Rwanda Gorillas and Zanzibar Practical Guide: Visas, Health, Permits and Packing

Because the trip crosses two countries with different rules, practical planning matters more than on a single-country holiday. A few details are easy to get wrong, from visa choices to boot choices.

Always confirm current requirements through official sources and your operator. We do not quote fees on this page.

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

Visas

Rwanda is covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, which also covers Kenya and Uganda. Tanzania requires its own visa, and it covers Zanzibar too. Check fees and application steps on the official sites before travel, and ensure your passport has enough validity. See the East Africa visa guide and Rwanda visa and practical information.

Gorilla Permits

Gorilla permits are national. A Rwandan permit allows trekking only in Rwanda, and permits for Uganda and Congo are issued separately. Permits are limited per day and sell out in busy months, so your operator will secure yours as soon as dates are fixed. Read Rwanda gorilla permits and trekking rules and what a Rwanda gorilla trek includes. Official tariffs apply.

Health and Fitness

See a travel clinic early. Advice may cover malaria prevention, routine vaccines and yellow fever documentation depending on your route. For the trek, you need moderate fitness and a willingness to walk at altitude on steep, muddy ground. Anyone feeling unwell with a cold or other contagious illness may be refused, because gorillas are susceptible to human diseases. See health and vaccinations.

Money

Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc and Tanzania uses the Tanzanian shilling. Cards work in many hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is useful for small purchases and tips. Carry small notes, and ask your operator about tipping norms for guides and porters. See East African currencies and Tanzania money guide.

Packing for Two Climates

Mountain mornings are cold and the trek can be wet, so bring waterproofs, a warm layer, sturdy boots, long trousers and gardening gloves. On Zanzibar you need light clothing, swimwear and reef-safe sunscreen. Wear modest clothes in Stone Town. Hiking boots are bulky, so wear them on the flight. See the packing list.

Respectful and Responsible Travel

Follow ranger instructions on gorilla distance, keep your voice low and do not eat near the animals. On the island, ask permission before photographing people and keep to marked trails in Jozani Forest. See the responsible travel guide.

Insurance, Money and Contacts

Take out travel insurance that covers medical care, evacuation and trip interruption, and check that it covers hiking at altitude. Keep emergency contacts on paper and in your phone, and share your itinerary with someone at home. Carry some cash in small notes for tips, as well as a card for larger purchases, and tell your bank where you are travelling. Check that your phone plan works in both countries or buy a local SIM. Having these basics prepared reduces stress and lets you concentrate on the highlights of the journey.

Related Pages

Return to the combination guide, review the route and border guide, or browse the FAQs. For gorillas in Uganda, see Uganda versus Rwanda gorilla trekking.

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