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Best time to visit Zanzibar
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24-30°C, humid with sunny spells and occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
| |
| February | 24-31°C, hot and humid, mostly sunny | moderate | moderate |
| |
| March | 24-30°C, increasing humidity and cloud cover | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Long rains typically begin late March. | |
| April | 24-29°C, heavy rainfall and high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the long rains; many resorts offer significant discounts. | |
| May | 23-28°C, continued heavy rainfall and humidity | low | low |
⚠ Long rains persist, potentially impacting travel and outdoor activities. | |
| June | 22-28°C, decreasing rain, more sunshine | moderate | moderate |
| |
| July | 21-27°C, dry with pleasant breezes | high | high |
| |
| August | 21-27°C, dry and sunny, cooler ocean breezes | high | high |
| |
| September | 22-28°C, dry and sunny, still pleasant temperatures | high | high |
| |
| October | 23-29°C, generally dry with increasing humidity | moderate | moderate |
| |
| November | 24-30°C, short rains begin, humid | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Short rains can bring brief, heavy showers. | |
| December | 24-30°C, humid with sunny spells and scattered showers | peak | peak |
⚠ Expect higher prices and crowds due to Christmas and New Year. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
April
Eid al-Fitr
Celebrates the end of Ramadan; dates vary annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Some local businesses may close.
June
Eid al-Adha
Feast of the Sacrifice, another important Islamic holiday. Dates vary annually.
July
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
A major cultural event showcasing East African and international cinema, music, and art.
February
Maulidi Festival
Commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Observances vary, with some public celebrations.
Insider timing tips
- •Zanzibar has two rainy seasons: the long rains (March-May) and the short rains (November). The dry seasons (June-October and January-February) offer the most reliable weather.
- •While July to September are peak season for weather, they also bring peak prices and crowds, especially around the ZIFF festival.
- •The shoulder months of June and October offer a good balance of decent weather and fewer tourists, with slightly lower prices.
- •December is popular for holidays, driving up prices and crowds, but showers are common.
- •Local Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha can affect business hours and transport availability, as dates shift annually.
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