Tanzania · 6°10′S 39°12′E

Zanzibar

Spice-island beaches and Stone Town's lanes.

Good for: Beach, Doing nothing, Nature, History & culture, Adventure
Rough daily spend: around $80 per person mid-range, not counting getting there (our estimate; it varies a lot)
Mildest months: January is warmest, February is driest

Best time to visit Zanzibar

Warmest in January (around 32° by day), coolest in July (27° by day, 22° at night). February has the fewest wet days (12).

Average weather by month in Zanzibar
Month	High	Low	Wet days	Rain	Sun / day
Jan	32°	26°	13	66 mm	11.2 h
Feb	32°	26°	12	41 mm	11.2 h
Mar	32°	26°	18	106 mm	10.6 h
Apr	29°	25°	28	368 mm	8.4 h
May	28°	24°	21	185 mm	9.6 h
Jun	28°	23°	16	64 mm	10.5 h
Jul	27°	22°	16	43 mm	10.7 h
Aug	28°	22°	16	39 mm	10.9 h
Sep	29°	22°	15	42 mm	11.3 h
Oct	30°	23°	18	98 mm	11.4 h
Nov	30°	24°	22	129 mm	11.4 h
Dec	31°	25°	21	107 mm	11.5 h

Averages for 2016–2025 from the Open-Meteo historical weather archive (CC BY 4.0), for the point at 6°10′S 39°12′E. Wet day = 1 mm or more. Highlighted months are mild (18–27° highs) and fairly dry.

What to pack for Zanzibar

For four nights, based on the weather above. Every trip also needs the basics: documents, chargers, toiletries and any medication.

January

Nothing extra

July

Nothing extra

Either way

5 × underwear
5 × socks
4 × T-shirts or vests
2 × shorts or skirts
Something to sleep in
Comfortable walking shoes
Waterproof jacket
Compact umbrella
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Swimwear
Flip-flops or sandals
Beach towels
After-sun
Small cross-body bag
Transit card or app set up

Going with a group? The planner builds a shared list where each person ticks their own things and claims the shared ones.

Going with friends?

One link for the group: find the days you’re all free, vote on what to do, get a day-by-day route and a shared packing list. No sign-up.

Plan Zanzibar