Final up to date on Might seventeenth, 2023 at 07:04 pm
When planning a visit to Zanzibar, one of many first and most essential issues you might want to take into consideration, is one of the best time to go.
Zanzibar is an all-year-round vacation spot, however some occasions of 12 months could be higher than others, relying on the stuff you may wish to do once you’re there, reminiscent of kite browsing and scuba diving that are fairly seasonal.
Or for those who hate rain, then there are some months you’ll undoubtedly wish to keep away from, though the rains aren’t as unhealthy as they’re in locations like Sri Lanka (belief me), however they will have an effect on your journey.
So right here’s my information on one of the best time to go to Zanzibar.
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The Greatest Time to Go to Zanzibar, Tanzania
Climate in Zanzibar – By Month
June to October is usually one of the best time to go to Zanzibar when it’s cooler (however nonetheless good and sizzling) and dry with hardly any rain. June – August are usually the cooler months and the temperature begins heating up in September via October.
January and February are additionally good, when it’s sizzling and dry (however just a little hotter and fairly a bit extra humid).
March to Might sees the lengthy rains, with nearly all of the rainfall in coming in April. Throughout this time, it’s fairly sizzling, humid, and you’ll anticipate some large downpours. However, you’ll typically get some epic cloud formations!
November and December have quick rains. The quick rains aren’t so unhealthy and don’t final very lengthy, so there can be solar, nevertheless it does get very humid and you might want to be ready to spend a while sheltering indoors.
I bear in mind visiting The Rock Restaurant for the primary time in November 2014. It was extremely popular, gray, and wet. Plus the tide was out.
I used to be so upset because it didn’t look something like the photographs, nevertheless it wasn’t like that each day although, we had been simply unfortunate with the day and the tide occasions! And it did clear up later within the day!
You’ll be able to see the distinction within the photos. The image above was taken in August 2017 at excessive tide. The image under was taken in November 2014 at low tide.
On the plus aspect, you’ll be able to typically get good offers on lodges because it’s the off-season (besides round Christmas when costs return up) and it’s not all the time wet! We had some tremendous sunny days too.
However in fact, it’s a tropical island so it will probably rain any time of 12 months.
For those who’re additionally planning to go to Kenya or mainland Tanzania for safari or to climb Kilimanjaro, you may want learn of this information that will help you resolve when and the place you wish to go.Â
Ramadan
Throughout Ramadan fairly just a few of the eating places in Stone City shut down throughout daytime and a few shut altogether, however it is possible for you to to seek out meals within the eating places that don’t shut.
A lot of the seaside resorts will function as regular, nevertheless, it’s essential to observe Ramadan etiquette in all places else. You shouldn’t drink, eat or smoke on the streets and girls ought to maintain lined (learn my submit on what to put on in Zanzibar).
Don’t overlook to greet individuals with ‘Ramadan Kareem’ (‘blessed Ramadan’) or ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ (‘might Ramadan be beneficiant to you’) – they may actually recognize it!
Eid
For those who do go for Ramadan, think about staying on for Siku Kuu (Eid al-Fitr), a 4-day celebration, an thrilling time to be in Zanzibar, when everybody convenes at Forodhani Gardens, dressed of their most interesting and in vacation mode, spending time with family and friends.
Festivals
If festivals are your factor, the Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Knowledge) takes place each February. I’ve been a few occasions and it was implausible – particularly (however extremely popular and sweaty).
In earlier years they’ve held a Zanzibar Worldwide Fim Pageant in July and the Zanzibar Watersports Pageant in September – however as of 2023, it doesn’t appear like both are operating this 12 months.
Kitesurfing
There are a great deal of nice issues to do in Zanzibar and kite browsing is one in all them.
For kite browsing, one of the best time to go to Zanzibar is January, February, June, July, and August as they’re the months when the well-known commerce winds blow, making the situations good.
Between June to September, the Kusi winds blow from the south and between December to March, the Kaskazi winds blow from the north.
Scuba Diving
You’ll be able to go scuba diving in Zanzibar all 12 months spherical, however one of the best occasions for visibility, particularly within the north of the island, is between March to Might when the winds cease and the ocean turns into calm. Visibility might be as much as 30 metres.
Once more, October and November are fairly good too, after the Kusi winds cease and earlier than the Kaskazi winds begin.
The worst time for diving is December to February and June to September when the ocean turns into fairly uneven because of the winds.
Beneficial dive firms embody Spanish Dancers (based mostly in Nungwi), Buccaneer Diving (Paje, Dongwe and Jambiani) and One Ocean (based mostly in Matemwe, Stone City and Kiwengwa).
Whale Sharks
The perfect time to go to Zanzibar to whale sharks is from October to February, with November and December being one of the best months. The perfect place to see whale sharks is off the coast of Mafia Island!
Hope this helps you resolve one of the best time to go to Zanzibar, for you, as it will likely be completely different for everybody!
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