Saadani National Park

Climate

The Park experiences an Eastern African coastal climate with bimodal rainfall, which ranges from 800 – 1200mm annually. Long rains fall from March to June and short ones from October to December. February and July are the best driest months with peak temperatures reaching up to 29C. The best period for visits is the dry season, although the Park remains attractive year-round.

Park Purpose

Protection and conservation of coastal zone and its diverse resources and range of activities including the Beach, Green turtle and its habitat, Zaraninge low land forest, Estuaries and mangrove at Wami river, endemic, rare and endangered species, historical and cultural sites and interesting mix of scenery.

How to get there

By Road

• 131km from Dar es Salaam via Bagamoyo off Makurunge to Gama Entrance Gate
• 146km from Tanga via Pangani and Mkwaja to Madete Entrance Gate
• 225km from Dar es Salaam off Chalinze and Mandera junction via Miono to Mvave Entrance Gate
• On the Arusha – Dar es salaam road, off Mkata Junction via Kwamsisi to Madete Entrance Gate 79km from Mkata to Madete.

Park Attractions

These are places of interest where tourists visit, typically for their inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty offering leisure, adventure and amusement to visitors.

Wild Animals

The spectacular concentration of wild animals like Waterbuck, Giraffe, Warthog, Yellow baboon, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Hartebeest, Elephant, Buffaloes and Lion is obviously. Wami River and Estuary

Mafui Sandbank

It is within the marine extension of the park whose colourful coral reefs are important breeding sites for many fish species. While in the sandbank tourist enjoys snorkelling and diving underwater and learning about many different types of Indian Ocean living organisms. The chances of seeing dolphins and humpback whales putting on their show in the Indian Ocean are beyond.

Madete beach and nesting site for Green Turtle

Madete beach is one of the most significant breeding sites for the Green turtle the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles in Tanzania. A Female Green turtle lays eggs along the shore and returns to the sea. The high season is from July to November and the moderate season in January – to March. Approximately 8 nests can be available during the season. The incubation time of the eggs buried in the sand is 45 – 60 days after which the hatching emerges.

Wami River and Estuary

It is among the few African coasts where large wildlife is still present in an estuarine situation. Here you are as close as one likes to get to hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife. Bird watchers will also be treated to not-often-seen migratory birds that love the shore, such as different kinds of sandpiper, Eurasian oystercatcher and the common greenshank. Evergreen mangrove trees along the river provide resting and feeding places for many bird species, bats, monkeys and other reptiles.

Zaraninge Forest

It is an evergreen lowland coastal forest with a closed canopy. Zaraninge is known to be home to some endemic, rare and threatened species of plants and animal life. It mostly supports elephant life during the dry season.

Pangani town

The name Pangani owes to the river that runs through the northern part of the Historical Town. Pangani is a very old town, it is believed to be established before the 6th Century BC as a coastal dhow port, but later became a station on the caravan route from Late Tanganyika for exporting slaves and ivory. Several historical sites in and around the town serve as reminders of the strong Arabic influence and the later German, and British colonial era in Tanganyika. The town served as a port when sisal plantations were set up in the colonial period before the Tanga Harbour was constructed. Nowadays it is mainly a fishing town with a lot of coconut trees, providing nice beaches for a quiet vacation. Pangani is close to Sadani only 40km to Madete entry gate which is an approximate 1hr drive on a rough road.

Activities

Game Drive

This activity is conducted from 06:30 – 18:30 HRS, with no additional fee for this activity. Four-wheel (4X4) drive vehicles are recommended, although the roads are easily accessible during the dry season. 

Guided walking to the bush(1-3hours)

The preferable time to conduct the activity is from 06:30 to 10:00 and in the evening from 15:30 to 18:30. Prior information is required for the activity.

River Cruising at Wami River

The activity is conducted at Wami River to the estuary area and takes a maximum of 2hrs

Visit to Mafui Sandbank

Visitors interested to picnic, swimming and sighting different marine organisms normally go to this sandbank. Organisms like starfish and corals can be easily encountered. Professional snorkelling and diving activities are conducted with their own tourist tools.