Tanzania Adds Mandatory Travel Insurance as British Airways Opens New UK Routes
Tanzania is preparing to introduce mandatory inbound travel insurance for international visitors as British Airways announces new direct flights from London to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
The developments are expected to make Tanzania more accessible to UK travelers while adding a new requirement for visitors entering mainland Tanzania.
Tanzania Moves Toward Mandatory Travel Insurance
Tanzania gazetted new Inbound Travel Insurance Regulations 2026 on September 4, requiring foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania through airports, seaports or land borders to hold valid inbound travel insurance.
The policy is expected to cost around $44 and remain valid for up to 92 days, including multiple entries during the validity period. However, Tanzanian authorities have not yet announced the official rollout date.
Visitors heading to Zanzibar already face a separate mandatory insurance requirement, with the UK government advising travelers that the Zanzibar policy must be purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.
Travelers should therefore check the latest entry requirements before departure and make sure their insurance documentation meets the applicable rules.
British Airways Adds New UK–Tanzania Routes
At the same time, British Airways is returning to Tanzania after 15 years, with new seasonal services from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar scheduled to begin on May 29, 2027.
The service will operate three times per week, flying from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro before continuing to Zanzibar. The route is scheduled to operate through October 31, 2027.
The new connection will make it easier for UK travelers to combine a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday in one itinerary.
The route also provides access to major attractions including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro.
What It Means for Travelers
The combination of new UK flight connectivity and changing entry requirements is likely to make travel planning to Tanzania increasingly important for British visitors.
Travelers interested in wider aviation developments can also read Guidly's latest international flight route news and its report on Qatar Airways' expanded 2026–27 network.
For visitors planning trips around East Africa, checking insurance requirements, entry rules and flight schedules before booking will be particularly important as the new regulations and routes take effect.