Palm trees sway in a cooling oceanic breeze... White sand and blue water sparkle alluringly beneath the tropical sun... Traditional dhows sail slowly past, propelled by billowing white sails, while Swahili fishermen cast their nets below a brilliant red sunrise... Elephants strolling by for a drink from a nearby waterhole...

Saadani is where the bush meets the beach - and not any beach, but that overlooking the fabulous Indian Ocean.

Located only 130 km north of Dar es Salaam and directly to the west of Zanzibar, Saadani is Tanzania's newest national park (gazetted in 2004) and the only coastal wildlife sanctuary in East Africa. Covering an area of approximately 1,100 square kilometres, the park offers visitors the unique opportunity to observe Africa's big game and birdlife interacting with the sea - an ideal location in which one can relax on Indian Ocean beaches after each safari.
Saadani national park has a diverse population of mammals and birds inhabiting the coast as well as along the Wami River and forest areas: elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, colobus monkeys, hippopotami, crocodile, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, and the rare Roosevelt sable can be seen here. A wide selection of marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher, pelicans and lesser flamingo - making this park a haven for bird watchers and ornithologists. The little tidal sand island not far from the beachfront at Saadani is one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania. Dolphins are also very often spotted here during boat rides out at sea.

This is therefore the only park that uniquely offers a choice of a driving safari, a guided walk in the wild, a boat safari on the mangrove-lined Wami River, as well as a beach holiday all in the same area. This makes the park ideal for honeymooners or those wanting a short break but who want to enjoy a safari in the sun together with a beach holiday - so you can have your cake and eat it!

Other excursions include a visit of the Saadani fishing village, which lies within the reserve, and where 19th Century ruins display evidence of the area being a major trading port.

Charter flights can be arranged from/to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

For those with more time why not visit Saadani then go on safari to the Selous or Ruaha, before continuing on to either Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba. See our sample itineraries for some suggestions.