Saadani National Park

Saadani is the only wildlife sanctuary in Tanzania bordering the Indian Ocean. Gazetted in 2005, it encompasses a well-preserved ecosystem including the former Saadani game reserve, the former Mkwaja ranch area, the Wami River as well as the Zaraninge Forest.Many villages are dotted around the boundaries of the park. Saadani village itself once was an important harbor-town and slave-trading center in East Africa. Nowadays it is a small Swahili village of about 800 inhabitants whose livelihood is mostly fishing.

Map

Uniqueness of Park

Saadani is where crabs meets elephant and the roar of a lion might interrupt your tanning.

This is one of the few breeding sites for green turtles.

To the southern part experience salt harvesting processes (salt pans) in the hands of the locals.

Best Time to Visit

Generally accessible all-year round, although the access roads are sometimes impassable during April and May. The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August.

Dry Season

June - October

Wet Season

June - October

Rain Season

June - October

Getting There

By road: Dar es Salaam – Chalinze – village of Mandera (good tarmac road, 160 km. About 2-3 hours driving) then from Mandera village drive to Mvave Gate – Saadani National Park tourism office (rough road, 65 km about 2 hours driving). From Tanga town via Pangani to Mkwaja Gate (earth road 120 km, about 3-5 hours driving). From Dar es Salaam drive north to Saadani via Bagamoyo.

By Air:Charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar or Tanga or Arusha and other major towns.