RIVER AND OCEAN
From East to West, the open ocean with coral reefs changes to a brackish water ecosystem characterized by mangrove forest, salt pans, and bare saline areas. Further inland, the Wami River is the most important freshwater source besides numerous temporary rivers and dams. At low tide, the sea retreats up to 100 meters to form a convenient passage for local people and wild animals. These beaches are the only place north of Dar-es-salaam where sea turtles still come to lay their eggs. The most common species is the green turtle, the largest of the hard-shelled sea turtles. Besides nest thieves on the beach, turtles are particularly threatened by commercial fisheries and water pollution. The marine extension of the park includes the Mafui sandbanks, whose colorful coral reefs are important breeding sites for many fish species. Evergreen mangrove trees grow in the transactional zone, just above the mean sea water level. These salt tolerant tidal forests provide a resting and feeding place for many bird species, bats, monkeys, hippos, and reptiles. Numerous species of fish such as prawns also lay their eggs in these protected habitats. The high demand for the resistant mangrove wood leads to overexploitation, making the protection of these forests even more important. In Saadani National Park, a large mangrove forest grows along the Wami River. This is also the place where large groups of hippos can be observed. Nile crocodiles also live here. The Wami River is a very good place for watching birds such as kingfishers, fish eagles, and many species of wading birds.TOURISM ACTIVITIES
- Walking safari on natural trails of Saadani gets you close to nature.
- Day game drive.
- Night game drive for sighting nocturnal animals
- Relax on the cleanest beach on the coasts of Bagamoyo and Tanga, where one gets to see the sunrise.
- Boat safari at the delta of Wami River and the ocean, mangrove vegetation, water-loving birds, Hippos, and Nile crocodile.
- Visit the Green turtle Breeding site in Madete area.
- Visit Mafui sandbank Island that opens during the day and closes in the evening, a sandbank where you snorkel in the caves with colorful fish and green turtles. A place where lunch and sunbathing can give maximum relaxation.
Getting into Saadani National Park
- By road
Saadani National Park is located about 44km North of Bagamoyo town. The park can be easily accessed through Wami River from Bagamoyo.
The Park can also be accessed through a 271km drive from Dar-es-salaam – Mandela village via Chalinze town. From Mandela drive on a rough road for 61km to Saadani park entry gate.
A daily public bus commutes from Dar-es-salaam / Bagamoyo and Saadani village to Tanga City and Mkwaja village.
Furthermore one can get to Saadani from Arusha – Moshi-Segera-Tanga-Pangani OR Arusha – Moshi-Segera- Kwamsisi-Mandela which is about 561 Km.
From Tanga city, one can reach Saadani by driving and crossing the Pangani River on a public ferry. It is about 3hours drive (130Km) on a rough road to the Park Entry gate.
- By air
Flight (light aircraft) can be arranged to Mkwaja or Saadani airstrip from any part of the country such as Arusha, Zanzibar, Mwanza, Manyara, Dar-es-salaam, etc. Zanzibar Island is about 40km away from the park it takes about 14 minutes to fly from Zanzibar to Saadani Airstrip.
- By Water
One can reach Saadani by boat from Dar-es-salaam, Tanga, Pangani, Bagamoyo and Zanzibar
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