When planning a trip, many travelers focus on tickets, accommodations, and sightseeing, but one crucial requirement that should never be overlooked is travel insurance. We strongly advise our clients to purchase travel insurance that suits them. Murphy’s Law is an adage that says, “If anything is to go wrong, it definitely will.” No one wants to think about all the things that can go wrong while they’re away on vacation, but they can and do happen. Imagine your flight is canceled, your luggage is lost, or a sudden illness strikes abroad. Without travel insurance, these common disruptions can quickly escalate from minor inconveniences into major financial emergencies, derailing your dream vacation and budget.

One important thing we always advise our clients is that travel insurance is not an optional extra; it’s a fundamental part of smart travel planning and being a smart traveler. It helps protect your travel investment by providing financial protection and peace of mind against unforeseen events that could disrupt your once-in-a-lifetime journey.

We therefore strongly advise you to discuss with your insurance provider in your home country whether they offer or can arrange suitable coverage for your upcoming trip. Never overlook the risk of medical emergencies, accidents, and hospitalizations while abroad. Without it, medical bills in a foreign country can be extremely costly. Some destinations even require proof of valid health or travel insurance as a mandatory entry requirement, and our travel advisors will always inform you of such scenarios.

Beyond medical plans, most policies protect you against common travel setbacks, such as trip or flight

cancellations and delays, lost luggage, and stolen belongings. This helps ensure you’re not left stranded or facing significant losses if plans change unexpectedly.

Our advice is to carefully review the policy before purchasing to understand what is covered. Some policies

exclude pre-existing conditions, emergency evacuation, travel to high-risk areas, and certain activities such as hiking or adventure/extreme sports like rafting. Remember to reach out to our travel advisor to discuss the components and details of your trip or tour before purchasing an insurance policy or plan.

Always keep a copy of your insurance certificate and emergency contact information accessible during your trip. By securing reliable travel insurance before departure, you not only meet an important travel requirement

but also ensure your journey is secure, enjoyable, and worry-free. It’s a small investment that provides invaluable protection. Most of our trips are protected by our service providers' default insurance, while in some regions, such as East Africa, our trips are also covered by AMREF Evacuation cover in case of emergencies.

Use this Travel Insurance checklist.

• Do not leave home without it.    
• Confirm whether the destination you plan to visit requires mandatory travel insurance for entry
• Find out what your plan covers, including medical emergencies and hospitalization abroad, emergency evacuation and repatriation, and trip delays and cancellations.   
• Review coverage for pandemics or check for any riders

• Declare any pre-existing medical conditions to determine whether they can be covered or to avoid any claim rejections.
• Check whether adventure activities or safaris are included, and know the components of your trip to make sure you secure the right policy.
• Compare coverage limits and exclusions before purchase
• Carry a copy of your insurance certificate and emergency hotline numbers. You can also consider sharing them with us.
• Always remember to share the contact information for your next of kin or immediate contact person before travel
• A comprehensive policy safeguards your trip costs and can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses, such as non-refundable air tickets and fixed activity permits, such as gorilla permits in Africa, and more.

Before your next adventure, invest in peace of mind. Carefully compare policies to find one that matches your itinerary and needs. If in doubt, share your plans with your travel advisor; they will assist. For a relatively small percentage of your total trip cost, you secure invaluable protection, ensuring that unforeseen events don’t lead to devastating losses. Travel with confidence, knowing you are prepared for the unexpected.