DestinationsBeach destination · Saadani
Saadani National Park
Saadani is the one place in Tanzania where the savannah meets the sea.
- Recommended nights
- 3 nights
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug +4
- Airstrip
- Fly-in possible
About
About Saadani National Park.
Saadani is the one place in Tanzania where the savannah meets the sea. On this stretch of mainland coast a national park runs right down to the Indian Ocean, so elephants leave their tracks in the sand, lions and giraffe move through the coastal scrub, and you can watch the bush in the morning and the waves in the afternoon without ever changing destination.
A boat safari up the Wami River brings hippos, crocodiles and a riot of birdlife, while the beach itself is broad, wild and almost entirely your own, with green turtles nesting from March to July. It is rough-edged and authentic rather than polished: a place for travellers who want something genuinely different.
For anyone drawn to the idea of Savannah and Sands in a single place, Saadani is the most on-brand stop on the whole coast.
When to go
Best time to visit Saadani National Park.
- January: best
- February: best
- March: not a best month
- April: not a best month
- May: not a best month
- June: best
- July: best
- August: best
- September: best
- October: best
- November: not a best month
- December: not a best month
Saadani is the only national park in Tanzania where the bush meets the Indian Ocean, so you can watch wildlife and sit on a quiet beach in the same day. The dry season from June to October and the shorter dry window from January to February give the best game viewing and calmest coast.
The long rains of April and May can make some tracks difficult. Saadani is a change of pace rather than a Big Five destination, and it works well as an easy add on between the northern parks and the coast.
Gallery
A closer look.
On the map
Saadani National Park and its neighbours.
6.050° S, 38.750° E
Government fees
Fees at Saadani National Park.
Pass-through to the Tanzanian government, paid directly to the authority on top of accommodation. We always itemise every line on our quotes.
| Fee | Amount | Peak | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Concession Fee | $29.50 | No peak rate | Per person / night |
| Adult Entry Fee | $35.40 | No peak rate | Per person / day |
| Child Concession Fee | $11.80 | No peak rate | Per person / night |
| Child Entry Fee | $11.80 | No peak rate | Per person / day |
| TDL (Tanzania Development Levy) | 1% of room | No peak rate | Per room / night |
Where to stay
Lodges and camps here.
Properties we work with directly. Each links to a dedicated lodge page with rooms, amenities, and best months.
Kasa Bay Saadani
Twelve villas on a protected turtle beach, at the one place in Tanzania where the national park meets the ocean.
- Bush And Beach In One Trip
- Families
- Turtle Nesting
Common questions
Questions, answered.
What makes Saadani special?
It is the only national park in Tanzania where wildlife meets the Indian Ocean, so a morning game drive and an afternoon on a quiet beach are possible in the same day. It is a relaxed change of pace rather than a Big Five park.
When is the best time to visit Saadani?
The dry season from June to October and the shorter dry window in January and February offer the best game viewing and calmest coast. The long rains of April and May can make some tracks difficult.
What wildlife can I see at Saadani?
Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, various antelope and good birdlife, with the chance of lion. Boat trips on the Wami River add hippo, crocodile and coastal birds. Sightings are quieter than the northern parks.
How do I get to Saadani?
By a short flight or a road transfer from Dar es Salaam, or a boat and flight combination from Zanzibar. We arrange the connections as part of your itinerary.
Make it part of your trip
Plan a safari that includes Saadani National Park.
Tell us how long you have and what you most want to see. We'll build a custom itinerary around Saadani National Park with transparent pricing throughout.
Build & price your trip