Saanane Island National Park

The Saanane Island National Park is one of the national parks found in east Africa, mainly Tanzania. It was built as the first animal garden in the country by the government. Its establishment came as a result of the sole necessity to save the environment and natural resources as well as offering education to the society about conserving natural resources and habitats as well. It was intentionally established to address the aforementioned many needs.

Establishment;

The Saanane national park was formed as an animal garden in 1964 but later on, in 2013 it was named a national park. The declaration by the government as the national park was a result of the agreement among the national assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania in December 2012 that sat down and agreed to expand the area from being a center for natural resources and conserving the environment to become the national park. Its designation as an animal garden rendered it the inaugural garden in the country exclusively allocated for animals. It was then, classified as the woodland game reserve in 1991.

The source of the name Saanane;

The Saanane national park was named after the founder of the national park which was previously recognized as an animal garden called, Saanane Chawandi. Between 1964 and 1966 different wild animals were relocated to Saanane island. Some of the creatures were mbogo, elephant, pofu, zebra, crocodiles, swala pala, nungunungu, ngiri and twiga. Dangerous animals like hippos were also relocated in groups and were secluded from other animals.

Size and location;

The Saanane national park has a size of 2.18 square kilometers and it is located approximately 2 kilometers southwest far from the center of the Mwanza area.

Some of the activities done on the island include like climbing rocks, watching animals, watching various species of birds on the island, walking tours, and canoeing by using native boats through agencies of tourism. These and several more other activities make the place so attractive and enjoyable when someone visits there.

Attractions of Saanane Island

The aspect of Saanane Island;

Saanane Island offers a compelling visual appeal that attracts numerous domestic and international visitors. This is also affected by its position as it is not that far from the Mwanza town council. It is virtually a walk on foot to the location. No charges are incurred by guests. So, it is quite straightforward for both domestic and foreign guests to visit the national park.

Presence of the huge Lake Victoria; Lake Victoria also works as an appealing force for travelers to visit Saanane island national park. It is one of the biggest and very prospective water bodies in east Africa. It cuts across three east African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Lake Victoria operates as one of the main causes for travelers to visit the place.

The nice nature of tour guides and other workers in the island; the Saanane island national park is one of the tourist attractive places with the most kind and heartfelt workers. They are working exhausted less, kindly, smart and any other originality that draws visitors. They deserve appreciation for the wonderful work that they are doing. They are also enticing and drawing some tourists to the location due to their ingenuity.

Saanane island national park is magnificent and one of the greatest sites for camping at night; When you think you should have somewhere to rest with your lover, it is only in Saanane island national park. There are good infrastructures for the visitors such as hotel, food and other necessities in the beach. This is a highly unique national park in the country that everyone must appreciate and teach their mind to relax.

The appearance of some of the animals near the Saanane island national park; is not so distant from the island that you can be able to get into direct touch with some creatures. The Park has not been blessed with so many tourist attractions notably animals but the few existent ones are highly appealing and influential.

Saanane national park has cultural and natural sensations; visiting Saanane island national park means a lot to the indigenous people since it arouses the feeling of patriotism among visitors. The most techniques of motivating people to visit the place are by exploiting these natural attractions like mentioning the source of rocks in this wonderful national park. Most people value the tour of the rocks while observing Lake Victoria.

It is a good and appealing spot for hiking; When you are located in Mwanza or in any other place around the island you can organize a tour simply for hiking. Just because of the hiking exposure, one might prepare the hills and get ready for long walking.

A good number of animal and bird species; are not restricted just to Serengeti and other major national parks as most people imagine. They can also be found around Saanane island and national parks. It is really basic to the extent that one can come across the maximum amount of 70 species of fish within a little island spot like this one.

The entry fees are certainly low and economical; the cost for visiting Saanane island national park is quite affordable making it one of the fewest national parks in the world with such minimum amount as an attracting force for tourists. For instance, the expenses for making movies on an island are extremely reasonable, hiring of grounds for a special occasion is also sounding cost that can be accommodated simpler than other national parks and reserves in the country and in the globe at large.

Saanane National Park is distinctive and renowned in East Africa as the smallest national park in both the country and the region. While traveling in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and other nations, one will discover no smaller national park than Saanane Island National Park. The Saanane island national park is also the only national park that is located in the city. It is placed in the enormous metropolis of Mwanza widely known as ‘the rock city.’

It is the home for various creatures such as the impala, velvet monkeys, wild cats, and the rock hyrax which are very rare in other national parks and reserves in the country. The de-brazas monkeys, a species exclusive to Saanane Island National Park, are also present.

Reptiles as well, including lizards, crocodiles, leopard tortoise pancake, monitor lizards, and the presence of one of the highly famous and poisonous animals known as python.

Also, the aquatic aspect of the Saanane island national park is another tourist draw; aquatic meaning living organisms that are found in the water bodies. It is really intriguing to meet some fishes like the tilapia fish and the famous variety known as the Nile perch. People can elect to travel and visit the island for enjoying aquatic life.

Bush lunch and fast food are also available in the place; in Saanane island national park is quite simple to get natural prepared meals. It is really different for now and a few years ago when you compare the two. In some years back we depended on most of the food imported from foreigners while ours were present in the country. This is absolute ridicule and just because it is our fate, I may like to suggest all Tanzanians to spend much of our time getting these natural meals especially the bush lunches as they boost our thinking power, preserve our health rather than artificial food which are not even beneficial to us.

How to get to Saanane island national park;

There are two or more ways to travel to the Saanane island national park Tanzania. The methods vary based on the visitors’ origin. For instance, travelers from Dar es salaam cannot have the same path as visitors from Mbeya. Some of them can easily access the area by employing water transport (boat) from Mwanza. An individual can access Mwanza town council via bus, air travel, or train. From the Mwanza town council to the area is extremely straightforward whereby an individual can reach a destination on foot. It may not be required for one to take private or public transit. An individual may travel for few meters to the main gate of the island. Then, one is almost at the Saanane island national park. Both domestic and foreign visitors may also use ferries to reach the place.

When should we visit Saanane island national park;

There is no special season to visit the site since the environment is good for one to visit in any season of the year. for instance, birds vary from one species to another and are most available in the place in different seasons of the year. most of them are available during the green season from November to March. Also, in the dry season starting from June to August which is fantastic and great for picnics, viewing of games, and trekking rocks.