Saadani National Park is the perfect union of beach and bush. Located just 70 km north of Bagamoyo (or south from Pangani) and immediately accessible by paved road from Dar es Salaam, Saadani has recently become a fully protected national park and is a popular day-trip from beach resorts scattered along Tanzania’s northern coast.

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The Wami River, which passes through Saadani National Park and empties into the Indian Ocean, hosts a large population of hippos, crocodiles, flamingos, and many large bird species. Elephants are sometimes viewed bathing and playing on Saadani’s beach, especially in the early hours of the morning.

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A good choice for visitors based in Dar es Salaam who don’t have time for longer safaris to visit more remote parks around the country, Saadani is easily visited on a day trip or short weekend safari. It’s elephant population frolics in the sands and sometimes ventures into the crashing surf, which alone makes Saadani one of the more special and unique parks to visit in Tanzania.

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Wildlife in Saadani National Park

In Saadani National Park there’s an abundance of wildlife to see including giraffe, elephant, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon, vervet monkey, spotted hyena and black-backed jackal, birds of prey and even lions and leopards. To see river life take a boat trip down the Wami River where you can expect to see mangrove kingfisher, flamingo, hippos and crocodiles and on the beaches you may be lucky enough to find turtles.

Safaris in Saadani National Park

For the ultimate adventure and the best opportunity to spot wildlife in Saadani National Park take either a driving, walking or boat safari around the park. Drives typically last three to four hours, whereas a boat safari down the Wami River and a walking safari are more intimate ways to see the park.

Once you’ve thoroughly explored the park by way of safari, visit the fishing village of Saadani which is located within the park and has a collection of ruins for you to visit which date back to the village’s time as a trading port. Then at the end of your day chill out by going swimming.