A Rwanda gorilla and Zanzibar beach safari ends a muddy forest trek with warm water and white sand. You trek to the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, fly from Kigali to Zanzibar usually through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam and spend several days by the sea. This guide explains the route, the flights, how many beach nights to allow, where to stay, Stone Town, the health points and what to book first.
Why Rwanda and Zanzibar suit each other
Rwanda is compact which keeps the forest part of the trip short. Kigali is close to Volcanoes National Park and the trek can be done the day after you land. That means a gorilla trip can fit into four or five days leaving the rest of your holiday for the coast. For couples, honeymooners and families with teenagers, the contrast between cool misty forest and a warm sea is the appeal.
The trek is rewarding and tiring. Slopes are steep and often wet and the day can last from one hour to four or more. A few days of rest afterwards feel earned. Our guide to the Serengeti to Zanzibar route covers the plains and island version, which you can add in the middle if you want three stops.
Getting from Kigali to Zanzibar
Zanzibar has an international airport and flights from Kigali usually connect through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. Routes vary by season and airline and direct services come and go, so check the current options before you commit. Allow a full day for the journey and do not plan a morning trek with an afternoon flight. We book flights that leave a margin for delays and we check baggage limits, which are tighter on small aircraft.
If you want to add a stop, you can fly from Kigali to Kilimanjaro or Arusha, spend a few nights on the plains, then take the short flight to Zanzibar. Because permits cannot be moved, we place the trek first and build everything else around it. If your trip includes Tanzania, bear in mind that the East Africa Tourist Visa does not cover Tanzania. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania so a visa is needed there too and rules depend on your nationality. Check the official portal before you book.
A sample nine day route
- Days 1 to 3: Arrive in Kigali, transfer to Volcanoes National Park, trek to the gorillas on day 2, can add the golden monkeys or a rest on day 3.
- Day 4: Return to Kigali, visit the city if time allows and take a late flight or stay the night.
- Days 5 to 9: Fly to Zanzibar through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam and spend five nights by the sea, with a day in Stone Town.
A shorter eight day version trims the beach to four nights. A longer twelve day version adds Akagera National Park for a game drive and boat trip before the island. A fifteen day version puts the Serengeti in the middle. Our 12 day savannah to sandbank safari shows how plains and island fit together on the Tanzanian side.
Choosing the beach and the hotel
Zanzibar’s coast varies. The north, around Nungwi and Kendwa, has calm swimming at most tides and good sunsets. The east coast, around Paje and Matemwe has dramatic tides, kite-surfing and small villages, and swimming depends on the tide. The south has quieter beaches and dolphin trips. Stone Town on the west coast is the old city, best visited for a day rather than as a base.
Hotels range from boutique villas with plunge pools to larger resorts with kids clubs and several restaurants. Mid-range and luxury properties give the best service after a trek. Ask about the tide at your beach, the walk to the water, the reef and how the hotel supports its staff and community. We suggest properties for couples, families or solo travellers and tell you what is on offer in each season.
A good rule after a trek is to plan the first beach day with nothing in it. Tired legs recover quickly with a swim and a slow lunch and the activities can start on day two. Guests who book a full programme of boat trips and tours on arrival often find the first day too much.
What to do on the coast and when to go
Stone Town is a maze of narrow lanes, carved doors and markets with a history of spice and trade. Go with a local guide and dress modestly since Zanzibar is mostly Muslim. Ask before taking photographs of people. A spice farm tour shows cloves, vanilla and cinnamon in the field and Jozani Forest shelters the red colobus monkey, which links the island back to your primate days.
On the water: snorkelling, a dhow cruise, a visit to a sandbank at low tide or a dolphin trip in the south are all popular. Divers can reach reefs off Mnemba and the seafood is a highlight. Others prefer a book, a massage and a long lunch.
Our guide to things to do in Zanzibar goes through the options.
The ocean is calmest and clearest in the dry seasons: June to October and December to February which overlap well with Rwanda’s dry months. The long rains: March to May, bring heavy showers, fewer visitors and lower rates. Some hotels tend to temporarily close. The short rains in November are lighter. Gorilla trails are driest from June to September.
Plan at least four nights on the coast. Five to seven is better if you want to dive, sail or explore Stone Town. A two night stay feels like a stopover. If you have only a week in total, keep to the gorillas and four beach nights rather than adding the plains.
Permits, health and insurance
Booking the gorilla permits before flights and hotels is advised. Permits are limited, are non-refundable and must be bought again if you postpone. The minimum age for trekking is 15 so families with younger children should plan the beach for the whole family and the trek for older members only. Please confirm dates first, then we build the beach around the permit.
Yellow fever certificate rules depend on where you travel from and through. Tanzania, including Zanzibar can ask for a certificate from travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever and the vaccine is recommended for health. Check the current rules for your route and see a doctor or travel health clinic six to eight weeks before you travel. Malaria is present on the Zanzibar coas, and your doctor can advise on prophylaxis. Offmap Safaris is not a medical provider. Our guide to Zanzibar health and safety gives the general picture.
Tanzania (mainland) requires visitors to hold the government inbound travel insurance from 1 October 2026 and we confirm how it applies to your route. Carry private travel insurance too and read the policy for permit cancellation, medical care, evacuation, adventure activities such as diving, pre-existing conditions and age limits.
Practical tips for a gorilla and beach safari
Pack in two parts. For the forest: bring waterproof boots, a rain jacket, gloves, long trousers and a warm layer. For the coast: bring light clothes, a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sandals and a cover-up for Stone Town. Use soft bags for small aircraft and leave space in your luggage for souvenirs.
Keep a margin for delays and do not book a tight connection after the trek. Keep your permit, passport and insurance documents in your hand luggage. Tell us about any health issues before the trek and avoid scheduling a flight on the morning of the hike. Ask us to show you the full list of flights and transfers before you pay.
We start with your dates and your permit day then choose lodges, guides, flights and transfers around it. We explain what is fixed and what can change and our team monitors and looks after the safari from the first message to the last transfer. Browse our Rwanda safaris, or tell us your plans on the Plan My Safari page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Kigali to Zanzibar?
Most flights connect through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, and direct services come and go. Routes vary by season and airline, so check before you book. Allow a full day for the journey and avoid flying on the morning of a trek.
How many nights should I spend on Zanzibar after the gorillas?
Four nights is the minimum. Five to seven nights is better if you want to dive, sail or explore Stone Town. Two nights feels like a stopover. If your total time is short, keep the gorillas and four beach nights.
Do I need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya only. You need a Tanzanian visa for Zanzibar. Rules depend on nationality and change, so check the official immigration portal before you book.
What is the best time for gorillas and a Zanzibar beach?
June to September is dry in Rwanda and calm at the coast, and December to February is also good. The long rains from March to May bring heavy showers, muddy trails and lower rates. Pick dates by your priorities.
Are gorilla permits refundable if I change dates?
No. Gorilla permits are non-refundable, and if you postpone you must buy new permits. Book the permit first, then flights and beach hotels. Consider insurance that covers permit cancellation and read the policy. Minimum age for trekking is 15.
