What Is The Best Time to Visit Zanzibar? The Ultimate Guide
If you want to take a vacation in a tropical paradise, Zanzibar is your best choice. It boasts palm-fringed white sand beaches, serene blue waters, and stunning spice markets. It is one of the top vacation spots in Africa.
Before you start booking flight tickets, you should know the best time to visit Zanzibar. Much like any vacation spot, you must consider the weather. You can’t go on spice excursions, stroll through historic streets, or unwind by the beach if there’s a heavy downpour.
Luckily, you found this guide. This article will help you choose the perfect time to visit Zanzibar. It will also outline places to visit in Zanzibar depending on when you plan to go.
The Best Time to Visit Zanzibar: Four Kinds of Seasons
Zanzibar has a tropical environment because of its proximity to the equator. This means you can plan your coastal holiday for any time of year.
The monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean bring warm temperatures. The average daytime highs range from 28°C (82°F) to 32°C (90°F). Meanwhile, overnight lows vary from 20°C (68°F) to 25 C (77°F).
These temps are perfect for long days spent lounging on sun-kissed beaches. You can also enjoy leisurely siestas and outdoor tanning sessions. The water temperature is ideal for swimming, diving, or snorkeling.
Because the island is small and surrounded by ocean, it has different weather patterns. Zanzibar has two wet seasons and two dry seasons:
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar - Seasons In Zanzibar By Month
Wet Seasons in Zanzibar: Long and Short Rains
The long rainy season in Zanzibar starts at the end of March, gathers speed in April and May, and winds down at the beginning of June. Meanwhile, short rains can occur in November and December. But, even during the long rainy season, it doesn’t always rain all day. There are times during the day when the clouds part to let the sun peek through.
You can still book a seaside vacation in Zanzibar during the wet season, especially if you’re on a budget. Accommodations during the rainy period are often lower-priced, and you can get better deals for longer stays.
Things to Do in Zanzibar During the Wet Season:
Learn how to prepare traditional Zanzibar dishes
Snorkel around Mnemba Island
Go on a scuba diving adventure to experience Zanzibar’s beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life
Unwind with spa days
Dry Seasons in Zanzibar: the Hot-Dry and Cool-Dry
Zanzibar also experiences two kinds of dry seasons: a cool, dry season and a hot, dry season. If you want to combine a wildlife safari in mainland Tanzania with a visit to Zanzibar, the cool, dry season is the ideal time.
The cool, dry days in Zanzibar start in June, which is also when most school vacations start in the Western world. That means more families will spend their vacations together in Tanzania, either at beach resorts and/or on safari.
But people also visit during the hot, dry season in Zanzibar (from January to February), since that is when the Serengeti witnesses the calving season of the Great Migration, and many visitors like to experience both safari and beach.
Things to Do in Zanzibar During the Dry Season:
Learn about history during a guided walk through Stone Town
Get lost in the Jozani forest and check out Zanzibar’s red colobus monkeys
Enjoy the sun at the best beaches in Zanzibar
Go on a spice tour to experience the many flavors of Zanzibar
The Best Time to Visit Zanzibar: Holidays and Festivities
Zanzibar isn’t just about the safaris and beaches. It’s also rich in history and has a diverse culture to experience. If you want to know the best time to visit Zanzibar, consider the events and festivities happening on the island.
Here are some of Zanzibar’s popular festivals.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar - Festivals
The Mwaka Kogwa
The Mwaka Kogwa are traditional Shirazi or Persian New Year celebrations when locals celebrate the coming of a new year. People celebrate the festival with huge bonfires and have to pretend battles.
This fighting allows everyone to voice their complaints and clear the air as the new year approaches. The fights are between men who defend themselves with banana stems. Meanwhile, the women go across the meadows and sing about life and love.
After the battles, the guys mock the girls while dressed to the nines. The women respond with amusing remarks.
Where it takes place: The main festival takes place in Makunduchi.
When to visit: Towards the end of July.
The Sauti za Busara
The Sauti za Busara or the “Sounds of Wisdom” Swahili Music and Culture Festival is a 3-day cultural extravaganza. It features regional and international performers who play music from different genres (reggae, hip-hop, and traditional taarab).
The main theme of the festival is Swahili encounters. It highlights performing arts that are deeply rooted in Swahili culture and language.
Where it takes place: The Old Fort in Stone Town.
When to visit: The best time to visit Zanzibar to experience this culture-rich festival is in February.
The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)
The locals celebrate the annual Festival of the Dhow Countries to honor the arts and traditions of the Dhow countries, including:
African countries
Iran
The Gulf States
India
Pakistan
The islands surrounding the Indian Ocean
The festival's centerpiece is a film program that includes screenings from competitors and non-competitors alike. Projects are competing for the Golden and Silver Dhow Awards. Competitive films are limited to the Dhow countries.
You can also watch performances during the festival, and there are workshops and exhibitions, too.
Where it takes place: The festival is often held in Stone Town, as well as in remote Zanzibari villages.
When to visit: July
The Swahili Food Festival
People gather to sample different Swahili cuisines during the Swahili Food Festival. A huge number of restaurants take part to showcase the local cuisine. Vendors from other countries can also join and add their cuisines to the menu.
Where it takes place: You can taste the cuisine of 21 different nationalities in Stone Town.
When to visit: October
Zanzibar’s Fashion Week
Discover the newest innovative styles from different Zanzibari designers during Fashion Week. The styles draw inspiration from centuries of cultural influences, from the bright-colored patterns of kanga and kitenge to the unique contemporary designs.
Where it takes place: Unguja Island
When to visit: September or October, depending on the year
The Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival
If you are visiting Zanzibar at the end of August or the beginning of September, then you have to experience the Jahazi Literary & Jazz Festival. During the festival, you will be able to meet various acclaimed authors, and your day will be filled with poems, stories, readings, discussions, debates, and workshops. And the evenings will be especially enjoyed by jazz lovers because the entire evening are dedicated to jazz.
Where it takes place: Stone Town, Zanzibar
When to visit: End of August or the beginning of September
The Best Time to Visit Zanzibar Depends on Your Preferences
The Zanzibari islands are full of activities that you can enjoy year-round. But there are certain weather conditions that you need to take into consideration to make the most of your visit.
If you’re ready to explore Zanzibar, Sababu Safaris has a lot of adventure to offer you.