Dar es Salaam vs Zanzibar

Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are closely matched in May. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.

Dar es Salaam sits in the comfortable travel range at 28°C. Zanzibar is also comfortable at 28°C.

For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Dar es Salaam is the stronger choice in May. Zanzibar receives 9 more hours of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Dar es Salaam reaches an average high of 28°C (82°F) and drops to 21°C (70°F) at night during May. The daily temperature range is 7°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.

Zanzibar averages 28°C (82°F) for the high and 24°C (75°F) for the low, with a daily range of 4°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.

Both cities are in the Southern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in May.

Dar es Salaam receives approximately 79 mm of rainfall across 7 rain days during May. Rain is occasional, so a light rain jacket should suffice.

Zanzibar sees 150 mm over 20 rain days. That makes Dar es Salaam the drier option by 13 rain days and 71 mm of total precipitation.

Both cities share similar humidity levels at 82%.