Beach & Bush
Game drives, walks and beach time all in one park, unique in East Africa.
Tanzania National Parks
Saadani National Park
Where the beach kisses the bush: Saadani is the only wildlife park in East Africa with an Indian Ocean beachfront, combining game drives, boat safaris and beach relaxation.
- Location
- Indian Ocean coast
- Known For
- Bush meets beach
- Size
- 1,062 km²
- Experience
- Safari & beach
Discover Saadani
Where the bush meets the beach.
Saadani National Park is the only wildlife park in East Africa with an Indian Ocean beachfront, covering an area of 1,062 km². Established as a national park in 2002 from a former game reserve, it is the only park in Tanzania with both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
It is one of the very few parks in Africa where big game has been seen on the beaches. Bottlenose dolphins are common off the coast, green turtles breed at Madete beach, and the mangrove-lined Wami River teems with hippos and crocodiles.
Why Saadani
Safari and beach in one place.
Saadani is perfect for travellers who want wildlife and the ocean in a single destination.
Wami River Safaris
Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River with hippos, crocodiles and birds.
Green Turtles
Green turtles nest on Madete beach, protected within the park.
History & Culture
Saadani village is one of the oldest communities on the African coast, with nearby Bagamoyo and the Kaole ruins.
Location
Where is Saadani National Park?
Saadani lies on the Indian Ocean coast north of Dar es Salaam, between Bagamoyo and Pangani. It can be reached by road from Dar es Salaam, or by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
The park sits within a critical historical, social and cultural corridor along the Swahili coast, with the historic town of Bagamoyo and the Kaole ruins nearby.
When to visit
Every season tells a different Saadani story.
Saadani can be visited year-round, with the dry season best for wildlife.
Dry Season
The best time for game viewing, with animals gathering near water.
Short Rains
Green scenery and good birdlife.
Short Dry Spell
Hot, sunny beach weather and good wildlife.
Long Rains
The wettest period; some camps close and roads can be difficult.
What is the best month to visit Saadani?
Each month offers a different mix of beach and bush.
Hot and sunny, great for beach and boat trips.
Warm weather and good wildlife before the rains.
Rains begin; lush scenery.
The wettest month; some camps close.
Rains ease late in the month.
Dry season begins; good game viewing.
Pleasant weather and excellent wildlife.
Dry and clear, ideal for safaris.
Great game viewing and calm seas.
Warm and dry, with turtle activity on the beaches.
Short rains bring green scenery.
Warm and lively, with good birding.
Explore the area
Discover the different faces of Saadani.
Ocean, river, mangroves and savanna in one park.
CoastIndian Ocean BeachesLong sandy beaches where wildlife sometimes wanders and green turtles nest at Madete.
Southern parkWami RiverA mangrove-lined river with hippos, crocodiles, mangrove kingfishers and lesser flamingos.
InlandSavanna & WoodlandGrassland and woodland home to buffalo, elephants, greater kudu and sable antelope.
Northern parkSaadani VillageAn ancient fishing village with 19th-century ruins from its heyday as a trading point.
Wildlife
Wildlife from the savanna to the sea.
A wide range of grazers and primates is seen on game drives and walks, including buffalo, warthogs, eland, greater kudu, sable antelope, hartebeest and wildebeest roaming through the park.
Boat trips on the Wami River offer great chances to see crocodiles, hippos and a selection of marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo. Offshore, bottlenose dolphins are common.
10 animals to look for
Buffalo
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Grassland and woodland
Herds roam the savanna near the coast.
1 / 10
Elephant
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Woodland
Present in the park, though less common than inland.
2 / 10
Hippo
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Wami River
Pods of hippos live along the river.
3 / 10
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Wami River
Seen basking on the riverbanks.
4 / 10
Green turtle
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Madete beach
Nests on the protected beach, with hatchings at certain times of year.
5 / 10
Bottlenose dolphin
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Offshore
Common off the coast of the park.
6 / 10
Greater kudu
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: Woodland
Occasionally seen in denser bush.
7 / 10
Sable antelope
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Woodland
A rare and striking antelope.
8 / 10
Giraffe
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Savanna
Masai giraffes browse near the coast.
9 / 10
Lion
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: Savanna
Present but rarely seen.
10 / 10
Bush Meets Beach
A safari unlike any other.
In Saadani, a morning game drive can be followed by an afternoon on the beach and a sunset boat trip on the Wami River. It is the only place in East Africa where you can enjoy safari and the Indian Ocean in the same park.
Visit the green turtle nesting beach at Madete, explore Saadani village and its historic ruins, or simply relax by the sea.
Safaris to 中文
Saadani safaris
Itineraries that include Saadani, often combined with Zanzibar, Bagamoyo or Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania · 7 days
7-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi & Saadani
Nyerere · Mikumi · Saadani
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 8 days
8-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi, Saadani & Bagamoyo
Nyerere · Mikumi · Saadani · Bagamoyo
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 4 days
4-Day Eastern Circuit: Mkomazi & Saadani
Same · Tanga
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Tanzania · 4 days
4-Day Eastern Circuit: Mkomazi, Saadani & Bagamoyo
Same · Tanga
Private & tailor-madePrice on requestView trip
Stay in 中文
Where to stay in Saadani
Beachfront camps and lodges where the bush meets the Indian Ocean.
Gold tier
Saadani, TanzaniaKananga CampA secluded tented camp deep inside Saadani National Park, offering an exclusive wilderness retreat.Secluded bush campView lodge
Platinum tier
Saadani, TanzaniaTent with a ViewWhere bush meets beach: a solar-powered camp on a deserted white-sand beach inside Saadani National Park.Beachfront bush campView lodge
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Saadani.
Saadani village is one of the oldest communities on the East African coast and was an important trading point in the 19th century, as the ruins in the village show. Nearby Bagamoyo and the Kaole ruins add to the area's rich history.
Saadani was upgraded from a game reserve to a national park in 2002, combining marine and terrestrial ecosystems in one protected area.
What makes Saadani special?
It is the only wildlife park in East Africa with an Indian Ocean beachfront, combining safari and beach.
How do I get to Saadani?
By road from Dar es Salaam, or by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.
When is the best time to visit?
June to October for wildlife; the park can be visited year-round, though some camps close in April and May.
What animals can I see?
Buffalo, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, greater kudu, sable antelope, dolphins and green turtles.
Can I swim at Saadani?
Yes, the beaches are beautiful, though always follow your guide's advice.
Can Saadani be combined with Zanzibar?
Yes. Saadani is a short flight from Zanzibar and is a perfect safari add-on to a beach holiday.
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