Saadani National Park

Declared a national park in 2005 from an older game reserve, Saadani lies on the coast roughly opposite Zanzibar and is the only wildlife park in East Africa bordering the sea. Its 1,062 square kilometres combine coastal forest, savanna, the Wami River and a stretch of ocean beach where green turtles nest.

Game viewing is lower-key than the big parks but genuinely varied: elephant, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck and several antelope species, with lion and leopard present but elusive. Boat trips up the Wami River offer hippo, crocodile and excellent birding, and the river mouth is a good place to see the coastal forest birds. The historic village of Saadani, an old dhow-trading and slaving port, sits within the park boundary. It works well as a relaxed two- or three-night add-on between a safari and Zanzibar.