Kruger Travel Insurance Guide

Travel insurance is one of the two lines on a safari itinerary that we consider non-negotiable — the other is a qualified doctor's consultation for malaria. The Greater Kruger is safe and lodges are excellent, but rare events (a fall on a walking safari, a road accident, a family emergency at home cancelling a trip) do happen, and comprehensive insurance is what turns them from crises into manageable inconveniences.

> **Important:** This is general planning guidance, not personalised insurance advice. Always confirm coverage with your insurer or a qualified insurance broker before travelling. Policies vary and personal circumstances matter.

## What to cover

A comprehensive safari travel insurance policy should include, at minimum: **medical treatment** in South Africa (private hospitals are excellent but not free), **emergency medical evacuation** to a private hospital or, in extreme cases, repatriation home, **trip cancellation and curtailment** for unforeseen events, **baggage delay and loss**, and **flight delays**. Optional but often worthwhile: **cover for the safari activities** on your itinerary (drives, walks, balloon flights, boat safaris), **coverage for expensive camera or personal items**, and **cancel-for-any-reason** upgrades on high-value trips.

## Medical and evacuation cover

This is the single most important cover on the policy. South African private healthcare is excellent, but treatment costs are real and evacuation from a remote lodge — sometimes by helicopter, sometimes by dedicated flight — is expensive. A comprehensive policy handles it directly with providers; a limited policy leaves you paying and claiming back. Prioritise policies with 24/7 emergency assistance lines and direct billing to hospitals.

## Safari activity cover

Some travel insurance policies exclude 'adventure activities' or list them individually. Standard game drives are usually covered, but confirm walking safaris, balloon flights, quad biking, elephant back experiences (which we would not recommend anyway) and horse riding are covered if they are on your itinerary. If in doubt, ask your insurer for written confirmation.

## Camera gear and personal items

Photographers with high-value camera gear should check item-level cover on their travel policy or take a specialist gear insurance policy. Standard travel policies often cap single-item claims well below what a modern camera and telephoto lens are worth. Bring a receipt and, for high-value items, a schedule of covered items.

## Pre-existing medical conditions

Any pre-existing medical condition must be declared to your insurer. Failing to declare a condition can void the whole policy. Speak to your insurer or broker specifically about your conditions, the medications you carry and any recent hospitalisations. If a standard policy will not cover you, specialist medical travel insurers can usually help.

## Pregnancy

Travel insurance and pregnancy is a specialist conversation. Confirm coverage with your insurer before booking. Many policies have gestational age limits.

## Family travel

Family travel policies are often better value than individual policies. Look for policies that cover the family unit rather than four separate policies. Confirm children's ages are eligible; some policies have age caps at the top and bottom.

## Camera gear checklist

For photographers: item-level schedule of covered gear, receipts or valuations, a note of your policy claim process before departure, and a photograph of each item and serial number stored securely.

## Cancellation cover

Trip cancellation covers your deposits and non-refundable fees if a covered event prevents you from travelling. Wanderer trips typically require a booking deposit at confirmation and full payment closer to departure; insurance covers the risk on both. Cover starts from the day you pay a deposit, so buy insurance at the same time you confirm the trip.

## What to have with you

On the trip, keep: your policy number, the 24/7 emergency line, insurer's direct billing details for hospitals, a printed and digital copy of the policy summary, and any doctor's letters relating to pre-existing conditions or medications.

## Wanderer role

We plan and operate your safari. We are not an insurance broker and cannot provide personalised insurance advice — please consult your insurer or a qualified broker. We can, however, confirm which activities are on your itinerary so you can share the exact list with your insurer.

## Wanderer expert recommendation

Buy insurance the day you pay the safari deposit. It removes the cancellation risk on your investment and it gives you time to get any pre-existing condition declarations properly documented before you travel.