Saanane Island National Park

Saanane Island National Park is a national park located on an island in Lake Victoria and covers about 2.2 square kilometers of grasslands, forests, and rocky shorelines. These different habitats support a variety of mammals, birds, and other wildlife adapted to the island environment.

The park was established in 2013 as a formal protected area, building on an animal garden that was created back in 1964. The island also experienced bombing during the Uganda-Tanzania War in 1979, making it a site of both natural and recent history.

The island takes its name from Mzee Saanane Chavandi, a local farmer and fisherman whose vision shaped the early sanctuary. Visitors can sense his legacy in how the community values the preserved natural space.

Visitors reach the park by boat departing from TANAPA offices at Capri Point in Mwanza. Once on the island, you will find picnic areas and walking trails to explore at your own pace.

De-Brazza's monkeys live nowhere else in Tanzania except this island, making it a rare refuge for the species. This distinction draws researchers and visitors interested in seeing these animals in their protected home.

Inception: 2013

GPS coordinates: -2.54436,32.88972

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:02