SAADANI NATIONAL PARK
Saadani National Park is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania but is a very unique park because of its location. Located directly at the coast of the Indian Ocean, Saadani National Park offers a unique bush/beach experience. The amount of wildlife is lower here than in other parks and some roads are used for local transport which makes the safari experience a little different.
Saadani National Park is not the best destination for people wanting to see lots of animals, but is a great destination for a boat safari or to relax in the wild. The Wami river runs through the park and is great for boat safaris. You can enjoy the beautiful nature and spot hippos, crocodiles and lots of birds from the boat! You will see many kingfishers and with some luck, you might even see the African Osprey. If you want to get up close with the nature, you can also go on a walking safari here where you’ll be joined by an armed ranger. It might not be the best for gameviewing, but it is definitely a unique and unforgettable experience!
ANIMALS
Saadani National Park is a great destination for bird lovers as the tropical forest bordering the beach attracts many beautiful and rare birds! There is no guarantee to the amount of animals you will see here. Some people see only a handful and others see 4 of the big 5 animals. You might not be able to tick off all animals on your list, but you’ll definitely have an unforgettable experience!
Spotted in Saadani National Park:
Giraffe
Elephant
Lion
Leopard
Hyena
Hippo
Crocodile
Buffalo
Baboon
Vervet monkey
Colobus monkey
Roosevelt's sable
Waterbuck
Wildebeest
Turtles
Flamingo
Many birds
Other small animals
LOCATION
Saadani National Park is 3,5 hours driving from Dar es Salaam. It is therefore a great destination for a 1 day or 2 day safari! Bagamoyo is an interesting town located very close to the park and definitely worth a visit too. You can easily continue to the beautiful beaches of Pangani or even head to the Usambara mountains. A Saadani safari fits in pretty much every itinerary!
Dar es Salaam to Saadani National Park: about 3-4hrs of driving
Bagamoyo to Saadani National Park: 2hrs of driving
Saadani National Park to Tanga: 3hrs of driving
WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to go on a safari in Saadani National Park is from June to October as temperatures don’t get too high and it is dry. This is also the best time to spot flamingos
Between November and March, the temperature rises and rains can sometimes occur. These rains are mostly during the night, so it doesn't influence your safari too much. These months are also an excellent time for a safari! Make sure to start your safari early as lots of animals tend to hide from the midday sun.
Rainy season starts sometime in March and ends in May. The roads become muddy and some lodges close. It is not an ideal time to go, but safaris can be organized.