Tanzania, Africa
Zanzibar in April
The wettest month. Rough seas, flooded lanes in Stone Town, and several beach hotels closed for the season.
The straight answer
April is a month to think twice about visiting Zanzibar. The wettest month. Rough seas, flooded lanes in Stone Town, and several beach hotels closed for the season.
- Weather
- Long rains, highs near 86F (30C), heavy daily downpours
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What April is like in Zanzibar
April is the wettest month and the one to avoid. The long rains bring heavy daily downpours, highs near 86F (30C) and thick humidity. Seas are rough, boat trips are often cancelled, and the narrow lanes of Stone Town can flood. Several beach hotels close for the season. Prices are at their lowest, but so is the chance of a good beach day.
April only makes sense if you want a very cheap, very quiet trip and do not mind rain most days. Families and anyone planning a beach holiday should pick another month. For hot, sunny weather aim for January or February, and for cooler, breezy, dry days go June to October.
Make the most of April
What is especially good about Zanzibar this month.
The lowest prices of the year
Hotels that stay open cut rates sharply. It is the cheapest time to stay on the island.
Spice farm tours in the rain
A spice farm visit, tasting cloves, vanilla and nutmeg straight from the plant, still works on a wet day.
Empty Stone Town
Between showers, you can wander the old town with almost no other visitors around.
What to pack for April
- A proper rain jacket and an umbrella
- Sandals you do not mind getting soaked
- Insect repellent and malaria tablets as advised by a travel clinic
- A dry bag for electronics
Our timing tip
If you must travel in April, confirm directly that your hotel is open and ask what boat trips it expects to run before you book flights.
Book Zanzibar for April.
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- Hotels for April
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in ZanzibarOpens a hotel search for Zanzibar in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in ZanzibarWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in ZanzibarTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Zanzibar for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Zanzibar
Stone Town
Walk it early before the heat and tour groups. The Old Fort, the former slave market site at Christ Church, and the Forodhani Gardens night food market at sunset are the essentials.
Mnemba Atoll snorkeling
Clear water, reef fish, turtles, and dolphin sightings off the northeast coast. Seas are calmest outside the long rains; morning trips beat the afternoon wind.
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
The best place to see the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey, plus a mangrove boardwalk. An easy half-day from anywhere on the island.
A spice farm tour
Taste cloves, vanilla, cardamom, and nutmeg straight from the plant, usually combined with a local lunch. Good for all ages.
Nungwi and Kendwa beaches
On the northern tip, with swimmable water at nearly all tides and the island's best sunsets. Busy in peak season.
Paje and Jambiani
East coast lagoons with low-key guesthouses, seaweed farms, and some of Africa's best kitesurfing. Tides retreat far out; plan swims around high tide.
Beat the crowds
- Aim for September, October, or early June: dry-season weather with noticeably lower rates and fewer groups than July and August.
- Do Stone Town at dawn and after sunset. Midday brings the heat and the day-tripping cruise and tour groups.
- Book Mnemba snorkeling for the first boat of the morning, before the calmest water turns choppy and the boats multiply.
- Stay on the quieter southeast or southwest coasts rather than Nungwi if you want space; the north is the island's busiest strip.
Know before you go
- Several beach hotels and guesthouses close for part of April and May, during the long rains. Check before booking in those months.
- During Ramadan, many Stone Town restaurants close by day, and some bars and nightlife close entirely. Resorts continue normal service.
- The east coast's huge tidal range means swimming is only practical around high tide at Paje, Jambiani, and similar beaches; the north coast is much less affected.
- Zanzibar has required visitors to buy a mandatory local inbound travel insurance policy since late 2024; check the current rule before travel, in addition to Tanzania's visa requirements.
Zanzibar in April, quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Zanzibar?
April is a month to think twice about visiting Zanzibar. The wettest month. Rough seas, flooded lanes in Stone Town, and several beach hotels closed for the season.
What is the weather like in Zanzibar in April?
Long rains, highs near 86F (30C), heavy daily downpours.
Is Zanzibar crowded in April?
April is one of the quieter months in Zanzibar; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Zanzibar.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in April
Before you book.
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