2-Day Safari: Serval Wildlife Sanctuary & Tarangire National Park

Walk with rescued giraffes, then hunt lions along the Tarangire River

A 2-day safari from Arusha combining close-up wildlife interaction at Serval Wildlife Sanctuary with a game drive through Tarangire National Park. Day one includes hotel pickup, a walk among rescued giraffes, zebras and elands at the sanctuary, lunch, and overnight accommodation near Tarangire. Day two is a half- or full-day game drive along the Tarangire River, where elephants, lions, buffaloes and sometimes leopards gather, followed by return to Arusha. A live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or French leads both days. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arusha to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary

• Pick up from Arusha hotel
• Drive to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary
• Interact with rescued wildlife
• Learn about conservation efforts
• Have lunch at the sanctuary
• Drive to Tarangire area or Karatu town
• Arrive at lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 2: Tarangire National Park to Arusha

• Have breakfast at lodge
• Drive to Tarangire National Park
• Enjoy game drive along Tarangire River
• Have picnic lunch inside the park
• Drive back to Arusha
• Arrive in Arusha late afternoon

The experience

Your guide picks you up from your Arusha hotel around 8:00 AM and drives you to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, roughly an hour to ninety minutes away. At the sanctuary, you walk directly among rescued and rehabilitated wildlife (giraffes, zebras, elands and others) with time to photograph them and learn how the sanctuary's conservation work operates. After lunch at the sanctuary, the drive continues through highland scenery and Maasai villages toward the Tarangire area, arriving at your lodge or campsite in the evening.

Day two starts after breakfast with a drive into Tarangire National Park. The park's draw is its concentration of large elephant herds, the iconic baobab trees scattered across the landscape, and the Tarangire River, where animals gather especially during the dry season. You spend a half-day or full-day game drive along the river corridor, where lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests and occasionally leopards or cheetahs appear. A picnic lunch happens inside the park before the drive back to Arusha in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Arusha.
• a live guide for both days.
• dinner on day one and breakfast on day two.
• overnight lodge or campsite accommodation near Tarangire.
• game drive access to Tarangire National Park.
• picnic lunch inside the park on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Edge Crest Tours

Is this one for you?The two-day structure gives you close-up time with rescued animals at Serval and a full game drive in Tarangire without rushing either one into a single afternoon. If you have only one day, a separate 1-day Tarangire tour covers the park alone. If you want to add the Serengeti or spend more time in the parks, a longer safari works better.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 13 years).

What animals will I actually see at Serval Wildlife Sanctuary?

Serval Wildlife Sanctuary holds rescued and well-cared-for giraffes, zebras, elands and other species that you walk among and photograph up close. The guides explain the sanctuary's conservation and rehabilitation work as you spend time with the animals.

Is Tarangire National Park known for any particular wildlife?

Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. The Tarangire River draws lions, giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeests, and sometimes leopards or cheetahs, especially during the dry season when water becomes scarce elsewhere.

How much time do I spend driving versus on game drives?

Day one includes roughly two hours of driving total (from Arusha to Serval, then from Serval toward Tarangire) plus your time walking at the sanctuary and lunch. Day two is a half-day or full-day game drive along the river, depending on which option you choose at checkout.