Month guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Zanzibar in January
What January is really like in Zanzibar: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mbz1 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Zanzibar. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Hot, humid and mostly dry, with calm seas and good snorkelling; busy after the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Zanzibar: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with December (31°C (88°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:19
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:45
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Dry season (June–October). Dry, sunny and breezy with pleasant temperatures; peak season in July and August and the best time for kitesurfing.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Zanzibar, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Island · Off Stone Town
Prison Island (Changuu)
Combine it with the Nakupenda sandbank on a half-day boat trip from the Stone Town waterfront.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
Beach · Off Stone Town
Nakupenda sandbank
A strip of white sand that appears in the sea off Stone Town, its size changing with the tide; boat trips stop for swimming, snorkelling and a seafood lunch in turquoise water.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Central Unguja
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
Visit on the way to the east-coast beaches, and keep the recommended distance from the monkeys.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Matemwe
Mnemba Atoll snorkelling
The protected reef around Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast, is Zanzibar's best-known area for snorkelling and diving, with clear water, reef fish, turtles and, often, dolphins on the way out.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Couples
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Zanzibar.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 24°C and 7 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Zanzibar?
One of the best months to visit Zanzibar. The other best months are February and June–September. Compare every month.
Zanzibar in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Zanzibar?
It is one of the best months to visit Zanzibar. Hot, humid and mostly dry, with calm seas and good snorkelling; busy after the holidays.
+How warm is Zanzibar in January?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zanzibar in January?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.