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How to get fromMbale to Zanzibar Islandby car, bus, plane, ferry, or taxi

Find Transport to Zanzibar Island

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There are 8 ways to get from Mbale to Zanzibar Island by car, bus, plane, ferry, or taxi

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Drive, bus to Kisumu International Airport, fly

    best
    1. Drive from Mbale to Busiacar car
    2. Take the bus from Busia to Kisumubus bus
    3. Fly from Kisumu International Airport (KIS) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)plane plane KIS - ZNZ
    8h 41m
    $351–442

  2. Drive, bus, ferry via Malaba

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Mbale to Malabacar car
    2. Take the bus from Malaba to Nairobibus bus
    3. Take the bus from Nairobi to Dar es Salaambus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibarferry ferry
    34h 18m
    $76–422

  3. Drive, bus, ferry

    1. Drive from Mbale to Mumiascar car
    2. Take the bus from Mumias to Nairobibus bus
    3. Take the bus from Nairobi to Ubungo Intl Bus Terminalbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibarferry ferry
    27h 28m
    $109–195

  4. Drive, bus to Eldoret International Airport, fly

    1. Drive from Mbale to Malabacar car
    2. Take the bus from Malaba to Eldoretbus bus
    3. Fly from Eldoret International Airport (EDL) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)plane plane EDL - ZNZ
    9h 11m
    $126–557

  5. Taxi, bus to Entebbe, fly

    1. Take the taxi from Mbale to Malabataxi taxi
    2. Take the bus from Malaba to Kampalabus bus
    3. Fly from Entebbe (EBB) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)plane plane EBB - ZNZ
    11h 11m
    $270–341

  6. Taxi, bus to Nairobi, fly

    1. Take the taxi from Mbale to Malabataxi taxi
    2. Take the bus from Malaba to Nairobibus bus
    3. Fly from Nairobi (NBO) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)plane plane NBO - ZNZ
    13h 44m
    $228–358

  7. Taxi, bus, ferry

    1. Take the taxi from Mbale to Malabataxi taxi
    2. Take the bus from Malaba to Nairobibus bus
    3. Take the bus from Nairobi to Ubungo Intl Bus Terminalbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibarferry ferry
    28h 8m
    $128–212

  8. Drive, bus, ferry #2

    1. Drive from Mbale to Busiacar car
    2. Take the bus from Busia to Dar es Salaambus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibarferry ferry
    37h 43m
    $101–431

Kisumu International Airport (KIS) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) flights

Calendar30Weekly Planes
Duration4h 45mAverage Duration
Ticket$67Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Mbale to Zanzibar Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,043.5 km
  • Duration: 8h 41m

What companies run services between Mbale, Uganda and Zanzibar Island, Tanzania?

There is no direct connection from Mbale to Zanzibar Island. However, you can drive to Busia, take the bus to Kisumu, take the taxi to Kisumu International Airport (KIS) airport, then fly to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Mbale to Zanzibar via Mumias, Nairobi, Ubungo Intl Bus Terminal, Ubungo, Posta Ya Zamani, and Dar es Salaam in around 27h 28m.

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