Saadani
Saadani National Park is known as the place where "the bush meets the beach". This relatively small park is less than a three-hour drive from central Dar es Salaam and lies opposite Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago. Despite this proximity, the park remains sparsely visited and offers nature lovers uninterrupted wildlife observations.
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.
Tanzania Map Highlighting Saadani Nat'l Park
Hippos on the banks of the Wami river
Hippos in the Wami river
Hippos on the banks of the Wami river
Different storchs with mangroves in backgroud
Wami estuary
Giraffes during dry season
Giraffes seeking shade during midday heat
Malachite kingfisher
Lions on the park road
Male lion in the tall grass
Lionesses drinking from water hole
Lionesses drinking from water hole
Lioness in the Saadani bush
Bushbuck
Waterbuck
Two young giraffes
Two young giraffes
Giraffes seeking shade during midday heat
Black-and-White Colobus monkey at Miseni
Bording the safari vehicle at Miseni
Gongo village: at the re-forestation project's seed-bank
Gongo village: at the re-forestation project's seed-bank
Stop at Gongo village
Gongo village: at the re-forestation tree nursery
Early morning view from Kikwati hill
Trail at Miseni
Siri cabin at Miseni
Camp lounge and restaurant area at Miseni
Camp fire at Miseni
By the camp fire at Miseni
Marshmallows by the camp fire at Miseni
At Miseni restaurant area
On a nature walk at Miseni
On a nature walk at Miseni
On a nature walk at Miseni
Black-and-White Colobus monkeys at Miseni
Black-and-White Colobus monkey with child at Miseni
Black-and-White Colobus monkey at Miseni
Hippos on the Wami river
Monitor lizard on the banks of the Wami river
Hippos in the Wami river
Heron riding on a hippo in the Wami river
Crocodile on the banks of the Wami river
Wami estuary
Wami estuary
African scared ibis
Crocodile on the banks of the Wami river
Flamingos at the Wami estuary
Wami estuary at low tide
Wami estuary at low tide
Wami estuary at low tide
Flamingos at the Wami estuary at low tide
Flamingos and mangroves at the Wami estuary at low tide
Flamingos flying over the Wami estuary at low tide
Lioness in Saadani
Lioness in Saadani
Lioness in Saadani
Giraffes in Saadani
Waterbuck and Giraffe
Waterbuck
Hartebeest and Impala
Waterbuck
Grasshopper on car ignition
Giraffes seeking shade during midday heat
Floodgrounds near the ocean at Saadani
Herd of elephants in acacia forest
Elephants crossing the road at Saadani
Elephant bull Sumai crossing the road at Saadani
Elephant bull Sumai crossing the road at Saadani
Zebra in acacia forest
Giraffe in acacia forest
Giraffes at sunset with bush fire in the background
Giraffes in Saadani
Bus fires
Sunset in Saadani
The sacred Kikwati hill at Miseni
Sunrise at Miseni
Sunrise at Miseni
Early morning view from Kikwati hill
Miseni trees on Kikwati hill
View from Kikwati hill, Miseni
View from Kikwati hill, Miseni
Pineapple harvest at Gongo village
Child greeting visitors at Gongo village
Anna having fun with children of Gongo village
Anna having fun with children of Gongo village
Four lions sitting in the tall grass
Four lions sitting in the tall grass
Two young lions
Young lion in tall grass
Young lion in tall grass
Lioness with traces of bllod on her chin
Wami river bridge at Saadani's Gama gate
Sunset over the bush
Three male elephants
Sunset over the bush
Sink at Miseni
Giraffes crossing the road
Dhow near Saadani beach (the water is colored by sediment from the Wami river)
Leonie and Anna on Saadani beach (the water is colored by sediment from the Wami river)
Giraffes in Mikoche forest
Lilac breasted roller
Giraffes at Saadani
Giraffe at Saadani
Male impalas (buffaloes in the background)
Head of a male giraffe
Sunset over the bush
Giraffes crossing the road
A "tower" of 16 Giraffes
Small troop of baboons moving through the tall grass
Giraffes crossing the road