Palm trees sway in a cooling oceanic breeze. White sand and blue water sparkle alluringly beneath the tropical sun. Traditional dhows soil slowly past, propelled by billowing white sails, while Swahili fishermen cast their nets below a brilliant red sunrise.
Size:1,100 sq km
Location: On the north coast, roughly 100 km northwest of Dar es Salaam as the crow flies, and similar distance southwest of the port of Tanga.
Getting there: Charter flights from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam with possibility of scheduled flights in the future. Thrice-weekly road shuttle from Dar es Salaam, taking four hours in either direction. No road access from Dar es Salaam along the cost – followed the surface Moshi road for 160 km, then 60 km on dirt. Road access from Tange and Pangani except after heavy rains. 4×4 required.
What to do: Game drivers and guided walks. Boat trips. Swimming. Visit Saadani fishing village, which lies within the reserve, where a collection of ruins pays testament to its 19th century heyday as a major trading part.
When to go: Generally accessible all-year round, but the access roads are sometimes impassable during April and May. The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August.