Tanzania, Africa

Zanzibar in February

The hottest month but reliably sunny. Sauti za Busara, East Africa's big music festival, is usually held in Stone Town this month.

BestHot, highs near 91F (33C), humid, mostly dry

A dhow on the beach, Zanzibar — ZanzibarPhoto: This photo was taken by Anton Zelenov. Please credit this with : Photo : Anton Z, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

February is one of the best months of the year to visit Zanzibar. The hottest month but reliably sunny. Sauti za Busara, East Africa's big music festival, is usually held in Stone Town this month.

Weather: Hot, highs near 91F (33C), humid, mostly dry
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What February is like in Zanzibar

February is the hottest month, with highs near 91F (33C) and heavy humidity, but it is reliably sunny and mostly dry. Seas are calm and warm. Stone Town is lively, especially when Sauti za Busara, East Africa's big music festival, is held at the Old Fort, which is usually this month. Crowds are moderate and prices are fairly high.

February suits music fans, heat lovers and safari travelers finishing a calving-season trip. Pick a breezy beachfront room and plan to rest at midday. Ramadan can fall partly in February in some years, which slows Stone Town by day. If you prefer cooler air, aim for June to October instead.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Zanzibar this month.

Sauti za Busara

A multi-day African music festival usually held at the Old Fort in Stone Town. Check the current program before planning around it.

Reliable sunshine

February is one of the driest, sunniest months, with blue skies and flat water most days.

Safari and beach timing

Calving season in the Serengeti lines up with Zanzibar's hot dry window, so a combined trip works well.

What to pack for February

A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
Reef-safe sunscreen
Breathable, modest clothing for Stone Town
Earplugs for festival nights in town

Our timing tip

If you go for Sauti za Busara, book a Stone Town room months ahead and move to the beach afterward, since town rooms fill fast during the festival.

Book Zanzibar for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Zanzibar
Opens a hotel search for Zanzibar in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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Vacation rentals in Zanzibar
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Zanzibar
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Zanzibar for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in February

Serengeti safari and Zanzibar beach combo

Roughly July through October for river crossings; January to February for calving

Zanzibar's two dry windows line up almost exactly with the Great Migration's headline acts, which is why most beach-and-bush itineraries are built around them.

Sauti za Busara

Usually February

A multi-day African music festival held at the Old Fort in Stone Town in most years. Check the current year's program before building a trip around it.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

Moves about 11 days earlier each year

Many Stone Town restaurants close during daylight during Ramadan and visitors are asked to dress and eat discreetly in town. Eid brings celebrations and busy streets. It spans roughly February into March in 2027, then drifts into January and February by the end of the decade.

Things to do in Zanzibar

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

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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.

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A spice farm tour

Taste cloves, vanilla, cardamom, and nutmeg straight from the plant, usually combined with a local lunch. Good for all ages.

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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.

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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.

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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 February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Zanzibar?

February is one of the best months of the year to visit Zanzibar. The hottest month but reliably sunny. Sauti za Busara, East Africa's big music festival, is usually held in Stone Town this month.

What is the weather like in Zanzibar in February?

Hot, highs near 91F (33C), humid, mostly dry.

Is Zanzibar crowded in February?

Crowds in Zanzibar are moderate in February; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Zanzibar in February?

Serengeti safari and Zanzibar beach combo (roughly july through october for river crossings; january to february for calving); Sauti za Busara (usually february); Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (moves about 11 days earlier each year).