Africa
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar has two dry seasons: Jun-Oct (cooler, best overall) and Dec-Feb (hotter). Long rains (Mar-May) and short rains (Nov) bring lower prices and fewer visitors.
Best Months to Visit
Jun
26°C40mm3/5
Jul
25°C25mm4/5
Aug
25°C25mm4/5
Sep
26°C30mm3/5
Monthly Climate
Temperature
Rainfall
28°
Jan
29°
Feb
28°
Mar
27°
Apr
27°
May
26°
Jun
25°
Jul
25°
Aug
26°
Sep
27°
Oct
28°
Nov
28°
Dec
Month-by-Month Guide
Jan
ShoulderTemp28°C / 82°F
Rain55mm
Crowds
Feb
ShoulderTemp29°C / 84°F
Rain50mm
Crowds
Sauti za Busara music festival
Mar
Off-SeasonTemp28°C / 82°F
Rain155mm
Crowds
Long rains begin
Apr
Off-SeasonTemp27°C / 81°F
Rain300mm
Crowds
May
Off-SeasonTemp27°C / 81°F
Rain210mm
Crowds
Jun
PeakTemp26°C / 79°F
Rain40mm
Crowds
Dry season begins
Jul
PeakTemp25°C / 77°F
Rain25mm
Crowds
Zanzibar International Film Festival
Aug
PeakTemp25°C / 77°F
Rain25mm
Crowds
Sep
PeakTemp26°C / 79°F
Rain30mm
Crowds
Oct
ShoulderTemp27°C / 81°F
Rain75mm
Crowds
Nov
Off-SeasonTemp28°C / 82°F
Rain160mm
Crowds
Short rains
Dec
ShoulderTemp28°C / 82°F
Rain95mm
Crowds
Christmas & New Year
Season Breakdown
Peak Season
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- +Dry and sunny
- +Best weather
- -Cooler evenings
- -Higher prices
Shoulder Season
Jan, Feb, Oct, Dec
- +Hot and mostly dry
- +Music festival!
- -Humid
- -Hottest month
Off Season
Mar, Apr, May, Nov
- +Low prices
- +Cheapest month
- -Heavy rain
- -Wettest month
Quick Facts — Zanzibar
Best Time
June – October (dry season)
Language
Swahili / English
Currency
TZS (TSh) / USD accepted
Timezone
EAT (UTC+3)
Avg Budget
$40–100/day
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