Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park: Where the Beach Meets the Wild
Palm trees sway in the ocean breeze as white sand and blue water shimmer under the tropical sun. Saadani offers a spectacular blend of coast and wilderness, making it an unforgettable destination.

Traditional dhows glide by, their sails billowing in the wind, while Swahili fishermen cast nets beneath a fiery red sunrise.

A Unique Wildlife Haven
Saadani is East Africa’s only wildlife sanctuary with an Indian Ocean beachfront. It combines the allure of Tanzania’s tropical coastline and islands with the thrill of a safari. Here, sunbathers may unexpectedly spot an elephant strolling past or a lion drinking from a nearby waterhole.

Protected Game Reserve and Wildlife Recovery
Established in the 1960s, Saadani National Park doubled in size in 2002. Severe poaching in the late 1990s caused damage, but conservation efforts, including local village involvement, have led to a remarkable recovery.

Today, game drives and nature walks reveal a wide variety of wildlife. Grazers and primates include giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, reedbucks, hartebeests, wildebeests, red duikers, greater kudus, elands, sable antelopes, yellow baboons, and velvet monkeys.

Scenic Boat Trips and Marine Wildlife
Elephant herds of up to 30 individuals appear more frequently, while several lion prides live alongside leopards, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals.

Boat trips along the mangrove-lined Wami River offer excellent chances to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, including mangrove kingfishers and lesser flamingos. The park’s beaches serve as one of Tanzania’s last major green turtle breeding sites.

Saadani National Park Facts

• The park offers a stunning safari experience, uniquely blending coastal beauty with lush greenery—an exceptional combination rarely found elsewhere.
• The park covers up an area of 1,062 sq km.
• The park is situated between Dar es Salaam and Tanga .
• This national park uniquely showcases both marine and mainland flora and fauna, offering a rare blend of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems.
• The park's diverse vegetation includes mangrove forests along the Wami River and ocean, palm trees, Indian Ocean coral reefs, and a mix of short and tall grass savannah.
Saadani National Park offers a rare blend of wildlife, featuring lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, monkeys, and marine life like hippos, crocodiles, and sea dolphins.