Saadani is Tanzania's newest National Park and is unique as the only wildlife park which has a beachfront on one side.

The game viewing within Saadani is not as prolific as the major parks of the north or further south but the genuine joy of this area is the chance to enjoy a relaxing time on the beach alongside ambient game drives, guided walks and river trips.

The lodge is small and intimate, with just nine individual cottages set along the beach. The rooms are cooled by the soft ocean breezes, swathes of sail cloth adorn the ceilings, there are large Zanzibari style beds and furniture and open verandahs with unrestricted views out to the ocean.

All rooms have ensuite bathrooms creatively decorated with sand floor and shell mosaics. Hot water is solar powered and plentiful.

The white sandy beach that dissappears on the horizon in either direction is very evocative. It really is wonderful just to walk along the beach, taking everything in whether it be the local fishermen bring in their nets or the calling of a fish eagle - very mellow.

As you can imagine there is a full scope of activities - game drives, walking safaris, trips by boat along the Wami River. The park is also a birders paradise with a huge variety of migratory and indigenous species.

The lodge also supports a local turtle project that protects the nest of the turtles along the beach.