Saanane Island National Park Tanzania

The Park is located 2 km Southwest of Mwanza city center, which lies in the Gulf of Lake Victoria (Latitude 2.5 S and Longitude 32 E).

The park 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. The Park is the home of mammals like Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys, and Wild Cats. The presence of “De-Brazas Monkey” underscores its potential as the only Park in the country inhabiting the species. Reptiles are also dominant; they include crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Agama Lizards, and Leopard Tortoises, Snakes particularly Python.

The aquatic part of the Park inhabits a variety of fisheries life, mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.

Saanane Island was named after its previous owner, Mzee Saanane Chawandi, a fisherman who turned into a farmer and later shifted to another island (after being compensated) to pave the way for conservation efforts in the early 1960s. The Tanzania government officially owned the island in 1964 as the first-ever government-owned zoo. Originally its territory measured some 0.7 square kilometers comprising both dry land and water. However, Saa Nane National Park annexed and includes two other smaller islets known as Chankende Kubwa and Chandkende Ndogo both located in the southern part of the main island into the bargain thus increasing its protected area to 1.32 square kilometers. The main objective was to promote intense and conservation education in wildlife and to promote recreation to the people of Mwanza.

Size of Saanane Island National Park

Saanane Island is a fully-fledged National Park since July 2013, covering an area of 2.18 sq km comprises of three islets and an aquatic environment. The islets lie on the southern part of the main Island.

Location of Saanane Island National Park

Saanane Island National Park is a Tanzanian national park in Mwanza. The park is located on an island in Lake Victoria and can be reached by boat in about 10 minutes, from the TANAPA offices on Capri Point in Mwanza town.

How to get to Saanane Island National Park Tanzania

One can travel by road or air from either Dar es Salaam or Kilimanjaro International Air Ports to Mwanza. Also can travel by road or railway to Mwanza City from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, and Tabora. to mention a few. Moreover, people can travel by ship/vessel to Mwanza Port from Uganda, Kenya, Bukoba, and nearby Islands.

The Island is accessed by a regular short boat ride for about 5 minutes from Park Offices, on the mainland. Park Offices are easily accessed about 15 minute’s short walk from the City Centre.

Things to do Saanane Island National Park Tanzania

Saanane Island is an ideal place for several activities such as

Game viewing

Game viewing is great and you can come across mammals like Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys, and Wild Cats. The presence of “De-Brazas Monkey” underscores its potential as the only Park in the country inhabiting the species. Reptiles are also dominant; they include crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Agama Lizards, and Leopard Tortoises, Snakes particularly Python.

Bird watching

Beautiful water birds like kingfishers, gulls, terns, sandpipers, and many others can be seen in the park

Rock hiking

If you love hiking challenges you can also take on the rock hiking activities in the park

Boat cruise

Exceptional sunset cruises can be done on the shores of Lake Victoria while at Saanane island national park

Walking

Walking around is so rewarding as you might come across the rear monkey and abundant bird species.

Bush lunch and picnics

Bush lunch and picnics can be arranged in some of the great locations around the park with extraordinary views.

Photographing/filming

Filming and photography of wildlife and the landscape can be done in Saanane island national park.

Sportfishing.

Fishing safaris to catch one of Africa’s largest freshwater fish can be organized on a boat on Lake Victoria.

Special occasions

Clients can organize events like weddings, engagements, team building, family days and birthdays can also be organized.

When to visit Saanane Island National Park

June to August during the dry season is the best time to visit Saanane Island, National Park. This season is great for game drives, picnic as well as rock hiking.

Where to stay in Saanane Island National Park

Mwanza is quite a busy travel city and there quite a lot of facilities along the beach shores of Lake Victoria and some of the lodges we recommend are 1.Ryan’s bay hotel, Malaika beach resort 3.Adden palace hotel, 4. Wag hill lodge and spa.