Saadani National Park
Saadani national park is the Tanzania 13th among the national parks in the country, it is the first park in Tanzania that fronts onto an ocean where tourists can view animals basking along the Indian Ocean shores. The park ecosystem covers 1100 kilometers square, the majority of it is at the sea level although the highest point is 35metres and most elevations don’t go beyond 40metres. Saadani national park was once a game reserve in 1962 until when it was gazetted a national park in 2005.Saadani bills itself as one of the few spots in the country where visitors can enjoy the beach and at the same time watch wildlife, to the south of the park is the Wami River where you will enjoy spotting hippos, crocodiles, hundreds of different bird species including lesser flamingos, fish eagles, hamerkops, bee-eaters, and many other tropical bird species. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, hartebeests, and all the usual suspects of game viewing in the other parks. You also stand the chance of capturing different types of water wildlife, the big-eyed rondo galago and elusive sable antelopes during game drive or wild walks. Predator animals are harder to sight in this park but the park scenery beauty still makes it a place to never miss, a visit to historic town of Bagamoyo should be a strong consideration with sensational ruins and slave trade history abound.
THINGS TO DO SAADANI NATIONAL PARK
Saadani national park is a hidden gem in Tanzania offering vast activities and magnificent experiences for Visitors to engage on, Travelers can choose to engage in diverse water activities allowing them to witness different attraction such as turtle nesting, exploring historical sites, indulging in local cuisine. Apart from water spots travelers can embrace the beauty of Saadani national park allowing to immerse themselves into discovering abundant wildlife, pristine beaches, spectacular landscapes, and cultural immersion making your visit to Saadani national park a remarkable and wonderful experience for you.
Safari in Saadani National Park is the opportunity to go on an unforgettable and exhilarating Tanzania safari tours that will give you amazing game drive experiences to explore vast savannahs of the saadani national park where you are likely to spot spectacular and magnificent landscapes, wide range of wildlife such as elephants and wildebeest that can occasionally be seen in the park, giraffes, hippos, Buffalos, zebras, waterbucks, and more. Many bird species also call Saadani national park a home such birds include White-faced Whistling Duck, Egyptian Goose, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crested Guineafowl, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Mourning Collared Dove, Red-necked Spurfowl and so much more hat will give you the best bird watching experience in Saadani national park making it a paradise for bird lovers. Safari game drive in this national park in the Eastern safari zone offers so much encounters that you will always remember in lifetime.
Saadani national park offers a unique coastal experience with its stunning pristine beaches with white sand allowing you to relax and explore them after an exciting safari experience in the park giving you chance to unwind on the park’s stunning sandy beaches where you can also enjoy the warm Indian ocean waters, sunbathing, swimming, and admire the magnificent views on the shorelines. Madete beach is a very important breeding place for the green sea turtles, these are the largest see turtles in Tanzania which lay their eggs on this beach and return to the sea. The beaches of Madete offers significant breeding area for sea Turtles in Tanzania.
Maziwe / Maziwi Island, among the oldest marine reserves in Tanzania. This unvegetated island “Sandbank” is rich of abundant coral reefs lying about 8 kilometers away south east on the coast of the Pangani historical town off the northern coast of Tanzania. The Maziwe island is assumed to have been covered by the lush green dense forests and vegetations in 1912 until 1970s when the island vegetation was cleared and reverted a lush sandbank around 1983 when the last tree was spotted, today the area is only covered by clean powder sand where you can enjoy diverse of activities in the area like sunbathing while watching the dazzling tropical fishes, swimming, fishing, and diving and snorkeling when the weather permits to do so. The protected area of Maziwe Island is a very important breeding area for the east African sea Turtles where more than 200 breeding nets for green and olive Sea Turtles have been recorded and the island has a very crucial coral reef system around making it a nice place for snorkeling. Discover about 400 diverse fish species in Maziwe Island reserve as well as enjoy the stunning coral reefs around the Maziwe island area, you can explore some beautiful birds along the shorelines of the Indian ocean. Maziwe island really has something for every traveler who decide to embark on a boat cruise to this sandbank from engaging on various excursions to enjoying scrumptious lunch on the island and so much refreshments moments.
Saadani National Park offers a whole new dimension to you visit and discover the Wami River which run through the Saadani national park and empties into the Indian ocean. Here you will embark on a magnificent boat safari gliding along the Wami river and witness the diverse and incredible wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles plus incredible birdlife including greater and lesser Flamingos and so many others that inhabits the Wami riverbanks. Wami river experience also offers opportunity to indulge on a fishing trip and enjoy some important catch you make of the catfishes or famous Nile perch, Boat safari along Wami river really offers experiences that you will remember.
Walking safari on natural trails of the Saadani national park with a professional walking guide together with an armed park ranger gets you close to nature and immerse in active game watching once you set foot into the vast Savannah plains of the saadani national park, you will walk through the thick canopies and spectacular landscapes bringing with an overwhelming sense of becoming one with nature. You will experience the real thrill as you get to see animals that you may not see when on normal game driving sessions. Walking safaris in Saadani national park are ideal in the morning or just before dusk to give you more chance to encounter plenty of wildlife including rarely seen Elephants, spot some hippos, crocodiles, many birdlife including Flocks of Flamingos, kingfishers and more. Walking safari in Saadani national park is very interesting as you will discover and watch lush vegetation along the banks of the Wami River, walking safari in the secluded areas of the parks allows you to see marine and more riverine birds Depending on the age group, you can enjoy gentle strolls up to two hours, half day or full day walking excursions in Saadan national park.
Mafui Sandbank within the marine extension of the Saadani national park is a magical island that opens early morning, during the day and closes in the evening is the best place in the Indian ocean where travelers can enjoy various activities like sun bathing, Swimming, observing spectacular marine life and so much more that can give you maximum relaxation. The colourful coral reefs act as the important breeding sites for many species of fish, at Mafui Sandbank you will enjoy some water activities like snorkeling and diving underwater and learn on many different types of Indian Ocean creatures. Increase your chances of spotting dolphins and humpback whales enjoying their swimming in the Indian Ocean are beyond expectation in the Saadani national park.
When to visit
Accessible all year round though the best time to visit Saadani National Park in Tanzania is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. During these months, the weather is cooler and there is less rainfall, making wildlife spotting easier as animals congregate around water sources. The dry season also offers more stable road conditions, which can be important for safari travel. If you prefer to see the park in its lush, green state and enjoy fewer crowds, the wet season from November to May is also a good option, though it can be more challenging for game viewing due to the dense vegetation and occasional road closures.
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