Where and when
Best time to visit Zanzibar from India
Zanzibar is Stone Town's Swahili lanes, spice farms and the white-sand beaches of the east coast, reachable from India with one stop via the Gulf or East Africa.
Cheapest month to fly: January, from ₹50,717 return (Mumbai, seen 9 Oct). Cheapest fare checked in the last 48 hours: ₹50,717 from Mumbai.
Zanzibar month by month
| Month | Season | High / low | Rain | Cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 30° / 27°C | 62 mm | ₹51k ● live ₹51k |
| February | Shoulder | 30° / 27°C | 51 mm | ₹67k ● live ₹67k |
| March Sauti za Busara | Off-season | 30° / 28°C | 119 mm | – |
| April | Off-season | 29° / 27°C | 256 mm | – |
| May | Off-season | 28° / 26°C | 186 mm | – |
| June | Peak | 28° / 25°C | 29 mm | – |
| July | Peak | 27° / 24°C | 13 mm | – |
| August | Peak | 27° / 24°C | 14 mm | – |
| September | Peak | 28° / 25°C | 22 mm | – |
| October | Shoulder | 29° / 26°C | 64 mm | ₹74k ● live ₹74k |
| November | Shoulder | 29° / 27°C | 101 mm | ₹69k ● live ₹69k |
| December | Shoulder | 30° / 27°C | 92 mm | ₹54k ● live ₹54k |
Fares are the lowest return fare seen in the last 14 days for trips departing that month, from any Indian city we track; a green dot means a fare checked in the last 48 hours. Months with a dash have no fares yet. Seasons: NASA POWER climate normals (derived) (checked 2026-10-09). Weather averages: NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources) Daily API v2.10.0, MERRA-2 based, 2001-2020 monthly means of daily values.
Dates to plan around
In Zanzibar
- Sauti za Busara · 19–21 Mar 2027. Three nights of African music in Stone Town; the 2027 edition runs 19 to 21 March, later than usual. Stone Town guesthouses fill up and ferry seats from Dar es Salaam go early. source, checked 2026-10-09
Indian rush periods
Fares out of India rise around these holidays, so book earlier or fly just outside them.
- Dussehra & Durga Puja · 16–21 Oct
- Diwali · 5–11 Nov
- Guru Nanak Jayanti · 20–24 Nov
- Christmas & New Year · 18 Dec – 3 Jan
- Pongal / Makar Sankranti · 13–18 Jan
- Republic Day weekend · 22–26 Jan
Flights to Zanzibar by departure city
Visa for Indian passports
Indian passport holders need an e-visa for Tanzania, applied for online before travel (allow about 14 days). Visa on arrival (US$50) also works for Indian passports, but queues can be long. e-Visa (US$50) at visa.immigration.go.tz, processed within 10 days; it covers Zanzibar too. Also required: US$44 inbound travel insurance, bought online before you fly.
Zanzibar: questions
What is the best time to visit Zanzibar?
Zanzibar's peak season is June, July, August and September, with October, November, December, January and February as shoulder months. Zanzibar's tourism commission site could not be reached, so these ratings follow the NASA POWER climate normals: the long rains run March to May, with April bringing over 250 mm on 26 days, more than any other month; June to September is dry and a little cooler at 27 to 28°C; November and December bring shorter rains of around 100 mm; January and February are hot, humid and fairly dry.
When is the rainy season in Zanzibar?
The wettest months are March, April and May, with about 119 mm, 256 mm, 186 mm of rain respectively on average.
How hot does Zanzibar get?
March is the hottest month, with average daily highs near 30°C. August has the coolest nights, around 24°C.
When is Zanzibar most crowded?
Expect the most visitors in June, July, August and September. Events that draw crowds: Sauti za Busara (19–21 Mar 2027).
Which month is cheapest to fly to Zanzibar from India?
January 2027 has the lowest return fare FlyBun has seen in the last 14 days, ₹50,717 from Mumbai. We have fares for 5 of the next 12 months, so a month with no figure may be cheaper. Fares change daily.
Do Indians need a visa for Tanzania?
Indian passport holders need an e-visa for Tanzania, applied for online before travel (allow about 14 days). Visa on arrival (US$50) also works for Indian passports, but queues can be long. e-Visa (US$50) at visa.immigration.go.tz, processed within 10 days; it covers Zanzibar too. Also required: US$44 inbound travel insurance, bought online before you fly.
Watch any route and FlyBun alerts you free when its fare drops.