Headed for some winter sun? Beware the sneaky new insurance charge that will affect thousands of British holidaymakers

Published: 07:11 EDT, 26 October 2026 | Updated: 07:14 EDT, 26 October 2026 Between tourist taxes, visas and rising jet fuel costs, there are all number of different charges for holidaymakers to contend with when travelling abroad.And now, to add insult to injury, another new fee has been added to the mix.Multiple popular destinations have brought in mandatory travel insurance that must be purchased from the country's government provider. In 2024, Zanzibar introduced the concept of inbound travel insurance and insisted all international visitors cough up for the $44 (£33) package.But now, Tanzania and Kenya have taken the same approach, starting from this month. 'Mainland Tanzania saw what was going on on the island and thought, "Crikey we'll have some of that", and they've now brought in mandatory insurance, as has neighbouring Kenya, and they are selling this as a great benefit,' Simon Calder explained on The Telegraph's The Travel Expert podcast.Looking through the small print of the policy, the travel expert described the charge as 'outrageous'. Visitors heading to Tanzania, a popular safari destination, are now obliged to take out government-mandated travel insurance As with Zanzibar, Tanzania's mandated travel insurance is priced at $44 per person, and includes emergency medical expenses, emergency repatriation, emergency evacuation and covers the loss of luggage. 'My paid-for, decent quality travel insurance policy has £10million worth of medical cover,' Mr Calder said.He said the insurance is a 'moneymaking exercise dressed up as something else'.The Kenyan policy only offers $20,000 (£15,000) coverage for medical expenses and $25,000 (£18,700) for emergency medical transportation and evacuation.Repatriation of mortal remains is covered up to $5,000 (£3,700), treatment for mental illness $1,000 (£750) and prescribed medicines $300 (£225). The travel expert insisted the coverage 'simply isn't going to be enough'. Hundreds of thousands of Britons head to the popular safari destinations each year and will now have to account for the new insurance rules in their travel plans. The UK Foreign Office's website states: 'All visitors to mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, except residents, must have mandatory Tanzanian Government-provided inbound travel insurance, even if they already have a personal policy in place.'You can buy insurance either online, or at ports of entry upon arrival in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. This insurance is valid for the duration of your stay (up to 92 days).' The same goes for Kenya, which introduced the new rule from October 5Likewise for Kenya, it explains: 'From 5 October 2026, most travellers visiting Kenya for less than 12 months must have Kenyan Government-provided travel health insurance.'If you require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), you must buy this insurance as part of the application process.'If you already hold a valid eTA, you must obtain the insurance through the Kenyan eCitizen insurance portal. Foreign travel insurance policies are not accepted in place of this requirement.'The insurance is valid for 90 days and can be used for multiple entries during that time. The Daily Mail approached Tanzania and Kenya's tourism boards for comment.