Zanzibar is one of the easiest island holidays to plan from Uganda. It is close, warm all year and full of variety: white beaches on the east and north coast, the old streets of Stone Town, spice farms, dhow cruises and sandbank picnics.
For many Ugandans it is also a first international beach holiday, which makes a good plan matter. This guide covers getting there from Entebbe, the best time to travel and the things worth your time.
Getting there from Entebbe
Most travellers fly from Entebbe to Zanzibar with one connection, often through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Flight options and timings change by season, so we check them for your dates. Tanzania and Uganda are both East African Community partner states, which usually keeps entry simpler for Ugandans, but always carry your passport and your yellow fever certificate, and confirm the latest rules before you travel.
Best time to go
The driest and busiest months are June to October and December to February. March to May is the long rainy season, with lower prices and quieter beaches, and November has short rains. If you want calm seas for swimming, check the tides for the beach you choose, because some east coast beaches pull far out at low tide.
Things to do
- Stone Town. Walk the narrow streets, the old fort and the Forodhani waterfront food market in the evening.
- Beach days. Nungwi and Kendwa in the north swim well at all tides. Paje and Jambiani on the east are good for kite surfing and long walks.
- Sandbank and dhow trips. Take a sunset dhow cruise or a sandbank picnic and snorkel at Mnemba.
- Spice tour. Visit a spice farm to smell, taste and see how clove, vanilla and cinnamon grow.
- Jozani Forest. See the rare red colobus monkeys, an easy half-day trip.
Tips for Ugandan travellers
- Pack modest clothes for Stone Town and local villages, and swimwear for the beach.
- Ask us about halal-friendly resorts and meals if that matters to your group.
- Book school-holiday and December dates early, because flights from Entebbe fill up.
Before you book
Entry requirements for Ugandan passport holders, including visas, yellow fever certificates and travel insurance, can change at short notice. Tell us your passport and travel dates and we will guide you through the current requirements. Always confirm with the embassy or the official immigration website of your destination.