Saadani National Park

Saadani is Tanzania's newest national park, established in 2005 from a game reserve which had existed from 1969. It is located 130 km North of Dar Salaam and just 38 km from Zanzibar and covers an area of 1100km².

The reserve has the unique distinction of being East Africa's first and currently only coastal wildlife sanctuary, providing the opportunity to observe Africa's big game and bird life interacting with the sea, a perfect union of bush and beach.

Saadani has a diverse population of mammals and birds, although many species are both scarce and scared compared to other parks which have received better protection in the past.

Of the big five, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo are present, the rare Roosevelt sable is indigenous, whilst plains game such as giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland and hartebeest are more frequently seen in larger herds.

The southern boundary is marked by the Wami River, which attracts fabulous bird life, large pods of hippo, massive crocodiles and the spectacular black and white Colobus monkey. Bottle-nosed dolphins are common off the Southern coast of the reserve, and you might catch a glimpse of whales as they pass through the Zanzibar Channel in October and November. There is a green turtle breeding beach at Madete in the North.

Dry season from June to January is the best time for wildlife viewing, it is very hot from November to February. During the peak raining season, March and April, the roads, especially in the southern part of the park can be impassible and may be closed.