East Africa’s three great experiences in one trip: mountain gorillas in Uganda, the plains of the Serengeti and the beaches of Zanzibar. Here is how to put them together.
Some trips are worth going all in on. Tracking mountain gorillas through a misty rainforest, watching lions on the endless plains of the Serengeti and unwinding on Zanzibar’s white sand: together they make one of the world’s great journeys, and they are closer together than most people think.
Key takeaways
Gorillas, the Serengeti and Zanzibar combine beautifully in around two weeks.
Start with the gorillas, when you are most energetic, and finish on the beach.
Short regional flights link the three destinations, saving long days on the road.
Gorilla permits are limited, so book that part of the trip first.
Why combine them?
Each experience is extraordinary on its own, and each is completely different: a close, intimate encounter with gorillas in the forest, the sweeping drama of the savannah, and the slow rhythm of island life. Together, they show you East Africa at its most varied.
The journey
Stage | Trip | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
1. Uganda | An hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | |
2. Tanzania | Big cats, vast herds and, depending on the season, the Great Migration | |
3. Zanzibar | Stone Town’s history, spice farms and turquoise water |
Stage 1: Gorillas in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters around half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Treks can be steep and muddy, which is exactly why we suggest doing them first, while you are fresh. Your hour with the gorillas is strictly limited, and it will stay with you forever.
Book your gorilla permits before anything else: they are limited, and everything else in the trip can be planned around them.
Stage 2: The Serengeti
From the forest to the plains. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most famous national park, a vast landscape of grassland and acacia where lions, leopards, elephants and huge herds roam. Depending on your travel month, you may see the Great Migration on the move, or the calving season in the south between about December and March.
Stage 3: Zanzibar
End with sand between your toes. Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit a spice farm, then spend your final days swimming, snorkelling and watching the dhows sail past at sunset.
Getting between countries
Bwindi is usually reached by a short domestic flight within Uganda, or overland from Entebbe or Kigali.
Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport are the main gateways to the Serengeti.
Zanzibar is a short flight from Arusha, Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam.
Each country has its own entry requirements, so check them for Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya before you travel.
Planning checklist
Secure gorilla permits as early as possible
Choose dates that suit both gorilla trekking and the Serengeti
Check entry requirements and vaccinations for every country
Arrange travel insurance that covers all the countries you will visit
Pack hiking boots and rain gear for Bwindi, and light clothing for Zanzibar
Start with Kenya
Many travellers begin or end this journey in Kenya, adding a few days in Nairobi, Amboseli or on the coast. Whichever way you put it together, we will take care of the connections so you can focus on the experiences.
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