Islands of Africa: Best Islands to Visit Off East Africa and in Its Lakes

Africa's islands fall into two groups: Indian Ocean islands off the east coast, and inland lake islands. For safari travellers, they offer a beach or quiet retreat after days of game drives.

This page compares the main islands for an East Africa trip.

This guide is part of our Uganda districts and towns guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Island Comparison

See Zanzibar, Pemba, Mnemba and Ssese Islands.

Indian Ocean Islands

These islands suit beach, diving and culture. Zanzibar is the most developed, Pemba is quieter, Mafia is a marine reserve, and Lamu is a historic Swahili town on Kenya's north coast.

Lake Islands

Uganda's lakes have islands for relaxing and wildlife. See Lake Bunyonyi and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Beyond East Africa

Islands such as Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles are in the Indian Ocean but are outside our East Africa focus.

Indian Ocean Islands Close to East Africa

For travellers finishing a safari, the nearest options are the Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, and Kenya's Lamu archipelago. Zanzibar combines beaches with Stone Town's historic streets, spice farms and Swahili culture. Pemba is greener, quieter and popular with divers. Mafia is known for its marine park and seasonal whale shark encounters. Lamu is a car-free, centuries-old Swahili settlement where dhows and donkeys replace traffic. Each can be reached by short flights or ferries from the mainland.

Lake Islands and Beyond

Africa's lakes hold islands too. Uganda's Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria offer forest walks, fishing villages and quiet beaches within reach of Entebbe. Lake Bunyonyi's many islands add canoeing and bird watching in the highlands. Further afield, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar suit longer trips with a beach focus. When choosing, consider flight times, seasons, activities you want and whether you prefer lively resorts or remote hideaways. See African beach resorts for comparisons of the main coastal choices.

Choosing the Right Island

Consider flight times, seasons, activities and budget. Remote islands may need longer travel but feel more secluded. Busy islands have more dining and nightlife. Check weather patterns and monsoon seasons, and decide whether you prefer culture, diving, relaxation or all three. A short ferry or flight can make a trip richer.

Combining Islands With Safari

See Uganda safari and Zanzibar and Tanzania bush and beach safari.

Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.

Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
• How to book a Uganda safari
• Plan your safari with our team