3-Day Saadani Safari from Zanzibar by Boat
Where the Bush Meets the Beach
Experience Tanzania’s only coastal national park on this immersive 3-day safari from Zanzibar, combining the excitement of a traditional African safari with the convenience of a short boat journey from the island. Travelling aboard the Saadani Safari Express, you’ll cross the Zanzibar Channel in just 90 minutes before exploring the diverse landscapes of Saadani National Park, where savannah, river, bush, and Indian Ocean coastline come together.
With three days in the park, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed safari experience featuring multiple game drives, a boat safari on the Wami River, guided wildlife tracking, a camera trap demonstration, and a walking safari with an armed ranger. Staying at Bab’s Camp places you in the heart of the wilderness, where wildlife is frequently seen around camp and evenings offer the possibility of observing nocturnal animals using thermal-scope technology.
Departure Information
- Departure Days: Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
Price
- US$895 per Adult
- US$695 per Child (Under 12 Years)
Itinerary
- Day 1: Zanzibar – Saadani National Park
- Day 2: Game Drives & Wami River Boat Safari
- Day 3: Walking Safari – Return to Zanzibar
Safari Inclusions
- Return fast boat transfers between Zanzibar and Saadani
- Park entry fees
- Two nights' accommodation at Bab's Camp
- Meals as indicated (2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches & 2 Dinners)
- Welcome drink upon arrival
- Wildlife tracking experience at the salt flats
- Camera trap demonstration
- Three shared 4x4 game drives
- Wami River boat safari
- Guided walking safari with an armed ranger
- Thermal-scope wildlife monitoring experience
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- All transfers within Saadani National Park
- Government taxes and levies
Safari Exclusions
- Zanzibar hotel transfers (unless requested)
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees (where applicable)
- Gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Items of a personal nature
DAY 1
Zanzibar – Saadani National Park
Your safari begins early in the morning with departure from Hotel Verde Marina in Zanzibar at 7:00 AM. Board the Saadani Safari Express for a scenic 90-minute crossing of the Zanzibar Channel to the mainland, where your safari adventure begins.
Upon arrival in Saadani National Park, transfer to Bab’s Camp and settle into your accommodation before meeting your guide for an introduction to the surrounding wilderness.
Your first activity takes you to the nearby salt flats, where you’ll learn how experienced guides read the fresh animal tracks left overnight. Discover how footprints reveal the movements and behaviour of elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelope and many other species that visited the area while you were sleeping.
Continue with a fascinating camera trap demonstration, where your guide explains how motion-activated cameras are used to monitor wildlife and conservation activities throughout the park. Learn how to position and set a camera trap before returning to camp.
Lunch is served in the camp’s elevated viewing tower, offering panoramic views across the surrounding bush where wildlife is often spotted while you dine.
In the late afternoon, depart on your first 4×4 game drive through Saadani National Park. Explore a variety of habitats in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, antelope, and the many other species that call the park home before returning to camp at sunset.
Accommodation: Bab’s Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2
Game Drives & Wami River Boat Safari
Rise early for a morning game drive when the park is at its most active. As the first light spreads across the savannah, explore different sections of Saadani National Park in search of predators returning from their nightly hunts, elephants feeding in the cool morning air, graceful giraffes, antelope, buffaloes and an impressive variety of birdlife.
Return to camp for breakfast before travelling to the Wami River, one of the park’s most important ecosystems.
Board a safari boat and cruise along the river, where you’ll encounter large pods of hippos, basking crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife including kingfishers, fish eagles and herons. Wildlife frequently gathers along the riverbanks to drink, offering excellent photographic opportunities from a completely different perspective than a traditional game drive.
Following the boat safari, return to Bab’s Camp for lunch and time to relax while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Later in the afternoon, head out on another 4×4 game drive, exploring different areas of the park to maximise wildlife sightings. As temperatures cool, animals become increasingly active, providing another excellent opportunity to encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and numerous plains game before returning to camp after sunset.
After dinner, your guides continue monitoring the surrounding bush using thermal scopes. Should particularly interesting wildlife approach the camp during the night, guests may be invited to quietly observe these remarkable nocturnal encounters from a safe location.
Accommodation: Bab’s Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3
Walking Safari – Return to Zanzibar
Begin your final morning with an unforgettable guided walking safari accompanied by an experienced armed ranger. Exploring the bush on foot offers an entirely different perspective of the African wilderness, allowing you to appreciate the smaller details often overlooked during vehicle safaris.
Learn to identify animal tracks, observe insects and birdlife, discover medicinal plants used by local communities, and gain a deeper understanding of the delicate ecosystems that support Saadani’s incredible biodiversity.
Return to camp for breakfast before checking out.
At approximately 9:00 AM, transfer to the boat landing for your scheduled fast boat crossing back to Zanzibar, arriving late morning with unforgettable memories of one of East Africa’s most unique safari destinations.
Meals: Breakfast
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Important Information
This itinerary is subject to weather conditions, flight schedules, and operational requirements. Activities and timings may be adjusted to ensure guest safety while providing the best possible wildlife viewing experience.