Tanzania Safari 2026

Tanzania Safari 2026

Tanzania claims a top spot in the list of wildlife destinations in East Africa. And there are good reasons for that. The Great Migration, the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater, elephants of Tarangire, tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara… and more. And we haven’t named parks in the remote south and west: Ruaha and Nyerere are must-visit destinations. Add to the list, Gombe and Mahale.

In the tourism industry, change is the only constant, from adjustments in park fees and travel policies to the introduction of new flight routes or even temporary airspace closures in some nations. Tanzania, as a country dependent on tourism for economic growth, is no exception. Every now and then, updates happen, and when they do, travelers and tour operators alike feel the ripple effects. In this article, we’ll focus on two updates about to take effect: mandatory travel insurance and the passenger facilitation fee.

Mandatory travel insurance

Starting from January 2026, all travelers going to Tanzania will be obliged to purchase mandatory travel insurance from the national insurer, National Insurance Corporation (NIC). You will have to buy the policy regardless of the one you already have. The insurance covers emergency medication, lost luggage, accidents, legal expenses, rescue services, and repatriation to the visitor’s home country in case of emergency. That means you will explore the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater in harmony, with no worries about delayed or lost luggage or needing travel insurance.

Then, how much will visitors have to pay? First, let’s be clear on who is required to purchase this insurance policy. All foreign visitors entering Tanzania will have to buy the mandatory travel insurance policy. East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) residents are exempted. The cost of the mandatory travel insurance is $44 per person. Once bought, the policy will last for 92 days.

Less is known about this mandatory travel insurance. But the signals are clear that the policy may be enacted in January. So, we expect the government to give further instructions on how to buy it. And what may be confusing is that Zanzibar approved the same policy last year, which came into effect on October 1, 2024. With this new policy for the Mainland, it’s still unclear how it will impact the already-in-place insurance policy, given that Zanzibar is part of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Traveling with family? You might be worried about the cost. For the case of Zanzibar, children aged between 3 and 16 years receive a 50% discount, while infants below 3 years are exempted. We can’t confirm if the Mainland will have the same packages as Zanzibar. For now, we advise families to prepare for the full price of $44 per person.

Passenger facilitation fee

In another move, Tanzania plans to introduce a passenger facilitation fee (VI Tax) of $45 for one-way trips and $90 for return journeys. This charge will come into effect on November 1, 2025. This move isn’t related to the mandatory travel insurance we talked about earlier. It’s a move to improve passenger processing and border security.

We clarify this! The funds will be used to install Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems. And what are these APIs and PNRs? These systems identify and process passenger information at the airport. API collects information like names, dates of birth, and passport numbers. This is the information airline carriers share with border authorities before you fly. PNR, on the other hand, records information like travel dates, routes, and details of your tickets. These systems make travel more efficient and straightforward.

So, who is charged? That’s very important. The VI Tax will apply to international travelers arriving in or departing from Tanzania (except EAC and SADC residents). It’s $45 for a one-way international journey and $90 for a return international journey. There are exceptions, though. Infants below 2 years, airline crew on duty, and involuntarily rerouted passengers are excluded.

How to pay the facilitation fee? You will pay for this fee when booking your ticket. It will appear as another item. Is the fee refundable? Yes, the fee is refundable if the ticket goes unused and if the trip is cancelled. What if I have booked the ticket? This new fee doesn’t apply to settled deals. So, if you have your ticket booked before November 1, this fee won’t apply to you.

What do these fees mean to travelers in 2026?

As you plan your festive season safari, remember to include a facilitation fee. Which means a one-way flight will go up by $45 and a return flight by $90. In addition to that, mandatory travel insurance may add a $44 cost to your safari cost. In short, your safari costs will increase by about $99 for a one-way flight or $134 for a return flight once you include both the facilitation fee and mandatory travel insurance.

That’s all for now. As your partner during your Tanzania safari, Focus East Africa Tours will inform you about any updates that affect your trip directly or indirectly. We are committed to keeping you informed and updated. Ready to plan your safari? Call or email us.