Saadani Game Reserve was gazetted in 1964, covering an area of some 350
sq km from the Wami river in the south to the Mligaji river in the north, with the Moshi railway line as the western boundary. Once Saadani became a Game Reserve new species of animal were introduced to compliment the existing diversity. Wildebeest, zebra and eland joined the resident populations including buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion wild dog and the extremely rare Roosevelt's sable antelope. Saadani is Tanzania's only protected coastal wildlife preserve. The reserve has since expanded to include a further 300 sq km of land north of the Mligaji. This is an important area containing the only permanent elephant population in the area as well as sable antelope.
To the west of the old boundary lies the Zaranyngi forest, another important area for its variety of indigenous vegetation and animal and birdlife. This is also now included in the Saadani boundaries, creating a substantial reserve of over 1000 sq km.
| Saadani
National Park |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Perfect Safari and Beach Destination | ||||
|
|
||||
In 2002 Saadani was gazetted to become Tanzania's 13th National Park and it is hoped that the upgrade to National Park status will bring improved infrastructure, access and anti-poaching activities, as well as the reintroduction of various animal species.
Geography
Saadani is geographically the closest reserve to Dar es Salaam (130km) and, even considering the present situation of impassable coast road, it is still a similar distance in terms of time to Mikumi NP, the next closest wildlife destination. Saadani offers an irresistible combination of beach and wildlife viewing, especially for families with children.
Saadani sits almost directly opposite Zanzibar's Stone Town, located just 27 km away. Flights from Zanzibar to Saadani take just 15 mins, making both day trips as well as longer stays an appealing and easily accessible wildlife option from Zanzibar.
Ecology
The combination of beach and big game is unique in Tanzania. Game numbers and visibility do not at present match the more popular parks in the north and south but, especially with the upgrade to NP status, the continued improvement in both aspects should continue. The diversity of animals is comparable to many parks, it is the numbers and accessibility which are currently increasing. Large game currently seen include giraffe, buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, sable antelope, eland, hartebeest, wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck, greater kudu, oryx, warthog, mongoose, civet, serval, baboon, black and white colobus, crocodile, hippo, three species of duiker as well as a great variety of birdlife.
Saadani is dominated by acacia woodland, coastal thickets and miombo woodland. It also protects a large area of mangrove swamps around the mouth of the Wami river on the south boundary, and includes several species of palm including the mysterious looking 'walking palm', not actually a palm at all!
Dolphins are sometimes seen offshore and whales pass through the Zanzibar channel on their migration. Of particular interest is the green turtle project at Madete. This endangered species is under particular threat from fishing practices offshore from Saadani and a conservation project has been established to help protect both turtles and their eggs.
Saadani Village
Saadani is located in what is historically a very important coastal strip. To the north is Pangani where many believe the ancient trading site of Rhapta, referred to in Ptolemy's 'Geography', was sited. It became important again as the main terminus for slave caravans heading to Lake Victoria in the 19th century. Bagamoyo, to the south, became the most important town in what is now Tanzania at the same time, with 50,000 slaves shipped annually to Zanzibar through the 1850's.
Saadani itself began to figure as an important trading post, appearing on maps from the early 19th century. In 1888 the German takeover of the region was instigated by Carl Peters, who developed a protectorate from Tanga to Dar es Salaam. However Peters enforced new taxes which led to an uprising led by a local Swahili sugar plantation owner, Abushiri Ibn Salim al-Harthi. His wild and disjointed army forced the Germans to flee from Bagamoyo to the newly established port of Dar es Salaam. At Saadani there are the remains of a small graveyard with 12 graves dating to this period some undoubtedly from the Abushiri rebellion. Four remain with headstones intact, three German and one British.
The village also contains a ruined fort, built by Arab slavers in the last century. This fort later became a German Boma (administrative centre) after 1888. In the village there is a further ruin of a mosque built in the mid-19th century.
Getting There
By road: A Tent with a View Safari Lodge is located on a pristine Indian Ocean beach in Mkwaja on the northern boundary of Selous Game Reserve. With good access from the main Arusha highway, driving time from Dar es Salaam is roughly 4 1/2 hours. Pangani is about 1 hour drive north and Arusha is a 6 hour drive.
By Air: Saadani is geographically the closest National Park to both Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Charter flights can be organised and take roughly 20 mins from Zanzibar and 30 mins from Dar. There is currently no scheduled flight service.