9-Day Uganda, Rwanda, Zanzibar Safari and Beach Tour
per person
This 9-day Zanzibar beach vacation in Zanzibar with travels to Uganda and Rwanda tours combines coastal relaxation with primate trekking and big game safaris across these three unique regions. This is because every destination brings a new level of exploration, from the beautiful Kendwa’s calm shores to gorilla forests in Bwindi and golden monkey trails in Volcanoes, each stop adds a new layer of discovery. This adventure safari is ideal for travelers looking for a combination of beach leisure, wildlife encounters, and cultural depth in East Africa
Zanzibar beach vacation combined with Uganda and Rwanda tours offers a perfect mix of coastal relaxation, wildlife encounters, and cultural exploration across East Africa. This 9-day journey begins on the white sands of Kendwa and Jambiani, where you will enjoy spice tours, water sports, and sunset dhow cruises. After soaking in the island’s charm, the adventure shifts inland to Uganda’s Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking and wetland walks, followed by game drives and boat safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The tour continues to Bwindi for gorilla trekking and Batwa community visits, then crosses into Rwanda for golden monkey tracking and a Kigali city tour. Zanzibar beach beach vacation sets the tone with calm and comfort, while Uganda and Rwanda tours bring in the thrill of primates, savannah wildlife, and rich cultural moments. Together, they create a well-balanced itinerary for travelers seeking both rest and adventure in one unforgettable East African experience
Tour highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Zanzibar and Transfer to Kendwa Beach for Relaxation
- Day 2: Spice Farm and Cultural Experience at Jambiani Beach
- Day 3: Visit Kiwengwa for Water Sports and Sunset Dhow Cruise
- Day 4: Visit Prison Island and Stone Town with a Transfer to Uganda
- Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park for Bigodi Wetland Walk and Cultural Experience
- Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Continue to Queen Elizabeth Park for Boat Safari
- Day 7: Early Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park
- Day 8: Gorilla Trekking with Batwa and Continue to Rwanda’s Volcanoes
- Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking, City Tour and Departure
Day 1: Arrival in Zanzibar and Transfer to Kendwa Beach for Relaxation
Begin your Zanzibar beach vacation with a warm welcome at the Zanzibar International Airport, followed by a scenic drive to Kendwa Beach. This tranquil spot on the northwest coast offers soft sands and calm, clear waters perfect for unwinding after your flight. You’ll enjoy a peaceful afternoon to settle in, take in the view, and recharge for the adventure ahead. This first day introduces the relaxing side of your Zanzibar beach vacation while laying the foundation for the active wildlife and cultural experiences awaiting you in your Uganda and Rwanda tours over the coming days
Accommodation: Aman Beach Bungalows (Mid-range), Zuri Zanzibar (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Spice Farm and Cultural Experience at Jambiani Beach
Day two explores the island’s cultural and agricultural roots with a visit to a traditional spice farm. You’ll smell, taste, and learn about cloves, vanilla, and cinnamon products that made Zanzibar famous. Continue to Jambiani Beach for a community-led cultural tour, where you’ll meet locals and enjoy a coastal lunch. This day captures the essence of a Zanzibar beach vacation by connecting beachside leisure with immersive traditions. As your Uganda and Rwanda tours approach, these cultural insights add depth and contrast to what will later become a wildlife-focused journey through some of East Africa’s top parks
Accommodation: Reef & Beach Resort (Mid-range), Bamboo Zanzibar (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Visit Kiwengwa for Water Sports and Sunset Dhow Cruise
Spend the day at Kiwengwa Beach, known for its calm waters and vibrant marine activities. Choose from kayaking, paddleboarding, or snorkeling, or just relax on the shore. In the evening, hop aboard a traditional dhow for a sunset cruise, where soft winds and orange skies close your final full day on the island. This day captures the lighter, water-loving tone of a true Zanzibar beach vacation, setting the perfect stage before shifting to mainland Africa. Your Uganda and Rwanda tours begin tomorrow, offering a dramatic change from waves and wind to forest trails and mountain paths
Accommodation: Kiwengwa Beach Resort (Mid-range), Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Visit Prison Island and Stone Town with a Transfer to Uganda
Start the morning with a boat ride to Prison Island, where you will visit the giant tortoise sanctuary and learn the island’s layered history. Return for a walking tour of Stone Town’s old streets, mosques, and markets. In the afternoon, catch your flight to Uganda and settle in near Entebbe. Though this day marks the close of your Zanzibar beach vacation, the journey continues with Uganda and Rwanda tours offering mountain encounters, rich biodiversity, and deep cultural stories. You have shifted from island rhythms to inland adventures, preparing to track primates and explore scenic parks
Accommodation: Kiwengwa Beach Resort (Mid-range), Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park for Bigodi Wetland Walk and Cultural Experience
Travel west to Kibale National Park, home to some of Africa’s best forest experiences. On arrival, stretch your legs during a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland, known for birds, primates, and medicinal plants. End the day with a cultural experience in a nearby village, where you’ll learn about local traditions and crafts. While your Zanzibar beach vacation brought oceanside calm, the forest energy of Kibale adds a refreshing new layer. As your Uganda and Rwanda tours progress, these interactive moments highlight the balance of nature and people across the region
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (Mid-range), Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking and Continue to Queen Elizabeth Park for Boat Safari
Rise early for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, following experienced guides through thick forest as you track one of humankind’s closest relatives. After the trek, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, buffalo, and elephants cool off at the water’s edge. This day brings a lively shift from the slow pace of your Zanzibar beach vacation to the high-energy moments of Uganda and Rwanda tours. With primates, river life, and new landscapes, it’s one of the most dynamic days of your journey
Accommodation: Twins Lakes Safari (Mid-range), Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Early Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park
Begin at dawn with a game drive through Queen Elizabeth’s savannah, searching for lions, antelope, and other early risers. After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a scenic journey filled with terraced hillsides and villages. Upon arrival, relax at your lodge and prepare for tomorrow’s trek. Each transition adds richness to your Uganda and Rwanda tours, combining wildlife with ever-changing scenery. Leaving behind the waves of your Zanzibar beach vacation, this day firmly places you in gorilla country, where dense forests and mountain air promise one of Africa’s most unforgettable encounters
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking with Batwa and Continue to Rwanda’s Volcanoes
Trek through Bwindi’s ancient forest with expert trackers until you meet a gorilla family and watch them in their natural habitat a quiet and powerful experience. After the trek, join the Batwa community for an interactive visit that brings depth to your understanding of the forest and its people. Then transfer across the border into Rwanda and arrive at Volcanoes National Park. While your Zanzibar beach vacation introduced you to coastal beauty, today’s portion of the Uganda and Rwanda tours delivers emotion and connection in a completely different setting one that stays with you long after the walk ends
Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Bisate (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking, City Tour and Departure
Conclude your tour with golden monkey trek in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. These playful primates are fast, social, and a joy to watch. Afterward, transfer to Kigali for a short city tour that includes the Genocide Memorial or local art stops, depending on your time. Then you’ll head to the airport for your international flight. The blend of wild treks and thoughtful cultural visits that shaped your Uganda and Rwanda tours now come full circle. And from ocean shores to misty mountains, your Zanzibar beach beach vacation remains the relaxing foundation of this multi-country adventure
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines (Mid-range), Kigali Marriott Hotel (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breafast and Lunch
Price Items includes and excludes
Includes:
All airport pick-up and transfers in private car
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- Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser
- Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide
- Drinking water
- Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority
- Gorilla tracking permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Park fees for all locations visited
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transport in custom 4×4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water during all transfers and game drives
- Full board accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver allowances and park entry fees
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