Saadani National Park

Saadani National Park is the only national park in East Africa with some Indian Ocean beachfront. It is also the newest national park in Tanzania. The beach area attracts many animals, especially in the early morning.

Plenty of wildlife can be found within Saadani National Park including giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon and vervet monkey. Herds of 30 or more elephants have been seen along with prides of lions.

The Wami River to the south has an extensive variety of bird life, common sightings include fish eagles, hammerkops, kingfishers and the lesser flamingoes. The range of bush, river and sea birds is vast. Saadani National Park has a green turtle breeding beach to the north, and a local lodge has started its own turtle hatchery.

Saadani village, once a major port, has a collection of ruins as testament to its 19th C heyday. One of the notable sights are the ruined walls of an Arab built fort that was used as a holding cell for slaves and then a customs house during the German colonial times. Visitors can take part in a cultural program offered in the village to learn about local life and the history of the area.

Relaxing on the beach and bird watching are the main activities in Saadani National Park but other ways to pass the time include boat trips along the Wami River or wildlife drives or walks.