Jambo! We find ourselves at Disney’s Animal Kingdom today, and knowing that many of you have been trapped far away from the parks, I thought you might appreciate a little adventure.

When you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, it’s my opinion that your trip doesn’t really count unless you take a tour on the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Look, I don’t make the rules— that’s just how it is. Luckily, my son Johnny and I love seeing all the animals in the wild-like Harambe Wildlife Reserve from the comfort of a safari vehicle.

I just can’t help photogramming the animals. Which ones? All of them! So, let’s put these photos to good use. Ready to join us on a Kilimanjaro Safari? 

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

Safari Time!

Kilimanjaro Safaris is huge! It is 110 acres and houses 34 different species. It’s large enough to fit almost all of Magic Kingdom inside the Safari. Your trip takes roughly 25 minutes, though the length can vary depending on the visible animals and how often the vehicles must stop.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Let’s get ready to board our safari vehicle.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The vehicles have field guides poted on the ceiling displaying some of the animals we are going to see. Johnny loves to use this guide after he’s found an animal.

The safari is in two sections, the forest and the Savannah.

The Forest 

It can sometimes be a bit of a game of hide and seek to find the animals in the forest area. Can you see the Okapi hiding along the fence?

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The Okapi’s closest relative is the Giraffe.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
A Greater Kudu laying in the bushes close by.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
A hippopotamus and her baby. A baby hippo is called a calf.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The safari has both Black and White Rhinos.

The Savannah

As you enter the Savannah, you can usually see a few different animals.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
A look across the savannah.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
As you come down the hill and round the corner, you can see the animals on the savannah.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The African Wild Dogs and the Hyenas rotate through the same space.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Feeding areas are placed near the road making it easier to see the animals.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The Ankole Cattle have large lightweight horns.
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The Mandrill monkeys are a rare sight and can be easily missed.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Have you ever noticed the shape of the flamingo island?
, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
The best chance to see the lions is on evening safaris.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

A Close Encounter

While this is technically an attraction, you are literally traveling through the animal habitats. Many of the animals are able to get close to and even cross the dirt roads. When they get too close, the vehicles will stop until the animals are at a safe distance away.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Close enough to touch, but not allowed, you can see the roof of the vehicle as the giraffe walks by.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Some of my favorite pictures are of Johnny watching and looking for animals.

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

A Little Ride Information

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
If you look, you can find ads for the Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa area of the park.

Kilimanjaro Safaris was an opening day attraction to Animal Kingdom park on April 22, 1998. The ride was different then, with a storyline about poachers. There was even a bridge that would shake and drop as you drove across it. Over the years the story changed to what it is now, a photo safari with interesting facts on the wildlife you encounter on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

But could changes be on the way? This new themed hut has just appeared on the route. . . 

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris
Could more changes be on the way? This building is new and still being worked on towards the end of the ride.

Can’t Get Enough of the Animals?

If you’re like me or Johnny, disembarking from the safari vehicle is a bittersweet moment. It’s incredible to see a wildlife reserve set in a theme park, but it’s sad the encounter is fairly constrained. Luckily for you, here are a few ways to learn more about the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more!

First, if you go to the My Disney Experience app, there’s a mini-series, “Disney Parks Wild Sights,”  that details some of the different animals and how they interact with their keepers. It’s a fun way to spend some time in queues to look forward to your trip on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

 

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

And if you’re looking for something a bit more in-depth, there’s an option for you too! Last month, Disney shared an inside look at the animal care at Walt Disney World through a new Disney+ docuseries, “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” Detailing animals from primarily Animal Kingdom (and a few other parks) and narrated by Josh Gad, you’ll learn a lot in prep for your next time on Kilimanjaro Safaris. For more information about the series, take a look at our review below!

Lions, and Tigers, and Sharks, Oh My! The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney+


Time To Make New Magic

Theme parks are reopening, and whether you are ready to travel yet or not, there’s no better time to lock in low rates on future travel. But waiting on hold and not knowing what questions to ask isn’t the magical part of a vacation. That’s why MiceChat has partnered with Get Away Today to handle all the difficult stuff for you . . . all for no extra cost. That’s right, they do all the work and it doesn’t cost you extra. In fact, it can actually save you money.

Get Away Today

Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park booking and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available. Ask about:  

Price Protection – When you book a Walt Disney World Resort vacation that includes a minimum of 2-nights Disney hotel and at least two theme park tickets with Get Away Today, if a better special that you qualify for comes out after you have booked, they’ll automatically it. 

Concierge Service – Get detailed planning assistance with all qualified Walt Disney World Resort vacations. A certified Disney Travel Agent is more valuable now than ever before as there have been many changes to the Park experience.

Flexible Payments – Lock in your 2020 or 2021 Walt Disney World Resort vacation for just $200 down. By booking early, you secure your availability and have the flexibility to pay as you go. Make as many interest-free payments as you’d like, whenever you’d like, with final payment due just 30 days prior to travel.

Flexible Dates – If you’re traveling in 2020, you can make any changes up to 24 hours prior to check-in with no penalties. In 2021, you can make changes up to 30 days prior to check-in with no penalties.

Give your family something to look forward to


Let’s Hear From You

I hope that you enjoyed today’s outing on the Kilimanjaro Safaris. Have you taken this tour on the wild side of Walt Disney World? Do you have an animal you’re always on the lookout for while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Kwaherini – Go well! 

, Exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safaris

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Laura Gonzalez
Laura is a recent transplant to the Orlando area. She grew up going to Disneyland and now proudly owns an annual pass to Walt Disney World. In her free time, you can find her in one of the many theme parks, the Central Florida beaches or traveling with her family. Family vacation planning is her thing! Follow Laura on Instagram @laurajgonzalez10 and @jwlovesdisney