Travel Insurance Guide
Good travel insurance protects the investment in your safari and gives you confidence when travelling far from home.
Why insurance matters on safari
A safari is a significant investment involving international flights, park fees, accommodation, vehicles and sometimes internal air transfers. Travel insurance protects you if illness, injury, delays or an emergency changes the plan after deposits or final payments have been made.
Insurance is a personal contract between you and the provider. We can explain the itinerary and activities, but we cannot decide what your policy covers. Read the wording and confirm exclusions before you travel.
- Protect the full non-refundable value of the trip
- Arrange cover soon after making your first booking payment
- Check that every country on the itinerary is included
- Keep the policy number and emergency line available
Medical and evacuation cover
Choose a policy with substantial emergency medical cover and evacuation appropriate for remote travel. Some safari areas are far from major hospitals, so ask the insurer how assistance is coordinated and whether evacuation by air or road is included when medically necessary.
Disclose pre-existing conditions and ongoing treatment honestly. A cheaper policy that excludes an existing condition may not provide the protection you expect. Keep prescriptions, medical notes and emergency contacts with you.
- Emergency treatment and hospital care
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Coverage for disclosed pre-existing conditions
- A 24-hour assistance service with clear procedures
Cancellation, interruption and delays
Review what happens if you need to cancel before departure or cut a trip short. Policies differ widely for illness, bereavement, visa problems, airline disruption, natural events and supplier failure. Look for cover that reflects the actual value and complexity of your arrangements.
Ask whether missed connections, delayed baggage and extra accommodation are covered. If your itinerary includes flights between parks, a policy that only covers international travel may leave important gaps.
- Cancellation before departure
- Curtailment or interruption during the trip
- Missed connections and travel delays
- Baggage loss, theft and essential replacement items
Activities and policy conditions
Walking safaris, balloon flights, diving, cycling and other activities may have specific conditions or exclusions. Tell your insurer exactly what you plan to do, including approximate altitude, duration or operator requirements where relevant.
Save receipts, booking confirmations and medical reports if you need to make a claim. Contact the insurer as soon as an incident occurs and follow their instructions; also inform our team so we can help with local logistics.
- Confirm walking and balloon activities are covered
- Check age, health and equipment conditions
- Save receipts and written incident records
- Never assume an activity is included because it is in the itinerary
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