What You Need to Know: Our Serval Wildlife day trip takes you to the sanctuary in Siha District, near Sanya Juu, about an hour from Moshi or 1.5–2 hours from Arusha, for a guided visit among rescued animals such as giraffes, zebras, elands and ostriches, with views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. It costs US$200 per person from Moshi or US$250 from Arusha, with transport, a guide and lunch included. It suits families, animal lovers and anyone with a free day before or after a climb or safari.
What Is Serval Wildlife?
Serval Wildlife is a private sanctuary and luxury eco-lodge set on a large, landscaped property in the Siha District of the Kilimanjaro region. It describes itself as an ethical animal-tourism project: animals arrive as orphans, injured wildlife or rescues from illegal captivity and poaching, often brought in by Tanzania's wildlife authorities, and are cared for in large enclosures and open areas, with the aim of returning suitable animals to protected areas.
For visitors, it is a chance to see African animals at close range, learn their stories from the keepers, and understand the work behind rescue and rehabilitation. The setting adds to the day: open grassland and hand-planted indigenous trees, with Kilimanjaro rising on one side and Mount Meru on the other on clear days.
Animals You May Meet
The animals at the sanctuary change over time as rescued animals arrive and others are released, so the exact species on the day of your visit may differ. Species reported at the sanctuary include:
| Animal | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Masai giraffes | Often the highlight: tall, curious and sometimes close enough to feed |
| Zebras and elands | Grazing in the open areas |
| Ostriches | Large and inquisitive |
| Colobus, blue and vervet monkeys | In the trees around the grounds |
| Servals and other smaller cats | The sanctuary's namesake, seen with the keepers |
| Birds | Fish eagles, kingfishers and many garden species |
Encounters happen on the animals' terms: they come to visitors when they choose and can move away whenever they like. Where feeding is offered, it is with food provided by the sanctuary and under the keepers' guidance.
How the Day Runs
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Pickup from your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour's drive) or Arusha (about 1.5–2 hours), through farmland on Kilimanjaro's western slopes |
| Late morning | Welcome and briefing, then a guided visit with the keepers to meet the animals and hear their stories |
| Midday | Lunch, time for photos and the views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru |
| Afternoon | Drive back to your hotel, or on to Kilimanjaro International Airport for an evening flight |
Price
| Starting from | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Moshi | US$200 |
| Arusha | US$250 |
The price includes return transport from your hotel, your guide and lunch; it depends on where we collect you. See all our day trips from Moshi and Arusha.
Who the Visit Suits
- Families with children, who rarely get this close to animals on a safari
- Animal lovers and photographers who want unhurried, close views
- Travelers with a free day before or after a Kilimanjaro climb
- Guests flying from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is on the way
- Anyone who can't do long game drives, as the visit is short and easy
Traveling with children? See our family safari guide.
Visiting Responsibly
Close-contact animal attractions are a sensitive subject, and it's right to ask questions. Serval Wildlife presents itself as a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary, working with Tanzania's wildlife authorities and putting animal welfare first, rather than a petting zoo. We encourage guests to follow the keepers' instructions, never pick up or chase an animal, avoid flash photography, and ask the keepers about each animal's story and future: a good sanctuary is happy to explain its work.
If you would rather see animals only in the wild, our Arusha National Park day trip offers giraffes, buffaloes and colobus monkeys in their natural habitat, close to Arusha.
Combining the Visit
Because the sanctuary sits between Moshi and Arusha, it combines well with other plans:
- A coffee tour or the Materuni waterfall on another day in Moshi
- The Chemka hot springs, also between Moshi and Arusha
- Lake Duluti or Arusha National Park near Arusha
- The start or end of a safari or a Kilimanjaro climb
What to Bring
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking on grass and paths
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A light warm layer: Siha is cooler than Moshi
- A camera or phone with a zoom for the animals and the mountain views
- Water and a small daypack
When to Go
The visit runs all year. The dry months, June to October and December to February, bring the clearest views of Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Mornings are usually the best time, when the animals are active and the mountains are free of cloud.
Serval Wildlife Questions
Where is Serval Wildlife?
In Siha District, near Sanya Juu, on Kilimanjaro's western slopes, about an hour from Moshi and 1.5–2 hours from Arusha.
How much is the Serval Wildlife day trip?
US$200 per person from Moshi, or US$250 from Arusha, with transport, a guide and lunch included.
Can I touch or feed the animals?
Some animals may approach visitors, and feeding is sometimes offered with food from the sanctuary, always under the keepers' guidance and on the animals' terms.
Is Serval Wildlife good for children?
Yes: children love meeting the giraffes and other animals up close. Follow the keepers' instructions and keep young children close.
Is Serval Wildlife a zoo?
It describes itself as a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for orphaned, injured and confiscated animals, working with Tanzania's wildlife authorities.
Can I visit on the way to the airport?
Yes: the sanctuary is on the way to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Moshi or Arusha, so it fits before an evening flight.
Can I stay overnight at Serval Wildlife?
The sanctuary has a luxury lodge; ask us if you would like to stay, and we quote it for your dates.
The Bottom Line
A Serval Wildlife day trip is an easy, memorable half or full day between Moshi and Arusha: rescued animals up close, two great mountains on the horizon and a look at conservation work. It is especially good for families and for a free day around a climb or safari.
Send us your date, where you are staying and the number of travelers (with children's ages) through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will confirm the pickup time and send your quotation.