Things to Do in Daressalaam in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Daressalaam
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- March sits right at the tail end of the long rains, which means you get the best of both worlds - vegetation is still lush and green from the wet season, but rainfall is tapering off significantly compared to April and May. You will see occasional afternoon showers, but they are brief and actually provide welcome relief from the heat.
- Tourist numbers drop considerably after the February peak, so you will find beaches less crowded and better rates on accommodation if you book 3-4 weeks ahead. Hotels in Masaki and Peninsula typically drop prices by 15-20 percent compared to high season, and you can actually get dinner reservations at popular spots without planning days in advance.
- The Indian Ocean water temperature sits at a comfortable 28-29°C (82-84°F) in March, which is genuinely perfect for extended swimming and snorkeling sessions without a wetsuit. Visibility underwater is improving as the rains decrease, making this one of the better months for marine activities before the cooler dry season arrives.
- March marks the beginning of the best weather window for visiting Zanzibar as a day trip or extension. The dhow crossing is calmer, and you avoid both the heavy rains of April-May and the peak tourist crush of June-August. If you are planning island hopping, this is actually ideal timing before prices jump in the high season.
Considerations
- Humidity stays consistently high throughout March, typically hovering around 70 percent, and when combined with temperatures pushing 32°C (89°F), it can feel genuinely oppressive between 11am and 3pm. If you are not accustomed to tropical humidity, that first week will be an adjustment period - the kind where your clothes never quite feel dry.
- While rainfall is decreasing, you still average 10 rainy days in March, and these showers are unpredictable. They might last 20 minutes or occasionally stretch to 2-3 hours, which can disrupt beach plans or outdoor activities. You cannot really plan around them the way you can in the dry season, so flexibility becomes essential.
- March sits in an awkward shoulder season where some tour operators are winding down before the dry season ramp-up, so availability for certain activities can be spotty. Not everything runs daily like it does in peak months, and you might find yourself working around limited schedules for boat trips or organized excursions.
Best Activities in March
Dar es Salaam City Walking Tours
March mornings are genuinely the best time to explore the city center on foot before the midday heat becomes unbearable. The humidity is more manageable between 7am and 10am, and you will catch Kariakoo Market at its most vibrant as vendors set up for the day. The mix of German colonial architecture, Indian-influenced buildings around Kisutu, and the waterfront along Kivukoni feels less crowded than peak season. The occasional rain shower actually works in your favor here - it clears the dust and cools things down temporarily.
Mbudya and Bongoyo Island Day Trips
These marine reserve islands off the coast are at their best in March as the water clarity improves with decreasing rainfall. The 20-minute boat ride from Msasani Slipway is calmer than it will be during the windy dry season months. Snorkeling conditions are excellent - you will see parrotfish, angelfish, and occasionally sea turtles in water that is warm enough to stay in for hours. The islands themselves are pleasantly uncrowded on weekdays, though weekends see more local visitors.
Village Museum Cultural Experiences
This open-air museum showcasing traditional homes from Tanzania's 120+ ethnic groups is perfect for March afternoons when you need an indoor-outdoor activity with shade options. The grounds are beautifully green from the rains, and the traditional dance performances (typically weekends at 3pm) happen under covered areas. It is genuinely one of the most underappreciated cultural sites in the city, and March's lower tourist numbers mean you can actually have meaningful conversations with the cultural guides without being rushed.
Msasani Peninsula Beach Clubs and Water Sports
March offers ideal conditions for trying kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking along the peninsula. The wind is moderate - not the intense gusts of June-August that can be overwhelming for beginners, but enough for decent kitesurfing. Water temperature at 28°C (82°F) means you are comfortable in just boardshorts or a rashguard. The beach clubs along Coco Beach and Kunduchi provide good facilities and equipment rental, and they are noticeably less packed than high season.
Pugu Hills Forest Reserve Hiking
Located about 20 km (12.4 miles) southwest of the city, this coastal forest is at its most spectacular in March when everything is still lush from the rains. The trails are muddy but manageable with proper footwear, and you will see incredible birdlife - over 130 species have been recorded here. The forest canopy provides natural shade, making it one of the few outdoor activities that actually works during midday in March. You might encounter troops of yellow baboons and the occasional blue monkey.
Kivukoni Fish Market and Street Food Tours
The fish market is at its absolute peak in the early morning (5-8am) when the night's catch arrives and the auction happens. March is excellent for this because the Indian Ocean fishing conditions are good, so you will see impressive variety - kingfish, red snapper, octopus, prawns the size of your forearm. Following this with a street food breakfast tour through the city gives you an authentic taste of Dar life. The food scene is vibrant year-round, but March's moderate tourist numbers mean you are eating alongside locals rather than in tourist clusters.
March Events & Festivals
Sauti za Busara Music Festival Spillover
While the main festival happens in Zanzibar in February, March often sees related concerts and performances in Dar es Salaam as artists make their way through East Africa. Check local venues like Alliance Française and Nafasi Art Space for scheduled performances. It is not a formal festival but rather a series of one-off shows that showcase the best of Swahili and East African music.