Zanzibar safaris are open to all holidaymakers throughout the year. Zanzibar is found South of the Equator and given its strategic location; it experiences the most favorable tropical climatic conditions. This lets visitors to plan their trips to the seaside at any time of the year without any interferences unlike the Southern Africa.
The Monsoon breezes that blow in from the Indian Ocean are essential in maintaining the island’s warm temperatures. During daytime, the average temperature rise record is between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius. At night, the temperatures reduce to a range of 20-25 degrees Celsius. But these vary between seasonal months but ideal for you to chill for long hours while on beautiful sandy beaches.
The ocean experiences conducive temperatures ideal for swimming, snorkeling or diving experiences. Generally, Zanzibar Island records 2 wet/rainy seasons; the short and long rains. The long rains in Zanzibar are recorded starting from March, April to May and short rains begin from November to December. There is low rainfall experienced during the rest of the other months or even completely no rain.
Interestingly, even during the rainy/wet season, it is not a must that it can rain constantly during the day. At times, the sky can be clear from clouds in the afternoons which allows most beach or other activities to be conducted in Zanzibar. While you may plan a beach holiday in Zanzibar on the other hand, they are more suitable for intrepid travelers who plan to go on long holiday or want to save/enjoy discounted offers from the accommodation. The rainy/wet season is usually a period when Zanzibar experiences a low turn up of tourists (generally a low season) and some accommodation may be forced to cut on their rates although not a must!
Zanzibar also records 2 significant dry seasons; the cool dry season that runs from June to October and humidly hot dry season that begins from January to February. During the cool dry season, temperatures are moderate and there is increase in the tourist arrivals in Zanzibar as it also falls within the school holiday months in the Northern regions of America and Europe.
Preferably, the cool dry season is the best time to enjoy game viewing in the parks and reserves in Tanzania such as Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ruaha National Park, Gombe National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Selous Game Reserve. Most of the families prefer spending their bonding holidays along the seashores areas and even incorporate their holiday with safaris in Tanzania’s parks.
December happens to be the second-best visitor season in Zanzibar. This is usually a period the festive holiday season in the North begins and runs up-to February. These are winter months of the year and most western visitors prefer the warmer climatic conditions of East Africa.
Generally, Zanzibar archipelago is a tropical island destination and experiences both sunny and warm temperatures making it an ideal beach holiday destination. It is also the preferred place for outdoor activities. Temperatures differ entirely depending on geographic location and elevation. Its islands are sunny and hot apart from during monsoon seasons especially from March to May and November when it tends to be windy and rainy.