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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 | 24-31°C, humid, sunny with occasional short showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still within the warmer season, can be quite humid. | |
| February | 24-32°C, very sunny, low humidity | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Often considered one of the hottest months. | |
| March | 24-31°C, increasing humidity, scattered showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ The start of the 'long rains' is usually mid-to-late March. | |
| April | 23-30°C, heavy rainfall, high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the 'long rains' – expect persistent, heavy downpours and potential travel disruption. | |
| May | 23-29°C, significant rainfall, high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Rainfall continues, though often less intense than April. Many lodges may have reduced services. | |
| June | 22-29°C, sunny with occasional brief showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Transition month from wet to dry season, can still have some lingering rain. | |
| July | 21-28°C, sunny, dry, pleasant breeze | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Start of the peak dry season. | |
| August | 21-28°C, sunny, dry, cooler ocean breezes | moderate | moderate |
⚠ One of the best months for overall weather. | |
| September | 22-29°C, sunny, dry, comfortable | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Still excellent weather before the shoulder season. | |
| October | 23-30°C, sunny with a low chance of short showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Transitioning towards the 'short rains'. | |
| November | 24-30°C, increasing chance of showers, humid | moderate | moderate |
⚠ The 'short rains' typically begin mid-to-late November. | |
| December | 24-31°C, sunny with scattered tropical showers | high | high |
⚠ Holiday season brings higher prices and crowds, but weather is generally good with brief, intense showers. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
April
Eid al-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan; celebrations can involve temporary closures of some businesses.
June
Eid al-Adha
Islamic festival of sacrifice; generally a quiet time with fewer tourist impacts.
July
Festival of the Dhow Countries (Zanzibar International Film Festival)
Celebrates cinema and culture from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
July
Mwaka Kogwa
Zanzibari New Year celebration, particularly in villages; involves music, dancing, and mock battles.
February
Maulidi
Commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad; observed with prayers and processions.
December
Christmas
Secular and religious celebrations, with festive decorations and events, especially in tourist areas.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'long rains' (April-May) bring heavy, persistent downpours, making travel difficult and many beach resorts less appealing.
- •The dry seasons (June-October and December-February) offer the most reliable weather for beach activities and exploration, with July-September being the absolute peak.
- •While December has great weather, it's also the most expensive and crowded month due to holiday travel.
- •Shoulder months like June and November can offer a good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds, but come with a higher chance of rain.
- •Zanzibar experiences two rainy seasons: the 'long rains' (March-May) and the 'short rains' (November-December). The latter are typically less disruptive.
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