the simplest approach is to treat the ZIC policy as the mandatory Zanzibar layer and separately decide whether their own comprehensive travel policy is still appropriate for the wider holiday.
Is Zanzibar's Mandatory Travel Insurance Legitimate?
Yes.
This is an official Zanzibar entry requirement.
It was introduced in October 2024 and remains in effect in 2026.
The requirement is connected to the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation and the official Zanzibar inbound insurance platform.
Travellers sometimes discover it after already purchasing another international policy and wonder whether the website or fee is genuine.
The requirement itself is genuine.
Naru's rule
Do not search:
“cheap Zanzibar insurance”
and purchase from the first website that appears.
Use the official Zanzibar inbound insurance system.
Third-party websites may appear in search results.
Always check where you are entering your passport and payment information.
Who Needs Zanzibar Travel Insurance?
The mandatory policy generally applies to foreign visitors entering Zanzibar.
That includes people arriving through Zanzibar's airport and visitors arriving by sea.
The important point is:
It is based on entering Zanzibar, not simply on where your international flight began.
That is why the requirement can also matter to somebody whose holiday begins on mainland Tanzania.
Safari First, Zanzibar Second: Do You Need the Insurance?
Yes, if the mandatory requirement applies to you.
Imagine your trip is:
Serengeti.
Ngorongoro.
Then Zanzibar.
You may already have entered the United Republic of Tanzania and completed the relevant immigration process on the mainland.
But when you continue to Zanzibar, the Zanzibar inbound insurance requirement still needs to be considered separately.
Do not assume:
“I am already inside Tanzania, so Zanzibar's insurance no longer applies.”
Visa and insurance are different requirements.
Read our Zanzibar Visa Requirements Guide separately.
What if You Travel From Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar by Ferry?
The insurance requirement is not limited to people arriving by international flight.
Foreign visitors entering Zanzibar by sea also fall within the inbound insurance framework.
So if your itinerary is:
Dar es Salaam → Zanzibar by ferry,
check and arrange the required Zanzibar insurance before the Zanzibar portion of your trip.
The ferry does not create an exemption simply because you entered Tanzania somewhere else first.
What if Zanzibar Comes Before Safari?
The same planning principle applies.
If your trip begins in Zanzibar, arrange the Zanzibar entry requirements before you arrive.
Then check whether your own wider travel insurance provides the protection you want for the mainland safari portion afterwards.
Do not automatically assume Zanzibar's mandatory policy is the only travel insurance worth considering for a multi-destination East African trip.
How Much Is Zanzibar Mandatory Travel Insurance?
At the time of our September 2026 review:
Adult: US$44
Child aged 3–17: US$22
Infant aged 0–2: Free
The official ZIC information also currently publishes a reduced US$22 rate for travellers from EAC and SADC member states.
Rates and rules can change.
Always check the amount shown on the official portal before payment.
Zanzibar Insurance for Families
Families should not simply purchase one adult policy and assume everyone is automatically covered.
When applying, enter the travellers correctly and make sure your resulting documentation reflects your family.
The official portal currently categorises:
0–2 years: free.
3–17 years: 50% child rate.
Adults: standard rate.
For a family, we would check every traveller's details before leaving the application.
Names should correspond correctly with passports.
What About Groups?
The official inbound platform currently offers a group application category for 10 or more travellers and publishes a discount arrangement for adults within that category.
If you are travelling as:
A wedding group.
A corporate group.
A large family.
A retreat.
Or a Naru group trip.
Use the current official portal to see which application type and pricing apply.
Do not simply buy ten separate policies without checking the available group structure first.
When Should You Buy Zanzibar Insurance?
We would purchase it before travelling.
Technically, current guidance indicates that visitors may be able to arrange the insurance on arrival.
But for Naru travellers, we do not see much advantage in deliberately leaving a known entry requirement until after landing.
You may already be dealing with:
Immigration.
Baggage.
Children.
A connecting journey.
A driver waiting outside.
The last thing we want to add is:
“Now let's buy insurance.”
Arrange it beforehand.
Save the certificate.
Save the QR code.
Then travel.
Can You Buy Zanzibar Insurance at the Airport?
Current guidance indicates that purchase can be available on arrival.
But we would treat that as a backup rather than the preferred plan.
Airlines may also check destination entry documentation before boarding.
Even where airport purchase is available, queues, payment issues or connectivity can create unnecessary delays.
Naru's view
If you already know you need it, buy it before your flight.
Arrival should be about entering Zanzibar and getting to your hotel.
Not completing paperwork that could have been handled earlier.
How to Buy Zanzibar Travel Insurance
The process is designed to be completed online.
Step 1 — Use the Official Portal
Go to the official Zanzibar inbound insurance platform.
Avoid assuming every search result using the words “Zanzibar insurance” is the government system.
Step 2 — Choose the Correct Application Type
Depending on your party, the portal may offer categories such as:
Individual.
Family.
Group.
Enter the option that genuinely reflects your travellers.
Step 3 — Enter Your Travel Details Carefully
Check:
Full name
Passport information
Date of birth
Travel dates
Email address
Other requested information
The details should correspond with your travel documents.
Step 4 — Pay the Required Premium
The amount depends on the traveller category and any applicable current rate.
Step 5 — Save Your Policy and QR Code
Do not leave the confirmation buried inside your email.
Save it:
On your phone.
Offline.
And, if you prefer, as a printed backup.
What Is the Zanzibar Insurance QR Code?
After purchasing the policy, travellers receive insurance confirmation associated with a QR code.
This is part of the documentation used to demonstrate compliance with the Zanzibar insurance requirement.
Treat it like any other important arrival document.
Do not wait until you reach the front of a queue to start searching through your inbox.
Naru's arrival-document rule
Create one travel folder containing:
Passport copies
Visa approval where required
Zanzibar insurance
Insurance QR code
Hotel confirmation
Flight information
Transfer details
Have the important documents accessible offline.
What Does Zanzibar's Mandatory Insurance Cover?
Current official travel information describes the policy as providing protection for emergencies including medical expenses, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Other benefits may also apply under the policy.
But this is where we think travellers need to be careful.
Do not read:
“mandatory travel insurance”
and translate that into:
“every possible thing that could happen on my holiday is fully covered.”
Insurance always has:
Policy conditions.
Limits.
Definitions.
Procedures.
And exclusions.
Read the current policy documentation issued with your insurance.
Does the Mandatory Zanzibar Policy Cover Medical Treatment?
The mandatory policy includes medical-emergency protection under its terms.
But if medical coverage is especially important to you, examine the actual limits and conditions rather than relying only on the headline description.
This becomes more important if you are travelling with:
A pre-existing medical condition.
Older family members.
Young children.
A complicated itinerary.
Or activities that may require specialist insurance.
Does It Include Medical Evacuation?
Medical evacuation is among the benefits currently identified in official descriptions of the Zanzibar mandatory policy.
However, travellers should still read the current policy wording to understand:
Coverage limits
Circumstances covered
Approval procedures
Exclusions
If your larger holiday includes remote safari locations, climbing, diving or other activities outside a simple Zanzibar resort stay, compare your wider travel coverage as well.
Does Zanzibar Insurance Cover Lost Baggage?
Travel-assistance benefits beyond medical cover may be included under the policy terms.
Rather than publishing a fixed list that may become outdated, Naru recommends checking the current certificate and policy wording issued for your dates.
Insurance benefits can change.
Our priority is making sure you know where to check, rather than giving you an old coverage table two years from now.
Do I Need My Own Travel Insurance as Well?
Zanzibar does not waive its mandatory policy simply because you already hold another one.
The reverse question is more personal:
Should the mandatory policy replace your own travel insurance?
We would not automatically make that assumption.
Think about your whole trip.
Does your personal policy provide protection for:
Cancellation before you leave home?
International flights?
Missed connections?
Expensive prepaid hotels?
The mainland safari?
Baggage?
Activities?
Medical treatment?
Evacuation?
Repatriation?
Then compare those answers with the mandatory policy terms.
Naru's view
Buy the Zanzibar policy because it is required.
Then separately decide what broader insurance is appropriate for you.
Do not confuse compliance with complete personal protection.
I Already Have Annual Travel Insurance — Do I Still Need ZIC?
Yes, where the Zanzibar requirement applies to you.
This is one of the most common questions travellers ask.
An annual worldwide policy does not automatically exempt you.
A credit-card travel policy does not automatically exempt you.
Employer medical insurance does not automatically exempt you.
The Zanzibar policy is a separate local entry requirement.
Does Credit Card Travel Insurance Count Instead?
Not as a replacement for the mandatory Zanzibar insurance requirement.
Your credit-card insurance may still be useful to you.
But it does not remove the requirement to obtain the designated Zanzibar inbound insurance where required.
Think of them as different layers.
Is Zanzibar Insurance the Same as Tanzania Travel Insurance?
No.
Be careful with the terminology.
This particular mandatory inbound policy is a Zanzibar-specific requirement.
If your trip also includes mainland Tanzania, check what your wider personal insurance covers for that part of the journey.
Do not assume the presence of Zanzibar insurance automatically answers every insurance question for a Tanzania safari.
Is Zanzibar Insurance the Same as a Visa?
No.
This deserves repeating because travellers regularly mix the two together.
Your Tanzania visa, where required, deals with immigration permission.
Your Zanzibar inbound travel insurance deals with the separate insurance requirement for entering Zanzibar.
You may need:
Both.
One.
Or different documentation depending on your nationality and circumstances.
Read our Zanzibar Visa Requirements Guide before travelling.
How Long Is Zanzibar Insurance Valid?
The mandatory policy can provide coverage for stays of up to 92 days.
Your actual certificate and travel dates determine your specific coverage period.
For most Naru leisure travellers, the trip will be significantly shorter.
A five-night holiday still requires the policy if the requirement applies.
The price is not simply calculated as:
US$44 ÷ 92 × number of nights.
It is a policy rate rather than a nightly hotel-style charge.
Do You Need the Insurance for Only One Night in Zanzibar?
If you are a foreign visitor entering Zanzibar and fall within the mandatory requirement, a short stay does not automatically exempt you.
That is why cruise visitors, short-break travellers and people adding only a few beach nights after safari should still check their obligations.
What if You Leave Zanzibar and Come Back?
Do not automatically assume that unused days on an earlier policy guarantee coverage for a completely new entry.
Re-entry rules and policy conditions need to be checked against the current certificate and official portal.
If your itinerary involves leaving Tanzania and later returning to Zanzibar, verify the requirement before the second arrival.
This is one area where itinerary details matter.
What if You Are Only Transiting Zanzibar?
Transit situations depend on whether you formally enter Zanzibar and clear the relevant entry process.
If your itinerary involves an unusual transit, cruise or same-day connection, confirm the current requirement with the airline, operator or Zanzibar Insurance Corporation rather than guessing.
What Happens if You Arrive Without Zanzibar Insurance?
Official notices state that failure to comply with the mandatory insurance requirement may result in being denied entry.
That is enough reason for us not to gamble with it.
Even if somebody online says:
“Nobody checked mine.”
that does not change the rule.
One traveller's immigration experience is not an entry policy.
Naru's view
Do not plan your trip around whether somebody might forget to check a document.
Have the correct document.
What Should You Do if the Online Insurance Portal Is Not Working?
Technology sometimes fails.
If you experience an application or payment problem:
First, make sure you are on the official platform.
Try again after confirming your browser, connection and payment method.
If the issue continues, contact Zanzibar Insurance Corporation through the current contact information published on its official site.
Do not send passport documents to an unknown person or unofficial account simply because somebody contacted you after you searched online.
What Should You Do if You Need to Make a Claim?
Do not wait until you return home before checking what the insurer requires.
Zanzibar Insurance Corporation currently provides an official claims process and online claims reporting.
If an incident occurs:
Contact ZIC as soon as reasonably possible.
Follow the instructions provided by the insurer.
Keep supporting documents.
Depending on the incident, these could include:
Medical records
Receipts
Police reports where relevant
Airline documentation
Baggage documentation
Photographs
Your insurance certificate
The correct evidence will depend on the type of claim.
Do not assume every expense can simply be paid first and explained months later.
Follow the insurer's current procedure.
Should You Save the Policy Wording?
Yes.
This is one practical step we strongly recommend.
When you receive the insurance documents:
Save the certificate.
Save the QR code.
Save the policy wording if provided.
Save the insurer's claims/contact information.
Then put them somewhere you can access offline.
If something goes wrong, you should not have to start by Googling:
“What insurance did I buy?”
Zanzibar Insurance for Couples
For two adults, the current standard published rate would usually total US$88, assuming neither traveller qualifies for another pricing category.
Make sure both travellers are correctly represented in the issued documentation.
Do not simply see a total payment and assume both names are covered without checking the certificate.
Zanzibar Insurance for a Family of Four
Imagine:
Two adults.
A ten-year-old.
A six-year-old.
Using the current standard published rates, the insurance calculation would ordinarily be:
Two adults at US$44.
Two children at US$22.
That gives US$132 before any portal-specific payment effects or changes in published rates.
For families, always verify the actual total shown in the official application before paying.
What About a Baby?
The official portal currently states that infants aged 0–2 are free of charge.
The child should still be entered correctly within the appropriate application process where requested.
Free does not mean:
“Leave the baby off the travel documentation.”
Zanzibar Insurance for EAC and SADC Travellers
Zanzibar Insurance Corporation currently publishes a US$22 rate for travellers from EAC and SADC member states.
Because regional eligibility and rates can change, check the official portal for the amount applicable to your nationality and travel circumstances.
Common Zanzibar Insurance Mistakes
Thinking your existing insurance makes you exempt
It does not automatically do so.
Confusing the visa and insurance
They are separate.
Waiting until arrival deliberately
Arrange it online before travelling where possible.
Buying from an unofficial-looking website
Use the official Zanzibar insurance platform.
Forgetting children's insurance
Check every traveller.
Saving only the confirmation email
Save the QR code and certificate offline.
Assuming the policy covers everything
Read the actual terms.
Forgetting the safari portion of the holiday
Think about insurance for your entire trip, not only the Zanzibar entry requirement.
Assuming nobody will check
Official requirements do not disappear because another traveller says they were not asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for Zanzibar in 2026?
Yes. Zanzibar's mandatory inbound insurance requirement remains in effect for foreign visitors.
How much is Zanzibar travel insurance in 2026?
The current standard published price is US$44 per adult.
Children aged 3–17 currently pay US$22, while infants aged 0–2 are currently free.
Do I need Zanzibar insurance if I already have travel insurance?
Yes.
Existing international travel or medical insurance does not remove the mandatory Zanzibar requirement.
Where do I buy Zanzibar mandatory insurance?
Use the official Zanzibar inbound travel insurance system associated with Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.
Can I buy Zanzibar insurance at the airport?
Current guidance indicates that it can be possible to purchase on arrival.
Naru recommends arranging it online before travelling to reduce unnecessary arrival delays.
Do children need Zanzibar insurance?
Yes, the requirement extends to foreign child visitors.
Current pricing gives children aged 3–17 a 50% rate, while infants aged 0–2 are free.
Do babies need Zanzibar insurance?
They should still be correctly included in the relevant travel application process.
The official portal currently lists ages 0–2 as free.
Do I need Zanzibar insurance if I arrive from mainland Tanzania?
Yes, if the mandatory visitor requirement applies to you.
Arriving from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or another part of Tanzania does not automatically remove the Zanzibar requirement.
Do I need Zanzibar insurance if I arrive by ferry?
Foreign visitors entering Zanzibar through the seaport are also covered by the mandatory inbound requirement.
Does Zanzibar insurance cover safari in Tanzania?
Do not assume the mandatory Zanzibar policy is the right or sufficient insurance for your mainland safari.
Review the policy terms and your broader travel insurance separately.
Is Zanzibar insurance valid for 92 days?
The policy can provide cover for stays of up to 92 days, subject to the dates and terms shown on your certificate.
What does Zanzibar travel insurance cover?
Official information identifies emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation and repatriation among the covered benefits.
Other benefits, limits and exclusions should be checked in the current policy wording.
Do I need both a Zanzibar visa and insurance?
Where both requirements apply to you, yes.
They are separate.
Can I show the QR code on my phone?
Keep the digital QR code easily accessible, and consider also carrying a printed backup.
Is the US$44 Zanzibar insurance a scam?
No.
Whatever an individual traveller thinks about the policy or fee, the insurance requirement itself is official.
Use the official Zanzibar Insurance Corporation system and avoid unofficial websites.
Can Naru buy the insurance for me?
The insurance is an official entry requirement linked to each traveller's personal travel and passport details.
Naru can remind travellers about the requirement, but the traveller should ensure their official policy information is correct before departure.
The Naru Zanzibar Insurance Rule
There is one thing we want travellers to remember:
Do not ask one insurance policy to answer two different questions.
First:
What does Zanzibar require me to have for entry?
Arrange that.
Then:
What protection do I want for my entire trip?
Think about your flights.
Hotel.
Safari.
Activities.
Baggage.
Medical needs.
Cancellation.
And anything else that matters to you.
Then compare your wider insurance appropriately.
Once those practical details are handled, move on to the better questions.
Where should you stay?
For the quieter resort experience Naru often recommends, should you choose Pwani Mchangani or Matemwe?
Which experiences matter?
How much of the week should remain free?
That is where the holiday actually begins.
Read our Zanzibar Visa Requirements Guide, First Time in Zanzibar Guide and The Naru Zanzibar Travel Guide before travelling.
Explore Zanzibar Travel Packages
Once the entry requirements are taken care of, explore Naru's curated Zanzibar travel packages.
Choose the travel style closest to the holiday you want, then shape the hotel, experiences and pace around your dates and budget.
Explore Zanzibar Travel Packages
Experience Zanzibar, the Naru way.
