Do I need travel insurance for Kilimanjaro?

Yes, and it must specifically cover high-altitude trekking up to Kilimanjaro's summit height (around 6,000 m) plus emergency evacuation. Many standard policies exclude high-altitude trekking, so check carefully and get it in writing.

What should travel insurance for Tanzania cover?

Emergency medical care, evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage, and all your planned activities. Climbers additionally need explicit high-altitude trekking cover.

Travel Insurance for Tanzania (and Kilimanjaro)

The short answer

Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for Tanzania, and for Kilimanjaro it must specifically cover trekking to high altitude (above 4,000–6,000 m) and emergency evacuation. Always check that your policy includes your exact activities, medical care, evacuation and trip cancellation — and carry the details with you.

Travel insurance is the easy-to-overlook essential that you really don't want to skip for Tanzania — and for Kilimanjaro it comes with one specific catch that catches people out. Here's what to look for so you're properly covered.

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Why you need it

Good insurance protects you against the things that can go wrong far from home: medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation or curtailment, and lost baggage. Medical care and especially evacuation can be very expensive without cover, which is why we consider insurance a non-negotiable part of any Tanzania trip.

The Kilimanjaro catch: altitude cover

This is the one that trips people up. Many standard travel policies exclude trekking above a certain altitude — and Kilimanjaro reaches 5,895 m. You must check that your policy specifically covers high-altitude trekking to the height of Uhuru Peak, including emergency evacuation from the mountain. A policy that doesn't is effectively useless if something happens up high.

Important

Before you climb, confirm in writing that your insurance covers trekking to 6,000 m and helicopter/mountain evacuation. Don't assume a standard policy does — many don't.

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What a good policy covers

›Emergency medical treatment and hospital care
›Emergency evacuation and repatriation
›High-altitude trekking to Uhuru Peak (for Kilimanjaro)
›Trip cancellation and curtailment
›Lost, stolen or delayed baggage
›Your specific activities — safari, diving, kitesurfing, etc.

Practical tips

›Buy insurance when you book, so cancellation cover starts early
›Read the activity exclusions, not just the headline cover
›Carry your policy number and emergency line with you on the trip
›Declare any pre-existing medical conditions honestly

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, and it must specifically cover high-altitude trekking up to Kilimanjaro's summit height (around 6,000 m) plus emergency evacuation. Many standard policies exclude high-altitude trekking, so check carefully and get it in writing.
: Emergency medical care, evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation, baggage, and all your planned activities. Climbers additionally need explicit high-altitude trekking cover.

Ready to take the next step?

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