Month guide · Zanzibar · Tanzania
Zanzibar in July
What July is really like in Zanzibar: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: O.Mustafin, CC0
Quick answer
July is one of the best months to visit Zanzibar. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Cooler, dry and breezy; peak season with European summer holidays and safari combinations.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in July
July is the 11th-warmest month in Zanzibar: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with June (28°C (82°F)), July is about as warm; by August highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 06:35
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 18:23
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F)
Hot dry season (Mid-December–February). Hot, humid and mostly dry, with calm, clear water for snorkelling and diving; busy over the holidays.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, July rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Mwaka Kogwa — Shirazi New Year festival in Makunduchi (usually July)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Market · Stone Town
Darajani Market
Visit in the morning; the fish and meat sections are intense, but the fruit and spice stalls are good for tasting.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Aquarium · Nungwi
Mnarani turtle conservation pond
A natural tidal pool at Nungwi run as a community conservation project, where rescued green and hawksbill turtles are cared for and some are released to the sea.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
Historic site · North of Stone Town
Maruhubi Palace ruins
Combine it with a spice tour on the way north out of Stone Town.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · North-west coast
Mangapwani caves
On the coast about 20 km north of Stone Town, a natural coral cave and a man-made underground chamber are linked to the illegal slave trade that continued after the open market closed in 1873.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
The sea averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Zanzibar.
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 21°C and 5 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Zanzibar?
One of the best months to visit Zanzibar, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are January–February, June and August–September. Compare every month.
Zanzibar in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is July a good time to visit Zanzibar?
It is one of the best months to visit Zanzibar. Cooler, dry and breezy; peak season with European summer holidays and safari combinations.
+How warm is Zanzibar in July?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Zanzibar in July?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.