Sadaani National Park located along the northeastern coast of Tanzania is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa that directly borders the Indian Ocean. The park is found southeast of Pangani District in Tanga region and northeast of Chalinze district in Pwani region. The protected area covers an area of 1,062 sq km after the annexation of the former Sadaani Game Reserve, Mkwaja Cattle Ranch, Zaraninge Forest Reserve and Wami River. Previously the Sadaani was gazetted as a game reserve but later in 2005 it was transformed into a national park. This rare combination of bush and beach makes it an intriguing destination, offering a blend of terrestrial and marine experiences.
Flora and Fauna in Saadani National park
Sadaani National Park combines marine and mainland flora and fauna which is rarely found together in other parks. Saadani National Park features coastal, riverine, and savanna vegetation types. For instance, Saadani’s coastal areas feature extensive mangrove forests, particularly around estuaries and tidal zones. Mangrove species like the red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) and black mangrove (Avicennia marina). This type of vegetation stabilizes the coastline and creates breeding grounds for marine species. It also helps to protect the shoreline from erosion. Near the mangroves are salt marshes and coastal grasslands, characterized by salt-tolerant plants and grasses. This is where herbivores and wading birds graze from and it provides a unique transition between the marine and terrestrial areas of the park. The inland area is primarily covered by savanna woodlands, with iconic African trees like acacias (Acacia spp.) and baobabs (Adansonia digitata) scattered across open grasslands. The park has open grasslands that support herbaceous plants and low-lying shrubs.
Sadaani National Park has patches of miombo woodlands, dominated by Brachystegia species. These trees form a dry, deciduous woodland that provides a unique habitat for various insects, birds, and mammals. Along the Wami River, the area is covered by lush riverine forests which provide a dense canopy of palms, figs (Ficus spp.), and other broad-leaved trees. These forests create a cool microclimate along the river which attracts species like monkeys, birds, and even large mammals that are seeking shade.
Sadaani National Park is home to a variety of fauna due to its unique blend of coastal and terrestrial ecosystems. The park’s wildlife ranges from savanna species to marine and riverine animals offering visitors a rare experience. The protected area has terrestrial Mammals, riverine and aquatic animals, invertebrates and reptiles and marine species. Some of these include; elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffalo, Giraffes, Antelopes, Warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, dolphins, green sea turtles and seasonal whales. The park is also a home to 200 bird species and these include; pelicans, kingfishers, egrets, African harrier-hawk, African Fish Eagle and flamingos.
Activities done in Saadani National park
- Game drives
This is one of the popular activities that are carried out in Sadaani National Park with pop-up four-wheel (4X4) drive vehicles. Game drives start in the morning at 06:30 am so as to catch up with the predators and nocturnal animals when they are still active. During the activity many animals can be spotted like elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, hartebeests, reedbucks, waterbucks, elands, lions and leopards. Evening game drives are also offered at 18:30 pm. - Bird watching
Sadaani National Park is one birding destination in Tanzania offering both migratory and riverine birds. Bird watching is done in the mangrove forest and around the Wami river. Some of the birds that can be spotted include; greater flamingo, African fish eagle, pel’s fishing owl, goliath heron, lesser kestrel, African skimmer, little bittern, purple heron, African cuckoo hawk, bateleur, and crowned eagle. - Cultural experience
Visiting communities around the park can be arranged and you will have the opportunity to share the unique tradition of the people. - Boat cruise
A boat cruise activity is carried out on both the river Wami and the Indian Ocean to see wildlife and the sunset. The activity takes about 2-3 hours and during this time you will have great views of animals like hippos, crocodiles in water and along the banks. Riverine birds cannot also be missed out like fish eagles, giant kingfisher, ground hornbill and malachite kingfisher. - Guided nature walks
Visitors are allowed to explore the park on foot with a company of park rangers. Nature walks in Sadaani National park are done in the morning and evening. During the activity you will have a chance to get close to different mammal species like primates like vervet monkeys, yellow baboons, bird species, butterfly species and bats. You will also be able to spot different animals like elephants, wildebeests, elans, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs and buffaloes. - How to access Sadaani National park
The park can be accessed by road, water or air depending on the traveler’s choice. By road the park can be accessed using different routes. For instance the park can be accessed by a 271 km drive from Dar es Salaam to Mandela village via Chalinze town. Later take another 61 km drive on a rough road to Saadani Park entry gate. You can also use other routes like Arusha—Moshi-Segera—Kwa Msisi-Mandela, or Dar-es-salaam / Bagamoyo and Saadani village to Tanga City and Mkwaja village. It is advisable to inquire about road conditions before traveling to the park since during the months of March and April the roads become muddy due to the rainy season. However, one can also access the Park by boat from Dar-es-salaam, Tanga, Pangani, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar. Alternatively, the park can be accessed by use of domestic flights from any part of the country such as Arusha, Mwanza, Zanzibar, Manyara or Dares Salaam to Sadaani or Mkwaja airstrip. The flight from Zanzibar Islands to Sadaani airstrip takes about 14 minutes.
Best time to visit Sadaani National Park
Sadaani National Park can be visited all year around depending on the visitor’s choice. However, the park is known as a great place for flamingo-watching in the salt pans. The best time to visit the park is between the months of July to March. During this time it’s when the migratory birds are arriving from other parts of Africa and Europe.
Accommodation in Sadaani National Park
The Park offers various types of accommodation and facilities ranging from budget to mid range and luxury. Some of these include; rest houses, Bandaz along the beach and campsites. Some of these campsites include; Kinyonga campsite is along the Wami River, Kiwandi campsite is in the Zaraninge forest and Tengwe campsite is in the wilderness zone. There are other private accommodation facilities inside the Park like; Sanctuary Saadani Safari Lodge, Saadani Park Hotel, Saadani River Lodge, Tembo Kijani Lodge.