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Daressalaam - Things to Do in Daressalaam in November

Things to Do in Daressalaam in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Daressalaam

25°C (77°F) High Temp
20°C (68°F) Low Temp
51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Short rain season transition means you get mostly clear mornings and early afternoons - perfect for beach activities and exploring before the brief showers roll in around 3-4pm. The rain actually cools things down nicely.
  • Masika rains are just ending, so the city looks incredibly green and fresh. The normally dusty streets are clean, jacaranda trees are finishing their bloom, and the ocean visibility for diving and snorkeling is starting to improve as sediment settles.
  • Tourist numbers drop significantly after October school holidays end - you'll find better hotel rates (typically 20-30% lower than July-August), shorter queues at ferry terminals to Zanzibar, and locals have more time to chat at markets since they're not swamped.
  • Sea conditions calm down as the kaskazi (northeast monsoon) begins establishing itself. This makes November one of the better months for boat trips to nearby islands and the ferry crossing to Zanzibar becomes much more pleasant than the choppy October seas.

Considerations

  • Weather unpredictability is real - you might get 5 beautiful days in a row, then 3 days of intermittent drizzle. The transition between rainy seasons means forecasts beyond 2-3 days are basically guesswork, which makes planning multi-day excursions tricky.
  • Some beach resorts on the northern coast and Zanzibar run reduced services or close entirely for maintenance during November. Not everywhere, but enough that you need to confirm your specific accommodation is actually operating at full capacity.
  • Humidity sits around 70% pretty consistently, and when combined with 25°C (77°F) temperatures, it creates that sticky feeling where your clothes never quite dry. If you're sensitive to muggy weather, this might wear on you after a few days.

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Best Activities in November

Mbudya and Bongoyo Island Day Trips

November is actually ideal for visiting these marine reserve islands just 9 km (5.6 miles) offshore. The kaskazi winds are establishing but not yet strong, so boat rides are smooth and snorkeling visibility improves weekly as post-rain sediment clears. Water temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F) - warm enough that you don't need a wetsuit. The islands are nearly empty compared to peak season, so you might have entire beach sections to yourself. Most visitors do morning trips (departing 9-10am, returning 3-4pm) to avoid afternoon rain.

Booking Tip: Dhow departures run from Slipway or Msasani Peninsula. Expect to pay 35,000-50,000 TZS per person including boat transfer, snorkel gear, and often lunch. Book 2-3 days ahead through your hotel or directly at the departure points - you'll get better rates booking directly. Check current tour options in the booking section below for licensed operators.

Village Museum and Makumbusho Cultural Tours

Perfect rainy-day backup and genuinely interesting - this open-air museum showcases traditional housing from Tanzania's 120+ ethnic groups. November's cooler temperatures (relatively speaking) make the 10 km (6.2 miles) north location more comfortable to explore than the sweltering dry season. Weekend afternoons often feature ngoma dance performances. The grounds are beautifully maintained after the rains, and you can easily spend 2-3 hours here learning about Swahili coastal culture, Maasai bomas, and Chagga homesteads.

Booking Tip: Entry is around 10,000 TZS for non-residents. Most organized cultural tours include this with other stops like Mwenge Carvers Market. Tours typically run 25,000-45,000 TZS for half-day experiences. Worth going independently if you're comfortable with Swahili or want to linger - bajaj (tuk-tuk) from city center costs about 8,000-12,000 TZS.

Kivukoni Fish Market Morning Visits

The absolute best time to experience this is 6:30-8:30am when the overnight catches arrive and the auction chaos peaks. November brings excellent kingfish, octopus, and squid as waters calm. The market sits right on the harbor, and watching the rhythmic unloading of dhows while dodging puddles and fish guts is quintessentially Dar. It's humid and pungent, but the energy is incredible. Locals are buying for the day, and you'll see fish you've never encountered. Go early before the heat and crowds build.

Booking Tip: This is a working market, not a tourist attraction, so go respectfully and ideally with a Swahili speaker who can explain what's happening. Some walking food tours include early morning market visits (typically 30,000-55,000 TZS for 3-4 hour experiences including breakfast stops). If going solo, dress modestly, bring small bills, and maybe buy some grilled mishkaki (skewers) from vendors outside.

Pugu Hills Forest Reserve Hiking

About 20 km (12.4 miles) southwest of the city, this coastal forest is lush and accessible in November. The trails are still slightly muddy from the masika rains, so you'll want proper shoes, but the forest is alive with birds (great time for migratory species) and colobus monkeys are active. Temperatures under the canopy stay comfortable even midday. Most people do 2-3 hour hikes on marked trails. It's a genuine escape from urban Dar without traveling far.

Booking Tip: Entry fees run around 10,000-15,000 TZS. Guided nature walks through local conservation groups typically cost 40,000-70,000 TZS including transport from the city and a guide who knows bird species and medicinal plants. Going independently is possible but a guide adds significant value for wildlife spotting. Check the booking section below for current eco-tour options.

Zanzibar Ferry and Stone Town Exploration

The 75 km (47 miles) crossing to Zanzibar becomes much more pleasant in November as seas calm with the kaskazi monsoon. The 2-hour ferry ride on fast catamarans is smoother than October, and you're less likely to see green-faced passengers. Stone Town is magical in November - fewer cruise ships, better hotel availability, and the historic alleys are cooler with occasional breezes. Day trips are possible but rushed; consider 2-3 nights to properly explore spice farms, Prison Island, and the labyrinthine old town.

Booking Tip: Ferry tickets cost around 35,000-40,000 TZS one-way for tourists (buy from Azam Marine or Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries directly, not touts). Book morning departures 2-3 days ahead during November as it's not peak season. Multi-day packages including ferry, accommodation, and spice tours typically range 250,000-450,000 TZS per person depending on hotel category. See current Zanzibar tour options in the booking section.

Coco Beach Sunset and Street Food Circuit

November evenings along this 5 km (3.1 miles) stretch of beach are genuinely lovely - the humidity drops slightly after afternoon rains, and locals flood here from 5pm onward. The beach faces east so you don't get dramatic sunsets, but the atmosphere is unbeatable. Vendors sell grilled mishkaki, urojo (Zanzibari soup), chipsi mayai (egg and chips omelet), and fresh coconuts. It's where Dar residents actually hang out, not tourist-focused at all. Best Thursday-Sunday when crowds peak.

Booking Tip: This is free and self-guided. Bring 20,000-30,000 TZS in small bills for food and drinks - meals cost 3,000-8,000 TZS per item. Some evening food tours include Coco Beach as part of broader street food circuits (typically 35,000-60,000 TZS for 3-hour guided experiences with multiple stops). Watch your belongings in crowds and avoid isolated beach sections after dark.

November Events & Festivals

Various weekends throughout November

Sabasaba Grounds Weekend Markets

While the major Saba Saba trade fair happens in July, the grounds host rotating weekend markets throughout November featuring local artisans, second-hand goods, and food stalls. Not a formal event but worth checking what's on - sometimes there are agricultural shows or NGO exhibitions. Very local atmosphere.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella - those afternoon showers in November are brief but legitimate. You'll look like a tourist carrying an umbrella, but you'll be dry while everyone else huddles under shop awnings.
Breathable cotton or linen clothing, absolutely avoid polyester - 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics become sweat traps. Loose-fitting is your friend. Pack more shirts than you think you need because nothing dries overnight.
Closed-toe walking shoes that can handle wet conditions - Dar's drainage is hit-or-miss, and you'll encounter puddles and muddy patches, especially near markets and unpaved areas. Sandals are fine for beaches but not practical for city exploration.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply frequently - UV index of 8 is serious, and the cloud cover in November gives false confidence. You'll burn faster than you expect, especially on boat trips where reflection intensifies exposure.
Anti-mosquito spray with DEET 30%+ - November's standing water from rains means mosquitoes are active, particularly dawn and dusk. Malaria prophylaxis is essential; consult your doctor before traveling. Long sleeves for evenings help too.
Small daypack that's actually waterproof or has a rain cover - sudden showers will soak a regular backpack. Protect electronics, documents, and anything you don't want drenched when you're caught out.
Quick-dry towel for beach trips - hotel towels are bulky and won't dry in November's humidity. Microfiber versions pack small and actually dry between uses.
Cash in small denominations (1,000, 2,000, 5,000 TZS notes) - many vendors, bajaj drivers, and small restaurants don't have change for 10,000 or 20,000 notes. ATMs often dispense only large bills.
Modest clothing for visiting mosques and conservative areas - Dar is predominantly Muslim, and covering shoulders and knees (both genders) shows respect. Women should bring a light scarf for head covering when entering religious sites.
Antihistamine or anti-nausea medication if you're prone to seasickness - ferry to Zanzibar and island boat trips can still be bouncy in early November before the kaskazi fully establishes.

Insider Knowledge

The Tanzanian shilling exchange rate fluctuates, but November 2026 you're likely looking at roughly 2,300-2,500 TZS to 1 USD. Mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) is everywhere and locals use it constantly - consider getting a local SIM and loading some credit for small purchases. Many street vendors now accept mobile payments and it's safer than carrying cash.
Locals avoid Coco Beach and outdoor activities between 11am-3pm in November not just because of afternoon rain risk but because the humidity is genuinely oppressive midday. Follow their lead - do outdoor stuff early morning or late afternoon, use midday for museums, malls (Mlimani City, Sea Cliff), or long lunches at air-conditioned restaurants.
The daladalas (minibus public transport) are an experience but genuinely challenging for first-timers - routes aren't marked clearly, conductors shout destinations in Swahili, and they're packed. If you want to try it, start with the Posta to Mwenge route which is straightforward. Otherwise, Uber and Bolt work well in Dar and cost 5,000-15,000 TZS for most city trips, far less stressful.
November is when many expats and wealthier Tanzanians are back from traveling (school term is on), so restaurant reservations at popular spots like Karambezi Cafe, The Waterfront, or Akemi actually matter on Friday-Saturday evenings. Weeknights you can usually walk in, but weekends book a day ahead.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all of Dar shuts down for rain - those afternoon showers are typically 20-40 minutes of heavy downpour, then it clears. Tourists often cancel entire afternoons unnecessarily. Just wait it out at a cafe with chai, then continue your day.
Booking Zanzibar accommodation without confirming they're actually open - some boutique hotels and beach resorts close November for low season maintenance. Always email directly to confirm, don't just trust booking site availability which isn't always updated for seasonal closures.
Overdressing for the weather because it's technically rainy season - it's still tropical and warm. You don't need jeans or heavy layers. The rain is warm, the air is warm, pack light and breathable. First-timers often bring way too many clothes.
Exchanging money at the airport - rates at Julius Nyerere International are notoriously poor. Get enough TZS for taxi to your hotel (about 40,000-60,000 TZS to city center), then use ATMs in town or exchange at forex bureaus on Samora Avenue or Ohio Street for significantly better rates.
Planning tight ferry connections to Zanzibar - November seas are improving but delays still happen. If you have an international flight the same day as your return ferry, you're taking a risk. Build in buffer time or fly between Dar and Zanzibar instead (about 70-90 USD, 20 minutes).

Explore Activities in Daressalaam

Continue Planning Your Trip

October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Daressalaam

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Plan Your November Trip to Daressalaam

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