Tips For Planning A Perfect Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Beach Stay Vacation For a Family, Couple or Friends
Combining Gorilla Trekking In Uganda or Rwanda with a Zanzibar Beach Stay is a premier Primate & Beach Experience and an ideal way to experience the incredible gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda and Indulge in the white sand beaches of Zanzibar in a single trip through the iconic primates destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda and one of the beaches of Zanzibar.
From Experience, we have realized that many adventure seekers including families, friends and couples find it so challenging to plan a combined gorilla trekking and a Zanzibar beach stay vacation starting from deciding on which destinations to visit to securing permits and the experience itself. Here are our quick tips and guidelines for planning your perfect Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Beach Stay Vacation.
How can you Combine a Zanzibar Beach Stay with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda?
You can combine a beach stay in Zanzibar with a Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda or Rwanda by either flying direct into Entebbe International Airport in Uganda or Kigali International Airport In Rwanda stay for 3 or 5 nights and then fly to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for the 3-7 days Zanzibar beach stay later flying out back home from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport or you can fly direct into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, experience the beach and then fly into Kigali or Entebbe for the Gorilla Trekking excursion later flying out back home from Kigali or Entebbe International Airports.
Note that you can arrive in Kigali and trek the gorillas in Uganda on a 4Hrs drive from Kigali to Bwindi avoiding the long drive hours(10Hrs) from Entebbe to Bwindi.
Should You Do Gorilla Trekking Before or After a Zanzibar Beach Stay?
From experience, we think that gorilla trekking should be done before visiting Zanzibar because gorilla trekking is physically demanding and often through muddy terrains which makes it better for you to do it when you are still energetic and then end your trip by relaxing on the beach to recover. when you do gorilla trekking before the beach it prevents hiking exhaustion from ruining your beach time and ensures you are fresh for the challenging trek.
On the other hand, you can combine Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Zanzibar Beach stay by starting with any of the two experiences depending on the best flight connections available and your desired trip experience and arrangement.
Which other Activities can you add on your Combined Gorilla Trek and Zanzibar Beach Stay Vacation?
Before or after gorilla trekking you can add chimpanzee trekking, Golden Monkey and game park safari game drives in Uganda or Rwanda or you my may choose to do a safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro or Tarangire National Parks in Tanzania and then proceed to Zanzibar.
Where can You Go Gorilla Trekking done in Uganda and Uganda?
In Rwanda, you can only go Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park which is located in the far northwest of Rwanda and home to the endangered mountain gorillas in the rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands while in Uganda you can go Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in South Western Uganda 10 Hours from Kampala and 4 Hours from Kigali Rwanda.
Unlike Safari activities fees which can be booked or paid on spot, Gorilla Permits to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda have to be booked/purchased at least 2 years in advance. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda cost 1500$ for Foreign nonresident, 500$ for the foreign resident and 200$ for the East African Citizen While in Uganda Gorilla Permits cost 800$ for Foreign nonresident, 700$ for the foreign resident and 300,000UGX for the East African Citizen. Uganda also offers low season Months ( April, May and November) discounted price of Gorilla permits at USD$600 for Foreign Non Residents and USD$ 500 for Foreign Residents.
Can You Do Double Gorilla Trekking in Both Uganda and Rwanda in a single trip before Your Zanzibar Beach Stay?
Yes, it is possible for you to do Gorilla Trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda in single trip before or after your Zanzibar Beach Stay experience. This can done by either flying direct into Kigali International Airport before or after your Zanzibar Beach stay experience, stay on a gorilla tour for a minimum of 4-6 Days doing gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks and then fly out from Kigali International Airport via Katuna or Chanika border.
Alternatively you can fly direct into Entebbe International Airport before or after your Zanzibar Beach stay experience, first do Uganda adventure activities like Chimpanzee trekking and game park safaris and then finalize with gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda later flying out of Kigali International Airport Chanika Border. Read More about Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.
Why Should You Book your Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Beach Stay Vacation with Engabi Tours and Travel?
Engabi Tours and Travel is an experienced local East African Tour Operator with intimate local knowledge about Gorilla trekking and game park safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. We are also highly rated and recommended on TripAdvisor.
Customizable Gorilla trekking and Zanzibar Beach Stay Packages To Inspire You
10 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Beach Vacation Itinerary (Mid-Range accommodation):
Please Note that you can add a day for relaxation after gorilla trekking or to another gorilla trek. You may also to choose to add on this itinerary more days of activities such as chimpanzee trekking or game park safaris in Murchison or Queen Elizabeth National Parks/ Tanzania Northern Circuit Parks of Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire before or after gorilla trekking and then proceed to Zanzibar
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Your hotel in Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by one of our representatives who will welcome you to the pearl of Africa and transfer you to your accommodation in Entebbe town for overnight. He/she will also brief you about your upcoming Gorilla trekking activity.
Accommodation Option: 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Early in the morning you will transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch your 2 Hours flight to Kisoro Airstrip which is close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or you may embark on a 10 Hours’ drive to Bwindi and on arrival you will be met by a representative from Engabi Tours and Travel Ltd who will transfer you to your accommodation in Rushaga sector of Bwindi on an approximately one and a half hours drive on a bumpy road.
At your accommodation you will be introduced to the jungle of Bwindi and its lounge design invites the atmosphere of the jungle indoors. Relax by the balcony of your room or the lounge verandah as you listen to birds whistles. You may decide to visit the nearby community or the batwa/pigmies for a cultural experience.
Accommodation Option: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred to the Gorilla trekking starting point where you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking experience. After the briefing you will embark on arguably the world’s greatest wildlife viewing experience, a one on one with the mountain gorillas of Bwindi.
The trek to locate the gorillas lasts for 2-8 hours and on finding them you will have 1 hour to spend with them in order minimize the disturbance to their daily life and way of living. In the evening you will have a massage treat to close the day. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Option: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Flight Entebbe for Connecting Flight to Zanzibar
Today you will enjoy your breakfast amidst the jungle for the last time before heading to Kisoro Airstrip to catch your flight to Entebbe International Airport and later your connecting flight to Zanzibar. Late in the evening you will arrive in Zanzibar and a representative from your hotel will welcome you to the Spice Island before transferring you to the hotel. Tonight you start your 5 nights’ island stay enough to rest and recuperate on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Dinner and Overnight
Accommodation Option: Toa Hotel and Spa
Meal Plan: All Inclusive
Day 5-9: Full Days of relaxation on the white sandy beaches
The days ahead are so much more relaxed and how you spend your time on the island depends on how you feel everyday of your stay. You can go for complete rest which includes reading your book or swimming in the pool and a massage in the spa or continue the adventure and exploration underwater with optional activities like snorkeling or diving, swimming with tortoises, Quad biking or going on a nature walk. Cultural experience lovers may take an optional day trip to Stone Town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Zanzibar City.
Accommodation Option: Toa Hotel and Spa
Meal Plan: All Inclusive
Day 10: End of the Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Holiday
After breakfast or depending on the schedule of your flight, you will be transferred back to the airport to catch your onward flight. Today marks the end of your ultimate adventure tour and we believe you have made lots of memories on your vacation that will stay with you forever.
Other Packages that Include Zanzibar and Gorilla Trekking:
16 Days Tanzania Safari, Gorilla Trekking and Zanzibar Beach Stay.
This 16 Days Gorilla Trekking, Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach vacation package is a Uganda gorillas, Chimps, Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach Stay tour that takes you to witness two of Africa’s Safari spectacle the Gorilla trekking in Uganda, great Big Five animals in Serengeti National Park-Tanzania and finally a stay by the beaches of Zanzibar in Pongwe.
13 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trekking, Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar Beach Stay
Go adventuring in Africa with this affordable mid-luxury 13 Days Gorilla Trek, Bush Safari and beach Vacation package to Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar designed for families, friends and lovers. Indulge in the white sand beaches of Zanzibar, private game drives in Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater and get up-close with the Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. This Gorilla trek Bush safari and Beach Vacation will take you to Volcanoes National Park, Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National park and Zanzibar Beach(East Coast) respectively
CONTACT US for a Quotation or Information
What is the best time to Visit Zanzibar?
The best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season Months of June, July, August, September and October when the sun-splashed white sandy beaches, gentle tropical breezes, turquoise waters and swaying palms unveil Zanzibar’s many enchanting and romantic splendors and luxurious beachside resorts beckon with whispers of fun-filled adventures. Zanzibar is a symphony of tropical bliss, coral reefs, diving sites, and mangrove forests teeming with monkeys. It is also a melting pot of cultures, showcasing influences from Arabia, Persia, India, and Europe. Explore historic Stone Town, taste delicious cuisines, and admire the architecture of the former trading port. Wander through labyrinthine alleys and tour the spice plantations that gave Zanzibar its nickname, “Spice Islands”.
Month by Month Guide
June To September
The island’s climate is at its peak and now is the best time to visit Zanzibar for a beach holiday. Enjoy a perfect slice of paradise with clear sunny days and warm 26°C (79°F) weather. Don’t miss the spice clove harvests and interesting plantation tours between July and September. Snorkeling, diving, and sunset sailing are popular activities.
October To January
Zanzibar experiences cooler winds, calm seas and clear skies in October. Ocean temperatures increase and the evenings gradually become warmer as November’s ‘short rains’ arrive. With afternoon brief showers, November offers mostly sunny mornings for enjoying the beach or pool relaxation. December is drier and ideal for diving alongside majestic and gentle whale sharks in the Mafia Archipelago. Finally January brings some of the finest diving conditions of the year.
February To May
February to March presents fantastic diving opportunities offering clear conditions in and around coral reefs and lagoons. These are the best months for diving particularly along the south coast. The hottest months have an average temperature of 34°C (93°F) and the ‘long rains’ begin mid-March. Due to the persisting rainy weather April and May offer sub-par beach conditions and are considered low season. Many lodges close over this period while those that remain open frequently offer good rates.
When To Visit Zanzibar As Part Of A Migration Safari or a Gorilla Trekking Tour
The best time to visit Zanzibar from June to September, coincides perfectly with the gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda and the great wildebeest migration in Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara. So, combining these two spectacular and vastly diverse adventures works superbly. Start your travels with the awe-inspiring spectacle of the migration or gorilla trekking followed by a relaxed tropical island holiday to catch your breath.
When To Visit Zanzibar To See Dolphins
The best times to visit Zanzibar and swim with dolphins are the months of June to September, January and February. Two of the finest areas for this enriching experience are the tiny Mnemba Island on the northeast tip of Zanzibar. Various corals surround the island attracting many coral fishes, green turtles and dolphins. Kizimkazi, a fisherman’s village on Zanzibar’s southwestern coast, is another famous swimming beach for encountering dolphin.
What is The Cheapest Time To Visit Zanzibar
The best time to visit Zanzibar on a budget is during the low tourist season from March to May. The heat and humidity have given way to milder conditions and Zanzibar is tranquil, serene and mostly devoid of tourists. April and May is the period that resorts offer their lowest rates as weather conditions on the island are at their poorest. Some resorts may close during this time due to the rains.
What is the Best Time to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The best time of the year to visit Gorillas In Uganda is during the Months of June, July, August and September. January and February are the other alternative months you can go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. From experience, many tourists choose to visit Gorillas In Uganda from May to September and from January to February since in these months it’s sunny in most of the safari destinations in the countries. December is one of the busiest months of the year in most national parks and it’s advisable to book the accommodation in time to avoid disappointments.
Low season is an opportunity to visit Gorillas In Uganda at less cost since most accommodation are cheap in a bid to encourage many tourists to travel even though it’s a rainy season. Visiting Gorillas in this season also means that you will enjoy the jungle with relatively low crowds.
In addition to Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Safari lovers can take on Game viewing in all the national parks of Uganda and Rwanda which is perfect in the dry season ( from February and March, September and beginning of October ). This is mainly because the wildlife species are concentrated around water bodies within those parks.
CONTACT US for a Quotation or Information