One gets to relish the palm trees as they sway in a cooling oceanic breeze. White sand and blue water glitter alluringly underneath the tropical sun, brand Saadani is a marvelous place to visit. Traditional dhows sail slowly past, propelled by billowing white sails, whilst Swahili fishermen cast their nets below a brilliant red sunrise.The only wildlife park in Tanzania that borders the Indian Ocean, Saadani National Park is its own kind of paradise, offering everything from bush to beach to boat trips. It incorporates the former Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch area, the Wami River, and the Zaraninge Forest. To make the most of all that Saadani has to offer, the best time to visit is during the dry season (June – September).
What to Expect in Saadani National Park:
Both game drives and guided walks will take you into the heart of Saadani and give you a great chance of seeing Zebras, Buffalos, Elephants, Warthogs, Giraffes, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, and even the elusive sable Antelope. If you’re patient enough you might even be rewarded with the desirable sighting of a Lion, Leopard or Spotted Hyena.
Head to the beach for one of Saadani’s most special displays, as this is one of the few remaining breeding sites for Green Turtles, while Dolphins and humpback Whales provide their own show in the Ocean beyond. A boat trip on the Wami River takes you up close and personal with hippos, crocodiles and flamingos, for an experience that will really set your heart racing, and bird-watchers can enjoy spotting the many rarely seen migratory birds that are attracted to these shores.
Location: On the north coast, roughly 100km (60 miles) northwest of Dar es Salaam, and a similar distance southwest of the port of Tanga.
