Zanzibar in January
Hot, humid and mostly dry
The short answer
January is one of the best months to visit Zanzibar.
January is part of Zanzibar's short dry season. Expect tropical heat, warm ocean temperatures and plenty of sunshine, although humidity can be high. The beginning of the month can still be busy after New Year's celebrations, while crowds generally ease later in January.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 25–32°C
- Hot, humid and mostly dry.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate
- Prices
- Moderate
- Moderate
+Beach days, swimming, snorkeling, diving and warm-weather escapes
–Heat, humidity and lingering New Year crowds
My tip for January
Watch out for: Heat, humidity and lingering New Year crowds.
- Beach days
- swimming
- snorkeling
- diving
- warm-weather escapes
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
7th of 12 overall in Zanzibar, 5th for weather, 9th for space, 8th for value. The emptiest month is April; the best value is April.
See all twelve months for ZanzibarPlan around
What’s on in Zanzibar in January
- Christmas & New Year
- Christmas and New Year are among Zanzibar’s busiest periods, with higher demand and higher hotel prices. But don’t write it off — I’ve spent Christmas and New Year there myself and had a great time. They definitely know how to celebrate NYE.
Late December – early January
Not set on January?
Even stronger months in Zanzibar
Ready to book January in Zanzibar?
Beach days, swimming, snorkeling, diving and warm-weather escapes
Find hotels in ZanzibarAffiliate link