1 day Saadani in a Day
A fifteen-hour day: out at five, a game drive, a boat up the Wami, and back to Dar by eight. The only national park on this coast, in one push.
Wildlife
Saadani from Zanzibar, in a Day
Across the channel by boat at six, a game drive and a river safari, and back on the island by evening. The mainland in a single day.
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At a glance
- Destinations
- Saadani National Park
- Best for
- Wildlife safari, Beach & marine
- Travel style
- Mid-range · Ferry/boat
- Activity level
- Easy — most of the day is spent in a vehicle or on a boat
- Best time to travel
- June to September and January to February usually give drier conditions for the Saadani game drive. This day trip also depends on the sea crossing from Zanzibar; wind and sea conditions can change the boat departure even in a dry month.
- Start and end
- Zanzibar, there and back by boat
Why this journey
- A direct boat crossing rather than the ferry to Dar
- A game drive and a Wami river safari in one day
- The one national park on the East African coastline
- No overnight — back on the island for dinner
- The shortest possible look at the mainland
Hour by hour
Saadani sits almost directly opposite Zanzibar, which makes it the only national park you can reach from the island and return from the same day. The crossing is by boat rather than ferry and road.
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06:00
Assembly at a designated beachside collection point in Zanzibar, then travel by private fast boat to Saadani, roughly 1.5 hours depending on sea conditions.
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On arrival
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before starting your adventure in Saadani.
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Morning
Embark on a scenic boat excursion along the Wami River, renowned for some of Tanzania's best boat safari, observing flamingos, hippos, crocodiles and bird varieties.
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Lunch
A packed lunch will be served in the bush, providing a unique dining experience amidst nature.
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Afternoon
Continue with a game drive throughout Saadani National Park until 3 PM.
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16:00
The return boat journey to Zanzibar begins.
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17:30
Arrive back at your beach hotel in Zanzibar, concluding a day filled with adventure and exploration.
Stay and travel
A day trip, so there is no overnight stay. You start and finish at the agreed pick-up point.
A 4×4 with a roof hatch and a window seat for everyone, driven by your guide throughout.
Camps fill, and roads change with the rains. Where something has to change we substitute at the same level and tell you before you travel, not after.
Included and excluded
What is included
- Every activity named in the day-by-day
- Accommodation as listed, or a similar alternative if a camp is full
- Meals as noted against each day
- Transfers between the agreed pick-up and drop-off points
- Park, reserve and conservation area fees
- An English-speaking Tanzanian driver-guide
- A 4×4 with a roof hatch, or the vehicle the route calls for
- Drinking water through the day
- Government taxes
Not included
- International flights, airport taxes and visa fees
- Travel, medical and baggage insurance
- Personal spending — drinks, laundry, telephone
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Anything not listed as included
Practical information
- Visas, insurance and tipping
- A visa is arranged before travel or on arrival. Travel and medical insurance is a condition of booking. Tipping is customary and we will suggest a range rather than set one.
Related journeys
1 day 
2 days Saadani from Zanzibar — Two Days
The day trip with a night in the park, which adds the walking safari and the early morning drive the single day has no room for.
Wildlife & Coast
2 days Saadani in Two Days
One night on a coast that is also a game park. A drive on arrival, a boat up the Wami the next morning, and back to Dar by evening.
Wildlife & Coast
Every route here can be changed
Tell us what you would keep, what you would drop and how long you have. We will send back a version that is yours.