An unforgettable wildlife experience in Tanzania
Serval Wildlife in northern Tanzania combines a luxury eco-lodge with a hands-on wildlife sanctuary, set in the Siha District of the Kilimanjaro Region, around an hour from Moshi and about 90 minutes from Arusha. It offers supervised, close‑up encounters with iconic African animals in a carefully managed, conservation‑focused environment, making it an easy add‑on to any northern Tanzania safari or Kilimanjaro trip.
Travelers can expect to stand just metres from Masai giraffes, watch lions in a controlled naturalistic setting, and hand‑feed selected species under the guidance of experienced keepers – all with views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru on clear days.
What makes Serval Wildlife different
Serval Wildlife is an eco‑conscious sanctuary and lodge rather than a traditional zoo. Animals move within large, naturalistic areas designed to avoid cages and encourage more natural behaviour, while all guest interactions are supervised and structured around animal welfare.
Key, fact‑based highlights include:
- Guided walks among wildlife: Guided tours take visitors on foot through designated areas where they can see giraffes, zebras and antelope species such as eland at close range, with keepers controlling when and how animals approach.
- Supervised animal feeding sessions: Under staff supervision, guests are allowed to feed animals like Masai giraffes, zebras, elands and ostriches during scheduled sessions designed to be safe and enriching for visitors.
- Big cats in a managed natural setting: The sanctuary houses African lions and serval cats. Visitors can observe them at close range and, on some programs, take carefully controlled photos with lions, always under strict safety protocols and handler supervision.
- Conservation focus and education: Serval Wildlife presents itself as a rescue‑ and conservation‑driven project, with talks and guided explanations about each species, their behaviour, and ongoing efforts to rehabilitate and protect wildlife.
- Scenic mountain views and curated habitat: The sanctuary sits within a landscape of more than 3,000 hand‑planted endemic trees and plants, with panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru from many vantage points.
The result is an experience built around controlled, ethical close encounters rather than distant game viewing from a vehicle.
Who this experience suits
Because Serval Wildlife is easy to reach from Arusha, Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport, it fits naturally into a wide range of Tanzania itineraries. It particularly appeals to:
- First‑time visitors to Tanzania who want a high‑impact wildlife experience without committing to multiple full days on safari.
- Families looking for structured, educational encounters where children can safely see and feed animals at close range under supervision.
- Couples and small groups interested in memorable photography and a more intimate, lodge‑style setting than large national parks typically provide.
- Photographers and content creators who value unobstructed close‑ups of lions, giraffes, zebras and other species with a mountain backdrop.
- Travelers short on time who want a “wow” wildlife experience in a single day between Kilimanjaro trekking, beach time in Zanzibar, or classic safaris in parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara or Tarangire.
Easy to integrate into a Tanzania itinerary
Serval Wildlife is designed as either a day trip or an overnight eco‑lodge stay, with transport typically arranged from Arusha, Moshi or nearby airports.
Verified, commonly offered formats include:
- Half‑day or full‑day visit: Ideal before or after a Kilimanjaro climb or between game drives, a typical day trip includes return transfers, a guided wildlife tour, feeding sessions, time for photos, and a lunch break.
- Overnight villa experience inside the sanctuary: Serval Wildlife operates a small collection of luxury villas (for example, Lion, Zebra, Giraffe, Cheetah, Elephant and family villas) within the sanctuary grounds. Overnight guests generally enjoy extra interaction time, views of wildlife from their terraces, and inclusive experiences such as bush breakfasts or sundowner setups, depending on the package.
- Add‑on to classic safaris and local experiences: Many operators combine Serval Wildlife with Chemka Hot Springs, Maasai cultural visits, coffee tours or multi‑day safaris to Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti, using Serval as a short, high‑impact wildlife stop within a broader northern circuit.
Transport, guiding and timings are usually arranged as part of a package, so travellers do not have to organise logistics independently.
Why travelers love Serval Wildlife
Across tour operators and travelers, the feedback is positive and consistent:
- Safe, professionally guided encounters: Interactions take place under the constant supervision of trained keepers and guides, with clear briefings on how to behave around each species and time limits for direct contact.
- Close‑up, photo‑friendly access: Guests regularly highlight the ability to stand next to giraffes, walk close to zebras and antelopes, and photograph lions and other big cats from a short distance, often without needing telephoto lenses.
- Eco‑lodge and sanctuary concept: Serval Wildlife is promoted as a luxury eco‑tourism project powered by solar energy, landscaped with endemic flora and positioned as a conservation‑minded alternative to conventional wildlife attractions.
- Convenient location with a “hidden gem” feel: Despite being close to major hubs, Serval Wildlife is still described by many operators as a lesser‑known stop compared with headline parks, which helps preserve a more intimate atmosphere.
Many travelers describe their time at Serval Wildlife as a standout memory of their northern Tanzania trip, especially when combined with traditional safaris or Kilimanjaro climbs.
A sanctuary, not a traditional zoo
Serval Wildlife emphasises that animals are not kept in small city‑style cages, but in larger, naturalistic spaces within a fenced sanctuary where they can choose when to approach or retreat from interactions. Interactions, including feeding, are scheduled, supervised and designed around welfare standards set by the sanctuary and partner operators.
For travelers, this means:
- Encounters feel more immersive than viewing wildlife through bars or from long distances.
- There is a clear conservation and education component, not just entertainment.
- Safety rules and ethical guidelines are part of every visit.
Adding Serval Wildlife to a trip
Serval Wildlife can be built into an itinerary as:
- A high‑impact day trip from Arusha or Moshi.
- A relaxing overnight eco‑lodge stay between longer safaris or after a Kilimanjaro summit.
- A combination day with Chemka Hot Springs or Maasai cultural visits for travelers who want wildlife, scenery and culture in one route.
A specialist Tanzania tour operator or local DMC can tailor the timing around international arrivals, internal flights, Kilimanjaro trekking dates and national‑park safaris, ensuring that transfers, entry fees, guiding and meals are aligned with the rest of the journey.
Tanzania offers some of Africa’s most powerful wildlife and landscape experiences, and Serval Wildlife gives travelers a verified way to experience those animals up close, in a controlled, conservation‑minded setting, within easy reach of Arusha, Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro.
