KILIMANJARO TRAVEL INSURANCE – DO I NEED IT?
Yes, it’s mandatory to have travel insurance that covers you for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro.
Due to the high altitude, remote location, and demanding conditions of a Kilimanjaro trek, travel insurance is compulsory for all participants. Anyone taking part in a Kilimanjaro climb will be required to show proof of insurance before the start of the trek.
A trip to Africa is a significant investment and having the right insurance policy can
help mitigate the risk you face should something go wrong.
Travel insurance may cover you in case of:
- unexpected trip cancellation
- trip interruption
- missed flight connections
- travel delays
- lost baggage
- other unforeseen circumstances, such as injury or family illness or emergency medical evacuation
When you take part in adventure activities, you may need specialized insurance.
Your travel insurance will need to cover medical expenses that could arise while traveling abroad. In the case of a Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to make sure that it covers you for medical evacuation too.
Unexpected injuries and doctor visits need to be covered, and emergency evacuation expenses should you need to be airlifted off the mountain. Those situations are rare, but they do occur and you need the proper insurance.
When purchasing travel insurance it is important you understand exactly what it does, and doesn’t cover. Most basic plans will offer basic protection for trip cancellation, lost bags, and delayed flights.
However, if you need coverage beyond that (medical expenses, evacuation, etc.) then you’ll likely have to purchase a higher-tier policy.
It’s important that whatever policy you choose also covers high altitude activities. That isn’t the case with every insurance plan, so be sure to ask for it specifically.
For climbing Kilimanjaro, explain to your insurance company that you are not taking part in technical mountaineering, but that you are high altitude trekking up to 6,000m.
We suggest you look at Global Rescue and see if their policies are right for you.
Disclaimer: we are not insurance experts. We do not give insurance advice, please consider your own situation carefully when you purchase insurance.
Kilimanjaro Medical Evacuation Coverage
To ensure you are covered for medical evacuation to your home country, you might consider a stand-alone medical evacuation plan.
This is in addition to your standard travel policy, that covers you for high altitude trekking.
Companies such as Global Rescue or Ripcord specialize in disaster recovery in the case of a medical emergency if you needed an airlift evacuation home.
Supplemental medical evacuation coverage is not mandatory, and you should consider what’s right for your unique circumstances, and what’s covered in your travel policy.
Does Health Insurance cover me for Kilimanjaro?
Most standard health insurance policies do not cover you for adventure activities abroad. It certainly w
on’t cover you for lost baggage or abandonment of your trip or cancellations.
Read the small print!
Take some time to read through exactly what your policy covers, and where you might have liability. Don’t wait until you need to make a claim, make sure you’re clear about what’s covered – and what’s excluded.
Make sure you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, or it may void your policy.
Global Rescue for Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance
A lot of our clients use Global Rescue travel insurance. You can buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home.
Available to people from 140 countries, it’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
GLOBAL RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Does Global Rescue have any restrictions?
Global Rescue offers one of the most comprehensive travel protection memberships on the market.
Membership benefits are not restricted by any activity, country of residence, or mileage-from-home limits. Our services go with you anywhere you travel except U.S. State Department war zones and Polar Region travel above the 80th Parallel North or below the 60th Parallel South.
For those adventuring to higher altitudes, our High-Altitude Evacuation Package provides medical transport services to members who travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness.
2. What is field rescue, and do I need it?
When you are unable to get help on your own, emergency field rescue is assistance from the point of illness or injury to the nearest medical facility. Anyone venturing into the backcountry should have this critical service. Worldwide field rescue was pioneered by Global Rescue.
3. How do I contact Global Rescue in an emergency?
No matter your situation – emergency or not – you call just one number and one number only: +1 617-459-4200. This is the number you should program into your cell or satellite phone, but you can also contact us through the messaging feature on the My Global Rescue app.
4. If I need to be rescued, should I arrange my own evacuation?
No. Please call Global Rescue at the time of an incident and we will provide the necessary services from start to finish (if you are incapacitated, you can have a member of your team contact us). When Global Rescue organizes and/or performs the rescue and the Member Services Agreement criteria are met, there is no cost to the member up to $500,000. If you arrange for your own rescue, we are unable to reimburse members.
5. Will Global Rescue get me home if I’m hurt or injured?
Global Rescue membership services include medical transport to your home hospital of choice if you’re hospitalized as an in-patient 100+ miles from home and require additional hospital care.
6. What if my insurance offers medical evacuation services?
With a typical insurance company, you are burdened with arranging your own medical transport and submitting the bill later for reimbursement. As a member of Global Rescue, you simply need to contact our team of medical and security professionals, and, if an evacuation is needed, all transport arrangements and costs would be covered by us (medical up to $500,000, security up to $100,000).
7. Do Global Rescue’s services include COVID-19?
Yes. If members have questions related to COVID-19 or contract the virus while traveling, our services apply. We treat COVID like any other disease.
8. Is Global Rescue only for emergencies?
No. While Global Rescue provides a wide variety of emergency services, we also provide services for non-emergency situations such as: 24/7/365 medical advisory services, visa and passport issues, translation, legal locators, real-time event alerts and telehealth.
Disclaimer: Climbing Kilimanjaro staff are not insurance experts. We do not give insurance advice, please consider your own situation carefully when you purchase insurance.
