Zanzibar Island Travel Forum

Hi there,

Im looking to go to Zanzibar in early April, but am worried about the long rainy season. I've spent time in the region before but not at this time of year. Does anyone know what I should expect?

Any advice would be fantastic.

Regards, Jon

The question of when to go to Zanzibar comes up a lot in the Travel Forums. The short answer is that April and May are the rainiest and also the cheapest time to go. Some hotels will close during the ‘rainy season’, but the one that do stay open lower the prices and you have the beaches more to yourself. Zanzibar is in the tropics and you could have a week of sunshine in the middle of the ‘wet’ season and a full day of rain in the ‘dry’. When you do have heavy rains they are often for an hour or less and many times at night. Zanzibar’s water temperature remains warm all year long and even in the rain it’s warm year round. April and May are often called the ‘long rains’, but locals like to call it the ‘Green Season’ because you see the best of the flowers and foliage. I visited at the end of May and recommend it for value vs. weather. During the dry season it can be unbearable hot and things go brown. No matter when you go – you need high factor sunscreen as you can get severe burns in minutes. Zanzibar is at sea level and close to the Equator. Throughout the year high temperatures in the day reach between 31-38ºC (87-100ºF).
Here is a general planner by months:

%uJuly – October%u
There is very little rain, the average temperature is 25ºC (77ºF) and humidity is low. Light breezes at night provide some relief from the hot days that always get up to about an average 29ºC (84ºF). Fewer tourists than in January.

%u November - March%u
The short rains come occur at this time and it is extremely hot and humid. The average temperature is 28ºC (82ºF) and the average high is 31ºC (88ºF). The Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan occurs in December/ January. Some restaurants and bars may be closed during this time. All hotels are open though.

%u April to June%u
This is the quietest season. The monsoon or long rains pour occur. It does not rain all day every day, but you will have to stay indoors when they really come down. It is the cheapest time to visit, but some hotels are closed. Email or telephone a hotel to make sure.



http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/63870.html

Trying to predict the weather can be difficult because of local on the day variations.
This information should be used as a guide only.
Here is the average weather for Zanzibar for this time of year.
Enjoy your holiday.

April.
High 81f / 27c
Low 76f / 24c
Rain 15.79in / 401.0mm