Saanane Island

Saanane Island National Park is the second national park located in Lake Victoria after Rubondo Island National Park. It was named after Mzee Saanane Chawandi, the island’s owner. The Island was transferred to be a game reserve in 1991.

It was established as the first wilderness garden in the country by the government. Its establishment came as a result of the sole need to protect the environment and natural resources and educate society about conservation. You can make a difference as a responsible tourist by visiting this park on your Tanzania Safari .

Best Time To Visit Rumanyika

Saanane Island National park can be visited throughout the year. But the dry season is considered the best time to visit the Saanane island national park. Between June and August, you will get the best chance to encounter the animals. Golden thin grassland makes wildlife sighting easier. You can see them gathering around the waterholes.

Also, September and December attract many visitors while short rains touch the landscape making greenery everywhere. The long rainy season which runs between March and May is the optimal time for birding safaris. You can see many migratory birds come to this park for their breeding plumage.

Dry/High Season (June-October)	Wet/Low Season (November-March)
Excellent wildlife sightings and safari experience	Beautiful scenery with green vegetables
Dry weather with sunny days and clear skies	Afternoon and Evening thunderstorms
Thin vegetation makes wildlife spotting easier	Some walking trails may be found difficult to navigate
Fewer mosquitos and insects	Low-price yet exclusive safari experience

Wildlife In Saanane

Saanane Island National Park is a home of mammals like the Impala, Rock Hyrax, Velvet Monkeys, Wild cats, and De-Brazzers Monkey’’ underscores its potential as the only park in the country inhabiting the species.

The Park also houses the reptiles like crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Agama Lizards, Pancake and Leopard Tortoises, and snakes, particularly the Python. The submarine part of the Park inhabits a variety of fisheries life mainly Tilapia and Nile Perch.

Also, you can witness many colourful birds around 70 recorded species including the resident and migratory ones. Some commonly seen bird species are the African grey parrot, egrets, cormorants, pied kingfisher, fish eagles and many others.

Activities To Do In Saanane

There are several stunning activities that can be done in Saanane Island National Park. The most common yet popular activity is the game drive safari with a 4WD safari vehicle. It gives the chance to explore the park at its best and encounter the animals from a close distance.

The park also offers tourists the most colourful and attractive bird species. So, a birding safari is also an excellent activity to do in Saanane Island National Park. The park also organizes sport fishing in the designated areas within the park and a guide is there to help you see these fishing sports.

Boating is also an enthralling safari activity to do while on a safari to Saanane. You can spot many water species including hippos and crocodiles. The nature walk is also one of the most attractive safari activities that are so popular among tourists.