Africa

Mainland coast- Saadani National Park

Located on the Indian Ocean coast to the north of Bagamoyo, Saadani is Tanzania’s newest 1000 sq. km national park. This is a unique area with an extraordinary diversity of scenery and wildlife, with beach, bush and river combining to produce a colourful array of ecosystems. Elephants have been known to cavort on the beach and just a stone's throw from the open sea, hippos wallow in the estuary of the Wami River.

The only lodge within the boundaries of the park is Saadani Safari Lodge.

Out at sea small tidal sand islands set in clear waters make for a lovely ocean boat trip. Here you can enjoy a picnic lunch under shade on the island’s sands and there are also good snorkelling spots just offshore.  Dolphins and green turtles are often seen at the island and love to play around the boat.

The Wami River ends its journey just down the coast from the lodge and a trip into the estuary to explore the lower reaches can result in sightings of a wide variety of bird and animal life including flamingos, pelicans, hippo and crocodile. The park’s wildlife is plentiful with lion and other predators, as well as a wide range of plains game including elephant, giraffe, kudu and large herds of buffalo. The landscapes are varied and distinctive, combining coastal forests, acacia woodlands, open grasslands and the mangrove vegetation at the mouth of the river.

Walking safaris and game drives provide very different bush perspectives. The pace is entirely flexible and you can explore in your own time, catching the odd glimpse of sparkling blue sea as you watch the animals and birds. Game drives are often combined with a fresh picnic breakfast or evening sundowner at a waterhole. 

Saadani Safari Lodge now has a sister property, Saadani River Lodge, situated outside the park. Saadani River Lodge is located on the banks of the Wami River north of Bagamoyo and is overlooking Saadani National Park.