Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance …
Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance – World Nomad’s is our trusted recommendation – Better Safe than Sorry – Get the right insurance for Climbing to the Roof of Africa – live to tell a story about your experience.
It goes without saying that trekking Kilimanjaro comes with obvious risks.
To ensure you are covered for all risks we have set out the main Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance considerations below and provided a nifty travel insurance calculator from adventure travel insurance experts, World Nomads, which you can use to get a quote for your Kilimanjaro trek.
Please note: We are not insurance experts. The considerations below are based on our personal experiences and research.
KILIMANJARO TRAVEL INSURANCE – CONSIDERATIONS
HIGH ALTITUDE
First and foremost is the risk of high altitude trekking.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and it’s severe forms, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HAPE) are very real issues on Kilimanjaro.
You need to ensure that you are covered for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. Most travel insurance providers do not include this under their standard packages and therefore it needs to be selected separately.
Below we have provided a detailed example of how you can do this using the World Nomads insurance calculator.
Important: most routes on Kilimanjaro are pure hiking paths. If you plan to do mountaineering with ropes etc, you will need to inform your insurance provider and this will likely double your premium. In the case of World Nomads, you would need to add ‘mountaineering’ to your cover.
TREKKING ACCIDENTS
Like AMS, general trekking accidents, like falls, rock slides and complications related to your health (i.e. heart conditions) whilst trekking are also a real concern on Kilimanjaro.
You need to ensure your policy covers accidents that can occur on the mountain, including the costs of evacuation and hospital coverage in Tanzania. Here is the wording from the World Nomads policy which shows their emergency hospital care and evacuation coverage:
“NOTE: This is not a private health insurance policy. It only covers you if there is a sudden and unexpected accident or if you become ill during a trip. If you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient or require on-going outpatient treatment overseas, the Emergency Medical Assistance service must be notified immediately. If cover is confirmed, they will deal direct with the hospital and arrange the payment of any bills. Repatriation by specially equipped air ambulance will be available where medically necessary. If you receive out-patient treatment (no hospital admission) and the costs are likely to exceed £500 you must refer to the Emergency Medical Assistance Service for authorisation. If you receive out-patient treatment (no hospital admission) in other countries, it may be easier to pay any bills yourself. Keep all receipts and submit a claim when you return home. If you are in any doubt, call the Emergency Medical Assistance service for help. This section has specific conditions and exclusions. Please refer to the policy wording for the full details.”
OFF MOUNTAIN ILLNESSES AND ACCIDENTS
Tanzania is a developing country where illnesses like yellow fever and malaria are concerns.
Cover for any illnesses and accidents that can happen off the mountain should be included in your Kilimanjaro travel insurance coverage. See above for the wording provided from World Nomads which shows how you are covered for off mountain illnesses and accidents as well.
As a side note, you will need to have a yellow fever vaccination before arriving in Tanzania. In terms of malaria you will not be at risk whilst on the mountain (there are no mosquitoes above 1,800 meters) but you are at risk before and after your climb. You can take anti-malarial medication and we recommend you do so if you plan to travel Tanzania before or after your trek.
THEFT
Theft is also a concern. You will likely be carrying valuable items with you, including things like trekking poles, a sleeping bag, expensive trekking clothing and cameras. Your Kilimanjaro travel insurance needs to cover theft as well. Here is the wording from World Nomads on this area of cover:
“You are covered for the value or repair (up to the policy limits) to any of your personal baggage (not hired, loaned or entrusted to you), which is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed (after making proper allowance for wear and tear and depreciation). Delayed Baggage: You are covered for the cost of buying replacement necessities if your personal baggage is delayed in reaching you on your outward journey for at least 12 hours and you have a written report from the carrier or tour representative. Receipts will be necessary in the event of a claim. This section has specific conditions and exclusions. Please refer to the policy wording for the full details.”
As a precaution we recommend using a small lock to secure your luggage.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Your coverage should also include insurance for trip interruption, cancellation and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage and financial tour operator default.
The World Nomads travel insurance policy provides very good coverage on all these elements as well as Curtailment and Personal Liability.
KILIMANJARO TRAVEL INSURANCE – WORLD NOMADS
Below we have provided links World Nomads Insurance Website – one that we trust will do a good job which you can use to get a Kilimanjaro travel insurance quote.
The quote provided will be for their ‘standard’ and/or ‘explorer’ travel insurance policy (depending on your country of origin).
To ensure you are covered for trekking activities up to 6,000 meters, visit there website or email them for more information on their available Insurance covers for Kilimanjaro Climbing.
