Saadani

While it cannot compete with the sheer abundance of wildlife found in Tanzania's larger parks, Saadani—declared a national park only in 2000—continues to see a steady increase in wildlife density. More and more frequently, visitors can spot elephants and lions here. Saadani has its own unique charm. During a boat safari on the Wami River, you can observe hippos, crocodiles, a wide variety of birds, and occasionally, elephants. Where the mangrove-lined river meets the Indian Ocean, thousands of flamingos gather during certain times of the year. If you visit the sea turtles' nesting site in Madete at the right time, you may witness the hatchlings emerging on the beach. Also, on the beaches, with a bit of luck, you might even encounter elephants and lions—one of very few places in the world where this is possible.

The park's landscape is highly diverse, with mangrove and palm forests along the coast, swamp savannas, and a beautifully painted mix of acacia trees, Mikoche palms, and Borassus palms. The park also contains Tanzania's last intact coastal rainforest on the slopes and plateau mountains of the park’s western section (Zaraninge Forest). The Kikwati corridor, which connects the national park to the Wami River, is home to a very special place: Miseni Retreat. This eco-lodge is quite popular among researchers. Deep in the coastal rainforest and in the company of Black-and-White Colobus monkey families, visitors can learn much about conservation, which the camp's founder has been passionately involved in for decades. In the nearby village of Gongo, you can also witness successful examples of community-driven conservation efforts.

With these learning opportunities, Saadani National Park and Miseni Retreat serve as an excellent starting point for a Tanzanian holiday. Browse the photo-gallery below to get an idea of Saadani’s landscape and wildlife or return to the destinations overview by clicking here.