Zanzibar month by month

The best time to visit Zanzibar

For most travellers, the sweet spot in Zanzibar is September · July · August: 28° avg. high, prices close to the yearly average. Peak season brings the biggest crowds of the year, while the quiet months trade weather for space and value.

Climate through the year

Month	Temp	Crowds	Price	Verdict
January	32° / 24°	High	$$	Great
February	32° / 24°	High	$$	Great
March	31° / 24°	Low	$$	Fair
April	29° / 23°	Low	$	Avoid
May	28° / 22°	Low	$	Avoid
June	28° / 21°	Moderate	$$	Great
July	27° / 20°	Moderate	$$	Ideal
August	27° / 20°	Moderate	$$	Ideal
September	28° / 20°	Moderate	$$	Ideal
October	29° / 21°	Moderate	$$	Great
November	30° / 22°	Low	$$	Fair
December	31° / 23°	Moderate	$$	Great

Best months September July August June

Months to avoid April May

The year in Zanzibar

Four broad seasons, and what each one actually feels like on the ground in Zanzibar.

Spring Ideal

Sep–Nov · highs around 29°C · Warm and dry, uncrowded pristine beaches

Sep ·Oct ·Nov

Summer Great

Dec–Feb · highs around 32°C · Hot again, holiday season fills resorts

Dec ·Jan ·Feb

Autumn Fair

Mar–May · highs around 29°C · Long rains begin, humidity climbs sharply

Mar ·Apr ·May

Winter Ideal

Jun–Aug · highs around 27°C · Coolest driest month, Film Festival and Mwaka Kogwa

Jun ·Jul ·Aug

When to go, depending on what you want

Best weather

The months where climate comfort peaks, whatever else is happening.

September ·July

Best value

Still a good trip, at the lowest prices of the year.

March ·June

Fewest crowds

When you get the main sights closest to yourself.

March ·November

Biggest events

When the calendar gives you something the other months do not.

January ·February ·July

Practical basics

Region: Africa
Local currency: TZS
Hemisphere: Southern (summer in Dec–Feb)
Yearly range: 20° – 32°
Strongest months: September, July, August
Good for: beach · islands · culture · food

Events in Zanzibar

Jan Zanzibar Revolution Day — Marches and speeches on January 12 commemorate the 1964 revolution.
Feb Sauti za Busara — A beloved pan-African music festival fills Stone Town’s old fort with live bands.
Jul Zanzibar International Film Festival — East Africa’s largest film and arts festival screens works across Stone Town venues.
Jul Mwaka Kogwa — A Persian-rooted new year festival in Makunduchi features mock battles and bonfires.

Every month in Zanzibar

A dedicated breakdown for each month — weather, crowds, prices, events and a verdict.

Zanzibar in January 32° · $$ Great Zanzibar in February 32° · $$ Great Zanzibar in March 31° · $$ Fair Zanzibar in April 29° · $ Avoid Zanzibar in May 28° · $ Avoid Zanzibar in June 28° · $$ Great Zanzibar in July 27° · $$ Ideal Zanzibar in August 27° · $$ Ideal Zanzibar in September 28° · $$ Ideal Zanzibar in October 29° · $$ Great Zanzibar in November 30° · $$ Fair Zanzibar in December 31° · $$ Great

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Zanzibar?

What is the cheapest time to visit Zanzibar?

March — Prices run low season this month: some of the best deals of the year. Save 36%.

When should you avoid Zanzibar?

April, May.

What is the weather like in Zanzibar?

Average highs sit around 32°C with lows near 20°C. Rainfall is moderate; the odd shower is likely.