A trip to Saadani National Park, Tanzania

Saadani National park is located along the coast area of Indian Ocean in Pangani, Handeni and Bagamoyo. The Saadani National Park is home to a variable mix of both marine and mainland flora and fauna. The vegetation in the park is quite unique and includes mangrove forests around the winding Wami River and ocean, clumps of palm trees, coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, short and tall-grass savannah and the harsh black cotton plains. In terms of wildlife, Saadani has a thriving population of waterbucks, wildebeests, hartebeests, reedbucks, buffaloes and giraffes. Warthogs, baboons and colobus monkeys are often spotted, while elephants, lions and leopards are quite shy. But even for ornithologists this place is truly spectacular.

Saadani National park is located along the coast area of Indian Ocean in Pangani, Handeni and Bagamoyo; Students of Wildlife science from University of Dar es Salaam,  photo 2014

Saadani National Park is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to boast an Indian Ocean beachfront. Saadani covers both Terrestrial and Water (Oceans and river) areas.

Students of wildlife Science from Dar es Salaam University at Kinyonga camp in Saadani National park. photo 2014

Saadani National Park was established in 2005, before it was a Game Reserve with Zaraninge Forest, and community Land where animals used to be hunted.

Some infrastructural activities in Saadani National park, photo 2014

The historical name of Saadani National comes from the two Swahili words Saa and ndani which means clock and inside, the name came from mispronunciation of saa and ndani and made Saadani.

Students from University of Dar es Salaam receiving lectures on Saadani National park, photo 2014

These two words "saa and ndani" were uttered by Asian business man who once lived in East African coast and he used those two words in response to frequent queries by customers wanting to know the time and he responded by saying “ saa ndani” (clock inside) (Sanapa brochure, 2006).  A boat safari on the Wami River is a true highlight for any visitor and apart from pods of hippos and huge crocodiles, malachite, pied and even giant kingfishers can also be seen. Other common birds include the woolly necked stork, common sand pipers, lilac-breasted rollers, palm nut vultures, fish eagles and ground hornbills.

The ocean of Saadani National Park is attractive to view of the tourist, photo 2014

          The Saadani National park is a good place for Tourists and scientific studies, photo 2014

The ocean of Saadani National Park is attractive to view of the tourist by its natural sand beach, ocean contributes to extension of the Saadani National park with 200 km2, its beach is breeding site for Sea turtle, and the green turtles (Chelonian mydas) being the most common. Unlike as in other national parks in Tanzania, visitors can combine a safari with a relaxing beach stay in Saadani National Park. The beaches are clean and lined with palm trees. Saadani’s coast is hot and humid and swimming is pleasant with the ocean’s temperatures usually reaching around 25°C. Maziwe reef can easily be reached by boat from anywhere along the Saadani coast.

Students of Wildlife science and conservation enjoying fresh air coming from River in Saadani National park, photo 2014

The open ocean with coral reefs changes to blackish water ecosystem where Mangrove forest, salt pans and bare saline are. And the important fresh water includes Wami River which accommodates several species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and water birds

Fishing tourism is also a common type of tourism activity  in Saadani National Park, photo 2014

Saadani National Park offers a unique combination of marine and mainland flora and fauna in culturally fascinating setting about 30 species of larger mammals are present as well as numerous reptiles and birds

Students from wildlife science doing study on species of birds found in Saadani National Park, photo 2014

During this trip we managed to visit  natural resources utilization we managed to visit a salt processing factor, the factor which started since 1986 by Tanzania government for the purpose of providing salt to local population and reduce salt import from foreign countries like India, it has reached the stage of exporting that sea salt to neighbor countries including: Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi and Republic Democratic of Congo as their first clients.

A salt processing factor, the factor which started since 1986, it is located inside Saadani National Park, photo 2014

This factor is for the purpose of providing salt to local population and some of neighbor countries in East Africa, photo 2014

                           The factor nowadays it is in hands of investors , photo 2014

conservationists have come to recognize the importance of community involvement and acceptance in conservation programs. As a result, there has been a sudden advent of programs claiming to involve local people directly in the management of their own resources. Generally, these community-based conservation (CBC) programs have sought to provide economic incentives to local people and give them some amount of control over their own resources.

Generally, these community-based conservation (CBC) programs have sought to provide economic incentives to local people and give them some amount of control over their own resources.photo 2014

In our visit in Saadani National Park, we managed to visit Wami-Mbiki wildlife corridor located at the Udzungwa Forest Reserve, we had interview with an old man Mr. Hassan from Mbwewe village who had been living in that area for long time, he told us that corridor is under WMA (wildlife Management Area), and animals like elephants, buffalos, waterbuck and lions are using that corridor while they are moving from one area to another.

Some of the wildlife corridors for wild animals are being destroyed by Local people of Saadani National Park, photo 2014

Wildlife science students from Dar es Salaam University during bird watching in Saadani National Park salt pan. photo 2014

Some students enjoying Sand beach of Saadani National Park, photo 2014

Giraffes are most large mammal animals found in Saadani National park, photo 2014

Saadani National park has diverse campsites, this is one of them Kinyonga camp, photo 2014

Some of Wildlife students enjoying some of important place in Saadani National Park, photo 2014

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily of the scientific studies