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When to go to Zanzibar: the best periods
The blue of the sky and the sea come together to create a postcard picture, immense and uncontaminated beaches, and Swahili culture to be fully discovered. We welcome you to Zanzibar, the Island of Dreams, called Port of Africa because of its position where everyone wants to stop off at least once in their lives to enjoy a relaxing holiday far away from the humdrum of everyday life.
To find out the best time to go to Zanzibar, you need to get informed about the climate and the activities you can partake in. If you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet, avoid the periods of rain or when the island is too crowded.
There is a great choice of places to stay because the villages in Tanzania are located in different parts of the island, and they all offer moderate cons.
In general, the climate is always very pleasant, and you can swim all year round. However, various aspects help to identify the ideal period for Zanzibar. Let’s discover them now together, with regard to the various seasons.
Zanzibar from December to March
The best time to go to Zanzibar is definitely from mid-December to mid-March. It’s a chance to get away from winter in Italy and flee to a tropical paradise. In this period, in fact, the dry season starts, with very little rain, no real humidity and temperatures from 25° to 32°. In this period, you can partake in a whole range of activities, like snorkelling and diving, and also try deep-sea fishing.
When the wind comes up, why not enjoy more adventurous water sports like kitesurfing, windsurfing, and kayaking?
March in Zanzibar might have some rain, but it is not yet too excessive, and the climate should still be excellent. So this could be the period to visit the island and enjoy the pleasant climate as you are enchanted by the local culture and the artistic and architectural heritage. You have to visit Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar and the birthplace of Freddie Mercury, which has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2000 because of its 19th Century stone buildings, making it truly unique worldwide.
Zanzibar from June to October
Going to Zanzibar when it is Summer in Europe, however, is not a mistake, because the temperatures are nice and you can relax on the beach. If it should get too hot, why not take refuge at the VOI Kiwengwa Resort, on the eastern coast of the island, characterised by a tropical garden which runs all the way down to the beach.
For lovers of nature, this period is ideal for discovering the lush landscape made even more luxuriant by the rains.
Zanzibar in July is known for its cultural events, above all the Zanzibar International Film Fest, which brings the island to life with music and shows of all kinds, both local and international. Zanzibar in September, then, has the Mwaka Kogwa Festival, a very particular rite held to celebrate the end of the year in the Shirazi calendar. The rite consists of mock fights with banana stems.
October on the island is home to activities related to the products of this land, above all, the harvesting of spices, which inebriate the air in this period with their perfumes. You can visit the fields and witness the harvests on guided visits.
Zanzibar in October and November
Mid-October to mid-November is the rainy season, even if the frequency is quite limited. This is the least favourable climate in Zanzibar, even if the average temperature is 26°, and it is still possible to swim. However, you must be aware of the possibility of sudden rain. The recommended activities at this time of the year are visits to the parks, like Jozani Forest Reserve and Zanzibar National Park, or diving, even if there is the risk that the sea might be a little rougher.
