In Saadani National Park, lions make their dens just a few hundred metres from where turtles nest. It is a rare and magical place — a coastal habitat that still supports many of Africa’s iconic animals. Yet, at just 1,100 km², the park is small by African standards and under constant pressure.
From the land, it faces threats such as charcoal burning, large-scale farming, cattle grazing, and poaching. From the sea, its coastline suffers from mangrove loss, reef destruction, overfishing, and ocean plastics. Saadani reflects many of the world’s most urgent conservation challenges, both on land and at sea. Finding solutions here could have global significance.
Lions are often seen as the most iconic species on Earth. By focusing conservation on Saadani’s unique coastal lions, we can draw attention to the park and highlight the wider threats facing this precious ecosystem.
At Simply Saadani Camp, we have built a dedicated research centre. From here, we run a Green Turtle project, now in its 20th year, alongside a new lion project launched in 2024. Studying Saadani’s lions will not only raise awareness of the park but also spark fresh discussion about the habitat conflicts affecting protected areas worldwide.
