Dar es Salaam Weather in March

March: hot and rainy

Dar es Salaam stays hot in March, with daytime highs around 30°C and warm nights. The bigger challenge is the rain: it falls on 23 days, and the humidity can make a short walk feel tiring. Expect sudden showers, muddy patches and grey spells, rather than rain all day.

You can still visit the National Museum or browse the Kivukoni fish market between showers. Save long outdoor walks and beach time at Coco Beach for clearer spells; wet sand and rougher water can spoil a swim. April is even wetter, so March is the easier choice if you're travelling in this part of the rainy season.

Events and local life

International Women's Day falls on 8 March and is observed in Tanzania, though public events vary by year. Ramadan may also fall partly or fully in March, depending on the lunar calendar. If it does, some Muslim-run cafés and shops may change their hours during daylight. In areas such as Kariakoo, be thoughtful about eating in public during the day.

If you hate crowds, March's rain often means fewer visitors than in the drier June-to-September season. Hotels may also cost less than in those busier months, but prices vary, and the weather can make sightseeing less comfortable.

Make rainy days easier

Travelling with kids? Keep a flexible plan, since showers can interrupt time at the beach or outdoors. The ferry between central Dar and Kigamboni is a handy local crossing, but check its service before you set out if heavy rain is falling.

For a dry break, head to the National Museum near the city centre, then try chipsi mayai—an omelette with chips—from a local food stall when the weather clears. Don't count on a beach day; treat it as a bonus.