By choosing to visit this wonderful national park, where the bush meets the shore, you can expect only good and lasting memories. A refreshing seaside breeze allows one to enjoy the palm trees as they swing. Saadani National Park is a wonderful destination because of its white sand and blue water, which shimmer seductively under the tropical sun.
Large and small mammals, birds, and reptiles, such as Roosevelt’s sable antelopes, mangrove forests surrounding the tortuous Wami River, the ocean, clusters of palm trees, coral reefs, and beaches along the Indian Ocean shoreline that serve as one of the only green turtle breeding grounds in Tanzania’s network of national parks, can all be found there.
Brief History of Saadani National Park
Gazetted in 2005 with an area of 1100 km², the park is situated at the heart of the Bagamoyo, Pangani, and Zanzibar towns that once were the marketplaces for slave trade.
History and Culture.
Historically, the community of Saadani played a pivotal role in East African trade for slaves and harbored key ships. Currently, it is a little Swahili fishing community of 800 people who rely on fishing for a living. Some of the nearby communities rely on agriculture, particularly coconut cultivation, for their livelihood.
The region rose to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries as a result of the increasing global demand for ivory and slaves after having been dominated by the Portuguese and Arabs. Bagamoyo and Pangani, along with the real Saadani village, sprouted up as new commercial posts linking Zanzibar to long-distance trade routes emanating from Tabora. Saadani was ruled by Bwana Heri bin Juma at the end of the 19th century. According to local legend, he was born into the community and became its hero in 1882 when he bravely fought off the sultan’s forces and the Zanzibari army’s attempts to conquer the town. In 1886, the boundaries of the German protectorate were set. Abushiri bin Salim al-Harth and Bwana Heri worked together for two years to organize the coastal population to resist the Germans. The Germans captured Saadani after bombarding it on June 6, 1889. Since the Germans saw Bwana Heri as a respected enemy, they ordered him to restore Saadani.
As the nineteenth century came to a close, the caravan trade in Saadani and Bagamoyo began to diminish, while Dar es Salaam emerged as the dominant trading hub of the coastal region. Following the German invasion, coastal commercial output, including the sale of rice, sugar, and copra to Zanzibar and the Indian Ocean, ceased to exist. Coffee, cotton, and sisal, which are lucrative crops for the European market, supplanted them. The Saadani region became known for its cashew estates, cattle ranches, sisal, and kapok when the protectorate was transferred to the British following World War I. The ruins of the stone homes are evidence of the prosperous past.
Still standing in Saadani are several cemeteries and an ancient German boma, or government house.
Getting there
By road: You can reach the park by road network from Dar es Salaam via Bagamoyo to Gama/Wami entrance gate (131 km). Also from Tanga via Pangani and Mkwaja to Madete entrance gate (146 km) and from Dar-es-Salam/Chalinze via Miono to Mvave entrance gate (225 km). Moreover, Mkata (79 km) connects Arusha to the Madete entrance gate, providing access to the park.
By Air: Charter flights from Dar-es-Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga, or Arusha can land at the Saadani airport.
By Water:
Saadani National Park can be reached by sailing on water through the islands of Tanga, Pangani, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar.
Climate
The park receives a bimodal pattern with rainfall peaks from March to June and short ones from October to November.
June to September and January to February are the best times to visit, with average maximum temperatures reaching up to 29 °C.
Attractions
The park is home to a variable mix of both marine and mainland flora and fauna, most notably waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, hartebeests, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The marine-terrestrial interface and the natural Mafui sandbank offer exceptional scenic beauty.
Wami River
The Wami River passes through Saadani and empties into the Indian Ocean. It hosts a large population of hippos, crocodiles, flamingos, and many waterbird species. Plan to see the elephants bathing and playing in the Wami River, especially in the early hours of the morning.
Mangrove forest
Saadani will provide you with an opportunity to see a varied type of mangrove forest found on the saline water/mud and higher ground of the ocean. These salt-tolerant tidal forests will give you an exclusive taste of many animal species, including the fascinating fiddler crab and prawns.
Green Turtles
Madete Beach enhances your safari experience, making it truly memorable. This location is where you will be able to see the green turtle breeding site and hatching of the young ones.
Tourism Activities
The park has a wide range of activities that cater to everyone’s interests.
Boat Safari
One can do a boat safari at the delta of the Wami River and the ocean. Boat safaris are relaxing and enjoyable. There is a chance you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and many birds, and it is fascinating to watch the vegetation along the banks of the Wami River change with decreasing salinity of water as you move up the river. Boat safaris are also the best selection to see marine and riverine birds like kingfishers and lesser flamingos.
Visit Mafui sandbank
This magical island opens early in the morning and closes in the evening, making it the best place for lunch and sunbathing to provide you with maximum relaxation.
Bird Watching
Birding in Saadani is all year round. Migratory birds from Europe and Northern Africa can be found from November to April, making this the best time for bird watching. The period is also a nesting season for resident birds, and many can be spotted in their breeding plumage.
Walking Safari
Walking safari on the natural trails of Saadani gets you close to nature and immerses you in active game watching. Once you set foot into the vast plains and walk through the thick canopies or landscapes, there is an overwhelming sense of becoming one with nature. You will experience the real thrill as you get to see animals that you may not see when driving. Most walking safaris are ideal in the morning or just before dusk. Depending on the age group, you can enjoy gentle strolls for up to two hours or a half-day or full-day excursion.
Game drive
This activity will reward you with a glimpse of elephants, hippos, lions, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, buffalo, leopards, and hyenas, to mention a few.
Mafui Sand Bank
Visit Mafui Sand Bank Island, which opens during the day and closes in the evening, a sandbank where you snorkel in the caves with colorful fish and green turtles. This is a place where you can maximize your relaxation by enjoying lunch and sunbathing.
What accommodations are available for your trip to Saadani National Park?
Hotel reservations and bookings for Saadani National Park are available through Active African Vacations. These range from simple motels to five-star resorts and hotels with full kitchens.
We can also help you reserve a room at a camp, a tented camp, a guest house, a bed & breakfast, a private residence, a resort, a restaurant, a house, or an all-inclusive apartment in Saadani National Park.
Located on the northern shore, Saadani National Park is about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Dar es Salaam and about the same distance southwest of the port of Tanga.
Saadani is a place where grasslands and beaches combine. As the only East African wildlife refuge with direct access to the Indian Ocean, it shares all the qualities that draw sunbathers from Europe to Tanzania’s tropical shores and islands.
Enjoy the swaying palm trees as you feel the refreshing seaside breeze. Saadani is a beautiful destination with a white beach and azure water that sparkles under the tropical heat.
As a spectacular red sunrise illuminates the sky, traditional dhows cruise leisurely past, their white sails billowing in the wind. Below them, Swahili fishermen cast their nets.
There is a wide variety of marine and terrestrial plant and animal life at Saadani National Park. Mangrove forests border the park’s meandering Wami River and ocean; clusters of palm trees; Indian Ocean coral reefs; short-grass and tall-grass savannah; and the harsh black cotton plains are all parts of the park’s unusual flora.
Game drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris with armed rangers are some of the activities offered in Saadani National Park. It is also possible to arrange historical visits to the ancient fishing hamlet of Saadani, where you can see the remnants of the buildings that stood during the time when this location was a thriving port trafficking slaves and ivory.
On cultural trips, one can also visit the three largest indigenous groups in the region, the Waswahili, Wazigua, and Wadoe. The region’s advantageous trading conditions have attracted people of many different ethnic backgrounds. For subsistence, the Wamangati people of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area send wagons full of livestock to the island of Zanzibar.
You will find some of the world’s most stunning hotels and resorts at Saadani National Park. If you’re looking for a five-star hotel in Tanzania, Saadani National Park is a wonderful option.
The Saadani River Lodge, Saadani Safari Lodge, Kisampa Bush Retreat, Tanganyika Coastal Campsite, and Saadani Park Hotel are just a few of the many excellent hotels in the area.
Babs’ Camp, Elephant Island Private Conservancy—Saadani National Park.
In the Saadani National Park, on the private conservancy of Elephant Island, you will find Babs’ Camp, a five-star establishment. The exquisite upper-level guestrooms include en-suite bathrooms and a closet and are located beneath two-story residences in a jungle environment. A watchtower houses a restaurant and bar. Safari walks, canoe excursions, snorkeling, and game drives are all on the menu.
Barry’s Beach Resort, Mkwaja—Saadani National Park
Where is Barry’s Beach Resort? The beach is only a short distance away, while Saadani National Park is roughly 40 km away. The motel is located close to Sange Village. There is an outside café and pool on the property. Materials from the area are used to construct the bungalow-style rooms. There is a desk, fan, and mosquito net in every room. The resort’s restaurant and bar overlook the beach.
Kisampa Bush Retreat, Kisampa Private Conservation Area, Saadani National Park
Adjacent to the coastline of Saadani National Park, Kisampa Bush Retreat is a luxurious resort perched on a hilltop. Up to fourteen people can stay in the six thatched huts. Each en suite bungalow includes a mosquito net, a lockable trunk, a verandah hammock, and a table and chairs. There is a restaurant, bar, and camping fire pit on the premises. The camp has views of the Wami River Valley.
La Finca, Mangapwani, Saadani National Park
Near Mangapwani Beach, La Finca offers accommodations with garden and terrace views, approximately 0.6 km away. Enjoy complimentary WiFi, private parking, and access to a patio at this seaside hotel. This property, which offers garden views, features parquet flooring, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms equipped with showers and hairdryers. The villa has a fully stocked kitchen with a cooker, refrigerator, and microwave, and guests also receive complimentary toiletries.
Tanganyika coastal campsite—Saadani National Park
Saadani National Park is 9 km away, and Zaraninge Forest is 47 km away from the Tanganyika coastline for camping. Guests may enjoy the convenience of room service, a communal lounge, and a restaurant at this hotel. Tanganyika Coastal Campground has a garden and a deck.
Oceanic Bay Hotel & Resort, Nunge Beach, Saadani National Park
In Bagamoyo, located right on the beach, you will find the Oceanic Bay Hotel & Resort. Oceanic Bay Hotel & Resort is situated 44 kilometers from both Zanzibar City and Stone Town. In addition to a restaurant and exercise center, this hotel also offers water activities. Rooms face either the pool or the sea and are arranged around a tropical garden. A flat-screen satellite TV and air conditioning are standard in all rooms.
