When is the best time to visit Pemba Island?

On our scoring, the strongest months are September, August, July. That score is computed from three years of rainfall and temperature: drier months concentrate animals around water and make the roads easier, which is what actually drives game-viewing. April scores lowest — usually because it is the wettest. That does not make it a bad month, but it is a different trip: greener, quieter and less predictable.

What is the weather like in Pemba Island in August?

Typically around 38mm of rain across the month, with daytime highs near 28°C. These are averages from the last three years of records, not a forecast — East African rainfall varies a great deal year to year.

How do I get to Pemba Island?

You fly. It is roughly 12.4 hours door-to-door from Arusha including transfers — there is no sensible road option.

How many nights should I spend in Pemba Island?

Two to three nights is where most people land, and three is better than two. One night means you arrive, sleep, and leave — you spend more of it driving than looking. The single most common planning mistake we see is too many parks with too few nights in each.

Accommodation is the biggest lever by a distance — ultra-luxury from about $1,100 a night, luxury from about $520 a night, mid-range from about $380 a night per person. The park itself, the guide and the animals are identical whichever you choose. Park fees are set by the government and charged per person per day.

← All destinations

Indian Ocean Coast

Pemba Island

1 safaris 1 attractions mapped ● 23°C Clear

Plan a trip here View safaris

Area 890 km²

Coordinates -5.167, 39.783

Now 23°C · 13 km/h

Overview

About Pemba Island

Pemba Island is Tanzania's forgotten gem — an island north of Zanzibar with some of the Indian Ocean's finest dive sites and virtually no tourism infrastructure. Its steep walls, pristine coral, and pelagic wildlife make it one of Africa's best diving destinations.

Pemba Island is a Tanzanian island forming part of the Zanzibar Archipelago, lying within the Swahili Coast in the Indian Ocean.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

At a glance

1 historical sites

Peaks Picnic sites Historical Other

Mkama Ndume

Ruins

-5.304, 39.816

View on map →

Jan 88

Feb 95

Mar 84

Apr 25

May 63

Jun 82

Jul 96

Aug 97

Sep 98

Oct 80

Nov 68

Dec 83

Scored from three years of rainfall and temperature at this park — taller is better for game viewing. Green (short) months are wetter: thicker bush, wildlife more dispersed.

7 Days Photo: Tanzania Wild Sky / Pexels

7-Day Safari + Pemba/Mafia Island

From $3,000 pp

View Itinerary →

Ready to explore Pemba Island?

Tell us your dates and we'll build a tailored itinerary around it.

Message us on WhatsApp Browse all safaris

Pemba Island

About Pemba Island

At a glance

Every attraction, plotted

Historical Sites

Mkama Ndume

When to visit Pemba Island

Safaris visiting Pemba Island

7-Day Safari + Pemba/Mafia Island

Ready to explore Pemba Island?