Serval Wildlife Day Trip From Zanzibar
Fly from Zanzibar to Arusha for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter where you can walk beside giraffes, feed zebras, and see serval cats up close — all in one unforgettable day.
Serval Wildlife Tour From Zanzibar
A Close-Up African Wildlife Experience With No Long Travel
If you're visiting Zanzibar and dreaming of a genuine African wildlife encounter without spending hours on the road, then the Serval Wildlife experience in Arusha, Tanzania, is the perfect choice. This unique day trip allows you to experience some of Africa’s most iconic animals up close — making it one of the most convenient and unforgettable safari experiences available from Zanzibar.
Unlike traditional national parks in Tanzania, such as Serengeti or Tarangire, where animals roam widely and game drives are required, Serval Wildlife offers an intimate, immersive environment. Here, you can walk beside giraffes, feed zebras, hold interactions with friendly eland and wildebeest, and get incredibly close to the rare and elegant African serval cats — something even many safari travellers never had the opportunity to experience. Experienced wildlife specialists supervise every moment to ensure safety, comfort, and responsible interaction.
With a quick, scenic flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Arusha (ARK) followed by a smooth, private transfer to the reserve, this experience is perfectly designed for families, couples, honeymooners, and travellers with limited time who still want a high-quality safari. Whether you're celebrating a honeymoon or family holiday, or want to add a unique adventure to your Zanzibar stay, this tour delivers unforgettable wildlife encounters without long travel or tiring road trips.
⭐ Why Choose This Serval Wildlife Experience From Zanzibar?
✔️ Return flights included — Zanzibar ↔ Arusha
✔️ Meet and interact with African wildlife up close
✔️ Perfect for families with children — safe, controlled environment
✔️ Experience the unique serval cats — rare to see in the wild
✔️ Professional English-speaking driver and guide
✔️ Lunch, transport, entrance fees, and transfers included
This is the closest wildlife interaction experience Tanzania offers — and it's one you’ll remember forever.
🛫 How Your Day Trip Works
Morning — Fly From Zanzibar to Arusha
-
Pickup directly from your hotel in Zanzibar
-
Short morning flight: Zanzibar ✈️ Arusha (45–60 minutes)
-
Meet your safari guide and transfer to Serval Wildlife (approx. 1 hour drive)
Late Morning — Wildlife Interaction & Guided Walk
Walk through the reserve with a professional guide, where you will:
🐾 Feed and interact with giraffes
🐾 See wildebeest, zebras, and elands up close
🐾 Meet and take photos with tortoises and flamingos
🐾 Experience the world-famous serval cats — and watch how they move, hunt, and play
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, and families.
Lunch & Relaxation
Enjoy lunch surrounded by nature — with views of grazing animals and Mount Meru in the background.
Afternoon — Return to Zanzibar
After lunch, transfer back to the airport and fly to Zanzibar.
Evening drop-off at your hotel.
✅ What’s Included in Your Serval Wildlife Tour From Zanzibar
Your tour is designed to be stress-free, fully organized, and travel-ready from the moment you leave your hotel in Zanzibar. We take care of every detail so you can focus on enjoying your wildlife experience.
Here’s what your package includes:
-
Round-Trip Domestic Flights
Return flights from Zanzibar (ZNZ) to Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) — depending on availability and scheduling. -
Airport Meet & Assist in Arusha
A Travel Wise Safari representative will be waiting upon arrival to assist with luggage and provide a smooth transfer. -
Private Transportation to Serval Wildlife
Fully licensed and comfortable safari vehicle with air-conditioning, bottled drinking water, and a professional English-speaking driver-guide. -
Entrance Fees to Serval Wildlife Tanzania
Full access to the reserve and all wildlife interaction areas. -
Guided Animal Interaction Experience
Walk alongside giraffes, feed zebras and elands, observe flamingos, tortoises, and interact with the rare African serval cats — all supervised by trained wildlife experts. -
Professional Safari Guide
Certified guide experienced in wildlife behavior, conservation, photography assistance, and guest safety. -
Lunch at Serval Wildlife Lodge
Delicious fresh lunch served at the reserve — with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options available upon request. -
Bottled Drinking Water Throughout the Tour
-
Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-Off in Zanzibar
Optional transfer from your accommodation to Zanzibar Airport and back after the tour (available for all Zanzibar regions: Stone Town, Kendwa, Nungwi, Paje, Michamvi, Jambiani, Matemwe, etc.) -
Government Taxes & Park Levies
All mandatory Tanzanian tourism taxes are included in the package price. -
24/7 Travel Assistance via WhatsApp
❌ What’s Not Included
To avoid surprises and keep everything clear, the following items are not included unless added on request:
-
International flights to/from Tanzania
-
Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks
-
Personal purchases and souvenirs at the Serval Wildlife gift shop
-
Visa fees (if applicable for entering the Tanzania mainland)
-
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
-
Optional safari upgrades or extensions (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, etc.)
-
Optional accommodation upgrades at Serval Wildlife Lodge
-
Tips for guides and staff (suggested: $5–$20 per guest, depending on service level)
⭐ Optional Add-Ons You Can Request
-
Overnight stay at Serval Wildlife Luxury Lodge
-
Balloon safari experience (if combined with national parks)
-
Private photographer or videographer
-
Safari extensions:
-
2-Day Safari (Tarangire & Ngorongoro)
-
3-Day Northern Tanzania Wildlife Safari
-
4-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari
-
5–7 Day Full Tanzania Explorer Safari
-
🧒 Is This Tour Child-Friendly?
Absolutely — the Serval Wildlife experience from Zanzibar is one of the most family-friendly wildlife activities in Tanzania. Unlike traditional national parks, where children must remain inside vehicles, Serval Wildlife allows kids to walk safely among animals, explore at their own pace, and enjoy close-up interactions in a fully controlled environment.
All animals at the reserve — including giraffes, zebras, elands, tortoises, flamingos, and serval cats — are accustomed to human presence and are carefully supervised by trained wildlife specialists. Safety protocols are in place at every step, making this experience enjoyable and entirely suitable for families with young travellers.
Children especially love:
-
Feeding giraffes and zebras
-
Seeing several cats up close
-
Walking freely in the open wildlife area
-
Learning fun facts from guides
-
Taking unforgettable photos with friendly animals
It’s not only fun — it’s educational. Many parents describe this tour as a living wildlife classroom, where kids connect deeply with animals, conservation, and African nature.
📸 Photography Friendly — Perfect for Content Creators
Whether you're using a smartphone, GoPro, or professional DSLR, Serval Wildlife offers some of the most photogenic wildlife moments in Tanzania.
Unlike traditional safari game drives — where animals may be far away — here you’ll capture:
-
Eye-level giraffe photos
-
Portrait-style serval cat shots
-
Candid zebra feeding moments
-
Family and honeymoon memories in nature
Soft natural light, open space, and close proximity make this destination a dream location for:
-
Families
-
Travel vloggers
-
Wildlife photographers
-
Honeymoon couples
-
Social media creators
From emotional interactions to cinematic landscapes, every moment is a photo opportunity — and no telephoto lens is required.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does the Serval Wildlife Tour from Zanzibar take?
The Serval Wildlife experience is designed as a full-day trip from Zanzibar. Most travellers depart in the morning and return in the late afternoon or evening.
The timeline typically looks like this:
-
🛫 Morning flight from Zanzibar (ZNZ) → Arusha (ARK or JRO)
-
🚐 45–90 min transfer to Serval Wildlife
-
🦒 2–4 hours guided interaction experience
-
🍽️ Lunch at Serval Wildlife Lodge
-
🚐 Transfer back to the airport
-
🛬 Evening return flight to Zanzibar
Total experience: 8–12 hours, depending on flight schedule.
2. How far is Serval Wildlife from Zanzibar?
Zanzibar is an island, so travel happens by air. The flight from Zanzibar to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airports takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
No long road trips are required, making this one of the quickest wildlife excursions available from Zanzibar.
3. Are flights included in the tour price?
Yes — in most of our packages, round-trip domestic flights between Zanzibar and Arusha are included. Your personalised quote will clearly show:
-
Flight cost
-
Taxes
-
Time options
-
Available upgrades (if applicable)
If you already have flights booked, we can adjust the package accordingly.
4. Is Serval Wildlife safe for children and families?
Yes — Serval Wildlife is extremely family-friendly.
All interactions with animals are supervised by trained professionals. Animals living at the lodge are accustomed to guests and behave calmly around people — including small children.
Strollers and baby carriers are allowed, and the walking pathways are easy and flat.
5. Can I combine Serval Wildlife with a traditional Tanzania safari?
Absolutely. Many guests choose to extend their experience with a safari in:
-
Tarangire National Park
-
Ngorongoro Crater
-
Lake Manyara
-
Serengeti National Park (fly-in option)
We offer 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5–7 day safari itineraries that start immediately after your Serval Wildlife visit.
6. What should I wear during the Serval Wildlife experience?
We recommend comfortable travel clothing similar to a safari style:
-
Light neutral-colored clothing
-
Closed shoes or trainers
-
A hat or cap
-
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Avoid bright neon colours or loud patterns — animals are calmer around natural tones.
7. Do I need vaccines or malaria tablets to visit Serval Wildlife?
Tanzania does not require vaccines for most international travellers unless coming from a yellow-fever-risk country.
Arusha is not a high-risk malaria area, but some travellers choose preventive medication.
Always consult your doctor or travel clinic before travelling.
8. Are meals included?
Yes — your package includes lunch at Serval Wildlife Luxury Lodge.
Dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, halal, or allergen-restricted meals can be requested in advance.
9. Can I take photos or videos with the animals?
Yes — your package includes lunch at Serval Wildlife Luxury Lodge.
Dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, halal, or allergen-restricted meals can be requested in advance.
9. Can I take photos or videos with the animals?
Yes — Serval Wildlife is one of the best photography locations in Tanzania.
Guests can safely take:
-
Portrait-style selfies
-
Close wildlife shots
-
Drone photography (permission required)
-
Honeymoon or family photos
We also offer optional professional photography packages upon request.
10. When is the best time to visit Serval Wildlife from Zanzibar?
Serval Wildlife is open year-round, making it a flexible experience during any travel season — including rainy or peak high-season periods.
It is especially popular for:
-
Honeymooners
-
Families
-
Last-minute safari upgrades from Zanzibar
-
Travellers with limited time
11. Do I need a Tanzania mainland entry permit if I’m in Zanzibar?
Serval Wildlife is open year-round, making it a flexible experience during any travel season — including rainy or peak high-season periods.
It is especially popular for:
-
Honeymooners
-
Families
-
Last-minute safari upgrades from Zanzibar
-
Travellers with limited time
12. How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 1–7 days in advance, especially during peak season (June–October & December–February). Same-day and last-minute bookings are possible depending on flight availability.