Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Mandara Hut
Moshi Marangu Gate Mandara Hut Maundi Crater
From, per person$341
Photo: Ronyyz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trip
Saadani Day Safari from Zanzibar by Boat
Overview
No airport, no light aircraft: on this day safari you reach the mainland by sea. A fast boat carries you across the channel from Zanzibar in about an hour and a half and brings you into Saadani National Park at the mouth of the Wami River, past the traditional salt pans that line the shore.
Saadani is unusual among Tanzania’s parks because its boundary reaches the coast, so savanna, mangroves and beach lie side by side. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions and several kinds of antelope live here, hippos rest in the Wami River, and the estuary is busy with water birds. The wildlife is more scattered than on the northern plains, which gives the day a quieter, exploratory feel.
Game drives run in an open-roof 4×4 Land Cruiser, with a hot lunch served inside the park between the morning and afternoon drives. Tanzania Tourism Safaris includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat crossing, park fees, your guide and drinks during the safari. It costs less than the fly-in day safaris from the island and suits travelers who would rather not fly.
Tour highlights
- Boat crossing from Zanzibar, about 1.5 hours
- Entry by the Wami River estuary and salt pans
- A park where the bush meets the Indian Ocean
- Open-roof 4×4 game drives, morning and afternoon
- Hot lunch served inside the park
- No flights needed
Day by day
-
Day 1 Morning: Boat Crossing to the Wami River Estuary Meals Lunch
You are collected from your Zanzibar hotel early and taken to the boat for the crossing to the mainland, which takes around an hour and a half. The boat enters Saadani at the Wami River estuary, passing local salt pans on the way in. Your guide meets you with an open-roof Land Cruiser for a morning drive in search of elephants, giraffes, lions and antelope. A hot lunch is served inside the park, followed by an afternoon game drive. In the late afternoon you board the boat back to Zanzibar and are dropped at your hotel in the evening.
Prices by season
Per person in US dollars. The price depends on when you travel and how many travelers share the trip.
| Season | 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 4 travelers | 6 travelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low season 1 Mar – 31 May | $502 | $406 | $348 | $335 |
| High season 1 Nov – 20 Dec and 6 Jan – 29 Feb | $548 | $427 | $350 | $340 |
| Peak season Now 1 Jun – 31 Oct and 21 Dec – 5 Jan | $620 | $471 | $368 | $345 |
Tour price includes
- Pickup and drop-off at your Zanzibar hotel
- Return boat crossing between Zanzibar and Saadani
- Game drives in an open-roof 4×4 Land Cruiser
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- National park entry and conservation fees
- Hot lunch and drinks during the safari
Tour price excludes
- Tips for your safari guide
- Travel insurance
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
Questions about this trip
How long is the boat ride to Saadani?
About an hour and a half each way. Sea conditions change with the weather and season, so if you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy usually works for you and take it before you set off.
What wildlife can I realistically expect at Saadani?
Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, warthogs and antelope are the usual sightings, with hippos in the Wami River and plenty of birds around the estuary. Lions live in the park but are seen less often than in the north. Expect a quieter, more varied day rather than huge herds.
Why choose Saadani instead of a fly-in day safari?
It costs less, it skips airport check-ins and light-aircraft luggage rules, and the boat crossing is part of the experience. It is also the only one of our day trips where the park itself meets the ocean. If you want open plains and big herds, look at the Mikumi trip instead.
Before you go
- Best Time To Visit Tanzania
- How Much Does a Tanzania Safari Cost?
- Top Safari Packing List in Tanzania
- The Best Guides on Tanzania Visa Requirement
- Tanzania Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Travel Safety
- Tipping In Tanzania Safari
- Tanzania Safari Faqs
Listed in Day trips
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