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
“Incredible. If you’re planning a safari, look no further—Access 2 Tanzania delivers a truly exceptional experience from start to finish. The company is both highly professional and refreshingly personal. We loved that we had a single point of contact throughout the process—Karen, the owner—which made planning seamless and stress-free. Communication was excellent; they were always available for questions but also consistently one step ahead, guiding us through everything from visas to immunizations. Their client-first approach was clear in every interaction. The accommodations they selected for us were outstanding, and early in the process we appreciated being able to explore different options and costs to find what worked best for us. We felt supported, informed, and excited every step of the way.”