Saadani National Park

Tanzania’s only national park on the Indian Ocean, where the bush meets the beach. Game drives, boat trips on the Wami River and time by the sea, all in one place.

At a glance

Getting there: By road from Dar es Salaam, or a short flight. About 5 hours by road from Mikumi or from Mkomazi
Best for: Bush and beach in one place, the Wami River
Best time: June to October, and January to February

Why go

Saadani’s landscape mixes coastal grassland, acacia woodland and mangrove forest. Elephants, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest and many antelope live here, with lions and leopards present but shy. A boat trip on the Wami River brings you close to hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds, and then you can watch the sun go down over the ocean.

Highlights

Beach and bush in one park
Boat safaris on the Wami River
Elephants, giraffe and buffalo near the coast
Green turtle nesting beaches
An easy add-on to Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam

Adventure That Gives Back

The conservation story

Saadani protects coastal habitats that are disappearing along much of East Africa’s shore: mangroves, river mouths and nesting beaches used by green turtles. It is a young and still recovering park, and visitors help it grow by bringing in the income that pays for its protection.

How your visit helps. The park and conservation fees in your trip price go to the authority that protects this place, paying for rangers, anti-poaching patrols and park upkeep. We hire local guides and staff and use locally owned suppliers wherever we can.

How our safaris give back →

A trip built around Saadani

We do not have a set itinerary here yet, so we plan each visit around you: how long you have, how you like to travel, and what you most want to see. Saadani works well with Zanzibar, or as a short trip from Dar es Salaam.

When to go

The dry months, June to October, and the short dry spell in January and February, are best. Roads can be difficult in the long rains, around March to May.

Where to stay

We choose your lodges and camps to suit your budget and travel style, from simple tented camps to luxury lodges, and name them in your personal itinerary and quote.

Combine with: Zanzibar · Pemba · Mafia