Arusha Region

Tanzania Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Tanzania in January.

Thinking about venturing to Tanzania this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Tanzania in January

The weather in Tanzania in January can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from warm to very hot and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from warm in Mount Kilimanjaro at 23°C (73°F) to very hot in Kwangwazi at 35°C (95°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 25°C (77°F) in Kwangwazi and 14°C (57°F) in Mount Kilimanjaro. While the given temperatures for day and night are typical, there may be days that feel warmer. Make sure you're dressed in a way that keeps you cool and comfortable.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Tanzania, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Pangani with an average of 30 mm (1.2 in) to heavy rainfall in Ngorongoro with 744 mm (29 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in January. Dar es Salaam typically receives 238 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Tanzania by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Tanzania — and find the best time to visit. (based on Dar es Salaam)

Best Places to Visit in Tanzania in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Tanzania.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Tanzania

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Tanzania?

Temperature range in Tanzania (January)

Precipitation variation in Tanzania (January)

Dar es Salaam

In January Dar es Salaam generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 32°C (90°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
240 hours
238 hours
221 hours
Monthly rainfall
109 mm (4.3 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
10 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Zanzibar City

In January Zanzibar City generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
27°C (81°F)
27°C (81°F)
Monthly rainfall
108 mm (4.3 in)
55 mm (2.2 in)
50 mm (2 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
10 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Nungwi

In January Nungwi generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
27°C (81°F)
27°C (81°F)
Monthly rainfall
88 mm (3.5 in)
41 mm (1.6 in)
38 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
9 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Jambiani

In January Jambiani generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
26°C (79°F)
27°C (81°F)
27°C (81°F)
Monthly sun hours
240 hours
238 hours
221 hours
Monthly rainfall
89 mm (3.5 in)
43 mm (1.7 in)
39 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
10 days
4 days
Weather conditions

Moshi

In January Moshi generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 17°C (63°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
28°C (82°F)
28°C (82°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
18°C (64°F)
17°C (63°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly rainfall
220 mm (8.7 in)
209 mm (8.2 in)
203 mm (8 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
9 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Tanzania.

In our records: Tanzania January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Tanzania in our climate database (2002 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • From our sources, the wettest January day in Tanzania brought 394 mm (16 in) in Mtwara on January 12, 2021.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Tanzania in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Dar es Salaam 32°C (90°F) 25°C (77°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Zanzibar City 30°C (86°F) 27°C (81°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nungwi 29°C (84°F) 27°C (81°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Moshi 28°C (82°F) 17°C (63°F) 209 mm (8.2 in)
Mto wa Mbu 30°C (86°F) 18°C (64°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Mwanza 27°C (81°F) 21°C (70°F) 165 mm (6.5 in)

Tanzania weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Tanzania in January?

January in Tanzania brings tolerable weather. In Dar es Salaam, daytime temperatures are typically around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows hover near 25°C (77°F).

What is the average temperature in Tanzania in January?

Dar es Salaam averages a daytime maximum of 32°C (90°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 25°C (77°F).

Does Tanzania get a lot of rain in January?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Tanzania during January, with Dar es Salaam averaging close to 66 mm (2.6 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit Tanzania?

Given the typically pleasant weather conditions in Dar es Salaam, January might be a good time to visit Tanzania. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in June, July and August offering mostly perfect weather in Dar es Salaam. On the other hand, the weather in April tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Tanzania.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Tanzania? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Tanzania.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.