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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, hot and humid, sunny with occasional showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Can be very hot and humid. | |
| February | 24-32°C, hot and humid, very sunny | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Hottest month of the year. | |
| March | 24-31°C, humid, increasing chance of rain | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Start of the long rains, expect frequent downpours. | |
| April | 23-30°C, heavy rainfall, high humidity | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the long rainy season; many tourist facilities may have reduced services. | |
| May | 23-29°C, persistent heavy rain, humid | low | low |
⚠ Long rains continue, often making travel difficult and activities limited. | |
| June | 22-29°C, sunny with occasional light showers, less humid | moderate | moderate |
| |
| July | 21-28°C, sunny and dry, mild temperatures | high | high |
⚠ School holidays in Europe and North America lead to higher crowds and prices. | |
| August | 21-28°C, sunny and dry, mild temperatures | high | high |
⚠ Still peak season with high demand. | |
| September | 22-29°C, sunny and dry, warming up slightly | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Crowds begin to thin after European school holidays. | |
| October | 23-30°C, sunny with increasing chance of short showers | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Transition month, occasional afternoon showers can occur. | |
| November | 24-30°C, humid, start of short rains | low | low |
⚠ The 'short rains' can bring unpredictable, often brief, downpours. | |
| December | 24-31°C, humid, occasional showers, sunny spells | high | high |
⚠ Christmas and New Year's bring peak crowds and prices. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Varies (depends on lunar calendar)
Eid al-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan with celebrations and feasting across the island.
Varies (depends on lunar calendar)
Eid al-Adha
The Festival of Sacrifice, observed with prayers and community gatherings.
July
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
Showcases African and international cinema, music, and art, with events often held in Stone Town.
July
Mwaka Kogwa
A Shirazi New Year celebration with traditional rituals, singing, and dancing, primarily in Makunduchi.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'long rains' from April to May bring persistent, heavy downpours that can disrupt travel and beach activities.
- •The dry seasons (June-October and December-February) offer the most reliable weather, but also coincide with peak tourist demand and prices.
- •Shoulder months like June and September offer a good balance of decent weather and fewer crowds than the absolute peak months of July and August.
- •While November sees the start of the 'short rains', these are often brief showers rather than prolonged downpours, offering a budget-friendly window if you don't mind occasional rain.
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