About Saadani National Park
Saadani is Tanzania's only coastal national park, a mix of bush, river and mangrove that runs right down to the Indian Ocean between Dar es Salaam and Tanga. In a single day you can take a morning game drive, drift along the Wami River in the afternoon and finish with a walk on an empty beach. It suits travellers who want safari and sea without flying between them, and families who like plenty of variety.
What you will see
The park covers 1,062 square kilometres and was gazetted in 2005, bringing together the old Saadani Game Reserve, the former Mkwaja Ranch and the Zaraninge Forest. Elephant, buffalo, giraffe and lion all live here, and leopard too, though as anywhere they are seen less often. What sets Saadani apart is the setting: palms and dunes at one end of a drive, open woodland and grassland at the other. A morning might bring giraffe browsing close to the shore, and an afternoon a pod of hippo in the river mouth, with fishing dhows passing offshore.
- Wami River: boat trips past hippo, crocodile and mangrove birds
- Madete beach: green turtles nest here, with a peak from July to November; few nests are accessible, so a hatching is a bonus rather than a promise
- Mafui sandbank: boat trips out for snorkelling
- Saadani village: a historic trading settlement on the shore
When to go
The park is open all year. For game viewing, January to February and June to August tend to be best. April and May bring the long rains, and some roads can become impassable. If turtles are a priority, aim for July to November. Our Tanzania weather guide explains the coast's seasons.
Getting there
By road from Dar es Salaam you head north via Bagamoyo, a few hours' drive. Coming from the north, the coastal route from Tanga via Pangani works well. Charter flights can also land at airstrips inside the park, which saves time if you are short of it.
How it fits your trip
Saadani makes a relaxed finish after a Kilimanjaro climb and a safari in the north, especially if you travel down by road through the Usambaras and Mkomazi. It pairs well with Zanzibar, across the channel, or with a night or two in Dar es Salaam before your flight home. Because you can see wildlife and still spend afternoons by the sea, it suits groups where not everyone wants long game drives. Two or three nights give you time for the river, the beach and a couple of drives.
Where to stay
The lodges and camps are small and low-key, and staying near the shore means the sound of the sea is never far away. Mornings start early for game drives, and afternoons are yours to spend on the sand or the river. Send us your dates and we will match a stay to the rest of your route.
