The only park in East Africa where the safari meets the sea

The fee is charged by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), not by Cterra, and it is not included in your accommodation rate. We show the estimated amount for your party at the first step of the booking so that nothing appears late.

Because Cterra sits in a village inside Saadani National Park, guests do not pay a concession fee for staying here. What you pay is a day-trip fee, per person, on the days you go into the park — when you enter, and for activities that take place inside it.

The day runs from 6am to 6pm, not in 24-hour blocks. A stay of three nights is not automatically three days of fees: you pay for the days you actually go in.

How it is paid

Payment is made at the gate on arrival. Tanzania National Parks has been moving away from cash across its parks, so we recommend arriving prepared to pay by card or by government control number. We confirm the current arrangement with every guest before travel.

What it pays for

Anti-poaching patrols, road and gate maintenance, and the ranger teams who make the park safe to visit. Saadani's elephant and giraffe populations have recovered substantially since it became a national park in 2005.

What you will see

Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, yellow baboon and at least a dozen antelope species. Lion are present and occasionally seen. The Wami River holds hippo and crocodile, and the coastal strip is a nesting ground for green turtles.

When to visit

The long rains fall roughly from March to May, and tracks become difficult. June to October is dry and cool, with the best game viewing as animals concentrate around water. December to February is hot, clear and excellent for the ocean.

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