Best time to visit Zanzibar : Zanzibar is a perfect safari destination for beach, marine and historical safaris receiving millions of travelers seeking for amazing safari experience. Most time its hard for travelers to know the perfect time to visit Zanzibar for a safari most especially first time travelers, if you are a first time traveler or just not so familiar with Zanzibar worry no more as this article highlights more about the best time to visit Zanzibar.
Seasons at Zanzibar
Zanzibar archipelago experiences two seasons that is wet and dry season as more explain below
The dry season
The dry season in Zanzibar has two seasons with one short season and another is a long dry season, the first dry season is experienced in the period of July to September comprising of temperatures around 26°C and pleasantly warm days perfect for beach safaris and taking a stroll in the stone town. This season is an ideal time for solo travelers, couples and group of friends.
The second dry season in Zanzibar archipelago is experienced from December – February and it is the best time to visit for holiday season, this season is mostly a perfect time to visit Zanzibar for family travelers looking forward to spending more time with their family members during the festive season. The second dry season is characterized of 29°C which is considered to be summer season.
The wet season
The wet season in Zanzibar is characterized with plenty of rains a reason to why you need to carry an umbrella while on the Island, rainy season is also experienced in two seasons. The first rain fall season is experienced between March to May with temperatures around 29°C, the down pours are expected in for about 30 minutes to 2 hours maximum and clear skies and sunshine follow. Average 150 – 400 millimeters of rain are received in each month of the rain season, this season is a perfect time for scuba diving on which you will have a chance to interact with the marine life and see coral reefs.
The second rainy season is experienced in November up to the first week of December , what makes this season different from the first one is that it is not as wet as the first one so you can expect good days with sunshine and clear skies.
Zanzibar climate guide
| Month of the year | |||||||||||||
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APRIL | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | ||
| Chumbe private island | |||||||||||||
| Rainfall | 45 mm | 38mm | 107mm | 346mm | 396mm | 130mm | 89mm | 33 mm | 40 mm | 72mm | 151mm | 134 mm | |
| Temperature | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 30°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 32°C | 33°C | |
| Pemba Island | |||||||||||||
| Rainfall | 45mm | 38
mm |
107 mm | 346 mm | 396 mm | 130 mm | 89mm | 67mm | 56 mm | 108 mm | 157mm | 92mm | |
| Temperature | 31°C | 32°C | 32°C | 30°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 30°C | 30°C | 31°C | |
| Zanzibar Island | |||||||||||||
| Rainfall | 66mm | 69 mm | 172 mm | 385
mm |
293
mm |
82
mm |
61
mm |
346mm | 130mm | 67mm | 108mm | 92mm | |
| Temperature | 33°C | 34°C | 34°C | 32°C | 31°C | 30°C | 29°C | 30°C | 29°C | 28°C | 30°C | 31°C | |
January – February
The period of January – February is a hot and sunny season in Zanzibar with the sea being at its clearest which makes it a great time to visit the island for water activities, this period is perfect for water activities such as diving and snorkeling. For divers and snorkelers, January – February is the most recommendable time to visit Zanzibar archipelago.
March
The march, the weather turns form sunny to rainy and in Zanzibar archipelago this period is known as the long rains with more frequent rain showers. In the middle march on wards it becomes very wet in Zanzibar archipelago which is why in the period of March travelers are not recommended to traveler to the island of a safari.
April – May
The period of April – May in Zanzibar archipelago is the continuation of the long rains and frequent showers are received, because of the frequent rain Zanzibar archipelago and the beaches along the coast of Indian Ocean become hot and very wet. The conditions in the period of April – May is not suitable for travelers, that is why it is not recommended to visit Zanzibar in this period.
June – September
The rains at Zanzibar archipelago have finished pouring by June – September however some light shows are possible, this period is perfect for hitting the beach and enjoy lounging the tropical beaches along the coastline of Indian ocean. The period of June – September is also a best time to visit and explore sites found in Zanzibar archipelago such as the stone town.
October
In October the temperatures start to raise in Zanzibar archipelago but they are normally interspersed with sunny spells that doesn’t affect your stay, in this period it is possible to enjoy being at the beach, sailing on waters of Indian ocean and taking a dip in the waters.
November – December
Short rains at Zanzibar archipelago start falling with shorter lived showers and the temperatures become hotter in the period of November – December, this period is perfect for enjoying a massage at the parlor or a drink at the bar then return to beach when the sun returns.
In conclusion, the best time to visit Zanzibar is during the dry season, dry season at the archipelago is experienced from July to September. However Zanzibar a year round destination worth visiting through the year as it experiences sunshine throughout the year with balmy temperatures between 28°C and 34°C.
