Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park covers some 1,150 sq. km of coastal bush and savannah grassland to the north of Dar es Salaam. The park has the distinction of being the only coastal wildlife sanctuary of its kind on the east coast of Africa. It offers a unique safari environment, combining the most rare of recipes – river, bush and beach.

• Attractive East African coastal terrain of bush and beach
• Surprisingly good game viewing on the edge of the Indian Ocean
• Boat safaris up the Wami River for great bird watching
• Long, empty stretches of white sand beach for walking & swimming

The Wami River forms the southern boundary of the Park: from the open ocean you can boat into the river mouth and within minutes you are passing pods of hippo and basking crocodiles. The entire eastern boundary of the park is set along the Indian Ocean where white beaches stretch to the horizon in both directions, and sand islands provide some superb snorkelling and swimming opportunities.

Saadani Safari Lodge is located in a unique area with an extraordinary diversity of scenery and wildlife, with beach, bush and river combining to produce a colourful array of ecosystems. Elephants have been known to cavort on the beach and just a stone’s throw from the open sea, hippos wallow in the estuary of the Wami River.

Out at sea there is a small tidal sand island set in clear waters, which makes for a lovely ocean boat trip. Here you can enjoy a picnic lunch under shade on the island’s sands and there are also good snorkelling spots just offshore.  Dolphins and green turtles are often seen at the island and love to play around the boat.

Walking safaris and game drives provide very different bush perspectives. The pace is entirely flexible and you can explore in your own time, catching the odd glimpse of sparkling blue sea as you watch the animals and birds. Game drives are often combined with a fresh picnic breakfast or evening sundowner at a waterhole.