Dar es Salaam Weather in December 2026: what to expect (4.9/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in December

December falls in the wet season in Dar es Salaam. Showers are often brief but intense. With 68.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

December ranks 10 out of 12 months in Dar es Salaam. Compared to November: −0.6h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index

9 · very high

protection essential

Feels like

very humid

24°

Sea

30°C

warm, ideal

Daylight

12.4h of daylight

Air quality

good

AQI 25

Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Dar es Salaam is July (8.7/10), 3.8 pts higher than December.

See July →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Dar es Salaam ("Abode of Peace" in Arabic), former capital and largest city of Tanzania : 7 million inhabitants in the urban area on the Indian Ocean (official capital moved to Dodoma in the center of the country in 1996, but Dar es Salaam remains the economic capital and main hub).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Dar es Salaam

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

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🎟️ Activities & tours · Dar es Salaam

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Tanzania

🗣️LanguageSwahili

💶CurrencyShilling tanzanien (TSh)

🚗DrivingLeft-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical

📈Climate trend ⓘStable

🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 88°F

❄️Coolest monthJuly · 82°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 89%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep

🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar

🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)

Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

ZanzibarTanzania71 km

Stone TownTanzania71 km

Diani BeachKenya281 km

Other top picks

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Dar es Salaam ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Tanzania

Equatorial tropical climate with a 8.7 → 4.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

6.79°S · 39.28°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam?

July is the best month with 82°F highs, 72°F lows, 7.2h of sunshine and 18.0% rainy days. The months of July & June offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Dar es Salaam get in July?

Dar es Salaam averages 7.2 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.3/10.

What is the rainiest month in Dar es Salaam?

April is the most unfavourable month with April has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Dar es Salaam in July?

In July, overnight lows reach 72°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.

Is Dar es Salaam good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Dar es Salaam scores 4.8/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.3/10.

When should you avoid Dar es Salaam?

April is the most difficult month to visit Dar es Salaam, with April has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Can you swim in Dar es Salaam in December?

In December, the sea averages 87°F in Dar es Salaam: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.

Do you need sun protection in Dar es Salaam in December?

The average UV index reaches 9 in December in Dar es Salaam (very high), with about 12.4h of daylight. Protection essential.