Travel Insurance
Essential protection for your East Africa adventure. Why travel insurance is non-negotiable for safari travel and what coverage you need.
Travel Insurance is MANDATORY
Savannah Nomad requires all travelers to have comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Medical emergencies in remote safari areas can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Don't risk your financial security or health—insurance is non-negotiable.
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Why Travel Insurance is Essential
East Africa offers incredible experiences, but it also presents unique risks. You'll be traveling to remote locations, hours from advanced medical facilities. Safari activities carry inherent risks. Weather can disrupt flights. Medical evacuation from a remote park to Nairobi can cost $50,000-100,000 USD or more.
Travel insurance isn't just about protecting your trip investment—it's about protecting your health, safety, and financial wellbeing when you're far from home.
Real Costs Without Insurance:
- • Medical evacuation from Serengeti: $75,000+
- • Hospital stay in Nairobi: $2,000-5,000/day
- • Emergency repatriation: $100,000+
- • Lost safari deposit: $5,000-15,000
- • Cancelled flights: $2,000-5,000
With Comprehensive Insurance:
- • Medical expenses: Covered up to $100k-500k
- • Emergency evacuation: Fully covered
- • Trip cancellation: 100% refund
- • Travel delays: Covered
- • Peace of mind: Priceless
Essential Coverage Types
Medical & Dental Coverage
Covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and dental emergencies while abroad.
Minimum Recommended:
- • Medical expenses: $100,000 minimum (prefer $250,000-500,000)
- • Emergency dental: $2,000-5,000
- • COVID-19 coverage: Ensure included
- • Pre-existing conditions: Check if covered (often excluded)
Emergency Medical Evacuation
THE MOST CRITICAL COVERAGE. Pays for air ambulance from remote locations to appropriate medical facilities.
Minimum Recommended:
- • Evacuation coverage: Unlimited or $500,000 minimum
- • Repatriation: Return to home country if needed
- • 24/7 assistance: Emergency coordination services
CRITICAL: Flying Doctor services in East Africa cost $30,000-100,000+ for a single evacuation. This coverage is absolutely essential.
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
Reimburses non-refundable costs if you must cancel or cut short your trip for covered reasons.
What's Covered:
- • Illness or injury (you or immediate family)
- • Death of family member
- • Natural disasters
- • Airline strikes or mechanical breakdowns
- • Terrorism at destination
- • Jury duty or court subpoena
Note: "Cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage typically costs 40-60% more but provides maximum flexibility.
Travel Delays & Missed Connections
Covers expenses if flights are delayed, causing missed connections or additional accommodation costs.
Typical Coverage: $500-1,500 for meals, accommodation, and essentials after 6-12 hour delay
Baggage Loss, Damage & Delay
Reimburses lost, stolen, or damaged luggage. Also covers emergency purchases if baggage is delayed.
Typical Coverage: $1,000-3,000 for lost baggage, $200-500 for delayed baggage essentials
Medical Evacuation - Why It's Critical
You're on safari in the Serengeti, 8 hours from Dar es Salaam. You develop severe abdominal pain requiring emergency surgery. The nearest facility capable of the procedure is in Nairobi—a Flying Doctor air ambulance is your only option.
Real-World Evacuation Scenarios:
Serengeti to Nairobi:
Distance: ~600km. Cost without insurance: $75,000-100,000
Bwindi (Uganda) to Kampala:
Remote gorilla trekking area. Cost: $40,000-70,000
Nairobi to Home Country:
International medical repatriation. Cost: $100,000-250,000+
What Evacuation Coverage Includes:
- Air ambulance with medical staff
- Ground ambulance to/from aircraft
- Medical coordination and assistance
- Repatriation to home country if needed
- Return of remains (if worst happens)
Adventure Activity Coverage
CRITICAL: Standard travel insurance often excludes "adventure" or "hazardous" activities. You MUST ensure your policy specifically covers safari activities, gorilla trekking, and diving.
Activities Requiring Special Coverage:
Usually Covered:
- Game drives (vehicle-based)
- Walking safaris (guided)
- Snorkeling (shallow water)
- Bird watching
Often Require Extra Coverage:
- Gorilla/chimp trekking
- Scuba diving (especially >30m depth)
- Mountain climbing (Kilimanjaro)
- Hot air ballooning
VERIFY BEFORE PURCHASE: Call the insurance company and explicitly confirm that gorilla trekking, diving, or other planned activities are covered. Get it in writing if possible.
What to Look for in a Policy
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Multi-lingual assistance available around the clock for medical emergencies, evacuation coordination, and claims support.
Primary Coverage (Not Secondary)
Primary coverage pays first, before your regular health insurance. Secondary coverage only pays after your health insurance, causing delays.
Pre-Existing Condition Waiver
Some policies cover pre-existing conditions if you purchase insurance within 10-21 days of initial trip deposit.
Adventure Sports Rider
Explicit coverage for activities like gorilla trekking, diving, and other adventure activities included in your itinerary.
Adequate Coverage Limits
Medical: $250k+ | Evacuation: $500k+ or unlimited | Trip cancellation: Full trip cost
Terrorism & Natural Disaster Coverage
Protection if terrorism or natural disaster at your destination forces trip cancellation or interruption.
Repatriation of Remains
Covers return of remains to home country in the event of death (morbid but necessary).
COVID-19 Coverage
Ensure policy covers COVID-related medical expenses, trip interruption, and quarantine costs.
Recommended Insurance Providers
These providers are popular among safari travelers and typically offer appropriate coverage for East Africa. Always read the policy details and confirm coverage for your specific activities.
World Nomads
Popular with adventure travelers. Covers many safari activities including gorilla trekking. Available worldwide.
Website: worldnomads.com
Allianz Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage with strong reputation. Multiple plan levels. Good medical and evacuation coverage.
Website: allianztravelinsurance.com
Travel Guard (AIG)
Established provider with extensive international network. Good for high-value trips requiring maximum coverage.
Website: travelguard.com
IMG (International Medical Group)
Strong medical and evacuation focus. Patriot Travel series popular for international trips. Excellent emergency assistance.
Website: imglobal.com
DAN (Divers Alert Network) - For Divers
Essential if diving in Zanzibar or Lake Malawi. Specialized diving accident coverage and chamber services.
Website: diversalertnetwork.org
Comparison Shopping: Use aggregators like SquareMouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com to compare policies. Enter your exact trip details and activities to get accurate quotes.
Cost Expectations
Travel insurance typically costs 4-10% of your total trip cost, depending on coverage level, your age, and trip duration.
Basic Coverage
4-6%
Of trip cost
Minimal medical, basic evacuation
Comprehensive ⭐
6-8%
Of trip cost
Full medical, unlimited evacuation, adventure coverage
Premium + CFAR
8-10%
Of trip cost
Maximum coverage + cancel for any reason
Example Costs:
*Costs vary by age, trip length, and coverage level. Travelers 70+ pay higher premiums.
Common Exclusions & What's NOT Covered
Understanding what's NOT covered is as important as knowing what is. Read the policy fine print carefully.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Usually excluded unless you purchase a waiver within 10-21 days of initial trip deposit. Includes conditions you've been treated for in the past 60-180 days.
Known Events
Can't purchase insurance after an event is known (e.g., hurricane already named, civil unrest already reported in news).
Non-Covered Destinations
Travel to destinations under government travel warnings may not be covered. Check current advisories.
Extreme Sports (Without Rider)
Skydiving, bungee jumping, base jumping typically excluded. Verify gorilla trekking and diving are covered.
Alcohol/Drug-Related Incidents
Injuries or illness while intoxicated or using illegal drugs are excluded.
Mental Health Issues
Many policies exclude or limit mental health-related claims.
Acts of War
War, invasion, or acts of foreign enemy typically excluded (terrorism may be covered with specific rider).
Change of Mind
Standard policies don't cover "I don't want to go anymore." Need CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) for this.
Pro Tips for Travel Insurance
- Buy Early: Purchase within 10-21 days of initial deposit for pre-existing condition waivers and best rates
- Read Everything: Policy documents, not just the summary. Know what's covered and excluded
- Keep Documents Handy: Download policy to phone, email yourself a copy, print a physical copy
- Save Emergency Numbers: Program 24/7 assistance number into your phone before departure
- Document Everything: Keep receipts, medical reports, police reports for claims. Take photos
- Report Immediately: Contact insurer within 24-48 hours of incident for best claim outcomes
Questions About Travel Insurance?
Our team can provide guidance on insurance requirements and help you understand what coverage you need for your specific safari.