Zanzibar's climate in brief
Zanzibar has a tropical climate that is warm all year round. What makes the difference is the rain. The island has two dry seasons: from June to October, then from December to February. The long rains fall in April and May, while November and March are transition months.
Our recommended months for a stay in Zanzibar are therefore: June, July, August, September, October, December, January and February.
Zanzibar month by month
| Month | Our verdict | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| February | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| March | Possible | Shoulder season, outside the ideal period |
| April | Best avoided | Long rains |
| May | Best avoided | Long rains |
| June | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| July | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| August | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| September | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| October | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
| November | Possible | Shoulder season, short tropical showers possible |
| December | Ideal | Dry and sunny season |
June to October: the long dry season
This is the most popular period. The skies are clear, the air is a little less humid, and the sea is perfect for snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll or dhow trips. It is also a good time to combine Zanzibar with a safari in mainland Tanzania, at the height of the dry season in the parks. In July and August, remember to book early.
December to February: festive sunshine
The second dry season is ideal for escaping Abidjan over the year-end holidays and enjoying long days on the beach. It is hot, the sea is superb and the sunsets from Forodhani beach or aboard a dhow are unforgettable. The year-end holidays are in high demand, so book ahead.
November and March: the shoulder seasons
In November, short tropical showers are possible, but they often give way to sunshine. This is in fact the window for our combined safari and beach trip, between the two rainy seasons. March marks the end of the dry season before the long rains: travel is still possible, but falls outside our ideal period.
April and May: the long rainy season
This is the period we advise against for a beach holiday: rain is frequent and heavy, and some boat trips may be disrupted.
What to do in each season
In the dry season, make the most of everything: the beaches on the east and north coasts, snorkelling, a trip to Prison Island, and Jozani Forest with its red colobus monkeys. In the shoulder seasons, focus on cultural visits to Stone Town and the spice tour, which are easy to move by a day if there is a shower, and save boat trips for the calmest mornings.
Our Zanzibar trips
- Zanzibar – Beaches & Stone Town (7 days): a visit to UNESCO-listed Stone Town, a spice tour, Prison Island and its giant tortoises, Jozani Forest and snorkelling at Mnemba, from 810,000 FCFA per person, flights from Abidjan included.
- Tanzania + Zanzibar (10 days): five days on safari in Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, followed by five days on the beach, from 1,210,000 FCFA per person, flights from Abidjan included.
Flights depart from Abidjan via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines, with a journey time of around 9 to 11 hours including the stopover.
Entry requirements for Ivorians
Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, so you need a Tanzanian visa, available as an e-Visa or on arrival, at 50 USD for a 90-day stay. The yellow fever vaccination certificate is required and malaria prevention is recommended. The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS), but the US dollar is widely accepted.
Good to know
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim: modest dress is advised in Stone Town and in the villages, with swimwear kept for the beach. Entry rules change regularly: the information in this article reflects the MALYA travel requirements matrix checked on 31 October 2026. Before every departure, our advisers check the current requirements for you (visa, health, documents) and let you know about any changes.
Plan your trip with MALYA Travel
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