Few travel experiences are more thrilling and memorable than exploring the open plains of Africa on a safari excursion. The sheer excitement and sense of adventure that comes with getting up close and personal with rare safari wildlife is an experience most safari-goers say they'll cherish forever.
From laid-back self-guided tours to personalized walking safaris, each safari experience has something unique to offer its explorers. Though seeing the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo) may be the goal of most safari visitors, others may enjoy taking in the landscape and observing other fascinating wildlife such as the giraffe and zebra.
We all know that excitement and adventure can come with risks and hazards, and many of these risks are heightened while on a safari. Whatever your safari goals are, make sure you take the proper precautions before venturing out in search of adventure. This includes finding the best travel insurance for Africa.
Travel Insurance for Africa
Depending on the purpose of your trip to Africa and the activities you intend to participate in, the risks you face can vary. To protect you against all the unique risks of the African safari, we recommend the following types of coverage:
Medical evacuation coverage
Much of your African safari will be extremely remote. If an accident were to occur in the middle of the desert, with limited access to roads, ambulances or nearby medical care, emergency medical evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance may be necessary. Without insurance, this life-saving transportation can cost upwards of $50,000, so it's extremely important to select a plan that can offer coverage for emergency medical evacuation.
Ambulance transportation
If your location is accessible by paved roads, an ambulance may be necessary to transport you to the nearest hospital if you become ill or get injured while on a safari excursion. An ambulance ride alone can cost as much as $15,000 without insurance, so protect yourself with a travel medical insurance plan that covers ambulance transportation.
Protection for loss of travel documents/luggage
While far away from home, your travel documents and personal items are your lifeline to returning home safely. So what happens if your passport, wallet or luggage get misplaced or stolen? Without travel insurance this might mean the end of your African adventure. But if you do have travel insurance, you'll be protected. The right plan can help replace all these items so your trip and return home are seamless and stress-free.
General medical coverage
From heat exhaustion and bug bites to more serious injuries like broken bones and animal bites, the African safari can pose many risks to visitors. But finding a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan with at least a $100,000 policy maximum can ensure you are taken care of in case of a medical emergency.
Terrorism/Natural disasters
Unfortunately, certain areas in Africa pose a high threat of terrorist activity and attacks. It's advised to avoid these areas entirely. However, sometimes incidents occur at random, even if you're far from the areas considered dangerous. Terrorism coverage can help ensure that you are covered in the event of a terrorist attack.
Additionally, natural disaster coverage can help ensure you make it home safely and are reimbursed for any travel delays or cancellations due to natural disaster. Some travel insurance plans will even cover emergency evacuation for political unrest. Make sure you know all the benefits of your plan before you make a purchase.
Africa Safari Travel Insurance
If you're looking for the best travel insurance for your African safari, you found a great place to begin. We've done all the research so you don't have to. These are the most popular plans that provide coverage to protect you from the aforementioned risks of an African safari:
Other tips to consider
Before you leave, you notify your home country's embassy of your travel plans and destination so in the event of an emergency, they know where to find you.
In addition, be sure to leave your travel details, hotel or resort information and a copy of your insurance documents with someone at home along with a basic itinerary so you can be located and contacted for periodic status updates.
Exploring the African safari will no doubt be one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of your life, but it's always best to plan ahead, especially when your destination has many potential risks. But with travel medical insurance, you can enjoy the wonder of the African safari worry-free.
