Saadani National Park
Saadani is a national park that is often overlooked. Its location is special because it is on the coast, because it is the only national park where you can combine an adventure safari with a relaxing stay at beautiful white beaches with many palm trees. It is allowing you to observe wildlife in a unique environment. Saadani is the only national park on the coast of East Africa. It is where the beach meets the bush – the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to boast an Indian Ocean beachfront.
It as well possesses all the attributes that make Tanzania’s tropical coastline and islands very popular with European sun-worshipers. Yet it is also the one place where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past. Or a lion coming to drink at the nearby waterhole! It offers a variety of landscapes: mangroves, large coral reefs, sea and beach with many palm trees, savannah and cotton fields.
Wildlife in Saadani National park
Wildlife in Saadani national park includes four of the Big Five. Although it is very hard to spot them, because the numbers are low and the animals are usually hiding. Because this park is located next to the local villages and animals try to avoid interaction with local people. As they see them as their enemies.
You can also find a population of Masai giraffes. And you find Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, common waterbucks and bohor reedbucks, blue wildebeests, common and red duikers, Dik-Diks. Others are yellow baboons, vervet and blue sykes monkeys as well as Colobus and White-bearded emperor tamarin monkeys, mongooses, genets and porcupines. And also greater kudus, elands, sable antelopes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles and nile monitors live in Saadani national park. African bush elephants, lions and leopards are a bit more shy here. But with a bit of luck you might spot them too! You can see herds of up to 30 elephants with increased frequency. And several lion prides are inhabitants, together with leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals.
Since 2005, the protected area is considered a Lion Conservation Unit. The Wami River is home to the beautiful mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo. And the beaches form one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.
Excursions in Saadani National Park
- In Saadani National Park you can go on a boat safari on the mangrove-lined Wami River, where you can see hippos, huge crocodiles and beautiful mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo.
- For another nice activity you can do here is a walking safari. Here you walk through the park with an armed ranger.
- Or visit Saadani fishing village, which lies within the reserve, where a collection of ruins pays testament to its 19th century heyday as a major trading port.
- Off the coast of the national park is a sandbank which you can visit by boat to go snorkeling, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the tropical environment. The sandbank is only accessible during low tide, so your trip should happen during this time.
Travel time to Saadani National Park
- 3–4 hrs drive from Dar es Salaam
- 3 hrs drive from Tanga
- Travel Tips from our experts about Saadani
- My name is Wilfred and I am a guide in Saadani National Park for 9 years. Our guests mainly like this park due to its proximity to the ocean. This unique combination of beach holiday and exciting safari game drives is what they enjoy most as they find all in one location! The abundance of animals and boats tours make for unforgettable memories.
- How long to stay? 2 days
- Which hotel?
- Kijongo Bay Beach Resort (Silver)
- Sanctuary Saadani River Lodge (Golden)
- Saadani Safari Lodge (Platinum)
Best time to visit Saadani National Park
- The best time for watching wildlife in Saadani is after the rains, in January and February, and from June to August, when there is still plenty of water on the plains and wildlife stays within the park.
- Avoid the rainy season in April-May and November.
- Information and factsElephants bathing in the ocean. Lions and hyenas on the hunt. Numerous different species of monkeys swinging through the trees. Saadani National Park is home to many representatives of the African animal kingdom, although they can also hide well. Nevertheless, this park is an absolute highlight, as safari adventures and relaxation on the beach merge seamlessly.
Most common animals
Be aware that below animals do live in Saadani, but take in consideration that they are hard to find. The experience is different from the Northern National parks, with a very high population of animals.
Lions
Cape buffaloes
Leopards
African bush elephants
hippos
Masai giraffes
Lichtenstein’s hartebeest
Common waterbucks and bohor reedbucks
Blue wildebeests
Common and red duikers
Dik-Diks
Yellow baboons
Vervet and blue monkeys
Colobus and White-bearded monkeys
Mongooses
Genets
Porcupines
Greater kudus and elands
Sable antelopes
Warthogs
Crocodiles
Nile monitors lark
Spotted hyenas
Black-backed jackals
Mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo
Green turtles
Facts about Saadani National Park
- Area of 1062 km²
- Officially recognized only in 2005
Not very easy to spot wildlife
Saadani highlights
Tanzania’s 13th National Park
Basking along the shores of the Indian Ocean
Great to combine beach holiday and safari
Abundance of wildlife after the rains
Lion conservation unit