Saadani National Park

Saadani is Tanzania’s first coastal wildlife sanctuary and is situated on the Indian Ocean coast. The rare Roosevelt sable antelope can be seen here, as well as other indigenous species. Birdlife is extensive and bottle-nose dolphin are common off the coast. At various seasons of the year, whales and green turtles may be spotted.

Vegetation is a strange mix of marine and land flora, while game viewing ranges from sightings of the humpback whale and green turtles to lions and leopards. This is the place where freshwater meets seawater and animals bask on the beach. It is one of the very few places left in Africa where predators and big game roam the beach. The inland terrain is complemented by coastal forests, sandbanks, and beaches.

Best Time to Visit

Saadani is a year-round destination, but the best time of year to visit is between June and February, with peak birding season from November to April. For a brief period between October and November, visitors will experience short bursts of rain. The heavy tropical rains are usually from March to May.

Wildlife

Game viewing in this national park is varied because of its rich ecosystem. Throughout the park, the most commonly spotted predators include lions and leopards. The park is considered a protected area for lions and forms part of the Lion Conservation Unit. Elephants, buffalo, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable, giraffe, and red duiker are just a few of the grazers and browsers to spot while on safari. In the more waterlogged regions, visitors can spot hippos, crocodiles, Nile monitors, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and genets.

Activities

Game driving to Madete Beach, the breeding site of the green turtle.
Boat trips on the Wami River
Hiking with a guide in designated areas
Cultural tourism: visits to the Saadani fishing village