SAANANE NATIONAL PARK

Saanane Island is in Lake Victoria lying very close to the city of Mwanza. It was gazetted as a National Park in 2013. It occupies a total area of 2.18 sq. km.  Saanane is completely unique. Firstly, it is the only National Park in Africa that is within city limits. The wildlife there includes impala, zebra, wildebeest, klipspringer, hyrax, vervet monkeys, dik dik, otters, crocodiles, and is a mixture of indigenous and introduced species. They run wild, and yet are calm and unafraid of people. The habitat is of granite boulders, grassy areas, thorny thicket and woodland. There are several reed beds and large trees around the island’s shores.

There is also an enclosed lion’s den with huge boulders and trees where a lion and lioness live. They were both orphans from the wild – one from the Serengeti and the other from outside Tarangire – and are now fully grown, and appear contented and healthy – and in love! Two peacocks are living in another enclosure on the island.

The main feature of the park is a set of pathways and trails, well-constructed with rustic granite stones and trimmed verges that wind a path to all corners of the island. There are viewpoints with wonderful views of the lake and islands, as well as rest points, a camp site, picnic bandas a canteen, and quiet, hidden corners

Activities

• Walking in the park trail, and enjoying the wildlife on the way,
• Bird watching,
• Boat tours,
• Fishing around the islands (catch and release).