The ultimate African adventure combines two very different worlds. In Uganda, you trek through the misty forests of Bwindi to spend an hour with mountain gorillas. In Zanzibar, you relax on white sand beaches and swim in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. This 10-day Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday is designed for travellers who want both adventure and relaxation. You will spend five days in Uganda, trekking gorillas in Bwindi and tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. Then you will fly to Zanzibar for five days of beach relaxation, spice tours, and exploration of Stone Town. This unique combination is ideal for honeymooners, milestone celebrations, and travellers who want the best of both worlds. The itinerary is paced to balance the physical demands of gorilla trekking with the serenity of the beach.
This 10-day Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday is divided into two parts. The first five days are in Uganda. You trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. You travel by road between the parks, staying in comfortable lodges. On day five, you fly from Entebbe to Zanzibar. The final five days are on the island of Zanzibar. You spend two nights in Stone Town exploring the historic alleys and spice markets. You then transfer to the northern beaches of Nungwi or Kendwa for three nights of relaxation.
| Day | Destination | Activities | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Entebbe | Transfer to hotel | Entebbe Hotel |
| 2 | Entebbe to Bwindi | Scenic drive | Bwindi Lodge |
| 3 | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | Gorilla trekking | Bwindi Lodge |
| 4 | Bwindi to Kibale | Scenic drive | Kibale Lodge |
| 5 | Kibale Forest to Entebbe | Chimpanzee tracking, flight to Zanzibar | Stone Town Hotel |
| 6 | Zanzibar – Stone Town | Spice tour, Stone Town exploration | Stone Town Hotel |
| 7 | Zanzibar – Beach Resort | Transfer to northern beaches | Beach Resort |
| 8 | Zanzibar – Beach Resort | Relaxation, water activities | Beach Resort |
| 9 | Zanzibar – Beach Resort | Relaxation, dhow cruise | Beach Resort |
| 10 | Zanzibar Departure | Transfer to airport, departure | – |
Your Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday begins at Entebbe International Airport. A Nomara Safaris representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe. The drive takes approximately fifteen minutes. Entebbe is a lakeside town on the shores of Lake Victoria. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can rest after your flight, visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, or enjoy the views of the lake. In the evening, you will meet your guide for a briefing on the days ahead. Overnight at your Entebbe hotel.
After breakfast, you depart Entebbe and drive southwest toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey takes approximately eight hours, including a stop for lunch in Mbarara. The drive is scenic, passing through rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages. You will cross the equator, where you can stop for a photo. Upon arrival in Bwindi, you check into your lodge. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can rest and prepare for the gorilla trek. Your guide will brief you on the trekking rules. Overnight at your Bwindi lodge.
Today is the highlight of your Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday. You wake early and have breakfast at the lodge. You drive to the park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing. The briefing covers the rules: maintain a seven metre distance, no flash photography, no eating or drinking near the gorillas. You are assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level. Then you drive to the trailhead. The trek can last from thirty minutes to six hours. The terrain is steep and muddy. Porters are available for hire at the trailhead for approximately USD 15 to USD 20.
When you find the gorillas, you have exactly one hour. The hour dissolves into moments. A mother nursing an infant. A juvenile tumbling in a play fight. The silverback methodically stripping a thistle stem. After your hour, you trek back to the trailhead. You return to your lodge for a well deserved rest. Overnight at your Bwindi lodge.
After breakfast, you depart Bwindi and drive north to Kibale Forest. The journey takes approximately five to six hours. You travel through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda, passing through the town of Mbarara. You stop for lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Kibale, you check into your lodge. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You can relax and enjoy the forest views. Overnight at your Kibale lodge.
Today you track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. You wake early and have breakfast at the lodge. You drive to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your briefing. The briefing starts at 8:00 AM. You are assigned to a chimpanzee community and a guide. The trek can last from one to four hours. The forest is dense but the trails are well maintained. When you find the chimpanzees, you have one hour with them. You watch them socialise, groom, feed, and play. You may hear the pant hoot chorus, where the chimpanzees vocalise together.
After your trek, you drive back to Entebbe. The drive takes approximately four to five hours. You are transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. The flight connects through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival at Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, you are transferred to your hotel in Stone Town. Overnight in Stone Town.
Today you explore Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar. After breakfast, you take a spice tour. Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island, and you will visit a plantation where cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and other spices are grown. You will see, smell, and taste the spices. After the spice tour, you return to Stone Town for a walking tour. You visit the former slave market, now the Anglican Cathedral. You explore the narrow alleys, the carved wooden doors, and the bustling markets. You visit the House of Wonders and the Old Fort. In the evening, you can watch the sunset from the rooftop bar of your hotel. Overnight in Stone Town.
After breakfast, you transfer from Stone Town to your beach resort on the northern coast of Zanzibar. The drive takes approximately one hour to Nungwi or Kendwa. You check into your resort and spend the day relaxing on the white sand beach. You can swim in the turquoise water, sunbathe, or take a walk along the shore. The northern beaches are known for their calm waters and spectacular sunsets. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at the resort’s restaurant. Overnight at your beach resort.
Today is yours to enjoy the beach. You can do as much or as little as you like. You can relax on the beach with a book. You can swim in the ocean or in the resort’s pool. You can book a snorkelling trip to see the coral reefs and tropical fish. You can take a dhow cruise at sunset, a traditional Zanzibar experience. You can also book a diving trip, a massage, or a cooking class. The choice is yours. Overnight at your beach resort.
Another day of beach relaxation. You can try a different water activity today. You can go kayaking, paddleboarding, or windsurfing. You can take a walk along the beach to explore nearby coves. You can visit a local village or the Mnarani sea turtle sanctuary. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the resort. Overnight at your beach resort.
Your Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday concludes today. After breakfast, you are transferred to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your departure flight. Your guide will assist you with check in and bid you farewell.
For travellers booking a luxury Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In Uganda: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in Bwindi offers tented suites within the forest. Kyaninga Lodge in Kibale is perched on the rim of a volcanic crater lake. In Zanzibar: Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town offers luxury in a historic building. Zuri Zanzibar or Essque Zalu on the northern beaches offer world class amenities. Prices range from USD 600 to USD 1,500 per night.
For travellers booking a mid range Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday, Nomara Safaris recommends the following properties. In Uganda: Buhoma Lodge in Bwindi offers bandas steps from the park headquarters. Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse in Kibale offers comfortable rooms near the park. In Zanzibar: Tembo House Hotel in Stone Town offers good value. My Blue Hotel or Riu Palace on the northern beaches offer comfortable beachfront accommodation. Prices range from USD 150 to USD 300 per night.
This Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday includes the following:
This Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday excludes the following:
The best time for this Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday depends on your priorities. For gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking in Uganda, the dry seasons from June to September and December to February are best. The trails are less muddy, and the trekking is easier. For Zanzibar, the best time is also from June to October, the dry season, when the weather is sunny and the humidity is low. The wet season from March to May is the least ideal for both destinations. For a combination of good gorilla trekking conditions and good beach weather, June to September and December to February are the best times for this Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday.
The cost of this Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday depends on accommodation level and season. A mid range package costs approximately USD 5,000 to USD 7,000 per person. A luxury package costs approximately USD 8,000 to USD 12,000 per person. These prices include the gorilla permit (USD 800), the chimpanzee permit (USD 250), accommodation, transport, and the flight from Entebbe to Zanzibar. Nomara Safaris provides a detailed quotation based on your specific travel dates and preferences.
The gorilla trek in Bwindi is moderately difficult. The terrain is steep and muddy. The trek can last from thirty minutes to six hours. You need moderate fitness. Porters are available for hire and are strongly recommended. The chimpanzee trek in Kibale is less demanding, with mostly flat terrain. Travelers with significant mobility issues should consider a modified itinerary.
Yes, you can add more days in Zanzibar to this Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday. You can extend your beach stay by two, three, or more nights. Nomara Safaris can customize the itinerary to match your preferences.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa for Uganda. Visas can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so the same visa applies. You can obtain a Tanzanian visa on arrival or online before travel. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity. Nomara Safaris can advise on visa requirements for your specific nationality.
For the Uganda portion, pack neutral coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown), a fleece jacket for cool mornings, a waterproof jacket, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, long trousers and long sleeves, gardening gloves, a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera. For Zanzibar, pack swimwear, beach cover ups, sandals, a sun hat, and light clothing for exploring Stone Town.
This Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday offers the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. You will trek gorillas in Bwindi, track chimpanzees in Kibale, and relax on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. At Nomara Safaris, we design custom itineraries that match your interests and budget. Contact Nomara Safaris to begin planning your Uganda gorilla trekking and Zanzibar beach holiday. Tell us your preferred travel dates and group size. We will create a custom itinerary for you.
