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

Find Transport to Zanzibar Island

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There are 6 ways to get from Mbale to Zanzibar Island by car, bus, plane, taxi, or ferry

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 43m
    $351–443

  2. Drive, bus, ferry via Nairobi

    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
    33h 48m
    $77–423

  3. 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
    $127–211

  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
    11h 13m
    $131–607

  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
    $259–350

  6. Drive, bus, ferry

    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
    34h 28m
    $101–181

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

Calendar41Weekly Planes
Duration4h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$66Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Mbale to Zanzibar Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,056.4 km
  • Duration: 8h 43m

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 the taxi to Malaba, take the bus to Nairobi, take the bus to Ubungo Intl Bus Terminal, walk to Ubungo, take the bus to Posta Ya Zamani, walk to Dar es Salaam, then take the ferry to Zanzibar.

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