Serval Wildlife Sanctuary
Tanzania's only luxury ecotourism wildlife sanctuary — tucked in the Siha District of Kilimanjaro, 60 minutes from Moshi. Hand-feed towering Masai giraffes, walk alongside free-roaming elands and zebras, encounter African lions, colobus monkeys, bat-eared foxes and ostriches in an extraordinary hands-on setting unlike anything on the Northern Circuit.
Serval Wildlife Sanctuary — Tanzania's Unique Wildlife Experience
Serval Wildlife Sanctuary is Tanzania's only luxury ecotourism wildlife sanctuary — a completely different kind of wildlife experience from anything on the Northern Circuit. Located in the Siha District of Kilimanjaro, just 60 minutes from Moshi and 90 minutes from Arusha, the sanctuary offers panoramic views of both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru from its beautifully maintained grounds.
Unlike a traditional game drive where animals are viewed at distance from a 4x4 vehicle, Serval Wildlife offers genuinely hands-on encounters with free-roaming animals. Towering Masai giraffes can be hand-fed acacia leaves and pellets — the world's tallest land animal at arm's reach. Elands (Tanzania's largest antelope), zebras, and ostriches roam freely through the estate alongside you during guided walks. African lions are resident in a dedicated enclosure for visitor safety. Colobus and vervet monkeys, and the rarely-encountered bat-eared foxes, complete a remarkable cast of wildlife — all at a proximity that no game drive can offer.
The sanctuary is set within over 3,000 hand-planted endemic flora species carefully chosen to directly benefit the resident animals. The entire facility runs on 100% solar energy. It is open every day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and no advance booking is required for day visits. It is an outstanding activity for families, couples, and anyone seeking a wildlife experience that complements — rather than duplicates — a traditional safari.
Who You'll Meet
Serval Wildlife is home to a diverse range of species — most free-roaming throughout the estate. Lions alone are kept in a dedicated enclosure for visitor safety.
The sanctuary's most beloved residents — completely accustomed to visitors. Hand-feed them acacia leaves and pellets from an elevated platform or at ground level. At up to 6 metres tall, feeding a giraffe face-to-face is one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters available in Tanzania.
Resident African lions viewed up close from the dedicated enclosure — with detailed explanation from the sanctuary guide of each lion's story and behaviour. Note: walking with lions is available to overnight guests only (adults, subject to animal behaviour).
Tanzania's largest antelope, roaming freely through the estate. Calm, enormous, and remarkably approachable — elands will walk directly alongside you during guided walks through the botanical gardens.
Plains zebras graze freely across the open areas of the estate, moving among the botanical plantings. Interacting with zebras at this proximity — outside of a vehicle — is an experience unique to Serval Wildlife in Tanzania.
Both black-and-white colobus and blue/vervet monkeys live in the sanctuary's tree areas. The colobus — with their dramatic colouration and flowing white capes — are among Tanzania's most beautiful primates and rarely encountered at such close range.
One of Africa's most endearing small mammals — nocturnal in the wild and almost never seen on standard game drives. With their enormously oversized ears (used to locate underground insects by sound), bat-eared foxes at Serval Wildlife offer an encounter that a traditional safari almost never provides.
The world's largest birds roam the open areas of the estate — at up to 2.7 metres tall and 150 kg, encountering ostriches on foot (safely, with a guide) is a remarkable experience for adults and particularly memorable for children.
Over 3,000 species of hand-planted Tanzanian endemic flora form the sanctuary's botanical ecosystem — directly chosen to benefit the resident animals through food, habitat, and natural enrichment. The botanical walk is a significant part of the visit.
Sanctuary Entrance Fees
Day Visit — Non-Resident (Non-Tanzanian) 2025/2026
Day visit includes: access to the restaurant, English-speaking sanctuary guide, and full access to the wildlife areas for interaction, petting (excluding lions), and photography. Sanctuary open daily 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. No advance booking required — payment by cash, bank transfer, visa card, or M-Pesa.
Day Visit — Tanzanian Resident 2025
Citizens of other East African countries (excluding Tanzania) are charged the non-resident rate.
Overnight Luxury Villa — 2025 Rate
Chalet-design villas of 120 m² — king-size bed, dining area, full bathroom with double basins, outdoor veranda, WiFi, minibar. Full-board only. 100% solar-powered. High-voltage appliances (hair dryers, irons) not permitted. Overnight guests gain access to the walking-with-lions experience (adults only, subject to animal behaviour). Contact Haven Trails to arrange overnight packages.
The Day — Hour by Hour
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Return private 4x4 transport — Moshi or Arusha
- Serval Wildlife non-resident entrance fee ($120/adult, $50/child)
- Sanctuary English-speaking guide throughout
- Giraffe feeding session
- Free-roaming wildlife walk (elands, zebras, ostriches)
- Lion enclosure visit
- Colobus monkeys & bat-eared fox encounter
- Botanical garden guided walk
- Lunch at the sanctuary restaurant
- Bottled water throughout
- Walking with lions (overnight guests only)
- Overnight villa stay ($950/room/night)
- Alcoholic beverages at the restaurant
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities (discretionary)
- Personal items and souvenirs
Why Haven Trails Adventures
Your Haven Trails driver-guide knows the Kilimanjaro region deeply — the Siha District, the approach road, and the Serval sanctuary itself. They accompany you throughout and provide context for everything you experience.
All Serval Wildlife day trips depart in a private 4x4 vehicle — comfortable, air-conditioned, and never shared with strangers. Your vehicle waits at the sanctuary throughout your visit.
Haven Trails' most requested post-Kilimanjaro activity. Just 35 minutes from KIA airport and 60 minutes from Moshi — a gentle, joyful, and completely memorable experience after a demanding summit. We coordinate the handover from your climb operator seamlessly.
Hand-feeding giraffes, walking with elands, watching ostriches, and meeting bat-eared foxes creates extraordinary memories for children. Min age 4 years. Haven Trails guides are experienced with family groups and know how to make every encounter engaging for all ages.
Serval Wildlife's location in the Moshi–Kilimanjaro region makes it easy to combine with Chemka Hot Springs, Materuni Waterfalls, or Lake Challa for a full multi-destination day. Haven Trails arranges all logistics.
Serval Wildlife operates 100% on solar energy with a curated botanical ecosystem. Haven Trails briefs all guests on responsible animal interaction guidelines before arrival, ensuring the experience is positive for both visitors and animals.
