Things to Do in Daressalaam in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Daressalaam
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- April sits right at the tail end of the long rains, which means you're catching Dar at its greenest without the daily downpours of March. The city feels refreshed, the Botanical Gardens are spectacular, and dust levels are way down compared to the dry months.
- Tourist numbers drop significantly in April - you'll actually get decent service at popular spots like Slipway and the ferry terminals without the December-February crush. Hotel rates typically drop 20-30% from peak season, and you can book decent accommodation just days ahead instead of months.
- The ocean temperature sits around 27-28°C (81-82°F) in April, which is genuinely perfect for snorkeling and diving. Visibility improves as the rains ease off, and the humidity keeps afternoon beach time comfortable rather than scorching.
- April marks the beginning of cashew season in Tanzania - you'll find fresh cashew apples and roasted nuts at markets like Kariakoo for a fraction of what you'd pay later in the year. Mango season is also hitting its stride, with varieties like Dodo flooding the street vendors.
Considerations
- You're still looking at rain roughly every third day, and when it comes, it can properly disrupt plans. The afternoon showers typically last 20-40 minutes, but occasionally you'll get a system that settles in for hours. Roads in areas like Mbezi and Tegeta can flood quickly, turning a 20-minute drive into an hour-plus ordeal.
- The 70% humidity is no joke - clothes take forever to dry, and that combination of warmth and moisture means you're changing shirts twice a day if you're doing any walking around. Air conditioning becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity for comfortable sleep.
- Some island day trips to Mbudya and Bongoyo run on reduced schedules in April due to lower tourist demand. You might find yourself waiting longer for boats to fill up, or paying premium rates for private charters that would normally run as group trips during peak season.
Best Activities in April
Zanzibar Stone Town Day Trips
April is actually ideal for the ferry crossing to Zanzibar - the ocean has calmed down considerably from the March chop, but you're avoiding the June-August peak when every tourist in East Africa seems to be making the crossing. Stone Town's narrow alleys provide natural shade, and the humidity makes the rooftop restaurants at sunset genuinely appealing rather than oppressively hot. The spice tours are less crowded, and you can actually have conversations with guides rather than being herded through in groups of 30.
Mikadi Beach and Southern Coast Exploration
The southern beaches like Mikadi, Kigamboni, and Kunduchi are perfect in April because the heat is manageable and the weekend crowds from Dar residents haven't reached their peak yet. The water is warm enough that you'll spend hours in it, and the occasional cloud cover means you're not getting absolutely roasted. Local beach restaurants serve the freshest grilled octopus and calamari you'll find - the catch comes in daily and April's weather keeps the fish active.
Pugu Hills Forest Reserve Hiking
April is genuinely the best month for Pugu Hills - the forest is lush from the rains but trails are starting to dry out enough for decent footing. Morning temperatures around 20-22°C (68-72°F) make for comfortable hiking, and you'll see more bird activity than in the dry season. The forest canopy provides natural cooling, and the recent rains mean streams are actually flowing. You're looking at 500-800 m (1,640-2,625 ft) elevation changes on most trails, which is enough for a workout without being punishing.
Mbudya Island Marine Reserve Snorkeling
The water clarity around Mbudya improves noticeably in April as the heavy rains taper off. You're getting 8-12 m (26-39 ft) visibility on most days, which is solid for seeing the coral gardens and reef fish. The island is only 8 km (5 miles) offshore, so even if weather looks uncertain, you can usually make the 20-minute boat crossing safely. April means fewer day-trippers, so you'll actually find quiet spots on the beach and won't be snorkeling in a crowd of 50 people all kicking up sand.
Kariakoo Market and Street Food Walking Tours
April is perfect for exploring Dar's food scene because the heat is bearable enough for walking between stalls, and the seasonal produce is at its peak. Kariakoo Market is absolutely wild - it's the largest market in East Africa and you'll find everything from fresh cashew apples to dried fish to fabric. The street food scene around Kariakoo and along Msimbazi Street is best experienced in late afternoon around 4-6pm when vendors are setting up for evening service but the lunch rush has cleared. The rain risk actually works in your favor - covered market areas provide natural shelter.
Village Museum and Traditional Dance Performances
The Village Museum about 10 km (6.2 miles) north of the city center showcases traditional homesteads from Tanzania's 120+ ethnic groups. April is ideal because it's an outdoor museum with covered areas - you can duck into huts when brief showers come through. The weekend dance performances featuring ngoma drumming and traditional dances from different regions run around 2-3pm, and the smaller April crowds mean you're not fighting for photo angles. The museum grounds are beautifully maintained and the greenery is at its best post-rains.
April Events & Festivals
Union Day Celebrations
April 26th marks the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form Tanzania in 1964. In Dar, you'll see flag ceremonies, cultural performances at venues like the National Museum grounds, and street celebrations in areas like Kariakoo. It's a public holiday, which means government offices and many businesses close, but markets and restaurants stay open. The celebrations give you genuine insight into Tanzanian national identity, and the atmosphere is festive rather than overly formal.