Gorilla trekking in Uganda followed by a beach stay in Zanzibar is one of East Africa’s most popular two-centre trips. A comfortable plan is five to seven days in Uganda and five to seven on Zanzibar, linked by a flight from Entebbe to Zanzibar, usually via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Plan for separate visas, a yellow fever certificate for Tanzania and Zanzibar’s compulsory travel insurance.
How to route the trip
Most people trek first and finish on the beach, flying into Entebbe and out of Zanzibar to avoid backtracking. Entebbe to Zanzibar takes around three to five hours with a connection, and schedules change, so check current routes when booking. Allow a night in Entebbe before the flight, as the drive from Bwindi is long, or fly from Bwindi’s airstrips to Entebbe. See our guide to flying to Bwindi.
Sample plan
In Uganda: arrive in Entebbe, drive or fly to Bwindi, trek, then add Lake Bunyonyi or Queen Elizabeth before returning to Entebbe. On Zanzibar: a night or two in Stone Town for its old streets and markets, then the east or north coast beaches. Jozani Forest, home to the endemic Zanzibar red colobus, is an easy half-day trip, and spice tours and snorkelling round it out. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November.
Visas, health and insurance
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda but not Tanzania, so you need a Uganda visa and a separate Tanzania visa. Tanzania asks travellers arriving from Uganda for a yellow fever certificate. Zanzibar also requires visitors to buy its own inbound travel insurance policy before arrival. Malaria precautions apply in both places. See our guide to Uganda entry requirements.
Best time to go
June to September and December to February suit both places, with drier trails in Bwindi and good beach weather on Zanzibar. April and May are the wettest months on Zanzibar, and some beach hotels close, even though gorilla permits are cheaper then.
Frequently asked questions
About 10 to 14 days, split roughly equally.
Most routes connect via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam; check current schedules.
No. Tanzania, including Zanzibar, needs its own visa.
No. Jozani is known for the Zanzibar red colobus monkey.
