The best time of year to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar
is best during the Jul-Oct and
Jan-Mar dry seasons
watching out for rainfall, wind and high visitor traffic
The climate on Zanzibar Island is tropical, with predominantly hot, humid and sunny conditions.
There is rain on most days of the year, usually taking the form of light showers. During the Nov-Dec and Mar-May rainy seasons these can turn into heavy and persistent downpours.
There can also be very strong winds during the May-Jun early dry season period.
The best times down on the coast are therefore considered to be Jul-Oct and Jan-Mar, when there is usually slightly less rain and wind.
Unfortunately these best periods happen to coincide with the two peak seasons for visitor traffic.
by far the most popular
beach location in East Africa
January is generally considered to be a good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.0
Average daily temperature : 32C/90F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/76F
Rainfall : 50mm/2.0″ : low
Cloud cover : 70% : persistent
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : NE : 20kph/12mph : medium
Weather conditions are generally pretty good, although with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can vary greatly area to area). Rainfall and winds are both moderate. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic during the first few days of January remains very high, meaning that traffic avoidance measures are highly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges. Following that the numbers tend to drop off precipitously to very low levels, building back slightly towards the end of the month.
good conditions and medium visitor traffic
February is generally considered to be a good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.0
Average daily temperature : 33C/91F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/76F
Rainfall : 50mm/2.0″ : low
Cloud cover : 70% : persistent
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : NE : 20kph/12mph : medium
Weather conditions are generally pretty good, although with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can vary greatly area to area). The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually around medium at this time of year, sustained by the flow of visitors coming down from the migration calving events in Serengeti. Traffic avoidance measures are mildly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
good conditions and medium visitor traffic
March is generally considered to be a slightly less favourable month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 8.0
Average daily temperature : 31C/88F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/76F
Rainfall : 100mm/4.0″ : high
Cloud cover : 70% : persistent
Comfort temperature : miserable
Wind : NE : 13kph/8mph : low
Weather conditions are starting to become more adverse, with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can vary greatly area to area) and increasing rainfall. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually relatively low during this period.
very low visitor traffic, but adverse conditions
April is generally considered to be a less appealing month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 7.5
Average daily temperature : 30C/86F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/76F
Rainfall : 165mm/6.5″ : very high
Cloud cover : 60% : persistent
Comfort temperature : miserable
Wind : SE : 16kph/10mph : medium
Weather conditions are now quite adverse, with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can very greatly area to area) and very high rainfall. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Weather conditions are generally pretty good, although with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can very greatly area to area). The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually relatively low during this period.
very low visitor traffic, but adverse conditions
May is generally considered to be a slightly less favourable month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 8.0
Average daily temperature : 29C/85F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/75F
Rainfall : 100mm/4.0″ : high
Cloud cover : 40% : medium
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : S : 22kph/13mph : high
Weather conditions are starting to improve, with decreased cloud cover and rainfall, but winds increasing from the south. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually relatively low during this period, perhaps increasingly slightly towards the end of the month.
low visitor traffic, but slightly challenging conditions
June is generally considered to be a pretty good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 8.5
Average daily temperature : 29C/84F
Average nightly temperature : 23C/74F
Rainfall : 25mm/1.0″ : low
Cloud cover : 35% : medium
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : S : 23kph/14mph : high
Weather conditions are much improved, with plenty of clear skies and low rainfall, but with winds persisting from the south. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is rising throughout this month and traffic avoidance measures are starting to become more important, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
medium visitor traffic, but windy conditions
July is generally considered to be a really good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.5
Average daily temperature : 29C/84F
Average nightly temperature : 22C/72F
Rainfall : 12mm/0.5″ : very low
Cloud cover : 30% : low
Comfort temperature : muggy
Wind : S : 23kph/14mph : high
Weather conditions are reaching their best, with plenty of clear skies and very low rainfall, but with winds persisting from the south. Although comfort temperatures are much improved, air-conditioning could still remain an attractive option.
Visitor traffic is usually approaching its highest during this month and traffic avoidance measures are highly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
windy conditions and increasing visitor traffic
August is generally considered to be a good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.0
Average daily temperature : 29C/84F
Average nightly temperature : 22C/71F
Rainfall : 12mm/0.5″ : very low
Cloud cover : 25% : low
Comfort temperature : muggy
Wind : SE : 21kph/13mph : medium
Weather conditions are reaching their best, with plenty of clear skies, very low rainfall and winds reduced. Although comfort temperatures are much improved, air-conditioning could still remain an attractive option.
Visitor traffic is usually at its highest during this month, causing a significant drop in the monthly rating and meaning that traffic avoidance measures are highly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
very good conditions, but very high visitor traffic
September is generally considered to be a really good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.5
Average daily temperature : 30C/86F
Average nightly temperature : 22C/71F
Rainfall : 12mm/0.5″ : very low
Cloud cover : 30% : low
Comfort temperature : muggy
Wind : SE : 20kph/12mph : medium
Weather conditions continue to be good, with plenty of clear skies, very low rainfall and moderate winds. Although comfort temperatures remain much improved, air-conditioning could still remain an attractive option.
Visitor traffic usually remains high during this month and traffic avoidance measures are highly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
very good conditions and falling visitor traffic
October is generally considered to be a really good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.5
Average daily temperature : 31C/87F
Average nightly temperature : 22C/72F
Rainfall : 25mm/1.0″ : low
Cloud cover : 40% : medium
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : E : 18kph/11mph : medium
Weather conditions continue to be good, with plenty of clear skies, low rainfall and moderate winds. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic tends to ease during this month and traffic avoidance measures are starting to become less important.
very good conditions and reduced visitor traffic
This is generally considered to be a good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 9.0
Average daily temperature : 31C/88F
Average nightly temperature : 23C/74F
Rainfall : 75mm/3.0″ : medium
Cloud cover : 45% : medium
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : E : 15kph/9mph : low
Weather conditions are starting to deteriorate a little on the preceding months, with slightly more cloud cover and a good deal more rainfall. But winds remain light. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually relatively low during this period.
good conditions and low visitor traffic
December is generally considered to be a pretty good month to visit Zanzibar.
Rating : 8.5
Average daily temperature : 32C/89F
Average nightly temperature : 24C/76F
Rainfall : 75mm/3.0″ : medium
Cloud cover : 60% : persistent
Comfort temperature : oppressive
Wind : E : 18kph/11mph : medium
Weather conditions are generally pretty good, although with higher than usual levels of cloud (although this can very greatly area to area) and a reasonable amount of rainfall. Winds remain light. The potentially oppressive temperatures mean that air-conditioning could be particularly attractive at this time.
Visitor traffic is usually relatively low during the first half of December, but climbs towards a year round peak over the holiday season, meaning that traffic avoidance measures are highly recommended, namely heading for more remote locations and booking well in advance to ensure rooms at the best lodges.
decent conditions, but high xmas traffic
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