Day Trips
Serval Wildlife Sanctuary Experience (Siha)
Serval Wildlife is a private sanctuary in the Siha district on the western side of Kilimanjaro, roughly an hour and a half from Moshi and two from Arusha. It houses big cats and smaller African species in large enclosures, with an emphasis on animals that cannot be returned to the wild.
The collection includes serval, caracal, lion, cheetah and leopard alongside smaller carnivores and primates. Enclosures are considerably larger than a conventional zoo standard and the setting, on open slopes with Kilimanjaro behind on a clear day, is a substantial part of the appeal.
We should be clear about what this is and is not. It is a sanctuary and viewing facility, not a wild encounter. The animals are in enclosures, they are habituated to people, and photographs taken here are of captive animals. For families with young children, for guests who cannot manage a full safari day, and for anyone wanting a guaranteed close look at cats that are elusive in the wild, that is a fair and useful proposition.
The visit typically includes a guided walk through the enclosures with keeper commentary on each species, its conservation status and how it came into care, followed by lunch on site.
Planning your trip
Practical planning. This is a single day programme, so the whole experience depends on an early start and on weather conditions holding through the middle of the day. We quote fees at the tariff period current at the time of booking, since park, conservation and crater charges are revised periodically and are a significant share of the total cost. Yellow fever certification is required if you are arriving from or transiting a country with risk of transmission, and travel insurance covering medical evacuation is a condition of travel on all our programmes.
Season. June to October is the classic dry season, when vegetation thins, water sources concentrate wildlife and roads are at their most reliable. December to March brings green landscapes, calving on the southern plains and lower rates. April and May are the long rains, when some tracks become difficult and a number of seasonal camps close.
In the parks. Stay in the vehicle unless your guide confirms a stop is authorised, keep noise low near wildlife, never feed animals and take all rubbish out with you. Off-road driving, drones and unsupervised walking are prohibited or restricted across the national parks and conservation areas. These rules exist because visitor pressure is the main long-term threat to the places you have come to see.
Where this trip goes
Read the full destination guides for every protected area covered by this itinerary before you travel. Each one sets out habitat, seasonality, access and the managing authority in detail.
Compare similar packages
If the length, pace or budget of this itinerary is not quite right, these alternatives cover comparable ground:
- Materuni Waterfalls & Chagga Coffee Tour (Moshi)
- Chemka (Kikuletwa) Hot Springs Day Trip
- Marangu Village & Kinukamori Waterfalls Cultural Hike
- 5-Day Marangu Route Trek
You can also browse the full package catalogue or the destination directory to build a custom itinerary with us.
Highlights
- Close viewing of serval, caracal, cheetah, leopard and lion
- Large enclosures on open slopes with Kilimanjaro views
- Keeper-led commentary on each animal’s history and conservation status
- Guaranteed sightings, useful for families and short visits
- Accessible day trip from Moshi or Arusha
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Moshi or Arusha to Siha and return
Collection around 08:00 and a drive west along the base of Kilimanjaro into the Siha district, roughly 90 minutes from Moshi or two hours from Arusha, through farming country with the mountain to the east.
On arrival you take a guided walk through the sanctuary with a keeper, covering the big cat enclosures and the smaller species, with commentary on each animal’s background, natural range and conservation status.
Lunch is served on site with views towards the mountain, and there is time to walk the grounds before the return transfer in the mid afternoon.
Included
- Return transfer from Moshi or Arusha accommodation
- Sanctuary entry and guided keeper-led tour
- Lunch on site and bottled drinking water
- Driver-guide throughout the day
Excluded
- Tips for the guide and keepers
- Personal purchases and additional drinks
- Travel insurance
- Optional additional activities at the sanctuary
Accommodation
A day excursion with no accommodation included. The sanctuary sits on the quieter western side of Kilimanjaro, which is worth combining with a Lemosho or Northern Circuit climb since the Londorossi Gate approach runs through the same area.
FAQs
Are these wild animals?
No, and we will not present it as a wild encounter. The animals are in large enclosures, most are rescued or captive bred, and they are habituated to people. It is a sanctuary visit, which is a genuinely worthwhile but different thing from a safari.
Is this suitable for children?
Very. Sightings are guaranteed, the walking is easy, the day is short, and children can see cats close up that they would almost certainly miss on a game drive. It is one of the better family options near Moshi.
Can I replace a safari day with this?
Only if a safari day is not practical for you. Seeing a wild leopard in a tree in the Serengeti is a fundamentally different experience. This works best as an addition, or as an option for guests whose mobility or schedule rules out a full game drive.
Can I touch or interact with the animals?
No. Direct contact with big cats is not permitted and we would not offer it if it were. Viewing is from outside the enclosures with keeper commentary.
Will I see the big five on this trip?
Lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard are all realistically possible on the northern circuit, and rhino are seen in the Ngorongoro Crater with reasonable frequency though usually at distance. No operator can guarantee sightings of wild animals and we will not pretend otherwise.
Is a private vehicle included?
Road-based itineraries use a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, exclusively for your party, with a guaranteed window seat. Fly-in itineraries use camp-based vehicles shared with a small number of other guests, and a private vehicle can be added at extra cost.
What should I pack for a safari?
Neutral coloured layers, a warm fleece for early morning game drives, sun protection, binoculars and a camera with more storage than you expect to need. Soft-sided bags are required on any itinerary involving light aircraft, where the limit is typically 15 kilograms.
How much should I budget for tips?
Guidance rather than obligation: around 20 to 30 US dollars per vehicle per day for the driver-guide, and 5 to 10 dollars per guest per day for camp staff, pooled. We will give you a specific breakdown for your itinerary before departure.
How far in advance should I book Serval Wildlife Sanctuary Experience (Siha)?
For peak months, meaning July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, six to twelve months ahead. Camps and mountain permits in those windows genuinely sell out. For green season travel, two to three months is usually sufficient.
Can this itinerary be customised?
Yes. Every itinerary we publish is a starting point. Days can be added or removed, accommodation tiers changed, internal flights substituted for road transfers, and extensions to Zanzibar or the southern parks attached. Tell us the constraint and we will build around it.
