Travel insurance for a safari
The one booking nobody enjoys and everybody needs. A helicopter evacuation from a bush camp costs more than the safari. Here is what the policy has to say.
Safari camps are a long way from a hospital. Most have a medic and a radio; the nearest doctor can be a two-hour flight away. Serious policies cover emergency medical evacuation by air, treatment, and repatriation. They also cover the deposit you paid the camp nine months ago, which is where most claims actually come from.
What to check before you book
- Medical evacuation, by air. Look for at least US$250,000 of emergency medical and evacuation cover, with air ambulance named. Some camps also sell a local evacuation membership; buy both.
- Cancellation that covers deposits. Private camps take 30 percent up front. Check that the policy's cancellation limit covers the whole trip, not a fraction.
- Activities. Walking safaris, mokoro trips, light-aircraft transfers, gorilla trekking and hot-air balloons are sometimes excluded as 'adventure activities'. Read the list.
- Pre-existing conditions. Declare them. An undeclared condition is the commonest reason a claim is refused.
- Gear. Camera equipment limits are usually low. If you carry a long lens, insure it separately.
- The small print on malaria. Some policies exclude illness in malaria areas if you did not take prophylaxis. Know what you signed.
Where we look
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is the simplest policy we know for multi-country trips: buy online in minutes, cover across all the countries we write about, emergency evacuation included, and it can be extended while you travel. For high-value trips with large deposits, compare it against a comprehensive policy from your home market.
Checked October 2026. Entry rules, fees and seasons change; confirm with official sources before you book.
