Best time to visit Zanzibar

Best time to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian ocean that united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania.
Zanzibar is home to some endemics like the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Zanzibar servarline Genet and Zanzibar leopard. Zanzibar is made up of several island 25-50 kilometers off the mainland Tanzania with the major and bigger ones being Zanzibar also known as Unguja and Pemba island. The island is believed to have been part of African continent mainland but separated millions of years ago.
Zanzibar was formerly covered with dense forests but only a few patches remain today supporting an habitat for several wildlife species and birds.
Zanzibar often referred to as Africa’s tropical paradise or spice island is renowned for it’s crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, rich history, marine life and spices.
Best time to visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar experiences equatorial climate and therefore receives two dry seasons and two wet seasons every year with temperatures ranging from 28°© to 34°©.
December to February
December to February is the best time to visit Zanzibar, this is the short dry season in the year. The warm water crystal clear waters of Zanzibar provide a perfect haven for most water sport activities. This is the best time for scuba diving the winds are favorable and the water is so clear making it easy to view marine life underneath. The Vegetation is also flourishing from the short rains providing perfect photography opportunities.
June to September
June to September is the long dry season in Zanzibar, this is also the peak season when most tourists visit the island. The weather is favorable for both beach and Zanzibar national parks. You can easily spot wildlife because the vegetation is not thick making it easy to spot wildlife. This is also the best time to visit other Tanzania’s national parks so it’s the best time of you’re combining your trip with other parks. During the month of September, it’s time for turtle hatching giving unforgettable experience.
October to November
October and November is the short rain season. Earlier October is not a bad time to visit with cool temperatures and even though there can be downpours the sky gets clear and the sun shines again.
March to June
March to June is the longest rain season in Zanzibar rainfall received during this time is heavier than any other time of the year, the beaches get wet, the sun sometimes doesn’t show up, waters are not as clear and the heavy downpours might keep ruining your activities so it’s not the best time for visiting the island.
However some activities in Zanzibar can be done all year round whether it’s dry or wet season although visiting the island without engaging in water sport activities will feel incomplete.
Visit Jozani Chakwa Bay national park
Jozani Chakwa Bay national park is the only national park in Zanzibar established in 2004. It’s home to some of the last remaining part of near natural forest in Zanzibar and also supports an habitat for some endangered endemic species like the Zanzibar red colobus monkey and the Zanzibar leopard.
There are a lot of activities to do while at the park like bird watching, wildlife watching, nature guided walks, boat cruises, snorkeling, scuba diving and so much more. Some of the wildlife you can see include, adder’s duiker, servarline Genet, Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Sykes monkey, African civet, Zanzibar leopard and a lot of marine life.
Some of the examples of birds found at the park are; Zanzibar red Bishop, malachite kingfisher, great crested tern, long tailed cormorant, Goliath heron, African sacred ibis, black winged kite, African goshawk, African wood owl, blue cheeked bee eater, lilac breasted roller, golden tailed woodpeckers, African golden Oriole, tropical boubou, common square tailed drongo, yellow breasted Apalis, lesser swamp warbler, southern yellow white eye, Pemba white eye, red capped Robbin chat, mouse colored sunbird and red eyed dove to mentions few.
Visit stone town
Stone town is the capital of Zanzibar. The historical stone town was first inhabited by Bantu speaking groups from early 6th century with some evidence of long distance trade. Stone town was known as Shangani a small fishing town that developed into stone town. In the early 16th century the Portuguese built a church in Shangani. The Portuguese were ousted by Zanzibaris and Pembans who invited the sultan of Oman to take over in order to gain defense against the Portuguese. By the 19th century stone town became a trade town for mainly slaves and spices. Today stone town has a lot of historical places to visit and learn a lot about it’s history from. The people living there are from different ethnicities of Indian, Persian, Omanis, Chinese, British, Portuguese, Africans, Arabs and many more.
Zanzibar can be reached from mainland Tanzania through water or air transport. Different airlines offer standard chartered flights to the island daily and there are also many ferries and boats you can board to the island.