​Overview – Saadani NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

The bush meets the beach in Saadani National Park. Thanks to its long Indian Ocean beachfront, this is the one place in East Africa where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past, or animals coming to drink at a nearby waterhole. And if you go for an early morning stroll on the beach you might see the Swahili fishers casting their nets at sunrise.

Best Time To Go January and February and June to August
High Season June to October (It rarely gets crowded)
Size 1,100km² / 425mi²
Altitude 0-346m / 0-1,135ft

Pros & Cons

  • Combination of beach and bush
  • Perfect beach destination for people who prefer a bush environment to a typical holiday resort
  • Closest wildlife-viewing destination to Zanzibar, connected by daily flights
  • Guided walks and boat trips available
  • Most of the major safari animals aren't present or easily seen
  • The wildlife-viewing circuit is small
  • Lack of wilderness appeal with human settlements all around

Saadani NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Saadani isn’t a prime safari destination, but there is always some wildlife around. Commonly seen on drives are elephant, giraffe, buffalo, common waterbuck, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, wildebeest, yellow baboon and vervet monkey. Hippos, crocodiles and a selection of waterbirds can be seen on boat trips. Saadani's wildlife specials are the shy red duiker, the endangered Roosevelt's sable and green turtles, for which the park is a breeding site.

Scenery

Mangroves separate the idyllic palm-lined beaches, and the watercourses are fringed by woodland. The habitat inside the park is mostly grassland interspersed with acacia thickets. Part of the extensive Zaraninge coastal forest, a biodiversity hot spot in Tanzania, is also located within the park boundaries.

Activities

Morning and afternoon game drives are best to see a variety of wildlife, but there is no better way to connect with nature than on a walking safari. Bird-lovers should not miss out on a river safari. A boat cruise on the Wami River is a highlight of any stay. Snorkeling trips and village tours are also available.

Weather & Climate

Saadani’s tropical climate is governed by a warm Dry season (June to September) and a hot, sticky Wet season (October to May). Rain shouldn’t really interfere with your safari, except in April and May, when the rainfall peaks.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Saadani is after the rains, in January and February (in the dry spell between the short and long rains) and from June to August (the opening months of the Dry season). This is when animals use the water pooled on the plains to hydrate. The birdlife is most spectacular in the Wet season.

Want To Visit Saadani NP?

11 Saadani Safaris

Saadani NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Bush and beach in one
3/5

Combining an Indian Ocean beach retreat with a big game safari – the boast of many an East African visitor package – generally involves an expensive and time-consuming transfer between the two. Saadani is the one park where you can...

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Latest User Review
Chiara  –  
Italy IT
Reviewed: Jan 30, 2018
3/5

Saadani park is not very populated: it is hard to spot lions and zebras for example. It is interesting because it is located on the coast: there are bushes, a river and the Ocean as well. Due to our lack of experience and to the lack of...

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