kilimanjaro safari hours

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Guests Can Be

Age Interest

Thrill Level

Ride in an open-air vehicle for a day or evening tour of a lush African savanna, home to real-live exotic animals.

A Wildlife Adventure Glimpse real African animals in their natural habitats during an 18-minute expedition into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

Traipse along a picturesque twisting path beyond a lush garden gateway, on your way to rendezvous with Kilimanjaro Safaris, the touring company for your adventure into the wilds. Featuring vivid open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands, the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve is a spectacular sanctuary dedicated to the protection of African animals.

The Call of the Wild  Board an open-air safari vehicle and brace yourself as you begin a guided tour into the African outback—where over 34 different species of exotic African wildlife roam, cage-free. As your bumpy transportation rides over rugged terrain, look for an array of exotic animals in a variety of unique habitats, your helpful guide providing you with valuable information about the land and its inhabitants.

Unique Animal Encounters  Discover a shy hippopotamus nestled within a still pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a gentle giraffe grazing on a tall tree or wave hello to a swinging baboon. Since each animal behaves differently, every Kilimanjaro Safari expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Here are some animals you may encounter during the tour:

• Black rhino
• Hippopotamus
• White rhino

Be sure to stay alert and have a camera ready! You never know what amazing animals you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.

Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom: A Must Do Attraction

Are you ready for an adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Look no further than Kilimanjaro Safaris, an 18-minute open-air safari tour through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. As you journey through the savanna, you’ll catch glimpses of real African animals in their natural habitats. From towering giraffes to majestic lions, this safari offers a unique opportunity to observe wildlife up close and personal.

At Kilimanjaro Safaris, you’ll be transported to East Africa without ever leaving Florida. This attraction simulates an open-sided safari ride through the African savanna, complete with lush vegetation and rocky terrain. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of animals, including elephants, zebras, and hippos. The experience is both thrilling and educational, as you learn about the animals and their habitats from your knowledgeable guide.

Key Takeaways

• Kilimanjaro Safaris offers an unforgettable safari experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• You will observe real African animals in their natural habitats during the 18-minute open-air tour.
• The safaris is both thrilling and educational, providing an opportunity to learn about the animals and their habitats.

Overview of Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is a popular safari ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Walt Disney World. The experience takes visitors on an 18-minute open-air safari tour through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, where they can glimpse real African animals in their natural habitats.

The ride is a must-do for animal lovers and offers a unique opportunity to see exotic wildlife up close. During the ride, visitors can spot about 34 different species, including famous members of the African Animal Kingdom such as lions, giraffes, and hippos.

The ride vehicle is a rugged, open-sided safari truck that can accommodate up to 32 guests at a time. The truck is designed to provide a smooth ride but it can get bumpy and you rock around a little bit when the vehicle goes over ruts in the road.

The wait times for Kilimanjaro Safaris can average around 30 minutes this will go up and down throughout the day. If you see the wait times get up there you can go try the Best Food at Animal Kingdom and come back. The line will usually go back down quickly. Genie+ and Lightning Lane are also available for this ride.

Animals You Can See

At Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom, we get to see a variety of African animals in their natural habitats. Here are some of the animals that we can expect to see during our safari adventure.

The savanna of Harambe Wildlife Reserve is home to many mammals, including lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, African wild dogs, okapis, black rhinos, white rhinos, cattle, bongos, mandrills, sable antelopes, kudus, and bonteboks. During the safari, you can observe these animals up close and learn about their behaviors and habitats.

You can also spot a variety of birds during the safari adventure. The Greater Flamingo is one of the most iconic birds you can see, but there are other birds such as ostriches, storks, and cranes.

In addition to mammals and birds, the Harambe Wildlife Reserve is home to several reptiles, including Nile crocodiles. These reptiles can be seen basking in the sun or swimming in the water during our safari adventure.

Overall, Kilimanjaro Safaris is a great way to experience real African wildlife in their natural habitats. We can observe these animals up close and learn about their behaviors and habitats.

Experience Details

Ride experience.

During your trip through Harambe Reserve the guide will point out the different animals and give you lots of good information. They try and slow down or stop by each animal area so you get a view of the animals. They can’t stop for long though the next vehicle is coming right behind you.

Above your seat the have an picture guide with all of the animals that you will see wandering the reserve. This can be educational and fun.

The animals are real and unpredictable. On our last trip the safaris guide had to slam on the breaks because three White Rhino’s ran out of the bush and right in front of us. It was pretty exciting.

Its not uncommon for the driver to have to stop to let animals cross the road. In fact sometimes it can cause delays to the ride if the animals are stubborn and to not want to move.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kilimanjaro Safaris is in the morning or at sunset. The animals are most active during these times, and the temperatures are cooler, making it more comfortable for both you and the animals. If you are looking for shorter wait times the afternoon and evenings are the best. We have a whole article Animal Kingdom Hours and best times to visit here Animal Kingdom Hours Guide & FAQ .

Accessibility and Health Restrictions

Kilimanjaro Safaris is wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices are available upon request. Service animals are also welcome on the ride. However, expectant mothers and individuals with certain health conditions, such as heart or back problems, should not ride. For the full details here is Disney Worlds ride and accessibility information.

Conservation Efforts

Disney is big on conservation of wildlife and their habitats. During the ride they provide information about conservation and the programs that Disney is involved in. One of the biggest threats to wildlife in Africa is poaching. Poachers hunt animals for their meat, ivory, and other body parts, which are then sold on the black market.

Disney has several programs to help preserve wildlife habitat. Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Conservation Station is a great place to lean more about these initiatives.

Tips and Recommendations

When visiting Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom, there are a few tips and recommendations that can help make your experience even better. Here are our top suggestions:

• Ride early in the morning : The animals tend to be more active in the morning, and you’ll avoid peak wait times. Plus, the cooler temperatures make for a more comfortable ride.
• Bring a camera : Kilimanjaro Safaris offers plenty of photo opportunities, so make sure to bring a camera with a zoom lens. Make sure you put it sports or action mode, you never know when you’ll spot a rare animal or catch a beautiful sunset.
• Be prepared for rain : Florida is known for its unpredictable weather, so be sure to bring a poncho or umbrella in case of rain. The ride does continue in the rain, so don’t let a little water stop you from enjoying the experience.
• Keep an eye out for the animals : Not all animals will be visible at all times, so make sure to scan the savanna for any movement or signs of life. Some of the most popular animals to look out for include antelope, gazelle, hippopotamus, flamingo, warthog, baboon, ostrich, wildebeest, bongo, and mandrill.

• Observe the hippos : The hippopotamus exhibit is one of the most impressive parts of the ride, so make sure to take some time to watch these massive creatures. They may be resting on the banks or swimming in the water, but either way, they’re sure to awe you. If they are hiding in the water there is a hippo exhibit on Discovery Island where you can see through the glass into the tank. It provides an underwater look at the hippos.
• Read the game-spotting guide : The ride provides a game-spotting guide that can help you identify the animals you see and learn more about their habitats and behaviors. It’s a great way to enhance your experience and learn something new.
• Check the FAQ : If you have any questions about the ride, be sure to check the FAQ below or the Disney World website . They can provide helpful information about accessibility, ride restrictions, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of the kilimanjaro safaris at animal kingdom.

The cost of the Kilimanjaro safaris at Animal Kingdom is included with the admission to the park. There is no additional cost to experience this attraction.

What are the best times to experience the Kilimanjaro safaris at Animal Kingdom?

The best times to experience the Kilimanjaro safaris at Animal Kingdom are early in the morning or later in the afternoon. During these times, the animals are typically more active and visible.

How long is the Kilimanjaro safaris experience at Animal Kingdom?

The Kilimanjaro safaris experience at Animal Kingdom is approximately 18 minutes long. However, the duration of the experience may vary depending on factors such as animal sightings and traffic.

What types of animals can be seen on the Kilimanjaro safaris at Animal Kingdom?

There are over 34 different species of animals that can be seen on the Kilimanjaro safaris at Animal Kingdom. Visitors can expect to see animals such as lions, giraffes, elephants, hippos, and more.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is a must-see attraction for animal lovers visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The ride offers a unique opportunity to see real African animals in their natural habitats, and the experience is both educational and entertaining. With its accessibility options and health restrictions, the ride is suitable for most guests. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney-goer, we highly recommend adding Kilimanjaro Safaris to your itinerary. If you would like more information and ride tips you can check out our Animal Kingdom Guide.

Do you have a favorite Animal on the Kilimanjaro Safaris? What time of day is you favorite for this ride? Feel free to leave us a comment below. Thanks for reading.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

One of the the park's few E-ticket attractions, Kilimanjaro Safaris is a half-hour tour of the African wildlife in the park, taken aboard large untracked trucks. While animals on the reserve may change occasionally, you'll usually see zebras, hippos, gazelles, giraffes, many birds, elephants, rhinos, and other inhabitants of the Serengeti; if you're lucky you might even get a glimpse of the lions that typically sleep twenty hours or so per day even though the odds are obviously against you. The attraction conveys a conservation message, including a diversion from the regularly scheduled tour to help park wardens capture some ivory poachers. It is nice enough to just be seeing the animals close up that some guests find the last part of the journey to be a distraction. To increase the chances of seeing the animals doing more than sleep, try to ride in the morning or late afternoon.

General Information

Location: To the left side of Africa's back-end, before the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

Date Opened: 4/22/1998

# of Ride Units: 44. Up to 41 operate at any one time, with at least 3 in reserve.

Ride Capacity: 36 passengers per truck

Restraint Method: No restraints, though there are grab bars in front of each seat and side doors close.

Ticket Rating: E Ticket

Ride Photo: No

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Time commitment.

Open/Close: Opens with the park and closes at sunset. This attraction is open during morning Extra Magic Hours but not the evening version. This attraction will stop allowing guests into the queue when the line length exceeds the amount of time left before sunset.

Wait Times: FastPass is available for this attraction, though it is most needed during the middle part of the day when the animals are least active. For the best experience visit in the morning or near closing to see most active animals. Depending on season, standby wait times can range from a little more than 30 minutes up to 75 minutes or more.

Length of Ride: The ride through the reserve runs approximately 18 minutes without animal stops. From load to unload, the trip is closer to 20-25 minutes without animal stops, though animal stops may lengthen travel times by 10-20 minutes.

FastPass: Yes

Single Rider: No

Queue Description: The queue is really just a covered corral, though monitors show video from "Kilimanjaro Safaris."

Access Information

Health Restriction: The ride is bumpy with sudden starts and jerks by the truck. Riders should be in good health and free of heart, neck, or back problems that could be exacerbated. Pregnant women and those prone to motion sickness should consider not riding.

Ride Access: The queue is accessible to both ECVs and wheelchairs. Once the front of the line is reached, ECV users will need to transfer to an available wheelchair. Wheelchair users will be directed to a loading area to wait for one of the wheelchair accessible trucks.

Wheelchair Transfer: Not necessary

Service Animals: Service animals are only allowed on the wheelchair-accessible truck.

Audio: Assistive listening, devices are available from Guest Services for the film portion of this attraction.

Weight and Size Issues: Leg room between rows can be tight for the very tall.

Parenting Information

Height Restriction: None.

Child Swap:

Other Issues:

History and Trivia

• At this location: Kilimanjaro Safaris has been in this location since the park opened.
• The Attraction's History: The biggest change to Kilimanjaro Safaris happened before the park even opened (officially). In the original poaching story Big Red not only was killed by poachers, but the scene was shown to park guests. This didn't "test" well during park previews and was removed.
• What you can see: Among the animals you may see on this safari are: various exotic birds, impala, Nile crocodiles, hippototamus, gazelles, warthogs, giraffes, lions, elephants, cheetahs, and zebras.

Related Articles

Kilimanjaro Safaris

A Truly Wild Adventure

Explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to over 30 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide, who helps point out animals and shares fascinating wildlife facts during this extraordinary 18-minute expedition.

Unique Animal Sightings Spot a lounging hippopotamus nestled in a peaceful pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a towering giraffe grazing on the tall trees or a white rhino relaxing in the cool mud. Other amazing animals you may encounter include cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, zebras—and so many more!

Since animals have minds of their own, every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience. Be sure to keep your eyes open and have a camera ready—you never know what you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, all reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, kilimanjaro safaris africa animal kingdom, {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"breadcrumblist","itemlistelement":[{"@type":"listitem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/","name":"attractions"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/walt-disney-world\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"walt disney world"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/animal-kingdom\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"disney\\'s animal kingdom"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":4,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/attraction\/search\/africa\/all\/all\/all\/","name":"africa"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":5,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/animal-kingdom\/kilimanjaro-safaris-africa-animal-kingdom\/","name":"kilimanjaro safaris"}}]} attractions > walt disney world > disney's animal kingdom > africa > kilimanjaro safaris, recommended by, ride length, motion level, individual attraction selection, ride seating photos & advice, kilimanjaro safaris highlights:.

• Disney Genie+ Attraction
• Animal Kingdom’s flagship attraction — no height requirement!
• 20+ minute safari adventure with real elephants, lions, giraffes, and more!

Introduction | Attraction | Ride Logistics  | Shopping | Interesting Facts

Introduction.

Feel transported halfway around the world to a 100-acre African savanna as you board Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris trucks. This 20+ minute attraction takes you on a tour of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve as you spot real African animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, gazelle, crocodiles, and more!

Kilimanjaro Safaris is located in the back of Africa, past the Dawa bar and Mombasa Marketplace.

Walking through the queue area you find yourself in the Harambe Reserve .

Soon you arrive at the boarding platform, enter your truck , and head into the animal reserve. Off you go down the bumpy dirt trail and into the reserve!

Your driver will point out the various wildlife for you. Not all the animals are visible all the time. There is a game spotting guide above your heads in the truck that can help you identify the animals you see.

The first section of the reserve is called the Little Ituri Forest.  Bongos are often hiding around the first bend – look quickly or you might miss these shy creatures. Passing the local watering hole you might see the Black Rhino . On the right, the rare Okapi   which is an animal who appears to be wearing zebra pants, but he’s actually related to the giraffe. 

As you continue, you’ll pass through a watering hole where Hippos may be at the base of cascading waterfalls, and you’ll cross a creaky bridge over a group of Nile Crocodiles . 

The Vehicle emerges from thick vegetation into the vast savannah grasslands. In this area you might see Giraffes , Sable Antelope, Thompson’s Gazelles, Ankole-Watusi Cattle, Wildebeest, and more!  To the left, you’ll pass a rocky area where Hyenas or African Wild Dogs may be spotted. The land is very different here and is accented by termite mounds up to 20 feet high.

On the left is a huge rock formation where a Mandrill Baboon family lives (they can be harder to see!).  The ancient baobab trees can be found in this area.

Around the next bend are the Elephants . Greater Flamingoes inhabit a tiny island that’s in the form of a “Hidden Mickey”.

More watering holes, you might see the white rhinos wallowing in the mud. There are other hoofed animals: the kudu , scimitar-horned oryx and the long-horned eland along with sharp-eyed cheetahs up there among the rocks. 

Coming around the next bend, your attention will quickly be drawn to the high rock formation on your left, where the King and Queen of the Savanaah reside…the  Lions!  Lions do spend the majority of their day sleeping; so don’t expect to see much movement.

Past the lion, you’ll see  warthog burrows (and possibly their residents!) to your left. Keep an eye out for the Ostriches as well! 

This is when your safari comes to an end, as the vehicle rejoins the main roads and the Park Ranger Station comes into view.

To take a ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris, check out this AllEars TV Video:

RIDE LOGISTICS

Lightning Lane  access for  Kilimanjaro Safaris  is available  with the purchase of Genie+ . If you choose not to purchase Genie+, going first thing in the morning will likely provide you with a lower wait time. 

Time:   The safari lasts 20-30 minutes. The drivers are not allowed to go off the track, so you could experience short delays as animals cross the safari trucks’ path.

Warnings:  For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

The ride vehicle is 8 feet off the ground enabling you to wind your way through the grasslands and waterways of the savanna. 32 passengers fit in this all-terrain truck with a driver for your guide. There is some padding on the seat bottoms and tops .

Taller or larger guests may find the seating cramped with confined leg room.

If you want a less bumpy ride, ask to sit in the front of the truck. The ride feels bumpiest in the back. 

Accessibility:  Must transfer to wheelchair. Guests in wheelchairs should follow the signs to head to the special boarding area. You will need to either transfer from your wheelchair to a seat, or transfer to a standard wheelchair.

Video Captioning, Assistive Listening , and Language Translation Devices are available.

Due to the nature of the experience, those with service animals should check with a cast member at the attraction for boarding information.

The drivers are trained to spot the animals along the Safari and point them out to you. Photography, however, is a challenge — if possible the driver will briefly stop for your photo op.

If you have questions about the animals, ASK. Though there is an assigned script, every safari really is different depending on where the animals are and who your driver is.

In general, the best times to ride are morning or at sunset, when it’s cooler. The animals are often out in the rain as well.

When Animal Kingdom is open after dark you can journey through the African savanna amid the “magically extended orange glow” of the setting sun. This is best seen at dusk. Once the sun sets, the savanna is dark, making it difficult to see animals.

REMAIN SEATED AT ALL TIMES!   Because the drivers are not allowed to stop on the ride path, the truck is always moving (the trucks are governed so the maximum speed is only 10 mph, though it feels faster). Animals can move in front of the vehicle at any time causing the driver to slam on the brakes and causing you to go flying. There are many mirrors on the trucks for the drivers, so just because you can’t see an animal doesn’t mean the driver can’t.

If you want to take good pictures sit on the end of the rows, you get better shots. You can also get better shots if you sit in the back row, where you can carefully turn around for photos.

The Mombasa Marketplace is located just before the main entrance of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Here you’ll find unique African goods, as well as Animal Kingdom and The Lion King specific merchandise.

INTERESTING FACTS

You won’t see any visible walls or fences here. Disney has done a remarkable job of hiding all the barriers that keep you and the animals safe.

When building the savanna, landscapers asked that the plants and trees be in place for two years before moving in the animals.

The details of the savanna were carefully crafted to give the illusion that it had “always been there”, right down to the ruts in the road that make the truck jolt and bump!

The hippos are actually the same ones you will sometimes see on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. The hippo barn resides in between Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the savanna river.

The original version of Kilimanjaro Safaris included a heavy-handed anti-poaching storyline, but it was slowly faded out and by 2012 was gone completely. 

Here are some animals you may see on Kilimanjaro Safaris:

AFRICAN FOREST Black Rhinoceros Bongo Egyptian Goose Helmeted Guineafowl Northern Pintail Nyala Okapi Pink-backed Pelican Saddle-billed Stork Yellow-backed Duiker Yellow-billed Stork

SAVANNAH WEST Hyenas Wild Painted Dogs Grant’s Zebra Greater Kudu Greater Flamingo Impala Mandrill Mhorr’s Gazelle Nile Crocodile Nile Hippopotamus Reticulated Giraffe Sable Antelope White-bearded Wildebeest

SAVANNAH EAST African Elephant African Lion Cheetah Eland Ostrich Scimitar-horned Oryx Warthog White Rhinoceros

How long is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

The ride takes 20 Minutes Find all the attractions by their length

Will Kilimanjaro Safaris make me motion sick?

The motion level is Low. Jeep ride through the animal savannas. You will be jostled on the ride. Near the end, there are some sharp quick turns. Details on handling motion sensitivity on your visit

Is Individual Attraction Selection available for Kilimanjaro Safaris?

No Kilimanjaro Safaris is not eligible for Individual Attraction Selection Find Individual Attraction Selection attractions

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris included in Genie+?

Yes Kilimanjaro Safaris is included in Genie+ Find more Genie+ attractions using our search

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Five Things to Know About Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is an open-air safari through 110 acres called the Harambe Wildlife Preserve. Think of your trip as more of a photo safari during which you have an opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife roaming “freely” through forests, grasslands, and savannas.

The wonderful (and sometimes frustrating) aspect of Kilimanjaro Safaris is that no two journeys are alike. You may see a lot of animals, or sometimes only a few! Here are the five things to know before you head for the savannah.

(If you’re in a hurry and just want details like where it is and how long the ride lasts, click here to jump straight to the Nuts and Bolts section.)

1. It Really Looks Like a Safari

What I have learned from the animal world, and what anyone will learn who studies it, is a renewed sense of kinship with the earth and all its inhabitants. – Walt Disney

Long before the Animal Kingdom existed, Walt wanted to create a ride featuring live animals at Disneyland. He originally proposed the idea while Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise was being designed. The impracticality of using animals soon became apparent and was shelved in favor of using animatronics.

Later, Disney World would offer something Disneyland couldn’t. Walt said, “Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland… the blessing of size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.” So, in a sense, Walt’s dream of a ride featuring live animals came true when Kilimanjaro Safaris opened with Animal Kingdom on April 22, 1998.

Animal Kingdom, headed by lead designer Joe Rohde, was revolutionary in that this park was alive – but it didn’t feel like a zoo. Incredible care was taken to ensure it looked like an actual African reserve. Equally important was that the animals be afforded an environment in which they could thrive. This attention to detail and respect for the animals that you see on Kilimanjaro Safaris is a big part of what makes this park different.

An overhead sign in the queue puts it best: “These lands preserve a portion of Africa’s vanishing wildlife. Please show respect to all animals you meet. Your care will ensure their survival. Asante Sana – Thank You.”

2. Looks are Deceiving

“You can’t just let nature run wild.” – Walt Disney

All the animals appear to be roaming freely. Which is true, to a degree. The Imagineers have strategically placed camouflaged barriers built into the savanna, woodland, and rocky hills. This is done to prevent predators like lions, or potentially dangerous animals like hippos, from wandering where they shouldn’t. (It keeps guests safe, too!)

But don’t worry – your ride experience will still be more than a tame drive through the woods. You’ll see a wide variety of landscapes and different terrains, all designed as homes for African animals. Since animal behavior is unpredictable, you never know which animals you’ll see on your safari. This makes it a different experience each time you take the journey!

For the list-makers, some of the 34 species roaming about include giraffes, hippos, wildebeests, elephants, antelope, impalas, gazelles, crocodiles, lions, rhinos, and cheetahs! Your guide will point out which animals are visible as you drive through and provide facts about them. Like the Jungle Cruise, this ride is different every time as your guide’s information is unique to your trip.

To maximize the number of species you may be able to spot on your safari, the Imagineers have taken a few steps to encourage them to appear. Water holes, forage areas, and salt licks are placed in spots that “tempt” animals to be in sight near your path when your safari truck passes along.

Bonus fact: the rocks in the preserve can provide the animals with air conditioning during extreme heat. They can also be heated when it gets colder than it should be for the animals.

3. It’s Real, Which Means It’s Not Perfect

“I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the park. I want them to feel they’re in another world.” – Walt Disney

Kilimanjaro Safaris is intended to be as realistic as possible to an actual safari. The entire experience is designed to help you feel as if you’re on the real thing. Truth be told, it accomplishes this goal very nicely.

However, as a consequence of the devotion to making the experience as real as possible, the roads are bumpy! As you travel through the preserve, you can be guaranteed that you’ll hit some potholes and bumps in the path that will cause your safari truck to bounce and lurch around.

Bonus fact: The ride vehicles for Kilimanjaro Safaris are custom-built trucks. They aren’t attached to a track or predetermined route of any sort. Your guide is actually driving the truck over the rough terrain. They do their best to miss any really bad dips and divots in the road, but there’s only so much room to maneuver on the paths.

As you attempt to take photos, it’s important for you to know that the vehicle isn’t guaranteed to stop at any given location. Drivers will try to accommodate guests and stop the truck when animals are visible from the path, but be prepared to click your shutter without having time to frame the perfect shot. I have a whole roll of film (yeah, it was a while ago) of blurry images as we tried our best to take pictures of wildebeests or lions to no avail.

For the best possible pictures, sit toward the outside of the seats (and Cast Members will probably recommend that little ones be seated on the inside). Even though both sides offer views of the animals, the left side is considered the best by some.

4. The Queue is a Sharp Contrast

“Whenever I go on a ride, I’m always thinking of what’s wrong with the thing and how it can be improved.” – Walt Disney

I’m totally guessing that Walt would have suggestions to improve the queue area for Kilimanjaro Safaris. To be honest, there’s not a lot to see as you wait in what is a really long queue. At one point, you pass through the “booking office.” It made me think about the plethora of details in the Jungle Cruise queue area “office.” I wished that something with similar interest and fun had been done here at the very least.

In the final stretch of your line, overhead screens show clips about the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Frankly, there’s not a lot else to see as you wait. And because it’s an open-air queue, it’s not all that comfortable on a hot, humid Florida day despite the overhead fans.

One improvement has been made to the attraction, at least in my opinion. The earliest script for the safari included a plotline about poachers. The experience could be a little intense – even a bit scary – at times. I remember in particular one part that involved crossing a rickety bridge that appeared to almost collapse while we were on it. Honestly, I didn’t mind when either of these parts of the story were removed.

5. The Nuts and Bolts

Kilimanjaro Safaris is located at the rear of the Africa section in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. The ride lasts 20 minutes, plus or minus. Bonus fact: It’s the longest ride in the parks that’s not a movie or show.

The safari trucks are open-air vehicles, providing you with the widest possible range of vision. Each can hold 35 guests with 3-5 guests in a row. As you might expect, the seats aren’t easy chairs and consist of a slightly padded bench with a back.

To board, you have to take a small step up into the vehicle. There are no height restrictions for Kilimanjaro Safaris. Guests in an ECV must transfer to a standard wheelchair.

There are some significant health advisories for Kilimanjaro Safaris. Disney advises that for safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. The reason for all of these is the previously discussed bumpy terrain.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s busiest attractions, along with Expedition Everest and the two Pandora attractions. Waits diminish in the late afternoon, sometimes as early as 3:30 p.m. The ride does operate when it’s raining, if possible, but it may close if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

To make the safari accessible to as many as possible, the following aids are available from Guest Services with a refundable deposit: Handheld Captioning , Video Captioning , Assistive Listening Devices, and Audio Description Devices .

Lastly, Lightning Lane via Genie+ is available.

The Bottom Line

Walt said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”

We think the Imagineers totally succeeded here. Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World author, Bob Sehlinger, agrees, saying: “Having traveled in Kenya and Tanzania, I can tell you that Disney has done an amazing job of replicating the sub-Saharan east-African landscape. As on a real African safari, what animals you see, and how many, is pretty much a matter of luck. We’ve experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris more than 100 times and had a different experience on each trip.”

How many times have you taken the safari? Which animals were you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below. Asante!

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Bob Jacobs lives in Wisconsin where he retired as Editorial Director for a well-known catalog company. He and his wife Cristie have four children, seven grandchildren and a cocker spaniel named Penny the Dog. They’ve visited Walt Disney World regularly since 1992.

2 thoughts on “ Five Things to Know About Kilimanjaro Safaris ”

This will be my frist time on the safari at Disney world I’m so excited about the ride and I can’t wait to ride it and I love the African aminals because I’m part African

If you enjoy the Safari, I would also recommend doing the Wild Africa Trek to anyone that has a chance to do so! This experience was fantastic and goes into places that the Safari doesn’t and is a much more “up close and personal” tour of the area.

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The change we’re talking about is…Spring, meaning it’s Daylight Savings Time once again (that whole spring-forward or fall-back time change that happens twice a year). So we’ll be getting an extra hour of glorious Florida sunshine in the evenings, and we’ll also be seeing a specific change at one of the Disney World parks.

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Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

As the sun sets, the savanna awakens.

Witness the wild as it comes to life on an after-dark safari tour of Disney’s African savannas and wildlife! This popular, nighttime expedition is open to all Guests at Walt Disney World Resort.

Climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle and feel the rush of night air as you rumble through lush scenery, scanning the horizon for over 30 species of African wildlife!

The Nightlife of Wildlife To make the most of your animal-viewing extravaganza, Guests will be provided with a night vision device! You’ll be astounded by what you can see: zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and antelopes—plus ostriches and over 20 other exotic African species that freely roam across the savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge .

Reservations and Important Details Reservations can be made on this page or in the My Disney Experience app .

This nighttime tour lasts approximately one hour. It’s available exclusively to Guests 8 years of age or older. Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult who is 18 years of age or older.

Know Before You Go

• Warning: This experience features a ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna. For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Late arrivals after the start of the tour will not be accommodated.
• Check in at the porte-cochere at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Valid photo ID will be required to check in.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.
• Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate in Starlight Safari, and Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• Guests using an ECV must leave their mobility devices behind at the Resort. They will retrieve them upon conclusion of the tour. This experience requires Guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair in order to participate in the tour.
• Nontransferable wheelchair Guests may remain in their wheelchair throughout this experience, however due to limited capacity on board the safari vehicle, all accommodation requests must be confirmed by calling (407) 666-6400.
• While safari vehicles are equipped for rain and wet terrain, experiences may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
• All aspects of the tour are subject to change without notice.
• Starlight Safari is a night experience, and Guests are responsible for transportation to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village.
• Allow up to 1.5 hours to travel to your destination within Walt Disney World Resort.

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