Saanane Island National Park

Saanane Island National Park is a national park Tanzanian, Mwanza. The park is located on an island in Lake Victoria and can be reached by boat from the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) offices on Capri Point in Mwanza town. It is named after the local farmer and fisherman Mzee Saanane Chavandi. Saanane Island national park covers an area of 2.18 square kilometers, Saanane Island National park in 1991 was declared as agame reserve by the government to promote and strengthen conservation and later in 2013 it was established as a National Park, it is the only National park within the city limits, to thrill while on Tanzania Vacations.

The Saanane Island National Park, located in the Gulf of Lake Victoria about 2 km southwest of the city center, is home to a variety of animals and birds. You will absolutely be mesmerized by the destination’s picturesque splendor. The park has made a record of being the first-ever National Park to be located within the City and the smallest National Park in both Tanzania and East Africa. This is one of Tanzania Safari Tours’ best and most exciting destinations. Unfold the hidden secrets of Tanzania, Visit Saanane Island National Park and experience the mesmerizingpicturesque splendorof a destination!

Several species of wild animals were transported to the island between 1964 and 1966. Impala, Black Rhino, Topi, Warthog, Wildebeast, Zebra, and Monkeys like Patas and Vervet, Giraffe, Porcupine, and Crocodiles were among them. While some animals were allowed to roam freely, dangerous ones like rhinos and buffalo were kept in cages.

Agama Lizards, also known as Agama Mwanzae, Impala, Crocodiles, Clawless otters, Rock Hyrax, Tortoises, Lions, spotted hyenas, vervet monkeys, and a shy De Brazza’s monkey and Python-like Snakes are examples of wildlife. The Island is home to about 40 species of resident and migratory birds.

Activities in Saanane Island National Park – Top highlights of Safaris to Saanane National Park

Sports Fishing

The Saanane Island National Park offers sport fishing for park visitors or guests in the designated areas within the park, along with a knowledgeable guide to assist and demonstrate how to conduct the sport while wearing their fishing gear. The Nile perch, Tilapia fish species are the mostly caught fish species through using the catch and release method during fishing.

Game Viewing

One of the main activities that visitors engage in in the park is game viewing. In order to experience the different fauna in the National Park, Game viewing safaris are the best option. While game viewing in Saanane Island National Park, a variety of park animal species, including the dik-dik, elephants, crocodiles, buffalos, wildebeest, zebras, impalas, rock hyrax, wild cats, warthogs, velvet monkeys, De-brazzas monkeys, and many others, can be spotted.

Bird Watching/ Birding

With over 40 different species of birds, including resident, migratory, and water birds, the park attracts visitors who love birds with its most beautiful, colorful bird species. The best place to go bird watching is along Lake Victoria’s shores, which provides the best views of water birds. The park is home to a variety of birds, including the pied kingfisher, egrets, cormorants, fish eagles, and hornbills. When birdwatching in the park, birders are asked to always bring binoculars to spot distant bird species and cameras to take pictures of the different bird species to notice the differences.

Nature Walks

The park provides nature walks for visitors. These walks are conducted on foot while traveling the park’s entire length along designated trails. These walks give you the chance to get closer to some of the park’s wildlife, particularly the bird species and this will give you the best experience in the park.

Camping

Saanane Camping Safaris will grant you opportunities to experience the nature and a great feel of the night wilderness in the park, the island gives the guests nice camping experience and the most incredible services. Usually, the tourists carry their own tents and they pitch them near the island as they are experiencing the most conducive cool breeze of the island.

Boat Rides

Since the park is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, boat rides are always considered by visitors to the area. During the activity, guests can observe aquatic animal species like crocodiles, hippos, various fish species, and water birds. The activity lasts about an hour and a half and visitors are usually accompanied by an experienced boat ride guide.

Rock Hiking

While in Saanane Island National Park, tourists can hike up to the island and have gorgeous views of the out spreading Lake Victoria and some across a lot of  animal species like the vervet monkeys, elands, impalas, elephants, buffalos, zebras and may more while coming across many plant species.

Where to Stay while in Saanane Island National Park

The National Park offers arrange of accommodation facilities where you can stay during your visit. The lodging facilities in Saanane include Waghill Lodge, Lessa Garden Hotels, Rocky Bay Resort and Camping, Adden Palace Hotel, Dreezy Hotel, Pentagon Hotel, Royal Sunset Beach Hotel, Mango Village, Gold Crest Hotel, Isamilo Lodge and Spa, The Lahe Hotels, Hotel Tilapia, and many more. Some of the lodging facilities are inside the park, while others are located outside.

How to Get There – At Saanane Island National Park

You can travel by road or air from either Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Air Ports to Mwanza to reach the Saanane National Park. There are also trains that run from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, and Tabora to Mwanza City. Besides that, individuals can go by ship or vessel from Uganda, Kenya, Bukoba, and neighboring Islands to Mwanza Port. The Island can be accessed by a regular short boat ride for about 5 minutes from Park Offices, on the mainland. From the City Center, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to these Park Offices.