Best Travel Insurance for African Safari: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide

You must be planning that great African safari trip where you have hopes of exploring the savanna and the wildlife. An African safari is really my number one best place to experience wildlife in their natural habitats.

You get to see the Big Five, elephants, the popular African wild dogs, hyenas, and even meerkats. But with all this excitement when planning, picking your destinations, choosing your lodges, and managing expenses, you need to consider your travel insurance.

In this article, you will learn how to find the best travel insurance for African safari adventures.

On an African safari, travel insurance isn’t just a good idea; it’s your golden ticket to peace of mind. You will also learn why safari travel insurance is so important and the kind of coverage you should look out for.

Why is Travel Insurance for Your African Safari Non-Negotiable?

An African safari is not just your average beach holiday. As someone who grew up in Africa and can boast of experiencing the ecosystem, you need to come fully prepared.

On a safari, you will be venturing into remote areas, some of which are far from the medical facilities you might be used to back home.

Also consider transportation, which can involve rugged roads and maybe smaller planes. So many things could go wrong during your trip. Here are some reasons why safari insurance is necessary:

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies can happen; as we all know, illnesses and accidents can happen anywhere. You could twist an ankle on an uneven path during your safari walk or, worse, come down with a fever.

Most medical facilities in remote safari areas can be basic. Although they might treat minor conditions, serious medical attention might require evacuation to a city with a better-equipped hospital.

Trip Cancellations & Interruptions

Even after planning your safari for months, something unexpected might happen, like a sudden illness, a family emergency, or even work commitments. This can mean you are forced to cancel your trip. Without insurance, you would probably lose all the money you have paid for flights, accommodation, and tours.

Your travel insurance mostly covers the cost, even in situations where your trip is cut short due to emergencies.

Lost or Delayed Baggage

As someone who travels a lot, you should have an idea of how airports are. Your baggage, which is already packed with all your safari gear, might get lost on arrival.

Although the airline might eventually find it after some sometime, baggage delay coverage can provide you with funds to buy essential items in the meantime.

Travel Delays

Getting to some of the more secluded safari camps often involves connecting flights, including smaller charter planes. If your international flight is delayed, you could miss that crucial connection, which can lead to extra costs.

Travel delay benefits can help you cover unexpected accommodation and meal expenses while you wait to get back on track.

Evacuation Needs

Most travel insurance covers your evacuation needs, especially from remote national parks to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

What Should Your Safari Travel Insurance Actually Cover?

One of the right questions to ask is what is actually covered in the safari insurance before you sign up.

Safari Travel Insurance should always include trip cancellation benefits and adventure activities coverage. This means you can get a full refund of your covered cost when you or travellers on the policy cancel their safari.

A good safari travel insurance will have the following coverage:

Comprehensive Medical Coverage

This should be at the top of the list since it is very important for your safari journey.

Your ideal policy for safari travel insurance should cover the costs of hospital stay, doctor fees, prescribed medications, and diagnostic tests.

Also make sure your policy includes emergency medical evacuation to the nearest suitable hospital. Also, look for repatriation coverage, which means if things are serious enough, the insurance will cover the cost of getting you back to your home country for treatment.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and so on, be upfront about them. Some policies will cover acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, especially if they have been stable for a certain period before your trip.

Others might require you to purchase an additional waiver or upgrade. Always, always declare them. Not declaring any conditions from the start might invalidate your policy if you need to make a claim related to that condition.

Always go through the policy wording on your insurer’s website very carefully.

Trip Cancellation, Interruption & Delay

These coverages are important because they protect your financial investment since life is unpredictable.

Trip Cancellation

Look for policies that cover cancellation for a range of reasons, such as:

• Illness or injury to you, your travel companion, or a close family member.
• Death of a close family member.
• Jury duty or being subpoenaed.
• Your home becoming uninhabitable due to fire or flood.
• Sometimes, work-related reasons

Just make sure the policy covers the non-refundable costs of your trip.

Trip Interruption

This coverage is recommended in case you need to end your safari early due to a covered reason. You will receive the payment for the unused portions of your trip.

Travel Delay Benefits

Many travel insurance companies pay for reasonable expenses like meals and accommodation if your flight or other insured transport is delayed for a specified period (usually 6 or 12 hours).

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Your camera, binoculars, and those safari boots are very essential to your trip. The insurance company needs to cover the loss, theft, or damage of your checked-in or carry-on baggage.

Check for limits like per-item limits, especially if you are carrying expensive camera equipment. You might also need to insure high-value items separately under a home insurance policy or a specialist gadget insurance.

Adventure Activities Coverage

You need to be covered for that bush walk or hot air balloon ride. On a safari, the options for adventure are endless.

These options include guided bush walks, mokoro rides, horseback safaris, or even a hot air balloon trip over the plains.

As you may know, not all travel insurance policies automatically cover adventurous activities. Some standard policies might exclude them, or you might need to add an adventure sports or sports and activities pack.

Before you get started, first list out all the activities you plan to do on your safari and double-check that they are covered by the policy.

Some insurers might consider things like walking safaris or even game drives in open vehicles a higher risk. This is why you should always check and not assume.

Other Important Coverage

• 24/7 Emergency Assistance. This can be a 24/7 emergency helpline that you can call from anywhere in the world.
• Personal liability coverage incase you accidentally injure someone or damage their property during your trip.
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Finding the Best Travel Insurance for Your African Safari: Tips & Tricks

The best travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. It just depends on your individual circumstances, the specifics of your safari, and your comfort level with risk.

Don’t Just Click Buy, Compare

It might be tempting to just grab the first policy you see or the one your airline offers when you book your flights, but please, resist that urge.

There are many online travel insurance comparison websites that allow you to enter your trip details and get quotes from various providers side by side.

If you want to see what is out there and also get a feel for prices and coverage levels, then you should try to compare.

Some online insurance comparison websites include Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip, or Comparethemarket, depending on your country of residence.

Make sure to read the policy documents, which will tell you exactly what is and is not covered. You will also learn about exclusions, limits, and conditions for making a claim.

If there is anything you do not understand, always call the insurer and ask questions, especially about medical emergencies, evacuation, pre-existing conditions, and any activities you plan to do.

Consider Your Specific Safari

The insurance you pick should be tailored to fit the kind of safari you are taking. Consider whether you will be going to well-developed areas or venturing into very remote parts of Africa.

Most of the time, the remoteness can significantly impact the cost and complexity of a medical evacuation.

Also consider the duration of your trip. This is because longer trips generally cost more to insure.

Next, the type of safari, whether a high-end luxury safari or a budget camping safari, will determine the cost of trip cancellation and interruption.

Another factor is your age since it will influence the cost of your insurance and the types of coverage available. You need to be accurate when filling quotes.

When Should You Buy Your Insurance?

My advice? Buy your travel insurance as soon as you start booking and paying for non-refundable parts of your trip, like flights or safari deposits.

This is because you need to protect your investment from the start. It is also because many policies, including trip cancellation coverage, start from the moment you buy the insurance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Travel Insurance

• Assuming all policies are the same.
• Going for the cheapest option with the least coverage.
• Not declaring pre-existing medical conditions.
• Ignoring exclusions.

Best Travel Insurance for African Safari

The best travel insurance for Africa would offer sufficient medical benefits to protect your health abroad.

We do not personally endorse or recommend specific insurance companies, these rankings or ratings are based on opinions from travellers who have tried their services.

Seven Corners Insurance

Seven Corners is a travel insurance company that provides its services globally but is based in the US. The company has a rating of 4.5 with over 5,475 on Trustpilot.

Here is a summary of the rating.

• 5-star: 70%
• 4-star: 10%
• 3-star: 4%
• 2-star: 2%
• 1-star: 14%

The company provides comprehensive travel insurance coverage for any issues you may encounter while on an African safari. You will be covered in situations where flights are cancelled, luggage is lost or missing, or you are hospitalised for an illness such as malaria.

Some trip protection plans offered by Seven Corners are Trip Protection Basic and Choice plans (also called Trip Protection Economy and Elite).

The Choice (or Elite) policy offers higher coverage limits and benefits like a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, travel document replacement, and even accidental death & dismemberment benefits for common carriers.

Trip Protection Choice (or Elite) standard benefits:

• Up to 100% coverage for non-refundable trip cancellations (maximum of $100,000 per person)
• Up to 150% coverage for trip interruption
• Up to $250 per day per person for a 6-hour trip delay or a 3-hour missed tour or cruise connection (a maximum of $2,000 for delay and a maximum of $1,500 for missed connection)
• Up to $500,000 Coverage for Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
• Up to $1 million primary coverage for medical evacuation & repatriation of remains.
• Up to $2,500 in baggage protections (subject to a per-item limit of $250)
• Up to $100 per day for 6 hours of baggage delay (maximum of $500)

What people are saying about Seven Corners

There are different reviews from Seven Corners, some with good ratings and others with average to poor reviews. Here are some of the reviews related to African trips:

Users like Michael Middlesworth found Seven Corners very helpful in getting trip insurance for a South Africa trip. According to Michael, they had experienced some problems getting there and are now filling out a claim for their lost vacation time. Date of experience was October 30, 2023.

Another user, Felicia Hugee, complained of waiting on an actual update regarding a claim she made in late November 2022. According to Felicia, she had to cancel her trip to South Africa because her grandmother was taken to the ER one week prior. Since she is her grandmother’s primary caretaker and power of attorney, the medical provider recommended her not to travel so far away for so long. Date of experience was November 04, 2022.

Check the Seven Corners page on Trustpilot for full reviews.

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with adventure travellers and is available in over 150 countries. They are based in Sydney, Australia, and have been operational since 2002.

World Nomads offer flexible travel insurance which also covers adventurous activities like safari tours. The company has a rating of 4.3 with over 4,310 reviews on Trustpilot.

Here is a summary of the rating.

• 5-star: 59%
• 4-star: 11%
• 3-star: 4%
• 2-star: 4%
• 1-star: 22%

The company has different travel insurance plans, like the Standard Plan, the Explorer Plan, the Epic Plan, and the Annual Plan.

The Standard Plan

This is the most basic plan with some insurance benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, emergency medical coverage, baggage coverage, and medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. It also covers more than 250 activities.

The Explorer Plan

As an adventurous traveller, this option covers everything that is covered by the Standard Plan and more. This includes more activities like cliff jumping, hot air ballooning, and so on.

Other insurance benefits covered by this plan include Missed Connections, Pet Boarding, Trip Exchange, Travel Inconvenience, and Pre-existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver. You also have the option to include the cancel for any reason benefit.

The Epic Plan

This is the most expensive plan; it offers a higher level of coverage that includes everything in the Explorer Plan and higher maximum benefit amounts.

What people are saying about World Nomads

Here is what people who have used World Nomads for their African safari adventures are saying:

A user, Rodney Hatch, found their services satisfactory, although he never had to file a claim. According to Rodney, he has used World Nomads for a trek up Mt Kilimanjaro and recently a trip through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The date of experience is November 12, 2024.

Another user, Karen Boyd, rated World Nomads 5 stars after using their services for the third time without issues. According to Karen, she used it when she travelled to South Africa for cage diving with great white sharks, horseback riding and hiking. Date of experience is October 18, 2024.

Check full reviews on the World Nomads page on Trustpilot.

Faye Travel Insurance

Faye Travel Insurance is another travel insurance company that is suitable for African safari adventures. The company is based in the United States and protects your flights, accommodation, luggage, activities, and health.

Faye has a rating of 4.7 with over 1,498 reviews on Trustpilot.

Here is a summary of the rating.

• 5-star: 86%
• 4-star: 7%
• 3-star: <1%
• 2-star: <1%
• 1-star: 5%

Here are the coverage benefits for Faye Travel Insurance:

• Up to $250,000 in emergency medical expenses for international trips.
• Up to $500,000 emergency medical evacuation per person.
• Up to 100% of non-refundable trip costs for trip cancellation and up to 150% for trip interruption.
• Up to $300 per day for over 6 hours Trip delay (maximum of $2100 per trip)
• Pre-existing medical conditions (read terms)
• Up to $2000 total per trip for lost or damaged belongings (capped at $150 per item)
• Other add-ons are rental car care, cancel for any reason, pet care, vacation rental damage protection, and adventure & extreme sports.

What are people saying about Faye Travel Insurance for African safari?

A user, Safiya Nafai, rated Faye Travel Insurance 5 stars with the caption “Faye was there for me.” According to Safiya, Faye was there when she had no access to a medical team for multiple hours after fracturing her foot in North Africa.

Check full reviews on the Faye Travel Insurance page on Trustpilot.

Travel Insured International

Travel Insured International is another travel insurance company with lots of coverage and benefits. The company, which is based in the US, has been active since 1994.

With three different plans Worldwide Trip Protector Essential, Deluxe or Platinum – your adventure is secured.

Platinum benefits

• 100% for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption.
• $500,000 for Accident & Sickness Medical Expense.
• $2,500 for Baggage & Personal Effects ($250 per article)
• Optional Cancel or Interrupt for Any Reason Bundle

Deluxe

• 100% for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption.
• $250,000 for Accident & Sickness Medical Expense.
• $1,500 for Baggage & Personal Effects ($250 per article)
• Optional Cancel or Interrupt for Any Reason Bundle

Essential

• 100% for trip cancellation and 100% for trip interruption.
• $50,000 for Accident & Sickness Medical Expense.
• $750 for Baggage & Personal Effects ($250 per article)
• Optional Cancel or Interrupt for Any Reason Bundle

Travel Insured International has a rating of 4.4 and reviews from 1,177 users on Trustpilot.

• 5-star: 70%
• 4-star: 11%
• 3-star: 6%
• 2-star: 2%
• 1-star: 11%

Check full reviews on the Travel Insured International page on Trustpilot.

WorldTrips

World Trips is a travel insurance company formerly known as Tokio Marine HCC-MIS Group. They were established in 1998 in Indianapolis, US, and offer their services globally.

Always do your own thorough research and read policy documents carefully before purchasing any travel insurance.

The list above does not represent the very best by regions. Since availability of policies and specific terms can vary based on country, you need to check out insurers licensed to operate in your home country.

Use Comparison Websites

The most recommended way to find the best travel insurance for your African safari is to use reputable travel insurance comparison websites.

For US Residents

Here are major US-based comparison websites:

• SquareMouth
• InsureMyTrip
• TravelInsurance.com

For UK Residents

Here are major UK-based comparison websites:

• Comparethemarket
• GoCompare
• MoneySuperMarket

For Residents of Canada

Here are major Canadian-based comparison websites:

• Kanetix.ca
• CompareInsuranceOnline.ca

For Residents of Australia

Here are major Australian-based comparison websites:

• Comparethemarket.com.au
• Finder.com.au

My Personal Safari Insurance Checklist

Before you hit that purchase button, run through this quick mental checklist:

• High Medical Expense Coverage?
• Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation?
• Pre-existing Conditions Covered?
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Included?
• Baggage & Personal Effects Covered?
• Adventure Activities Included?
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance Available?
• Geographic Area Covered?
• Policy Exclusions Understood?
• Read the Full Policy Wording?

Conclusion

An African safari adventure is more than just a holiday for that celebration or family time. It is a visit to the world of wildlife, landscapes and cultures on an entirely different continent.

Travel insurance helps you become prepared in case of unforeseen circumstances. In this article, we have shared all you need to know about choosing the best travel insurance for your African safari.

In summary, the best travel insurance option for a trip to Africa should cover trip cancellations, medical emergencies, baggage loss, adventure activities and more.

FAQs

Does travel insurance cover safari?

Yes, travel insurance can cover your African safari, but the extent of coverage depends on the specific policy.

To be properly covered for a safari, ensure your travel insurance includes robust emergency medical and evacuation services, trip cancellation/interruption, and explicitly covers any planned safari activities like game drives or walking tours.

Do I really need travel insurance for an African safari?

You need travel insurance for an African safari since it often involves remote locations where medical facilities can be basic and far apart.

The insurance will cover the potential costs of medical emergencies, evacuations, trip cancellations, or lost baggage.