Saadani National Park
Description: One of Tanzania’s newest national parks, Saadani bills itself as one of the few spots in the country where you can enjoy the beach and watch wildlife at the same time. It’s easily accessible from Dar es Salaam as an overnight excursion and is a good choice if you don’t have time to explore further afield. To the south of the reserve is the Wami River, where you’ll probably see hippos, crocodiles and many birds, including lesser flamingos, fish eagles, hamerkops, kingfishers and bee-eaters. Wildlife-watching can’t be compared with that in the better-known national parks, animal numbers are slowly increasing now that poaching is being brought under control. You’ll also likely see giraffes, and elephant spottings are increasingly common. With more effort, you may see hartebeests and even lions, although these are more difficult to spot. The birding is also wonderful.
Things 2 Do: Game drives, Boat trips, Bush walks, Village tours
Accommodations
“EXCELLENT!!! My African adventure, meticulously planned by Access 2 Tanzania (and my friend Ron), was truly phenomenal and exceeded all expectations. The communication was exceptional, the agent, Casey, was always prompt, responsive, and available to answer questions, making the planning process stress-free. Your in-depth knowledge of African safaris and wildlife, coupled with recommendations, truly made the trip unforgettable. The tailored itinerary perfectly blended the desire for adventure with comfortable and adventurous accommodations. The guides were exceptional, it’s thanks to the guide’s keen eyes that we got to see the Big Five! They were very professional, making you feel like you were traveling with a friend ultimately making experience more exciting and memorable!”