Saadani
Saadani
Saadani National Park is one of Africa’s most unique protected landscapes — where savannah wildlife roams to the edge of the Indian Ocean, and green sea turtles nest on the same beaches where lions den. At just ~1,100 km², this coastal ecosystem is a microcosm of global conservation challenges — terrestrial habitat loss, marine threats, community pressures, and human-wildlife coexistence.
Our conservation work focuses on science-led research, regional stewardship, and community engagement, addressing threats on land and at sea through long-term projects and local partnerships.
The Saadani Lion Research Project aims to improve understanding of one of Africa’s few remaining coastal lion populations. Living at the intersection of savannah, forest and ocean, Saadani’s lions occupy a unique and understudied environment. Through systematic fieldwork including spoor tracking, camera traps and direct observations, the project gathers essential data on lion numbers, pride structure, movements and behaviour.
This research supports evidence-based conservation planning and contributes to broader efforts to protect lions while reducing human–wildlife conflict in surrounding areas.
The first project phase delivered valuable insights into lion behaviour, movements and interactions, setting the foundation for future monitoring and species protection strategies.
Saadani’s coastline provides an important nesting ground for endangered green sea turtles. This long-term conservation project focuses on monitoring nesting activity, protecting nests from disturbance, and recording hatchling success along the park’s beaches. Regular patrols and data collection help build a clearer picture of nesting patterns and threats, while collaboration with local communities and rangers extends protection beyond the park boundaries.
By safeguarding turtles during their most vulnerable life stage, the project plays a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems along Tanzania’s coast.
Saadani’s quiet Indian Ocean beaches are among the few in Tanzania where green turtles still nest. Protecting these nesting events helps safeguard future generations of turtles and enhances biodiversity at the marine-terrestrial interface.
Plastic pollution is one of the most visible and persistent threats to Saadani’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Ocean currents carry large amounts of plastic waste along the Tanzanian coast, with a significant proportion originating from Zanzibar and other upstream sources. This debris affects beaches, mangroves and marine life, including sea turtles that can become entangled in or ingest plastic.
In Saadani, our work focuses on practical action and awareness — from beach clean-ups and visitor education to reducing plastic use within tourism operations. Beyond the park, we actively support the Sustainability Champions project in Zanzibar, which tackles the root of the problem through education. By working with children and schools, the project empowers young people to understand plastic pollution, waste management and environmental responsibility. Through education and long-term mindset change, this initiative helps reduce plastic entering the ocean at its source, creating positive impact both in Zanzibar and downstream in Saadani.
Saadani’s quiet Indian Ocean beaches are among the few in Tanzania where green turtles still nest. Protecting these nesting events helps safeguard future generations of turtles and enhances biodiversity at the marine-terrestrial interface.