What is the Flying Doctors Service?
AMREF Flying Doctors (African Medical and Research Foundation) is a Nairobi-based air ambulance and emergency medical service that provides coverage across East Africa, including all of Tanzania. It is widely considered the most important travel insurance product for safari visitors in East Africa — one that experienced operators recommend above all others.
The service operates a fleet of medically equipped aircraft able to reach most of Tanzania's remote parks within hours and evacuate patients to the nearest major hospital (Nairobi or Dar es Salaam) when local facilities are inadequate.
What It Covers
AMREF Flying Doctors Community Outreach Membership (the tourist cover product) provides emergency air evacuation and rescue in the event of illness, injury or accident anywhere within East Africa. It covers:
- Emergency air evacuation from any location in Tanzania
- Medically supervised air transport to the nearest appropriate hospital
- Ground ambulance coordination
- 24-hour medical advice helpline
- Repatriation assistance (when combined with comprehensive travel insurance)
It is important to note that AMREF Flying Doctors covers the evacuation cost only — not the subsequent hospital treatment. You must have separate comprehensive travel insurance covering medical costs. The two work together.
Why It Matters in Tanzania
Tanzania's national parks are remote. Mikumi is a 45-minute flight from Zanzibar; the Serengeti is 2 hours. The Selous/Nyerere Reserve is one of Africa's most isolated. If a medical emergency occurs in the park — a serious injury, severe illness, road accident — you need to reach a major medical facility quickly. Driving out of the park takes hours. Flying Doctors ensures you can be evacuated by air.
Cost and How to Purchase
AMREF Flying Doctors tourist memberships are available online at flyingdoctors.org. The tourist cover (valid for a single trip) is very affordable — typically USD 25–30 for a 2-week period. Annual memberships are also available for frequent East Africa travellers. We strongly recommend purchasing before your safari and carrying your membership card/certificate throughout your trip.
What Flying Doctors Does NOT Replace
Flying Doctors does not replace comprehensive travel insurance. You should have both. Travel insurance covers medical treatment costs, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other events. Flying Doctors covers specifically the cost of air evacuation — a service that can cost USD 10,000–30,000 without cover.
Emergency Contact
The AMREF Flying Doctors 24-hour emergency line is available on their website at flyingdoctors.org. Save the number before departing for your safari. Our guides also carry emergency contact information and will coordinate evacuation if required.