Saadani National Park
DESCRIPTION
Exploring Saadani National Park is like killing two birds with one stone. This is because it is the only park in Tanzania where the bush meets with the beach, one gets to relish the palm trees as they sway in a cooling ocean breeze. What an amazing adventure!
This sanctuary was protected in 1960’s as a game reserve, its area was later expanded that covered twice the former one. The expansion led to changes and in 2005 the government gazetted it as a national park. Saadani National Park occupies 1100km2 of its total area where you can encounter large, medium & small mammals, reptiles, birds and fish of different kinds found in Wami River. The park is identified as the breeding site for green turtles due to the presence of mangrove forests, ocean, Clumps of palm trees, coral reefs and beaches along the shores of Indian Ocean.
This attractive destination is located at the heart of Bagamoyo, Pangani and Zanzibar town, it is also situated about 100km northwest of Dar-Es-Salaam.
WILDLIFE
In the park you will see animals like; buffaloes, giraffes, common waterbucks, warthogs, wildebeests, antelopes, sable, velvet, red duikers and hartebeests. In different areas you will also see lions, sported hyenas, black-backed jackals, elephants, greater kudu, elands and reedbucks.
More over Wami River has a lot of surprises as it hosts animals like crocodiles, flamingoes, hippos and various fish including the green turtles, humpback whales and dolphins. In addition the park is a habitat to over 220 bird species including the migratory birds.
WHY VISIT SAADANI
The park has a combination of a beach and bush, this makes it so unique. It also has presence of special wonders different from other national parks. Example the presence of Mafui Sand bank that opens during day and closes in the evening.
HOW TO GET THERE
By road, you can use the roads travelling by car from different places. You can travel by car 79km from Arusha to Madete entrance gate, also travel 140km from Tanga via Pangani to Madete entrance gate. The other place is that you can travel 131km from Dar Es Salaam to Wami entrance gate.
By Air, charter flights can be arranged for transporting you from different corners or regions like Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Zanzibar and Mwanza to Saadani airstrip.
By Water, a visitor can also travel to Saadani National Park by boat from Dar Es Salaam, Tanga, Zanzibar, Bagamoyo and Pangani.
WHAT TO DO
Game driving, you will enjoy day and night game drive and sighting a lot of bird and animals.
Bird watching, a special package for bird lovers for the park inhabits over 220 species of birds including the migratory birds.
Walking safari, you can do walking as to visit Mafui Sand Bank Island, green turtle breeding site at Madete area and various natural trails of Saadani that will get you close to nature.
Boat Safari, you can conduct a tour by boat travelling at the delta of Wami River, the Ocean as well as seeing the water loving birds, hippos and Nile crocodiles.
WHEN TO GO
Saadani National Park is governed by a warm-dry season from June-September and a sticky-wet season from October to May. According to the weather condition, the best moments to explore in this scenery is in January, February and from June to September. These are the periods when rains have stopped however you will still find water on the plains and wildlife is easily spotted.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The park offers places for accommodation whereby there are Bandaz which are located along the beach, rest houses and various camp sites. Some of the accommodations include;
Miseni Retreat, it is found in Saadani just 22.7km from the center, here you will be served meals of your choice in the restaurant, drinks of different flavor are present in the bar, room services are available and a free place for parking.
Saadani Park Hotel, situated in mkwaja 0.6km from the center, this is a good place for you to refresh, relax, enjoy, sleep and eat.
Barry’s Beach Resort, found in Mkwaja 10.4km from the center. The resort has deluxe twin rooms and single rooms for you to relax overnight, restaurant for enjoying meals and a bar for dinking juice, Whine, beer or soda.
Kijongo Bay Beach Resort, situated in Pangani just 24.4km from Mkwaja. This resort serves meals of your choice in the restaurant, drinks of different flavor are present in the bar and room services are available.