Saadani Day Trip from Dar es Salaam
A private day trip from Dar es Salaam to Saadani National Park, Tanzania's only national park on the coast: a game drive, a boat safari on the Wami River and lunch, back in the city in the evening.
Tanzania's Only Coastal National Park
Saadani is different from any other park in Tanzania: its grassland and woodland run down to the Indian Ocean, and the Wami River forms its southern edge. On the game drive you can see giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, waterbuck and other antelopes; elephants and lions live in the park too but are seen less often than in the big northern parks.
The highlight for many visitors is the boat trip on the Wami River, where hippos and crocodiles are common and the banks are full of birds. It is a long day, about four hours by road each way, so it suits travellers staying in Dar es Salaam who want a real safari without a flight. If you have more time, our 2-day trip lets you stay overnight in the park.
More time? See the 2-Day Saadani Safari →
Highlights
- Tanzania's only national park on the Indian Ocean coast
- A boat safari on the Wami River: hippos, crocodiles and birds
- A game drive with your private driver-guide
- Lunch in the park
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Dar es Salaam
What to bring
- Neutral-coloured clothes and a light warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
- Insect repellent
- Camera and binoculars
Route Map
- By road
- Day of the trip
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
We collect you from your hotel in Dar es Salaam very early, around 5 am, and drive north, about four hours, to Saadani National Park. You spend the late morning on a game drive through the grassland and coastal woodland.
After lunch you take a boat safari on the Wami River, looking for hippos, crocodiles and water birds, before a short drive back through the park and the road to Dar es Salaam, arriving in the evening.
Meals: Lunch
Price Per Person — Private Day Trip
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $335 |
| 2 People | $215 |
| 3 People | $175 |
| 4 People | $155 |
| 5 People | $145 |
| 6 People | $135 |
Price per person in US dollars, by the number of people travelling together. Groups of more than 6: price on request.
Staying on Zanzibar? Ask us about adding the ferry to Dar es Salaam; it makes the day too long, so we recommend the 2-day trip.
Trip Notes
- Start & end: your hotel in Dar es Salaam
- A long day: about 8 hours on the road in total
- Private day trip: your group only, on the date you choose
- Prices may change if park fees change
Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
- Saadani National Park entry fee
- Wami River boat safari and its park fee
- Lunch
- Drinking water
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam
Excludes
- International flights and visa fees
- Accommodation in Dar es Salaam
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Tips for your guide
- Drinks other than drinking water
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
What makes Saadani special?
It is Tanzania's only national park on the coast: the bush runs down to the Indian Ocean, and you can combine a game drive with a boat safari on the Wami River in one day.
What animals will we see?
Giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, waterbuck and other antelopes on land, and hippos, crocodiles and many birds on the river. Elephants and lions live in the park but are seen less often than in the northern parks. No sighting can be guaranteed.
How long is the drive?
About four hours each way from Dar es Salaam, depending on traffic. It is a long day; if you prefer a slower pace, choose our 2-day trip.
Can we come from Zanzibar?
The ferry adds about two hours each way, which makes one day too long. From Zanzibar we recommend the 2-day Saadani safari.
Is Saadani a good alternative to the northern parks?
It is a different experience, quieter and with fewer animals than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, but unique for its coast and river. It suits travellers who are already in Dar es Salaam.
