“What a fantastic trip. This really is an excellent way to see wildlife very close to you. From the first time you put your canoe in the water you start seeing all the African wildlife you’ve dreamt of…”
GALLERY
SAADANI NATIONAL PARK
Located at just over 100kms northwest of Dar es Salam, this 1000km2 national park was originally designated a game reserve in1969 and officially gazetted as a national park in 2006.
Saadani is where the beach meets the bush. The only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to boast an Indian Ocean beachfront. It possesses all the attributes that make Tanzania’s tropical coastline and islands so popular with European sun-worshippers. Yet it is also the one place where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past, or a lion coming to drink at the nearby waterhole!
The reserve suffered greatly from poaching prior to the late 1990s, but recent years have seen a marked turnaround, due to a concerted clampdown on poachers, based on integrating adjacent villages into the conservation drive.
Today, a surprisingly wide range of grazers and primates is seen on game drives and walks, among them giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon and Vervet monkey.
Herds of up to 30 elephants are encountered with increasing frequency, and several lion prides are resident, together with leopard, spotted hyena and black-backed jackal. Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River come with a high chance of sighting hippos, crocodiles and a selection of marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo, while the beaches form one of the last major green turtle breeding sites on mainland Tanzania.
Getting there:
Charter flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam with possibility of scheduled flights in the future.
Thrice-weekly road shuttle from Dar es Salaam, taking four hours in either direction.
No road access from Dar es Salaam along the coast – follow the surfaced Moshi road for 160km (100 miles), then 60km (36 miles) on dirt.
Road access from Tanga and Pangani except after heavy rain. 4×4 required.
What to do
Game drives and guided walks.
Boat trips. Swimming.
Visit Saadani fishing village, which lies within the reserve, where a collection of ruins pays testament to its 19th century heyday as a major trading port.
Best time:
Generally accessible all-year round, but the access roads are sometimes impassable during April and May.
The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August.
Accommodation:
One luxury tented camp.
Campsites planned. One tented camp close to the park boundary. Several campsites inside the park.
Accomodation
Sanctuary Saadani safari lodge has 18 suites on stilts along the river bank connected by wooden walkways .the wood and thatch suites are intended to blend the surrounding foliage, but there are mod-cons inside, running hot water, hairdryers, and air-con in some of the suites.
Each room has a four poster bed facing large windows through which you can see the river, a large bathroom with forest views from the tub, and private balcony. The two bedroom wami suite also has its own swimming pool. The lodge has a covered lounge area where guests can swap safari stories, a restaurant and spa.
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS.
Nestled within the tropical surroundings of Saadani National Park, Sanctuary Saadani Safari Lodge offers luxury beach-side accommodation with a private terrace. It features a private beach, an infinity pool, a secluded rock pool and a restaurant.
Each bright cottage is traditionally furnished and features a seating area, mosquito net covered beds and a solar-powered private bathroom. Some cottages come with an Indian Ocean view or a private pool and sun deck. A free laundry service is available
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS.
Enjoy all the amenities expected in a four star hotel, including a quick ride on the lift to our breath taking sea view terrace. Come and watch the dhows under full sail, slice majestically through the harbor at sunset.
Enjoy the hospitality of our delightful and courteous staff ready to help you and experience our chef’s magical hands as he crafts a memorable and unique Zanzibar dining treat.
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS.
The laid back atmosphere, combined with Zanzibar hospitality and Western comfort, makes Zenji hotel a welcome and friendly place for travelers looking for a relaxing stay while exploring Stone Town. The breakfast buffet with homemade products is served on the Rooftop Cafe. All nine authentically styled rooms have air conditioning and there is free use of wireless Internet.
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS
Forodhani Park Hotel boasts an array of 19 spacious rooms. There are combinations of single, double, twin and family available. Most of the rooms have large poster beds. All but a few rooms have private balconies. The rooms towards the front of Forodhani Park Hotel have balconies facing the Ngome Kongwe – the Old Fort and Beit El Ajaib – the house of Wonders. All rooms are equipped with air condition, ceiling fan, mosquito nets, cable television, free Wi-Fi connection, telephone, fridge/mini-bar and en suite bathroom.
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS.