Saadani National Park – Tanzania
Saadani National Park is a one of a kind experience, where wild game animals and bush safaris meet the incredible Indian Ocean. Where else in the world can you wake up on the beach AND see animal tracks right outside your tent?
Game drives bring you close to all kinds of large creatures, including secretive leopards, basking buffalos and glimpses of rare antelopes. And if you are incredibly lucky you might see an elephant going for a cooling swim. This is a relaxing take on safari, no jostling for views or racing across the plains, it’s a gentle game of hide-and-seek with the wild inhabitants.
Get out of the vehicle, stretch your legs and take a guided walk, the best way to stumble upon sable antelope, zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, eland, hartebeest, wildebeest and giraffe! Or take a boat cruise on the Wami River, go canoeing to see the birds on the Mafui Creek and if the time is right then turtle hatchings are an amazing experience you don’t want to miss.
You can go snorkelling or swim in the warm waters of the ocean where marine species like dolphins and graceful humpback whales visit the area from time to time.
Once day turns to dusk the night creatures are out by the shore, once more. Maybe genet, civet or porcupine will pass your tent, or even an elephant or four?
About Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park is situated on the east coast of Tanzania, 130km north of Dar es Salaam and encompasses 1,062 square kilometres.
Saadani National Park is newly protected area as it was created in 2005 by combining the important biological areas of the Saadani Game Reserve, Mkwaja ranch, Wami River and Zaraninge Forest. It is the only national park in Tanzania that borders the ocean.
Indian traders first noted Saadani village in the 6th century and during the 18th and 19th centuries it played an important part in the ivory and slave trade. Nowadays it is mostly reliant on the fishing industry.
