Just 90 kilometres North of Dar es Salaam, Saadani sits in the centre of the historically famous triangle of Bagamoyo, Pangani and Zanzibar.  It is the closest wildlife park to both Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.  Created in 1969 as a game reserve, Saadani continued to extend North through the 1990’s until 2005 when the reserve was awarded National Park status under the management of TANAPA (Tanzania National Park Authority). Like many game reserves, Saadani had suffered from poaching, although mainly at a subsistence level from local villagers.  This inevitably reduced animal numbers and the reserve suffered from an identity crisis – beach resort or wildlife park?  Today, thanks to considerable efforts from the park authorities, and other dedicated professionals and stakeholders, Saadani National Park is fast becoming all things to all visitors.  

Under TANAPA, the game viewing has vastly improved. The park has good numbers of giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, lions, Hippos, Crocs, among others, and boasts a healthy population of the rare Roosevelt’s sable antelope. Herds, of about 50 elephants are now regularly seen in territories providing some of the most spectacular sightings in any Tanzanian park.  

Saadani offers a wonderful boat safari on the Wami river. The birdlife is spectacular, and includes rare species such as Pel’s fishing owl. The opportunities to get close to large groups of hippos are unparalleled, and some large crocodiles lurk on the edge of the mangroves.   

Saadani Marine Park was set up to protect a green turtle breeding beach at Madete. The chances of seeing hatchlings emerge from the sand and take the plunge are best in July through September.