Saadani National Park is the only place in East Africa where the bush meets the beach. On Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, between Dar es Salaam and Tanga, it combines classic savannah wildlife with sandy beaches, mangroves and the Wami River.
Game drives reveal elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion and many antelope, while boat trips on the Wami River pass hippos, crocodiles and a wealth of birdlife. Green turtles nest on the park’s beaches, and walking safaris are also possible.
Saadani is about 4–5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam, via Bagamoyo or the Msata junction.
Charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar land at the park's airstrip in about 30 minutes.
Explore popular animals that easy found on this world-class destinations
Loxodonta africana
Giraffa tippelskirchi
Syncerus caffer
Panthera leo
Hippopotamus amphibius
Crocodylus niloticus
Chelonia mydas
Explore savannah, woodland and coastal forest where elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion and many antelope roam, just a short distance from the Indian Ocean.
A boat trip on the Wami River passes hippos, crocodiles, mangroves and a wealth of birdlife.
Saadani is the only park in East Africa where the bush meets the beach, so you can relax on the sand between game drives.
Guided walks with an armed ranger explore the park's coastal bush and wildlife on foot.
Green turtles nest on the park's beaches, and in season you may be lucky enough to see nests or hatchlings.
The best time for game drives, boat trips and beach time, with good road access.
Heavy rain can make roads difficult and some accommodation closes.
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Saadani is the only national park in East Africa where the bush meets the beach. On Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast, it combines savannah wildlife with sandy beaches, mangroves and the Wami River, so you can go on a game drive in the morning, a boat safari in the afternoon and relax by the ocean in between.
Saadani is about four to five hours by road from Dar es Salaam, via Bagamoyo or the Msata junction. Charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar take around 30 minutes and land at the park's airstrip, making it an easy safari add-on to a beach holiday.
Saadani is home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs and many antelopes, including waterbuck and hartebeest. Green turtles nest on the beaches, dolphins are sometimes seen offshore, and the Wami River and mangroves are rich in birdlife.
Yes. Saadani is a short flight from Zanzibar, making it an ideal combination of safari and beach. It's especially good for travellers who want a taste of wildlife without the long journeys to the northern or southern parks.
The dry season, from June to February, is the best time to visit, with good road access, easy game viewing and pleasant beach weather. The long rains, from March to May, can make roads difficult and some accommodation closes during this period.
