Month guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Zanzibar in April
What April is really like in Zanzibar: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yann Macherez, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
April is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 12 hours of daylight. The heart of the long rains, with heavy downpours, rough seas and some hotels closed.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Sea temperature
- 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in April
April is the 6th-warmest month in Zanzibar: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 30 days. Compared with March (32°C (90°F)), April is cooler; by May highs stay near 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:24
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 18:22
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Sea
- 29°C (84°F)
Short rains (November–early December). Brief afternoon showers and storms, with green landscapes, fewer visitors and good-value stays.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes April one of the better-value months to book.
Events in April
April has no major recurring festival in Zanzibar, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in April
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · North of Stone Town
Maruhubi Palace ruins
The ruins of a palace built in the 1880s for Sultan Barghash, destroyed by fire in 1899, stand among palms on the coast a few kilometres north of Stone Town, with surviving columns, bathhouses and water tanks.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · North-west coast
Mangapwani caves
Visit with a guide who can explain the history, often as part of a spice tour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Stone Town
Former slave market and Christ Church
The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral was built in the 1870s on the site of Zanzibar's last open slave market, closed in 1873.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Historic site · Stone Town
Stone Town
Explore early in the morning before the heat and the tour groups; getting lost is part of the experience, and the waterfront is never far.
- Time needed
- A full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
The sea averages 29°C (84°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Zanzibar.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 24°C and 17 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Zanzibar?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, January–February and June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Zanzibar in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Zanzibar?
It is a month many travellers avoid. The heart of the long rains, with heavy downpours, rough seas and some hotels closed.
+How warm is Zanzibar in April?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zanzibar in April?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.