Mbale to Zanzibar flights
Zanzibar lies 980 km (609 mi) south-east of Mbale, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Mbale | Zanzibar | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Uganda | Tanzania |
| Population | 111,300 | 709,809 |
| Elevation | 1,125 m (3,691 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+3 (Africa/Kampala) | UTC+3 (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam) |
| Nearest large airport | SRT, 94 km out | ZNZ, 7 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Zanzibar
Crossing from Uganda into Tanzania: money changes from the Shilling to the Shilling (TZS); sockets are AC power s and sockets: British and related types, BS 1363; the dialling code becomes +255; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648805.
Airports at each end
Leaving Mbale
Mbale is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Soroti Airport (SRT), 94 km (58 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,100 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Arriving in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), 7 km (4 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,915 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR, 79 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abeid Amani Karume International Airport | ZNZ | 7 km (4 mi) | 9,915 ft | 54 ft |
| Julius Nyerere International Airport | DAR | 79 km (49 mi) | 9,843 ft | 182 ft |
Book a flight to Zanzibar
Our airline partner is activating live fares for this site; the search below opens the moment that is done. Hotels can be booked now.
Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Zanzibar
Our booking partner lists 119 places to stay in Zanzibar City. Of the 55 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (24), and 8 are five-star. Across 63 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.2 out of 10. Guests have left 47,879 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Zanzibar
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Zanzibar from Mbale?
980 km (609 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Mbale.
How long does it take to get from Mbale to Zanzibar by air?
About 2 h, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Mbale and Zanzibar?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Mbale to Zanzibar flights?
Typically Soroti Airport (SRT) to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ); Zanzibar also has DAR.
What currency do I need in Zanzibar?
The Shilling (TZS).
Where can I stay in Zanzibar?
Our booking partner lists 119 places to stay in Zanzibar City, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.