The Best Time To Visit Zanzibar: A Seasonal Guide

The Best Time To Visit Zanzibar, the best time to go to Zanzibar is during the dry season, typically running from June to October, to enjoy gentle sea breezes, clear skies, turquoise waters, and countless cultural activities. Zanzibar is an ideal destination if you want to blend beach vibes with vibrant events and celebrations.

Apart from iconic beaches, Zanzibar has a unique cultural mix, which includes the influences of Arabs, Persians, Europeans, and Indians. The Stone Town with its labyrinthine alleys and the Prison Island (also Changuu Island) display the oldest architecture still active up to date.

A Seasonal Guide

We provide updates on the weather, crowd, and activities to do regarding your visit to Zanzibar. Here’s your quick seasonal guide to visiting this idyllic archipelago.

June to October

June to October is dry and considered the best for visiting Zanzibar. The island is dry and cool, and sees little rainfall, usually at night, hence offering an unparalleled beach vacation. Daily temperatures rise to 26˚C (79˚F) in the day and may fall to about 15˚C (59˚F) and have gentle monsoon winds.

Popular Activities

• Swimming and sunbathing.
• Snorkeling and scuba diving to observe beautiful coral reefs.
• Dhow cruises.
• Attending the Festival of Dhow Countries by Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) in July.
• Watching mock fights, dances, and rituals at the Mwaka Kogwa Festival in July.
• Viewing sea turtle hatchings on Mafia Island

November to December

November usually starts with occasional afternoon showers, commencing the short rainy season. Temperatures may rise in the afternoon and evenings, especially around the ocean. Many tourists leave Zanzibar, giving room for intimacy and privacy even in famous beaches like Kendwa and Nungwi.

December has a mix of wet and dry days. The early start of the month is wet, usually with brief rainfall happening during the night. As the month approaches the end, rain stops, welcoming a short dry season, which runs to early March. Many visitors may be rushing to Zanzibar for their festive holiday, so prior booking is quite important.

Popular Activities

• Stone Town tour.
• Swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
• Exploring Jozani Forest
• Lazing on the sun-splashed beaches.
• Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

January to February

January starts with high vibes in Kendwa, Nungwi, Bwejuu, and other top beaches as guests and locals celebrate New Year’s Eve. Fireworks, gala celebrations, and night parties are very common. In terms of weather, January and February are dry and warm. But February is the hottest month with temperatures rising to 34˚C (93˚F).

In February, the Stone Town stages a cultural festival called Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom). This festival features African music, including taarab, African jazz, pop, and live performances in different spots in Stone Town, like the Old Fort.

Popular Activities

• Attending Sauti za Busara Festival.
• Swimming and sunbathing
• Kitesurfing
• Snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Exploring the Stone Town
• Spice plantation tour

March to May

Early March is dry and warm like February. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are common activities in calmer days. Mid-March comes with persistent downpours marking the beginning of the long rains. March to May receives fewer crowds, offering uninterrupted beach stays and quiet stays in lodges and resorts.

However, some lodges might close due to a low volume of visitors. Others might reduce opening hours when the holy month of Ramadan begins. But there are still better facilities still open and usually offer low prices to attract guests. This is the best time to enjoy low rates, but only if you’re okay with heavy, unpredictable rains.

Popular Activities

• Swimming and sunbathing
• Diving and snorkeling
• Boat cruises.
• Visit local villages
• Exploring lush forests like Jozani Forest

When should I plan a visit to Zanzibar?

Plan your visit at the right time to get the most out of Zanzibar. But when do you exactly schedule your visit? Anytime, yes, you can visit Zanzibar year-round. However, we know everyone has interests and desires. Here, we’ve rounded up three things to consider when planning your Zanzibar holiday.

1.    The crowd and price.

The peak months in Zanzibar are June through September and from late December to the start of January. People rush to enjoy clear skies, gentle tropical winds, and turquoise waters. They also rush to see wildlife in the Mainland, then conclude their tour with a relaxation on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar.

As the law of demand says, the more people who need a product, the higher the price. So, you can expect higher rates during these peak months. To avoid the crowd, you can plan your visit between January and March and from October to November, which are still dry. April and May are extremely wet.

2.    Weather.

Are you able to tolerate the heat? Then plan your visit in February. If you can tolerate heavy rainfall, then April and May are your best months. June to October is pleasant for clear skies, dry, and gentle winds; therefore, we highly recommend it.

3.    Festivals.

Most of Zanzibar’s festivals happen in the long dry season, specifically in June, July, and August. Good examples are Mwaka Kogwa (July or August) and Zanzibar International Film Festival (June or July). The Sauti za Busara, on the other hand, happens in February. If you want to catch these events, save the dates.

Wrapping things up…

Going on a visit to Zanzibar is the best way to relax, adventure, and discover a new culture. You can elevate this experience by starting it with a Big Five safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Either way, we are here to help you plan your safari to Zanzibar. Please contact us.