kilimanjaro safaris at night animal kingdom

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, painted dogs, 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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Wild africa trek, disney animals at walt disney world resort, even more magic – as you wish, guests also viewed, safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for kilimanjaro safaris.

The Best Time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris

by Chad Kennedy | Aug 6, 2018 | Animal Kingdom , Parks

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s most popular rides and a unique Disney World experience, taking you on a journey to see some of Africa’s amazing wildlife. With so many different areas and animals on the safari, it can be hard to see them all in one ride. Choosing the right time of day will give you the best chance to see as many animals as possible.

This really is one of the most unique and entertaining rides Disney World has to offer. That’s why it’s high on my list of 110 Disney World Must Do’s .

What is the best time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris?

The best time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris is first thing in the morning or right at sundown. Certain animals are more active during specific times of the day or even at night, so choosing a time close to sunrise or sunset is best for animal activity with enough sunlight for you to comfortably see.

I’ve been on Kilimanjaro Safaris more times than I can count. The beauty of the ride is that it’s always a different experience. There are just so many species of animals running around inside the preserve that it’s impossible to predict exactly where they’ll be at any given time. The large size of the preserve also factors in to the unpredictability.

P.S. – We also have a big list of Animal Kingdom tips and secrets . It’s extremely helpful for planning and getting the most out of your trip.

It’s worth noting that Central Florida gets very, very hot, especially during summer afternoons. Many animals will take this hottest time of day as an opportunity to relax and escape the sun. On the flip side, some animals are simply more likely to make their way to the water during the hottest hours.

It’s almost impossible to pinpoint the perfect time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, but from my personal experience, your safest bet will usually be early or late in the day. My best advice would be to enjoy the ride at several different times. You’ll be surprised at how different one safari ride can be from another.

All that said, don’t stress yourself too much over timing. There may be “optimal” times to enjoy the ride, but there isn’t a “bad” time. These animals are accustomed to people and many drivers will tell you that the animals will often “show off” for the tour. You’ll get to see plenty of action no matter what time of day you choose to ride.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Tips

• Ride first thing in the morning:  A morning ride is good for two reasons. First, the animals tend to be a little bit more active early in the morning. Second, you’ll avoid peak wait times. Kilimanjaro Safaris is very popular and wait times are often very high from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
• Ride right at sunset:  A sunset ride is great for seeing animals. Many of the animals start moving around a little more as the sun starts to go down. This time of day strikes a nice balance between active animals and enough daylight for good visibility.
• Ride late at night:  Even though the darkness can limit your overall visibility, nighttime is one of my favorite times to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. It’s worth noting that nighttime rides are only available with special tours, which makes it even more exciting. Many areas of the preserve are partially lit, so it’s not like you’re going to be totally blind. This is often the best time to see more activity from the lions and other somewhat nocturnal species.
• Don’t avoid the rain:  With Kilimanjaro Safaris, rain is usually your friend. Most of the animals love the rain and become far more active when it’s raining. So don’t avoid Animal Kingdom just because it’s raining. The Safaris’ trucks have large roofs, so don’t worry too much about getting wet. If you want to stay totally dry and comfortable, simply come equipped with some good rain gear. (Click to see some of our rain gear recommendations)
• Sit on the left side of the truck:  Many of the best areas on the safari will be seen off the left side of the truck. You can’t always control where you end up, so don’t worry about it too much if you can’t get to the left side. But if you can, try to put yourself in a position to slide all the way to the left side of the truck. Keep in mind that you’ll be entering your truck row from the right side of the vehicle.
• Don’t forget your camera: If there is a Disney World ride that’s especially awesome for photography, it’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. Make sure to bring a good camera, like the ones we recommend in our Disney World Gear Guide . There are so many cool opportunities to get interesting, unique shots during the ride. A camera with a good zoom lens and image stabilization will be a big help to you while you try to capture the perfect moments.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Highlights

• Lions:  It’s not surprising that the lions are the most popular part of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The problem is that, like most cats, they sleep a lot. Rides during the early morning, dusk, and especially nighttime will give you the best chance to see the lions up and about.
• Elephants:  In my experience, seeing the elephants is usually the most hit or miss part of the ride. Sometimes they are all right out in the open. Other times they are nowhere to be found. They are one of the most interesting animals in the preserve and it’s fun to watch them play in the water.
• Giraffes:  The giraffes are one of the least timid animals on the preserve. They’re also one of the most reliable species on the ride. You’ll almost always see a big group of giraffes interacting with each other, often very close to the truck.
• Cheetahs:  The cheetah enclosure has a fairly heavy amount of foliage, making it somewhat difficult to see the cheetahs if they aren’t walking around. If the cheetahs are up and about, they’re usually pacing around in the front of the exhibit and you shouldn’t have a problem spotting them.
• Black and white rhinos:  The rhinos are one of the most interesting animals in the more “open” part of the safari. The areas they inhabit allow you to get a better view than many of the other popular animals. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a chance at seeing a rhino extremely close to the truck.
• Hippos:  You’ll see the hippos early on in the ride. They’re most often sitting still in the water, but it’s really cool to see them when they are walking around outside of the water.
• Ostriches:  The ostrich is one of the more comical animals running around in the open part of the safari. I’ve been on the ride a number of times where an ostrich came very close to the truck for and gave everyone a show.

This was very helpful for our trip planning! I’ve read lots of basic things about this attraction, but this gave me more insight to help plan. My kids are the most excited about seeing the animals. Thank you.

Thanks Jill! Kilimanjaro Safaris is definitely one of the “can’t miss” rides at Animal Kingdom (and at Disney World in general). There’s really not a bad time to ride, but it’s always nice to avoid some of the peak crowds and have the best shot at seeing more animals. No two trips through the Harambe Preserve are the same, so you’ll almost always have something unique that stands out from ride to ride.

What is the latest time to ride the safari in June? My family will be eating dinner at Boma at 6:45 and will go to Animal Kingdom for Rivers of Light. We hope to ride the Safari before Rivers of light at 9:15 (using fast pass).

Hey Morgan!

To my knowledge, Disney hasn’t released the official June hours for Kilimanjaro Safaris yet, but I would guess that it would operate until 8:30PM. My advice would be to check into Boma 15 minutes early (or earlier, if they’ll allow it). That way, you’ll give yourself a little bit of extra time. If you can make it to Animal Kingdom by 8:00, I think you’d probably be safe to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris and still make it to your Rivers of Light FastPass. Try to find a FastPass for Kilimanjaro Safaris in the time slot before Rivers of Light!

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Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris – The Ultimate Guide Updated

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Want to know more about the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris?

One of the most immersive of all the Animal Kingdom rides, the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari takes you on a journey through the African planes.

In Orlando Florida.

This highly unique experience is one of the highlights of any trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It truly is an adventure that you cannot find anywhere else in North America.

Discover what you need to know about Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris so that you and your family can get the most out of this immersive attraction.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safari Guide

The Disney Imagineers have successfully created the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Animal Kingdom park.

Walt Disney himself always wanted to have live animals incorporated into his theme parks.

Whilst in Disneyland this dream was kind of realized in Jungle Cruise (Walt originally wanted real animals for this attraction), Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally achieved that dream.

The area where your Kilimanjaro Safari Bus will take you is vast.

110 acres of vast.

And it is home to 34 different species of animal including lions, hippos, giraffes, and elephants.

What is the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari Ride Like?

The first experience of any Disney ride is the line area!

The advantage of the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride is that the queue is well-shaded.

There are some things to look at along the way, including some videos about conservation. But mostly the best thing about this line is that it is in the shade!

It can get very very hot in Orlando and it can be a challenge to wait in line at the height of the heat. There are a few spots where you can even sit down on a small wall which gives your feet a bit of a rest!

This is one reason not to ride Kilimanjaro Safari in the heat of the day – the queue will be a lot easier to deal with if it is a bit cooler.

A short way into the line you will have to put your stroller in the parking place.

A Cast Member will be there to guide you to the exact spot.

Then by the time you get back, your stroller will have moved of course!

Photo Credit

The Disney Animal Kingdom Safari ride vehicles are custom-built GMC and Ford trucks.

Lots of guests think that Kilimanjaro Safaris is on a track, but it isn’t. Those safari vehicles are true off-roaders controlled by the Cast Members!

Each ride vehicle holds up to 32 guests in 9 rows each seating up to 4. There is no height requirement for this Animal Kingdom ride.

It is very much for families, but as I discuss below, it is very bumpy.

Take notice of the warnings.

If you have a health condition or are pregnant give Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris a miss!

Is there a best place to sit on the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari ride?

There really aren’t any bad seats, but the best is the front and the back row.

However, be aware that the further towards the back you get, the bumpier the ride!

If you have small children they should not be at the edge.

In front of you, there are signs which help you recognize which animals you may see on your safari.

The most popular sitings are those of elephants, giraffes, gazelles, rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, and lions.

The safari guides always make sure that they keep you entertained as well as educated. And they will try their best to point out the sometimes very well camouflaged animals.

If you can be organized enough it is a great idea to take some High Powered Binoculars with you.

I went on the safari ride for years before I actually did this. It made a huge difference to what you can see.

There is usually plenty of time to take photos of the animals. Your Cast Member guide will do their best to point out the best photo ops.

Animal Kingdom Safari Ride Fun Facts

Don’t worry. Of course, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has things well designed so that you are not going to get up close and personal with a lion. Big trenches separate humans from the dangerous animals.

Jurassic Park this is not.

Disney has some great tricks to keep the animals visible and happy.

Ever wonder why the lions are always sitting out on the rocks? Yes, they are mimicking what they do in the wild, but what most people don’t know about the rocks is that they are air-conditioned!

The lions originally came from a much cooler park in Oregon, so they needed a little help cooling down in the hot Florida sun. If it ever gets too cold, the rocks can be heated too!

Disney also knows how to get the animals as close as possible to you. How do they do this? The usual incentive for food and water.

They place food, watering holes, and salt licks close to the vehicle paths.

The emphasis is on safety both for humans and animals.

You might think you can reach out and touch that giraffe but there is a large system of trenches, bridges and fences on all the savannas to keep humans from the animals and to keep the animals from predators.

Many years ago there was a story about poachers with a graphic illustration of the fate of Little Red, a baby elephant. This storyline has not been seen for almost a decade as many considered it too upsetting for a Disney attraction.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris Best Time To Ride

What is the best time to ride the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris? This Animal Kingdom ride is popular. And popular means lines.

The best tactic for the best time to ride Disney Kilimanjaro’s Safari? Arrive early. I know that’s always the advice, but it works.

If you can arrive at the Animal Kingdom at rope drop and then go straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris you will most likely be beating the crowds. Even better is if you have Early Entry at 8 am. You can really get ahead of the crowds.

The attraction is right at the back of the park. If you plan to be there early look at a map of Animal Kingdom so you get your bearings as to where you are going.

There are plenty of signs in the park, but it is always good to have an overall view.

There is another great reason to ride Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safari as early as possible. The animals are much more active in the morning.

You are more likely to see a greater selection of active animals than in the afternoon when it is hotter.

 Kilimanjaro Safaris Wait Time

The Disney Kilimanjaro Safari wait times will vary from anywhere between 10 minutes to 120 minutes, This depends on the time of day as well as whether it is peak season or not.

As we have said, the lowest wait time will be as soon as the park opens.

If you leave it until 11 am you are likely to hit the peak wait times of at least 70 to 90 minutes.

Really try and avoid that time of day as it is likely to be the worst.

If you don’t get to the attraction early in the day, the next best time to ride Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris is usually around 3 pm onwards.

A lot of people head for the attraction earlier in the day and have cleared that area by mid-afternoon.

The wait times for this Animal Kingdom attraction are somewhat better now that Disney’s Animal Kingdom has extended opening hours. It used to only ever be open 9 am until 5 pm.

Now the hours are often extended into the evening so this also gives a chance to experience the safari ride at night.

Kilimanjaro Safaris at Night

Now the hours are often extended into the evening so this also gives a chance to experience the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris at night.

This is a very different experience from touring during the day.

If possible you should try and ride once in the early morning and then go back late in the evening.

The least busy times will be just before the park closes.

Adapting the experience for nighttime was not an easy task. Disney had to spend more than a year preparing the animals and the environment for the nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris.

They introduced some new animals, such as the nocturnal hyenas, to be better suited to the nighttime experience.

They also added a huge wall of graphic displays to enhance the Kilimanjaro Safaris at night. This is so that guests can actually have enough light to see the animals.

The graphics cleverly mimic a gradually setting sun over an extended period of time.

This is so that the animals can adjust to the environment and the guests can actually still see the animals which are up and about in the evening.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris at Night is definitely a different experience than during the day. Ideally, you should do both. If you have to choose just one though, I would say go in the morning. You are likely to see more active animals.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris For Pregnant Ladies

I visited Disney World many times while pregnant. It’s a very pregnant lady-friendly place!

However, there are some Disney World rides that recommend that if you are pregnant you should not ride.

Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safari Ride very clearly states that pregnant ladies should not ride.

This is going to be very much an individual decision. There are some rides at Disney World where it is very obvious that a pregnant woman should not ride.

You probably aren’t going to want to sign up to ride Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, or Rock N Roller Coaster when you are pregnant.

That’s obvious.

But Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of those Disney World rides where you are thinking shall I or shan’t I?

My personal experience is that when I was pregnant with my youngest son I did go on the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride. After about 10 seconds I realized that for me, it was the wrong decision. Kilimanjaro Safari is bumpy!

I remember just wanting it to end almost as soon as it started.

I am fortunate and have experienced the Animal Kingdom Safari Ride many times. However, at that time I really wished I hadn’t. It’s fine normally to speed through the African planes in your safari vehicle over all the bumps, but when pregnant I just wanted to be somewhere else!

Will you be experiencing Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris on your next visit to the Animal Kingdom?

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Disney Animal Kingdom Rides - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Saturday 17th of August 2019

[…] […]

Ultimate Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom)

If you love animals, you are going to love the Disney Animal Kingdom Safari ride.   Kilimanjaro Safaris magically takes you on what feels like a real African Safari in this amazing experience. 

Kilimanjaro Safaris allows guests to explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in an open air vehicle.  Disney’s wildlife reserve is 110 acres with over 30 species of real animals.  You’ll drive through wide-open plains, forests, and wetlands. 

Each ride vehicle has an expert guide, who shares tons of interesting facts about the creatures you are seeing.   The bumpy ride is about 20 minutes long, making it the longest ride in the Disney parks.  

Kilimanjaro Safaris is a very engaging ride as you never know what animals you’ll get to see up close and what they will be doing as you pass by.  

Disney provides salt licks along the path to attract animals to points where you can see them.  You’ll also pass by watering hole areas as well as great views of a lot of animals on the African savanna.  

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the closest thing to a real African safari.  We’ve ridden this ride many MANY times and it’s always different.  

Different cast member tour guides share different bits of information, the animals are always on the move, so sometimes you get a great view of an animal up close, sometimes there’s new baby animals to see, and sometimes you get to see your favorite animal eat lunch, etc.  

Regardless, you can count on getting a unique experience every time you ride!

When Should you Ride Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the main attraction of the Africa section at Animal Kingdom, so the lines can get long at times.  

The best time to ride, in my opinion is late morning or late afternoon.  

It’s a bit tricky because the safari doesn’t always open right away, so you can’t count on rope dropping this one first thing in the morning.  

You also want to avoid riding it in the heat of the day because many times the animals are hidden because they are wanting to cool off.

The best thing to do is to get in line right before it opens (Which varies day to day) OR ride it around late afternoon when the lines have gotten shorter.  

Many people leave this Disney park early to park hop to another one, which eases up some of those long lines!

Ideally, if you have Lightning Lanes, I would schedule a ride around 10:30 am as the lines are likely long, but the animals are active – you can skip that long line with your lightning lane passes.

If you don’t have that Lightning Lane access – save this ride for late afternoon.

What animals are on the safari ride at Animal Kingdom?

Here’s a list of the animals you will see on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

You’ll see:  

• African Wild Dogs
• Ankole Cattle
• Black Rhino
• Common Eland
• Hippopotamus
• Nigerian Dwarf Goat
• Nile Crocodiles
• Pink-Backed Pelican
• Saddle-Billed Stork
• Scimitar Oryx
• Spotted Hyena
• White Rhinos 

 This list does change from time to time, but in general, you can expect to see a LOT of different animals on this amazing ride.

How bumpy is safari ride at Animal Kingdom?

The ride vehicles for Kilimanjaro Safaris are open-sided safari vehicles.  Your tour guide drives his/her big custom made safari truck over fairly rough terrain.  

The safari driver does their best to avoid potholes, but the path is pretty rough and bumpy.  

Disney advises that guests need to be in good health, no high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems.  

They also say that expectant mothers should not ride as there can be unexpected jolts on the ride.

In addition, Disney warns that this could cause motion sickness.   For what it’s worth, my son and I are prone to motion sickness and neither one of us have ever had a problem on this ride.  

Has the Animal Kingdom Safari Ride Changed over the years?

Kilimanjaro Safaris has definitely changed over the years.  If you remember riding it many years ago, you might remember a Poacher storyline.  

Over time, Disney dropped that storyline in favor of not scaring child with imaginary poachers and instead, giving you more information about the amazing animals on this ride.

General Information

Theme Park: Disney’s  Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Area of the Park:   Africa

Age Range Appeal:  all ages – Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults

Queue Description:   The standby queue for the Disney Animal Kingdom Safari Ride is fairly simple. It can get very hot as it is outdoors. Lines can get long mid-morning and mid-day.  

Queue Length:   This ride often opens up later in the morning, not always at rope drop.  Lines tend to grow mid-morning to mid afternoon.  Then lines tend to drop as early as 3:30pm.

Ride Height Requirements:   No heigh requirement but kids under age 7 must be with a person age 14 years or older.

Pregnant mothers and those with health conditions are advised not to ride due to the bumpy nature of the ride.  

Scary Factor:   Low – it’s a slow ride, but there are unexpected bumps and jolts as you ride along on the rough terrain.

Official URL:   https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/kilimanjaro-safaris/

Kilimanjaro Safaris Video

More Animal Kingdom Information

Want to learn more about Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Be sure to check out our other articles.

You can find all the best rides at Animal Kingdom here. We outline all the details on the must-do rides and of course, the one ride you should avoid.

Eating gluten free? You can find all the best Gluten Free Dining Options at Animal Kingdom here.

You’ll want to learn all about Avatar Flight of Passage here. This is such an incredible ride in the World of Pandora section of Animal Kingdom.

You can find all our Best Animal Kingdom Tips and Strategies here for having an amazing day in the park!

Be sure to check out our handy list of Disney’s Ride Height Requirements . Find out before you go, which rides your kids are able to ride.

Learn all about the Best Souvenirs at Disney World here. So many cool ideas for a memento of your amazing Disney vacation.

If you are in the thick of starting to plan your trip, be sure to read Best Day of the Week to visit Disney World .

And of course, don’t forget to grab our free printable Disney World Packing List . Everything you need to remember to pack for the perfect Disney vacation!

Be sure to pin the image below to save this Disney Animal Kingdom Safari Ride info for later!

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Complete Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom

Board a safari truck and get your cameras ready! Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom gives you the experience of a real-life African safari, but at Walt Disney World.

As you travel through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve you will learn about conservation, the importance of taking care of animals, and, of course, get the chance to see amazing creatures, like elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Now, let’s explore our guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris .

In this article

Kilimanjaro Safaris Quick Facts

• Location : Animal Kingdom, Africa
• Height Requirement : None
• Suitable for: Everyonest
• Attraction Length: 18 minutes
• Do we recommend? Definitely a high priority attraction you must experience.
• When to Visit : Typically at opening/within the first hour, or later in the day toward park closing.
• Lightning Lane Available: Yes
• Scheduled Refurbishments
• Tip(s) : Visit first thing in the morning at park open. The line gets really long, really fast, and the animals seem to be out more in the morning. The next best time to visit is at sunset for park closing. Crowds level off earlier at Animal Kingdom, wait times may be reduced, and animals can be out feeding.

Description : You board safari vehicles that are driven by guides who really do drive (no tracks) and are very knowledgeable about the animals. As you make your way through the savanna, the guides provide lots of information based on what you see along the ride. Sometimes have to stop to wait for animals to clear the path.

No two rides are the same as the animals are free roaming and on their own schedule. We would recommend experiencing the safari twice in your park day, if possible.

Everything You Need To Know About Kilimanjaro Safaris

You can find Kilimanjaro Safaris in the heart of Africa. Here’s the location on the map.

Download the PDF

How to Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris has a Standby Lane and a Lightning Lane. There is no Single Rider Line.

Like most attractions, standby lines typically are the lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening. The middle of the day will see the longest lines.

Even though it’s not listed as an available attraction for Early Theme Park Entry, sometimes Kilimanjaro Safaris is open during the 30-minute early entry.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Standby Lane wait time jumps quickly after park open and can see sustained wait times well over 60 minutes for most of the park day.

Do I need to use Genie+ at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is available with Genie+ and we highly recommend using it at this attraction for anyone who has purchased Genie+ or if it’s a must-do.

This is a highly popular ride at Animal Kingdom, given that it is a long ride time and suitable for all ages.

Many park guests make it a top priority of their park day. So unless you do this ride first, right at park open, plan to reserve a Genie+ time for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

If you want to try and experience the Safaris twice in one day, we would recommend using the Standby Lane at park open and then using Genie+ to ride it again later in the day.

Make sure you check out our touring strategies for Animal Kingdom for more Genie+ advice.

Rider Switch/Child Swap

You cannot use  Rider Switch  for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Rider Switch is Disney’s system allowing guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.

There also isn’t Single Rider available here.

What to expect when you ride

The Kilimanjaro Safaris queue is outdoors, with part of it shaded. It paints the scene of an African tour company with its straw, thatched roof.

While there isn’t  an interactive queue , the line is themed to the attraction.

You can learn the African Swahili names to your favorite animals on displays as you move through the line. You can even hear the safari trucks driving by as you walk through.

Ride vehicles

Kilimanjaro Safaris ride vehicles can fit a total of 35 individuals. Each row can seat three to five guests, depending.

There is no seatbelt or safety restraint, but there is a door on the right side of each row that closes for security and safety purposes when you’re on the ride.

Motion Sickness

Kilimanjaro Safaris is far from a thrill ride, but it can get rough at times with the trucks bouncing up and down along the paths and bridges.

Sometimes you might even have to brace yourself, so you don’t slide in your seat.

We have a  guide on motion sickness  that’s filled with information and tips, so feel free to check that out.

Accessibility information

Guests in ECVs or power wheelchairs must transfer to a manual wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible vehicles with built-in ramps.

Those using an ECV who don’t wish to transfer to a vehicle bench, must transfer to a Disney-provided manual wheelchair.

You will be seated in Row 1 right behind the tour guide. A bench is located directly next to the wheelchair space and additional companions will be directed to sit in the rows behind the wheelchair space.

Those using ECVs or wheelchairs can remain in their mobility devices until they reach the accessible boarding and unloading area, which is not long after the stroller drop-off area.

This area is where ECVS and other mobility devices can be parked. They will be waiting in the same space when guests return from their safari.

Keep in mind that each safari vehicle only holds one occupied wheelchair at a time, so anyone needing this type of access could have an additional wait compared to those who transfer to a vehicle bench.

Handheld captioning , assistive listening, and video captioning is available for guests.

Service animals are also permitted, but with caution.

On the Ride

Spoilers ahead! If you want to go in knowing absolutely nothing about Kilimanjaro Safaris, feel free to skip this section.

After walking through the queue you and your party finally make it to the boarding lanes awaiting your safari tour.

You can’t miss the sound of your safari truck approaching. A warm greeting from your tour guide “Jambo,” which is Swahili for “Hello.”

After boarding your safari truck, your group will take off entering the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

Be alert and have your cameras ready, because these are live, free roaming animals, so you never know what you will see or how close the animals will get.

No tour is ever the same!

You start off in the forest seeing the Okapi, the closet living relative to the giraffe. You’ll next approach a watering hole where you can catch sights of animals like the saddle billed stork, bongo, kudu, and black rhinoceros.

Heading out of the forest your truck will enter a river where you can spot hippopotamus’. The only way to exit the river is by crossing over an old, shaky bridge.

Under the bridge, down low you’ll spot a crowd of Nile crocodiles. But not to fear, you’re with an expert driver and guide! Your truck makes it over the bridge safe and sound.

Exiting the river your safari tour will enter the savanna marked by a big Baobab tree.

As your truck makes its way down the savanna you will spot many animals like zebras, African wild dogs, giraffes, wildebeest, and cattle. Some animals may cross in front of or come right up to the truck. Be sure to look out past the truck under trees and in the shaded areas to spot animals.

Leaving the savanna your guide will spot a couple of fallen down trees. That means the mighty elephants are near! On the way to find the elephants you pass a family of Mandrill monkeys.

Your truck approaches another old shaky, bridge, worse than the last one. Your tour guide crosses successfully with care.

In search of more elephants you enter the red clay pit. Sure enough you may be able to catch sight of the elephants! Females are usually found with their young, while the male elephants stick more to themselves. If there are new babies on the tour, your guide will be sure to point them out.

Driving through the watering area of the red clay pit, you will see a flock of flamingo. Did you know flamingos start off gray in color? Be sure to listen to the tour guide to hear what makes flamingos pink!

Approaching the mud pit you will spy white rhinoceros. Up in the shade you’ll spot a couple of cheetah, the fastest land mammals on earth.

Next up, the highlight of every tour, and sometimes the hardest animal to see, are the lions up on the rock. Since lions are nocturnal animals and sleep most of the day, your best chance to see them awake are on safaris later in the day near park closing.

Are you ready for more? Your tour is still not over! Next up be sure to look out for warthogs, ostrich eggs, and Bontebok antelopes.

Before your safari comes to an end, you’ll see some super adorable Nigerian Dwarf Goats, who are originally from Nigeria and considered to be of high value because of the high protein milk they provide.

You leave the reserve and head back to the village of Harambe. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop the doors on your right side will open, allowing you and your party to exit.

Keep in mind that each time you ride is different, because you never know what animals you’ll see or how they’ll act. This makes the attraction super unique.

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris kid-friendly?

Overall, Kilimanjaro Safaris is kid-friendly. After all, it doesn’t even have a height requirement. It should be fun for most kids to see the different animals. And, don’t worry, there aren’t any dark or scary moments.

That said, the ride can get rough at times thanks to the paths, bridges, and the safari vehicle itself. This could be either fun or upsetting to little ones. But, for the most part, the ride is kid-friendly.

Be sure to check out our full guide on several other  things that might scare little ones at Disney World .

Strollers are not allowed on the Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicles. You’ll need to park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area at the attraction entrance.

If you forget to park your stroller or want to take it into the line, you can, but know you’ll have to park it mid-way. There is an area with Cast Members waiting, who will take your stroller and park it for you.

Kilimanjaro Safaris first opened in 1998, the same year as Animal Kingdom. Actually, both the attraction and the park opened on April 22, aka Earth Day.

Animal Kingdom is the largest of all Disney World theme parks. It spreads out over 500 acres, which also gives the animals plenty of room to roam and live.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction itself spans 110 acres with the Harambe Wildlife Reserve serving as home to 34 species!

Your guide drives around as they gives facts about the animals you encounter along the way during the 18-minute journey.

When the ride initially opened, there was a poachers storyline and even a rickety bridge that threw some excitement into the mix. But, both of these elements were removed and now there’s more of a focus on the actual animals and the importance of conservation.

Former Imagineer Joe Rohde is responsible and to thank for not only breathing life into Kilimanjaro Safaris, but Animal Kingdom as a whole. Without him, this park wouldn’t be is what is today.

There’s no doubt Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fantastic experience and the closest thing many will ever get to experiencing an African safari.

Other Fun Details

• If you want an even more in depth and VIP tour of the savanna, you can sign up for the 3-hour guided Wild Africa Trek tour , where you will embark on some adventurous activities and see animals even more up close. This tour is priced separately and must be booked in advanced.

• For an additional price, Up Close with Rhinos is a 60-minute tour giving you the chance to go backstage at Animal Kingdom to meet and learn more about white rhinos, with help from a guide.

• Take some time to visit the Gorilla Falls Exploration walking trail, located near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. It runs along parts of the driving tour and gives another look at many of the animals you saw on the drive, along with different ones like gorillas and meerkats!

• Pay attention as you drive by the flamingos for a fun Hidden Mickey.

Other Attractions in Africa

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Festival of the Lion King
• Wildlife Express Train (takes you to Rafiki’s Planet Watch)

Attraction Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney World

in Walt Disney World

In this guide to one of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s most popular attractions, we are going to take you through everything you need to know about the ride. From its incredible history to answering some of the most important questions that guests have on the attraction, we’re covering it all in our Attraction Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney World.

If you wanted to jump to a specific section, just click on one of the links below:

• What is Kilimanjari Safaris?

History of Kilimanjaro Safaris

• FastPass Information
• Your Questions Answered

What is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is Disney’s attempt at creating a real safari experience in a theme park. It’s a huge attraction spanning 110 acres and home to 34 different species of wildlife. The entire attraction was designed from the ground-up to look just like a real African reserve and this illusion starts as soon as you get into the queue for the attraction.

You can find Kilimanjaro Safaris within Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, right toward the back of the park.

Related: Go Wild for this Disney+ playlist themed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Believe it or not, Walt Disney helped to inspire the attraction, despite passing away many years before the Imagineers came up with the idea for the attraction.

When designing Disneyland, Walt Disney always wanted to use live animals for the Jungle Cruise . Thankfully this wasn’t allowed at the time, otherwise we would never have gotten the classic Jungle Cruise attraction, which is widely considered one of the best at the Disney Parks.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction owes a lot to legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde who headed up the design for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and worked on the attraction, getting it ready for the parks opening date over 20 years ago on April 22, 1998.

The original story for the attraction taught guests about the dangers of poaching and the impact it had on animals in the African Savannah. The original poaching storyline was actually far more intense than guests ended up seeing a dead corpse of Little Red’s mother. This was removed before the grand opening of the ride and replaced with the happy reunion between the two animals.

In 2012 the story of “Little Red” the elephant was dropped in favor of a new section of the attraction, a Zebra exhibit.

Related: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge welcomes new baby zebra

Though nighttime safaris were originally introduced as far back as 1998, the additional costs and poor visibility of animals meant that they just weren’t feasible until technology changed. Thankfully the Imagineers reintroduced nighttime safaris back in 2016 when hyenas were brought to the reserve.

FastPass+ Information

FastPass+ is available for the Animal Kingdom safaris attraction. Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the busiest attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and is, therefore, an attraction you are likely going to want to get a FastPass for.

Your Questions Answered on Kilimanjaro Safaris

How long does kilimanjaro safaris take to experience.

This is one of the longest attractions at Walt Disney World, with the average safari taking around 20 minutes from when you first set off.

There’s an average because there are times where it can be a lot longer or shorter, it all depends on whether or not an animal sits down in front of your safari truck!

What are the height requirements?

Great news: there are no height restrictions at all for Kilimanjaro Safaris! This means you can board with all of your Junior Wilderness Explorers — just make sure they sit toward the inside of the vehicle.

Are the animals in Kilimanjaro Safaris real?

You’d be surprised at how much we hear this question! Every animal that you can see is a real animal that lives in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The only exception to this is the termite mounds you see, these are used to hide treats for the animals. Oh, and while the Ostriches you see on the attraction are real, the eggs that are ALWAYS by the roadside are made of concrete.

What are the ride vehicles like?

Many guests assume that the attraction is on a track. These are real custom built GMC and Ford trucks that are actually being driven by the Cast Member that you see at the front of the attraction.

Cast Members go through rigorous training to be able to get a role on Kilimanjaro Safaris. The trucks are real because many Cast Members have had to stop, swerve and move for the numerous animals that wander the attraction. Remember, the animals have right of way!

Each night the safari trucks are driven off the road and into a lot where they are assessed and serviced ready for the next day at the park.

The trucks seat 3-5 guests to a row and while there is a cushioned back, there are no safety restraints (such as seat belts) on this attraction.

Does weather affect Kilimanjaro Safaris?

It is rare that the attraction will close due to weather.

A bit of rain won’t stop the attraction, but if there is a heavy storm it will result in the attraction having to temporarily close.

Does Kilimanjaro Safaris run at night?

Yes! Nighttime safaris were introduced back in 2016 and have been pleasing guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ever since.

What is a Nighttime Safari?

A nighttime safari is a great chance to see some of the animals on the reserve when they are a bit more active. Hyenas, in particular, are really active at night but many of the other species are also more comfortable at night thanks to the cooler temperatures.

The ride’s duration at night is slightly shorter than the day as the safari truck avoids areas where animals aren’t going to be visible.

Does Kilimanjaro Safaris cost extra?

No, Kilimanjaro Safaris is included in the cost of admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney offers paid walking tours of the attraction that come at a cost but are well worth the money. Here’s Ryan taking one of the tours ( Wild Africa Trek ) last year:

Can you ride Kilimanjaro Safaris when pregnant?

The official response from Disney is that the attraction isn’t suitable for expectant mothers.

That being said, this is certainly one of the tamer rides that sit within this bracket. You need to assess every scenario and what works well for you. There are many Disney fans that will tell you the first trimester won’t be an issue but do your own research and remember the warning is there for a reason.

What animals are on Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Here are just some of the animals you can expect to see when riding Kilimanjaro Safaris:

• Black Rhinoceros
• Egyptian Goose
• Pink-backed Pelican
• Common Waterbuck
• Greater Kudu
• Greater Flamingo
• Reticulated Giraffe
• Sable Antelope
• White-bearded Wildebeest
• African Elephant
• African Lion
• White Rhinoceros
• African Wild Dog
• Nile Crocodile
• Masai Giraffe

What is the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

While the rest of the park is running (or fast walking) to Flight of Passage in the morning at rope drop, wander over to Africa just as the park opens and you will get one of the best rides of the day.

Many of the animals like to take cover from the intense Florida heat during the course of the day, so your best time to see active animals is typically right at the start of the day or as the sun is setting.

Based on the number of times we’ve been on Kilimanjaro Safaris (which is a lot), we’d say you’d likely have more luck seeing active animals in the morning.

Keep in mind that one of the major selling points of the attraction is that every ride experience differs!

What is the worst time of day to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

There’s not really a time where you aren’t going to see anything but as we said previously, many of the animals like to seek shelter from the sun during the middle of the day. Plan for a safari during the morning or evening if you can to stand the best chance of seeing the most amount of animals.

That being said, don’t let us discourage you from visiting during the day. We’ve had many safaris during the hottest hours of the day and they’ve still been fantastic and memorable.

Do you have further questions you want answering about Kilimanjaro Safaris? Ask us anything in the comments below and we will add the answer to our guide!

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.

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The Family Vacation Guide

Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Ultimate Guide

posted by Charmaine Cortes on December 26, 2022 // last updated on June 12, 2023

Are you planning to visit Kilimanjaro Safari Disney World with your family or loved ones and want to learn more about it? Then you have come to the right place!

In this article, we will provide you with an overview of everything you need to know about Kilimanjaro Safaris. This safari ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will transport you across the globe into an African Wildlife setting.

In this Ultimate Guide, we will cover all the basics from the history of the Safari, how to ride it and some further frequently asked questions about the wildlife park. Read on to find out more!

About Kilimanjaro Safaris

The kilimanjaro safaris ride, kilimanjaro safaris accessibility, interesting facts.

Walt Disney had a lifelong dream of adding live animals to his Jungle Cruise. Back then, this was not possible until the Kilimanjaro Safaris opened its gates in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in April 1998.

The park in Walt Disney World wanted to differentiate itself from a zoo from the beginning. While it had live animals, it was more focused on conservation and experiencing the animals in their (somewhat) natural habitat.

Since 2016, visitors can enjoy special sunset safaris where they get to enjoy African animals after dark.

You will find Kilimanjaro Safaris located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, which is part of Walt Disney World.

Make your way past the Tree of Life to the back of Africa, all the way past Mombasa Marketplace and Dawa Bar. As you cross the bridge, you will get to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The queue will lead you through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve before you enter your safari vehicle and head out to experience the African Savanna without leaving the States!

The Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicles are open-air trucks that can accommodate up to 35 guests. Each vehicle can seat three to five guests in one row.

The Savanna provides a bumpy ride along a dirt trail and is different from the other smooth theme park rides at Disney. So buckle up.

You will be provided with a game-spotting guide. Be on the lookout, as not all wildlife will be visible at all times.

A Kilimanjaro Safaris ride is approximately 20 to 30 minutes long and leads through 100 acres of Savanna. During this time, you will be able to spot about 34 different species. Among these, you will find famous members of the African Animal Kingdom:

• Hippopotamus
• Sable Antelopes
• Thompson’s Gazelles
• African Wild Dogs
• Termite Mounds

Each expedition through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve is completely unique. The animals are all free roaming and are, therefore, always in a different place or sometimes in hiding.

If you are looking for a specific unique experience, you can visit Kilimanjaro Safaris at night! During those nighttime safaris, you will be able to experience the wildlife in a completely different setting. Some animals tend to be more active during the night, so we recommend trying out both times.

The ride with Kilimanjaro Safaris is longer than some other rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so factor that into your time at the park, so you don’t miss other rides.

Since you will be dealing with real animals, we recommend behavior that suits the setting. No loud noises or erratic behavior as this can scare the wildlife. Small children are to be watched at all times. In general, this might be a better experience for children above the age of six.

Fastpass/ Lightning Lane:  Yes

Time:  20 -30 minutes

Height Restrictions:  None

Age Restrictions:  None

Handicapped Accessibility:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris is Wheelchair Accessible

To access the safari ride, you can wheel up a ramp and ride into the truck itself. Your wheelchair will be tied down and secured, so you do not have to worry about bouncing around during the ride through the wilderness.

• Other guests need to take a small step into the safari vehicle.
• no high blood pressure
• no heart, back, or neck problems
• no motion sickness
• no other severe conditions

Disney does advise against expectant mothers or people that aren’t in good health riding with Kilimanjaro Safaris, as the rides can get bumpy, and there is also no option for an emergency exit while in the safari vehicle.

Service Animals:

Kilimanjaro Safaris allows service animals to be taken into the premises and on rides. However, the park advises visitors to do so with caution. The animals might be completely new to this wildlife experience and might act differently.

 In the beginning, Kilimanjaro Safaris included a lot of information about poaching in their ride and even had a specific section in the park set up to educate about the illegal hunting of wildlife.

These days, Kilimanjaro Safaris is more focused on the educational part of the conservation of the African Savanna and its wildlife.

The ride is designed to be as realistic as possible. Therefore, the roads are quite rough (as mentioned previously in this article). You need to be ready for some rough and rugged terrain during your safari adventure at Kilimanjaro Safaris.

How big is the Kilimanjaro Safari Park?

Including the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, the Kilimanjaro Safaris Park is about 1.5 miles.

While this might not sound too lengthy, keep in mind that you will follow winding roads that are extremely bumpy. On top of that, the Kilimanjaro Safaris area is about 110 acres big. Plus, the safari trucks will drive extremely slow. This is also to ensure you will see enough wildlife.

Can you pet animals at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

This is a clear no. You are dealing with wildlife from the African animal kingdom at Kilimanjaro Safaris. These animals are wild. They are no pets. A direct encounter with lions is to be treated with respect and can end in a dangerous situation should you mistake them for a house cat.

Should you or your children wish to pet animals, we recommend visiting the petting zoo at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Are all animals real at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Yes, the animals are all real. The tour however does include some fake elements, such as:

• Ostrich Eggs
• Moonlight during the safari ride after sunset
• Termite mounds

When Is The Best Time To Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

We recommend purchasing your Harambe Wildlife Reserve pass early in the morning and heading straight to the open-air safari experience. The animals tend to be more active during the morning hours as well as after sunset.

During midday, most animals will hide in the shade or be less active because of the heat. It will also be more strenuous on visitors, as this is an open-air vehicle and you might not feel too comfortable in the hot climate.

Does the Weather influence the Safari?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is an open-air safari. So the rides are in some way influenced by the weather. The animals might not be bothered by the rain, but they might be less active in extreme heat. So plan your visit accordingly.

Since this is an open-air safari, we recommend dressing for whatever weather you might encounter. If there is a possibility of rain, dress warm and take a raincoat. Should the weather be pleasant with sunshine, we recommend a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Check your forecast and come with the necessities to make the ride enjoyable.

More about our TFVG Author

Charmaine Cortes

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

An Attraction in Animal Kingdom

Last updated: September 13, 2024

At a Glance

Animal Kingdom’s premier zoological attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers an exceptionally realistic, albeit brief, imitation of an actual African photo safari. Thirty-two guests at a time board tall, open vehicles and are dispatched into a simulated African veldt habitat. Animals such as zebras, wildebeests, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffes, and even rhinos roam apparently free, while predators such as lions, as well as potentially dangerous large animals like hippos, are separated from both prey and guests by all-but-invisible, natural-appearing barriers. Although the animals have more than 100 acres of savanna, woodland, streams, and rocky hills to call home, careful placement of water holes, forage, and salt licks ensures that the critters are hanging out by the road when safari vehicles roll by.

Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World author, Bob Sehlinger, says: "Having traveled in Kenya and Tanzania, I (Bob) 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."

Animal Kingdom may offer a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Before the first safari truck rolled into the setting sun, Disney spent more than a year acclimating the existing animals, as well as nocturnal species such as hyenas, to life in a theme park. For the nighttime version, Disney also installed a baseball stadium–size wall of graphics displays at the far end of the attraction’s savanna grasslands.

Turned on late in the day, the displays are programmed to simulate a gradually setting sun for hours on end—providing enough light for guests to see the animals that are still roaming around. It’s hard to predict which ones you’re likely to see, however: On one nighttime tour, we found that the rhinos were noticeably more active at night, while other animals, such as hippos, crocodiles, and elephants, became virtual recluses. A Wilmington, Delaware, man had a different experience, though:

Animal Kingdom at night was the hit of our trip, and Kilimanjaro Safaris was great. We saw more animals in action than we had ever seen in the daytime, and the nighttime added just a hint of danger to the entire proceeding that made it fun.

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
• Physical Considerations
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• Must Transfer to Standard Wheelchair

Touring Tips

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s busiest attractions, along with Expedition Everest and the two Pandora attractions. From a touring standpoint, this is a good thing: By distributing guests evenly throughout the park, those other attractions make it unnecessary to run to Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning.

Waits for Kilimanjaro Safaris diminish around midafternoon, sometimes as early as 3 p.m. but more commonly somewhat later. We recommend taking the nighttime safari after you’ve experienced the daytime version.

If you want to take photos, note that the vehicle isn’t guaranteed to stop at a given location. Drivers try their best to accommodate guests and stop when big animals come into view, but be prepared to snap at any time. As for the ride, it’s not that rough.

Other attractions you might like Users who like Kilimanjaro Safaris, generally also like:

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Here's roughly how many minutes you'll wait for Kilimanjaro Safaris at each Animal Kingdom Crowd Level.

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The Best And Worst Time To Go On Animal Kingdom's Popular Safari

There's more to Disney's Animal Kingdom than just Pandora — The World of Avatar. In terms of wait times, Kilimanjaro Safaris is right up there with Avatar Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey as one of the park's most popular attractions. This is where Animal Kingdom lives up to its name and shows you some real live animals as you board a truck for a bumpy ride through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. With all the other animal-free rides like Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom , it would be easy to lose sight of the fact that it's as much a zoological park as it is a theme park. Kilimanjaro Safaris puts you in touch with both sides of that, letting riders see over 30 different species in their element, provided you catch them at the right time.

Unlike other Animal Kingdom attractions, Kilimanjaro Safaris isn't just subject to the whims of tourist crowds or the fickle malfunctions that sometimes cause Disney rides to break down. Even when the safari trucks are up and running, the best and worst time to ride one may depend on the animals' habits. Sometimes, they could appear to be hiding simply because they're resting out of sight somewhere in the 110-acre wildlife reserve. With hippos and crocodiles, for instance, you might only catch a glimpse of their heads above water. It helps to know when the animals are generally most active so you can maximize your sightings of them on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Plan around the Florida sun for Kilimanjaro Safaris

Like South Florida's Lion Country Safari, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers a savanna tour where you might momentarily forget you're in the Sunshine State, not Africa. Technically, it's Animal Kingdom's version of Africa, where the "Festival of the Lion King" show also takes place. As you cross the bridge into it, you might see tourists posing in front of Africa signs. Yet this is still Florida, and the weather here factors into how the safari animals behave. When it's too hot, they're more likely to be cooling off in the shade.

That's one reason why you'll hear frequent visitors recommend early morning, late afternoon, or early evening as the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. Aim for when the sun is lower and the animals are out feeding, like our giraffe friend above. It's a tip backed up by panelists at planDisney, who suggest visiting first thing after the park opens or later in the day before it closes. Keep in mind, Animal Kingdom usually closes earlier than Disney's other parks, with Kilimanjaro Safaris often ending its tours before sunset.

Conversely, the worst time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris — especially in Florida's summertime heat — could be mid-day. This is true not only for animal sightings but potentially for your own comfort, as you'll be riding 20 minutes outdoors in an open-air truck. The tour's resident lions may actually be more comfortable than you since Disney reportedly built air conditioning into the rocks where they lounge.

Try to catch the Kilimanjaro Safari after it rains

One mistake to avoid when planning your next Florida trip is expecting all sunshine and no rain. The same is true of Animal Kingdom, where cooling rain can draw out the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris after the downpour stops. When I was there with family one summer, we got caught in a typical afternoon rainstorm and ducked into Pizzafari. Later, I kicked myself for getting tied up there instead of heading straight for the real safari when the rain let up.

Understanding Lightning Lane can also help you strategize with Kilimanjaro Safaris since it's one of the attractions that service covers. You can always keep an eye out for special offerings on Disney's list of Enchanting Extras, too. One previous offering was a private Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, combined with a meal at Tiffins Restaurant and VIP seating for "Festival of the Lion King." When we did it, we had the safari truck mostly to ourselves, with only our guide and a few other guests.

If you don't mind paying for an add-on like that, the next best one that's often available is the Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. It offers the rare chance for a night safari at Disney (again, with real animals, as opposed to the fake ones you'd see on the Jungle Cruise at night). Otherwise, just keep the beginning or end of the day in mind as your best bet for spotting the most animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Embark on a Wild Expedition: Ultimate Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney Animal Kingdom!

Are you ready to take a virtual ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

On April 22, 1998, former Disney Company CEO, Michael Eisner uttered this dedication speech below when opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Welcome to a kingdom of animals…real, ancient and imagined. A kingdom ruled by lions, dinsaurs, and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.”

Themed to nature and animal conservation, Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World has been educating and bringing awareness of the natural experiences and importance of our role in helping wildlife for over 25 years now.

One of the big draws for the park is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you board an African safari truck and explore the savannah, witnessing firsthand the beauty of African wildlife.

For some, this is the closest they will get to experiencing these creatures. It is truly an endearing and unforgettable experience.

Today, I will give you everything you would want to and need to know about this amazing Disney attraction.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Kilimanjaro Safaris at a Glance:

• You will hop on board the attraction for a thrilling safari adventure
• The original storyline included rescuing a mother elephant and her baby from poachers – Big Red and Little Red
• You will spot animals such as lions, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, zebra, hippos and more!
• The ride is located in the middle of the Africa Section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Strollers are not allowed on the safari vehicle (there is a designated area to park it nearby)
• The wait times can range from 30 minutes to an hour on average.
• There is no Single Rider Line but the option for Lightning Lane is available.

Keep reading to get everything you need to know about this fun Disney attraction!

How did Kililmajaro safaris come to be?

To discuss the history of Kilimanjaro Safaris, we have to go back beyond even Walt Disney World’s grand opening.

We have to first look at Jungle Cruise in Disneyland. Walt had envisioned actual African animals within the attraction.

But for very obvious reasons, they went the audio animatronic route instead.

But with many Disney ideas that hit the ground in the Imagineering room, they tend to come back in some way, shape or form. This attraction is a prime example.

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What to Expect on Kilimanjaro Safaris

Here you will hop on board the attraction for a thrilling safari experience as you journey through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Harambe, East Africa.

While cruising through the large savannah, you’ll learn about the different animals as your tour guide shares fun facts and keeps things entertaining.

What I really love about this attraction is that you’ll feel as if the animals are right next to you (which can be possible at certain moments of your expedition).

But don’t worry – there are sneaky fences and barriers in place to keep everyone safe and sound. Especially when you’re riding past crocodiles and lions.

Original Storyline

On the original version of the ride, the safari truck, known as “Simba-1,” used to have a scripted part where a habitat warden and a scientist would ask for help in rescuing a mother elephant and her baby from poachers – Big Red and Little Red.

The poachers were once caught by a Cast Member at gunpoint (wild, I know!) along with Wilson, but this part of the ride was later changed to just scaring off the poachers during a chase.

New Storyline

The safari script and story for this attraction underwent significant alterations.

Years later, Disney tweaked it to shift away from the “Little Red and Big Red” plot-line.

They wanted the focus to go back towards the animals in the reserve and the mission to locate a missing elephant at the conclusion.

As guest began to experience the newer version, this change resulted in a bit of a confusing storyline, as they embarked on a quest to find a lost “mother elephant” only to discover her baby, who, as per the tale, had been safe all along.

I understood the changes but my time on the ride always left me wondering why there were certain setups along the way that had no description from the tour guide.

When you go on the attraction now, you’ll just see remnants of the former storyline that look more like ride decor at this point.

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More changes to come.

In 2004, they had to switch out a lot of the savanna’s drainage system , but the ride was still up and running while they fixed it.

Then, on February 10, 2012, they said they were getting rid of the “Little Red” part of the ride and putting in a cool zebra exhibit instead. You can check out the full story here.

The place used to have Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras , but they had to be taken out four months later because they were having trouble getting used to the new environment.

Apparently, the zebras were quarreling, nibbling at cars or each other, blocking the road, or causing problems with their mating habits. They were later swapped out with addax antelope.

Fun Fact: Animal Kingdom has more than 100 acres of savanna, forest, rivers, and rocky hills that you’ll enjoy on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris the same every time?

Not at all! You will get a different experience every time due to the nature of the wildlife, as well as the time of day.

What is the current experience like?

Once you board your safari vehicle, you will enter the wildlife reserve. Right off the bat, have your phone cameras ready!

• You start off in the forest spotting the Okapi.
• Next stop is the watering hole where you might spot some cool animals like the stork, bongo, kudu, and black rhinos.
• Then, you’ll cross a river where the hippos hang out over a shaky bridge.
• Beneath the bridge, you might spot some crocs (scary but fun)!
• When you enter the savanna you’ll encounter zebras, hyennas, giraffes, and more (don’t be surprise if they get close to your truck).
• You’ll then spot signs of elephants nearby.
• After that, you’ll pass by some monkeys.
• Once you reach the red clay pits, you’ll be delighted to witness the magnificent elephants and their adorable babies.
• Keep an eye out for pink flamingos chilling by a watering hole as you go.
• Next up are the lions! (be sure to grab an evening ride when they’re the most active)
• Be sure to look out for warthogs, ostrich eggs, cheetahs and antelopes.
• Don’t miss the group of goats at the new campsite towards the end of the ride.

On one of my expeditions, the giraffe was hungry and had lunch in front of a tree that was right in the path. I had to sit there for 45 minutes until the giraffe was done!

Fun Fact: The vehicles on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride seat 32 guests and are environmentally safe with propane-fueled engines.

Animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom

Here is a list of the African wildlife you may come across during your safari and please note that this list can change at anytime:

• African bush elephant
• African wild dog
• Ankole cattle
• Black crowned crane (seen in the queue)
• Black rhinoceros
• Blue wildebeest
• Common eland
• The Common ostrich
• Common warthog
• Greater flamingo
• Greater kudu
• Hartmann’s mountain zebra
• Hippopotamus
• Masai giraffe
• Nigerian dwarf goat
• Nile crocodile
• Pink-backed pelican
• Sable antelope
• Saddle-billed stork
• Scimitar oryx
• Spotted hyena
• White rhinoceros

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What to Know Before You Go to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Now that you know what to expect on this Animal Kingdom attraction, let’s go through a few questions that you may have.

Where is Kilimanjaro Safaris located?

The ride is located in the middle of the Africa Section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Just keep going towards the very back of the park.

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How do you ride the Safari ride at Animal Kingdom?

Kilimanjaro Safaris has a standby line, and the wait varies depending on the time of year you visit and time of day you go.

The wait times can range from 30 minutes to an hour on average. There is no Single Rider Line but the option for Lightning Lane is available.

Is Child Swap available?

Rider Switch isn’t available for this attraction. Children are available to ride with the party, but it is recommended that they sit in the middle of the row.

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Is the queue outdoors?

The queue is outdoors but it is covered. It also isn’t interactive, but there are facts about animals along the queue that you can read up on as you go.

Will I get Motion Sickness on Kilimanjaro Safaris?

It is possible depending on the person. The ride doesn’t have seatbelts, but it does have doors to keep you inside the vehicle.

With that being said, it does get VERY bumpy when riding over the terrain. Remember, its an African safari!

Is it accessibility friendly?

There are wheelchair accessible safari vehicles with ramps for you to use.

If you are using an electric wheelchair or ECV, you will have to transfer to a manual wheelchair to board.

Accessibility guests and their companions will be seated right behind the driver in row 1. ECVs and Wheelchairs are parked with strollers and will be in this area when you return.

The vehicles can only hold one wheelchair at a time however so bear this in mind. Other accessibility tools such as captioning and assistive listening are available.

Service animals are also allowed but with caution. So do keep that in mind.

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Are strollers allowed?

Strollers are not allowed on the safari vehicle. There is a designated area to park it nearby.

Can I do a private safari tour at Animal Kingdom?

For an extra fee, you can do a variety of safari type tours that are subject to price changes and availability. They can be found here .

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris free?

The Kilimanjaro safaris attraction is included with the price of your admission to Animal Kingdom so no worries just enjoy!

Get Your Walt Disney World Tickets Today! CLICK HERE .

My Final Thoughts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is truly an underrated crown jewel at Walt Disney World Resort.

There is plenty to admire in the beauty of the wildlife, especially when you experience the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

This is one ride that you cannot miss when you go! As mentioned, I recommend that you do it the first thing in the morning when you visit the park as the wait tends to be on the longer side.

Have you gone on the Kilimanjaro Safari experience before and if so, what animals did you see? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Contributors

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.

She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.

She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home.

Are you planning a Disney vacation soon? Read the  Disney World Vacation Planning Guide  for your next dream trip!

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

• 3 Animals Seen
• 4 Incidents
• 5 Construction
• 8 References

The ride originally begins as a two-week safari aboard Simba 1 through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Harambe , East Africa. It is 800km 2 of natural terrain, including Ituri forest, wetlands of the Safi River valley and the open bush country of the Serengeti Savanna. During most of the ride people view the common African animals including elephants, giraffe, antelopes, gazelles, crocodiles, monkeys, hippos, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras, crocodiles, storks, pelicans, flamingos and okapis. The tour guide points out animals and provides entertainment. During the journey, the driver is in radio contact with reserve warden Wilson Matua, who is flying over the reserve on his daily routine. It all takes a turn when poachers are spotted in the reserve, and it's up to Simba 1 and the guests, with support from the air and other rangers, to stop them.

History [ ]

Kilimanjaro Safaris typically operates until sundown. However, during the holiday season of 1998, the safaris were continued at night and dubbed Kilimanjaro Night Safaris. Though many animals were asleep, or unable to be seen at night, the attraction had a completely different script and storyline. This "new" attraction featured additional animal sounds, reflectors hidden in the foliage to resemble animals' eyes, and an actual African dance group, who performed around a bonfire in the area normally occupied by the attraction's elephants. Kilimanjaro Night Safaris only ran during that initial holiday season. After this time, it was deemed that the additional costs, plus the fact that animal visibility was poor (eliciting many Guest complaints), made Night Safaris unfeasible to continue regularly. Cast members can still switch the voice tracks on the trucks to hear the nighttime version of Wilson and Miss Jobson, however it is not considered part of the current Safari storyline.

In 2004, much of the savanna's drainage system had to be replaced. The attraction remained open during the rehab, with green tarps covering the construction sites to keep the animals out.

In 2007-8, work began to extend the trucks with an extra row of seating, allowing the trucks more capacity. Though not all the trucks have the extra row, it is known they will be finished by 2009. Also, the safari script/story, along with the Wilson/Jobson story has significantly changed. There is less of a story about "Little Red", and more about the animals in the Reserve and the need to find a lost elephant at the end.

The ride originally featured a cast member in the role of a gun-toting reserve warden who captured the poachers and saved Big Red and Little Red. This element of the attraction was eventually eliminated. During Cast Previews of Disney's Animal Kingdom, there was a "Dark Ending" in which the safari vehicle encountered the slaughtered corpse of Big Red. This scene proved too shocking for families and children, and thus was eventually changed to give the attraction a happier ending.

On August 15, 2015, at the D23 Expo , an expansion known as Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris , was announced, extending the operating hours of the attraction, as well as adding new landscapes, and two new species of animals, including African wild dogs and hyenas. [1]

Animals Seen [ ]

• Okapi ( Okapia johnstoni )
• Greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros )
• White-faced tree duck ( Dendrocygna viduata )
• Northern pintail duck ( Anas acuta )
• Nyala ( Tragelaphus angasii )
• Sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger )
• Greater flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus )
• White-bearded wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus )
• Pink-backed pelican ( Pelecanus rufescens )
• Bontebok ( Damaliscus pygargus )
• Eland ( Taurotragus oryx )
• Springbok ( Antidorcas marsupialis )
• Yellow-billed duck ( Anas undulata )
• Thomson's gazelle ( Eudorcas thomsonii )
• Yellow-billed stork ( Mycteria ibis )
• Ankole Cattle ( Bos taurus africanus )
• Mandrill ( Mandrillus sphinx )
• Egyptian goose ( Alopochen aegyptiaca )
• Scimitar-horned oryx ( Oryx dammah )
• Red-billed duck ( Anas erythrorhyncha )
• Helmeted guineafowl ( Numida meleagris )
• White-breasted cormorant
• Stanley crane ( Grus paradisea )
• Bongo ( Tragelaphus eurycerus )
• Impala ( Aepyceros melampus )
• Mhorr gazelle
• Yellow-backed duiker
• Saddle-billed stork ( Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis )
• Black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis )
• White rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum )
• Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius )
• Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus )
• Reticulated giraffe
• Masai giraffe
• Plains zebra ( Equus quagga )
• Mountain zebra ( Equus zebra )
• Warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus )
• Ostrich ( Struthio camelus )
• Cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus )
• African bush elephant ( Loxodonta africana )
• Lion ( Panthera leo )
• Addax ( Addax nasomaculatus )
• African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus )
• Spotted hyena
• Nigerian goat

Incidents [ ]

• Tuesday, July 13, 2004 is known as "Black Tuesday". The final waterfall scene became overfilled due to a drainage block. When many of the trucks went through, it short-circuited the microphone and "puck" system. After a two-hour closing to figure out how to resolve the issue, it re-opened with trucks maintaining a driver, and another cast member standing in the first passenger seating row talking to the guests. Cast members from throughout the park were asked to help if they had knowledge of the animals/safari. Though it created some havoc, it is a story told by and to all cast members of the attraction.
• February 10, 2008, a fire broke out in the engine compartment of one of the ride vehicles.

Construction [ ]

• The attraction features custom-built GMC trucks riding washed-out, rutted roads and a tilting bridge. The roadbed is actually constructed of dark brown-colored concrete embedded with permanent tire ruts.
• The flamingo island is a huge Hidden Mickey .
• Between each ecosystem includes both chain road sensors and bars to prevent animals from venturing between sections. The vehicles drive directly on these obstacles.
• The entire Magic Kingdom park could fit comfortably inside of this single attraction.
• Walt Disney originally wanted the Jungle Cruise to have real animals. So, in a way, the Kilimanjaro Safaris is a spiritual successor to that original idea.
• The music snippet that is heard when driving past the elephant area is called "Hapa Duniani" and is performed by the vocal group, "African Dawn."
• The lions in Kilimanjaro Safaris originally were from an Oregon zoo and had a hard time adjusting to Florida's heat. The animals would often retreat from visitor's view to a shaded area. To counter this problem, Imagineers installed air-conditioning systems around the lion's promontory, thus giving visitors a better chance of seeing the kings of the savannah.
• On the African savanna, acacia trees appear to be the mainstay of the landscape. Kilimanjaro Safaris, however, is pulling a switcha-roo on its residents by carefully trimming Florida's native southern live oaks to mimic flat-topped acacias. Disney claims the giraffes don't mind on the substitutes.
• When you pass the lions on Kilmanjaro Safaris don't worry about being in harms way. Hidden from visitor's view, an 18-foot-deep, 21-foot-wide moat separates the lions from other animals and the rides vehicle path.

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ http://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/472595-d23-disney-reveals-more-star-wars-land-details-plus-toy-story-land-and-avatar#/slide/1
• 1 Sar-Chasm
• 3 The Emotions

Kilimanjaro Safari – At Night

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If you are a Disney’s Animal Kingdom lover, like myself, then you love the classic Kilimanjaro Safari ! If you are also like me, you’re often disappointed by the lack of animal activity when you go on your trek. Disney has changed that, by allowing Animal Kingdom to be open past their normal 5/6pm, with a safari at night (or dusk) option!   

The best time to see these beautiful animals is in the morning or evening. The temperatures are a little cooler then, so they are more likely to come out from their comfort to say hello. Also, many animals are nocturnal, so they are typically sleeping most of the day.  

I cannot emphasize how great it was to go at night to see the animals! If you haven’t yet, I urge you to do it!! I got to see so many animals, up close & personal on this adventure, it was just like I had been whisked away to Africa!  

For me, this was a FastPass + priority. It’s a catch 22, because you’ve tied up a FastPass for the day & can’t use your rolling FastPasses, but it was worth it. On my Animal Kingdom day, I made sure this was one of the first ones I booked when my booking window opened. If seeing the animals is on your wish list, I would suggest doing the same. With that said, Kilimanjaro Safari is not always a long wait, and I could have actually walked on. However, there often is a long wait time, and I wanted to be sure I got on! I had to avail of the last FastPass+ option of the day, which was the 6:45-7:45 time frame. I waited until about 7:30 to head there.  

It was still dusk, and wasn’t quite dark, and it really made for a nice atmosphere along the sunset. The safari started out & I was on my way!  

I really lucked out, and got to see a ton of animals. The elephants & rhinos were out & about. The giraffes were feeding, and taking care of a baby giraffe literally inches from our car! The wildebeest, gazelles, okagi & smaller animals were walking right in front of our path. We actually had to stop for a few minutes to let a herd of ankole watusi ( african cattle) pass! We had to do the same again later with a few hyenas.   

The crocodiles & flamingos were pretty stationary, but the ones everybody is always excited for is the lions & cheetah. While the cheetah was still rather far away, she was more active & close than I had ever seen before. The lions were active as well, but remained on their rock. We interrupted the lioness’ (very long) bathroom break, followed by bath. It wasn’t EXACTLY the best thing to see, but it was still pretty great to see them roaming about!  

Overall, was one of my highlights of my solo trip, and one of my favorite experiences ever at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It truly is a unique experience that every guest should do at least once! I know I will be on my next trip.  

Have you done an evening safari on Kilimanjaro Safaris? What did you think of the experience? Let us know   in the comments  or on  Facebook  or  Twitter !

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park 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, lightning lane single pass, lightning lane multi pass, 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 Lightning Lane Single Pass available for Kilimanjaro Safaris?

No Kilimanjaro Safaris is not eligible for Lightning Lane Single Pass Find Lightning Lane Single Pass attractions

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass?

Yes Kilimanjaro Safaris is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass Find more Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions using our search

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Behind-the-scenes look at Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - When you hop on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll ride through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, and you’ll see over 30 different species and more than 100 animals as you travel through open plains, shady forest landscapes, and rocky wetlands.

During the ride, FOX 35 saw elephants, lions, rhinos, cheetahs, mandrills, zebras, hippos, and more, all while our guide, Mollie Taylor, was sharing facts about them along the way. 

No 18-minute ride is the same either as you’ll see different animals and learn different facts.

"This is one of the biggest games of hide and seek I've ever played in my life because I never know where they’re going to be, like that elephant that just moved to the right," Taylor pointed out during the ride.

Some of the animals are endangered or threatened. The terrain is designed to look and feel like African habitats, so the animals feel at home.

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"There's not many places that you can go, except for actual safaris in Africa, to be able to have those interactions," said Taylor. "By seeing the animals, by interacting with the guests, letting the guests know how these animals interact with one another, how they feed in the wild, how they move and roam around, and how we can help impact their environments with the actions that we do."

Taylor hopes she can inspire others, especially the younger generation.

"Hoping that a child will come up and be like, hey, I would love to know more about the zebras," Taylor explained. "To help them get into more of an environmental action program. Maybe they want to become a zookeeper."

Taylor has dreamed of becoming a safari guide since she visited Animal Kingdom when it first opened in 1998. Now, she’s grateful to share her knowledge of these animals every day.

"I love when guests ride my truck and then get off at the end and they're coming up. They're like, can I ask you a question? That's such a big part of my day, knowing that I'm helping to make a difference in the guests' lives as well as the animals."

9 Awesome Facts & Secrets About Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of our all time favourite attractions at Walt Disney World. We love it so much we rated it 5/5 in our Animal Kingdom attractions guide . With that in mind, here are 9 awesome facts about one of Disney’ most beloved and ambitious rides.

#1 Walt Disney Inspired Kilimanjaro Safaris

While it might seem incredibly unlikely, Walt Disney himself actually played a part in the creation of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The first plans for the Jungle Cruise actually included real animals but it was quickly discovered that they would be far too unpredictable for the kind of attraction Disney wanted to deliver to park guests.

Fast forward to when Disney’s Imagineers were planning Animal Kingdom and Walt’s original dream became a reality.

#2 That’s One Big Attraction

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the biggest Disney park attraction in the world. Don’t believe us? You could fit the entire Magic Kingdom park in Kilimanjaro Safaris quite comfortably!

Kilimanjaro Safaris is 110 acres whereas the entire Magic Kingdom park comes in at 107 acres. Disney were not messing about with animal welfare when it came to designing this attraction.

The attraction itself makes up 20% of the entire Animal Kingdom park.

#3 The Lion Feels the Breeze Tonight

Though they aren’t always completely visible, the Lions in Kilimanjaro Safaris would be even less visible if it wasn’t for a bit of clever engineering from Disney.

The rocks in which the Lions hang around on for much of the day are actually air conditioned! The Lions originally came from a much cooler zoo in Oregon so Disney had to install air-con into the rock formation. Better yet, if it gets cold they can heat up so the lions can be comfortable all year round!

#4 Every Animal Needs to Rest

At the end of every day, animals throughout the attraction are called in to rest in their enclosures for the night. Each animal has been specially trained to respond to a different sound.

A few examples of this include crocodiles responding to a metal bar being hit underwater, elephants come in to the beat of a drum, giraffes for a cowbell and a duck call is used for the Thompson’s Gazelle.

#5 Free Roaming Animals

While every animal has set space to walk around in (you wouldn’t want the Lions in with the gazelles!), within their space they are free to walk wherever they wish.

That means that they have right of way, even to the Safari trucks that form part of the attraction. If an animal chooses to walk in front of a truck (has happened to us many times) then be thankful as it means you will be able to get up close with those cameras!

Spaces are controlled through a combination of chains in the ground (to stop animals crossing into another area), walls and even deep pits in the case of the lions.

#6 Fake Plastic Baobab Trees

Okay, not plastic but we wanted to sneak in a Radiohead reference… The famous Baobab trees that are scattered around Kilimanjaro Safaris are actually all fake and made of concrete. The real tree has a thick trunk and is very good at storing water during periods of drought.

There was a single real Baobab tree in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Harambe Village but sadly it died during a cold winter a few years ago.

#7 Animals Are Kept Close to Park Guests

Though it would be almost impossible to see on the first few experiences of Kilimanjaro Safaris, Disney actually does a lot to make sure the animals wander as close to guests as possible.

In addition to the air-conditioned rocks we already covered, Disney tactically place hay, grass, salt licks and drinking water close to the roads in which the safari trucks travel. Some of these placements are obvious when you know to keep an eye out but others are really well hidden, how many can you spot on your next safari?

#8 Real Safari Trucks

A lot of guests simply assume that the cast members aboard the great big safari trucks are simply onboard for guest safety and that the attraction is all on a track. This is completely false.

Cast Members go through rigorous training to land the role on Kilimanjaro Safaris and all of the custom built GMC and Ford trucks are free roaming. It is essential that this is the case as on many occasions cast members have had to swerve off course to go round an animal that has decided to settle on the road.

Each night the safari trucks are driven off the road and into a lot where they can be assessed and serviced ready for the next day.

#9 Timing is Everything

Though it is fair to say animals can be seen no matter what time of day Kilimanjaro Safaris is ridden, there are times of day where the animals are most active.

Early in the mornings, just after Disney’s Animal Kingdom has opened, can be a great time to experience the safari due to the cooler temperatures. In addition to this, the animals are all grazing on their breakfasts!

Disney introduced nighttime safaris in 2016 and this also offers a great time to see some of the animals who prefer to be active during the evening. These include Warthog, Hippo, Hyena and African Wild Dog.

Of course every safari is different and we can never guarantee that you will see great views of the animals on every trip.

Want more on Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Be sure to check out the rest of our Animal Kingdom guides .

Ryan has been attending theme parks since as long as he can remember and his first proper memory comes from when he was just three years old sitting in Main Street USA drinking a Nesquik milkshake from a carton while the piano was being played outside Casey’s Corner.

© 2024. ThemeParkTrader.com

5 Things You’ll Love About Africa in Animal Kingdom

It’s no secret that I love Animal Kingdom Park and that I think it should be a stop on everyone’s itinerary ( Here’s why ). Once inside the park, Africa is by far my favorite section. I could spend hours here (and I have). The theming is everything and more that you expect from Disney! It feels so authentic, and I love it. Here are the five things I love about Africa in Animal Kingdom Park.

5 – Zuri’s Sweets Shop

The sweetest shopping destination at Animal Kingdom is Zuri’s Sweet Shop. If you are looking for some unique and tasty desserts, then you’ll want to stop in for almost 80 products, including Africa-themed cookbooks and housewares. The shop is right behind Mombassa Marketplace and across the street from Harambe Market.

4 – Harambe Market

Harambe Market is a fantastic dining option in the Animal Kingdom and is located in the ever-expanding African Village of Harambe. You’ll get unique bowl options that totally beat your typical theme-park quick service offerings. We love eating here when we want to mix things up!

3 – Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Kilimanjaro Safari exits into Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where you can explore and interact with many different animals. Follow the trail along winding paths, where you’ll be treated to exotic animals and birds in their natural habitats. The gorilla habitat is my absolute favorite place to visit. First, you find the “family” group. You’ll be treated to three young gorillas. You’ll be treated to many young gorillas who have been born in recent years. It’s such a treat to see these young gorillas close up. Follow the path over the bridge, and you’ll get to observe the “Bachelor group” of five male gorillas. With playful and unique personalities, the gorilla habitat could provide hours of entertainment over and over.

Note: You do not need to ride Kilimanjaro Safari to explore the trail. To go directly to Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, walk past the Safari and Rafiki’s Planet Watch entrance. You’ll be walking against traffic, but don’t worry. The Trail entrance will be ahead on your right.

2- Kilimanjaro Safaris

If you love animals, then a ride on the Safari is a must. The sheer size of Kilimanjaro Safaris is terrific. At roughly 110 acres, the Safari occupies almost the same area as the entire Magic Kingdom Park. That size allows guests a way to observe and interact with animals like never before. We’ve had giraffes come up right to the truck. At the end of the safari, you’ll be treated to a Pride Rock-type habitat with lions. You may not see a lion every time, but it’s a real treat when you do.

Tip: Have your cameras ready by putting them in a “sport” or “action” mode. If you have more controls on your camera, then make sure to choose a high shutter speed since this ride is very bumpy! Click away, and you may find a real winner in the bunch!

1 – Festival of The Lion King

The Festival of the Lion King is hands down the best Disney show. Ever. This is not an opinion; this is a fact. :) The stage production, dancing, and singing inspired a Broadway show, but this one is good enough to be on Broadway. Something about that show makes me cry almost every time we see it. ‘Amazing’ doesn’t begin to describe it. You won’t want to miss this incredible show!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

Cindy E. Nykamp

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• Animal Kingdom / News / Parks / Walt Disney World

NEWS: Baby Tiger Coming Soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

by Madison Owens · September 13, 2024

Animal Kingdom at Disney World is home to some truly remarkable creatures! You can check out animals from all around the world during rides like Kilimanjaro Safaris or on walking trails like Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

Lightning Lane

The park also works hard to help conservation efforts for different species through breeding programs. In the past year, we’ve seen things like a new baby elephant and a new baby Okapi make their debut in Animal Kingdom.

Photo: Disney

And, we just found out that another baby is coming soon to the park!

Baby Tiger Coming to Disney World!

A baby tiger is coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Dr. Mark Penning (Vice President, Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment) shared on Instagram today that Sohni the tiger is pregnant!!

Check out her “Sohni”-gram below:

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Dr. Mark Penning (@drmarkatdisney)

Can you believe it?! Sohni is one of two tigers that you can see over at Maharajah Jungle Trek at Animal Kingdom. The other one is Conrad, who appears to be the father in this situation.

We stopped by Maharajah Jungle Trek today to check on the soon-to-be parents! We weren’t able to spot Conrad, but we did see Sohni snoozing in her habitat.

Tigers only have a gestation period of about three and a half months, so we don’t have to wait too long for this new cub to arrive into the world! Disney hasn’t shared an expected due date yet.

We’re happy to see mama Sohni resting contently as she awaits her new arrival!

I personally cannot WAIT to see an adorable baby tiger cub join its parents at the park!

We’ll bring you updates on the baby as soon as they’re shared by Disney.

@mickeyblog_ We can’t wait to meet the bundle of tiger stripes! 🐅 #disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #animalkingdom #drmarkatdisney #disneyparks #disneynews ♬ original sound – MickeyBlog.com

Stay tuned for more Disney World news and updates!

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The 30 best safari holidays

When William Cornwallis Harris set out across South Africa in 1836, he wielded a gun, naturally – hunting was de rigueur back then – but also pencils and paintbrushes, sketching the diverse creatures he saw (and, often, shot). Thus was the safari born – even if the name was yet to be coined.

Safari is, as old Africa hands (and avid pub-quizzers) know, Swahili for “journey”. Today, that means not only intercontinental travel to Africa’s fabled wildlife destinations – the grasslands of Kenya and Tanzania , home to the Great Migration; the gorilla-ranged forests and mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo; the deserts, deltas, waterways and bush of Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It’s a journey of discovery, with options that have diversified beyond standard 4WD to encompass game-tracking excursions on foot or horseback, by bicycle or even in a hot-air balloon.

Tour operators can stitch together tailor-made itineraries, staying in camps and lodges to suit every preference – some super-luxe, others family-friendly, many wild and remote. Meanwhile, self-drive itineraries and group tours offer affordable encounters with the Big Five : lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

Safari holidays can be customised to include almost infinite combinations of habitats, species, travel styles and cultures. The 30 selected here give a taster of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa and beyond.

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Best for first-timers

Best for families, best for luxury, best for walkers, best for bush and beach, best for adventure, best for the big five, best for value, best for camping, best for out of africa, deeper south: zimbabwe, botswana, namibia and south africa.

Ramble Worldwide’s group tour through southern Africa offers a safari smorgasbord of destinations, activities and species – including the Big Five. From thundering Victoria Falls, venture to Botswana’s Chobe National Park and paddle a dugout through the Okavango Delta, spot game at Etosha’s waterholes and roam the vast dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia, ending with South Africa’s winelands and Cape Town.

How to do it:  Ramble Worldwide (01707 331133) offers the 21-night African Journey from £5,999pp including flights, accommodation, most meals and activities.

See stars in Kenya

The Maasai Mara conjures images of lions lounging on kopje awaiting the herbivore tide of the Great Migration. Flanking conservancies offer spectacular game-viewing but a more exclusive experience, showcased in Red Savannah’s holiday visiting Elephant Pepper Camp in Mara North, and Loisaba Tented Camp, famed for “star beds”, horseback safaris, elephants, big cats and Mt Kenya views.

How to do it:  Red Savannah (01242 787800) offers the seven-night Essential Kenya holiday from £5,289pp including accommodation, most meals and activities. British Airways flies Heathrow-Nairobi from around £700 return.

Trunk call to Botswana

For close encounters with thriving herds of Africa’s heftiest creatures, head to Chobe National Park, home, reputedly, to Africa’s densest population of elephants – at least 50,000 of them, plus hippos, lions, leopards and more. With such reliable wildlife sightings, it’s ideal for safari novices – and Newmarket Holidays’ group tour offers a good-value option in this famously pricy destination.

How to do it:  Newmarket Holidays (0330 341 1927) offers the 10-day On Safari in Botswana trip from £3,420pp, including flights, half-board accommodation, game drives and river cruise.

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Nurture your wild child, Tanzania

Kids love animals – but also new friends, pools and poo. Stubborn Mule’s Tanzania itinerary leans into those penchants with child-friendly activities: walks in predator-free Arusha National Park, canoe trips paddling past hippos, dips overlooking zebra and giraffes in Tarangire National Park, and art and bush skills sessions with locals. Add Big Five safaris in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, plus sand and snorkelling on Zanzibar.

How to do it:  Stubborn Mule Travel (01728 752751) offers the 14-night Tanzania Safari and Beach holiday from £5,600pp, including flights, some meals and activities.

Safari safely in South Africa

The Eastern Cape is home to bustling wildlife yet malaria-free – ideal for families. Original Travel’s itinerary visits Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, home to the Big Five including both black and white rhino plus child favourites meerkats and even aardvark. Junior Attenboroughs join “Bugs and Bones” guided walks, reserve-wide scavenger hunts and arts and crafts activities, then relish beach time at Plettenberg Bay.

How to do it:  Original Travel (020 3582 4990) offers the nine-day Eastern Cape Family Escape from £2,310pp including flights, accommodation, some meals and activities.

Engage adrenalin monkeys in Kenya

If your boisterous young primates can’t sit still, try Families Worldwide’s new action-packed adventure designed to enthral over-10s. Whitewater rafting, ziplining, rock-climbing and paddleboarding in and around Sagana are augmented with animal-spotting by bike in Hells Gate National Park and a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, before learning about the traditional Maasai lifestyle and heading into the Mara for game drives.

How to do it:  Families Worldwide (01962 302086) offers the seven-night Kenya Family Adventure & Safari from £3,165pp/£2,545pp adults/children including flights, accommodation, most meals and activities.

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Gourmet game-watching in South Africa

Private Tswalu reserve might be in the Kalahari Desert, but you won’t go thirsty – or hungry. At Loapi Camp, Michelin-class chefs devise gourmet delights, tents have plunge pools, and private guides seek out black-maned lions, pangolins, black rhinos and wild dogs. Cazenove+loyd’s holiday combines with Grootbos Forest Lodge for wild strolls and whale-watching.

How to do it:  Cazenove+loyd (020 7384 2332) offers a Tswalu safari from £10,989pp including accommodation, meals, activities and transfers. British Airways flies Heathrow-Cape Town from around £850 return.

Enjoy aerial game-watching in Tanzania

Drink in bird’s-eye views of the East African wilderness, spotting big cats on dawn hunts and huge herds of elephants, on Scott Dunn’s new hot-air-balloon safari. Float between five exclusive camps in Ruaha National Park with private guide and photographer James Suter, descending to learn game-tracking and conservation techniques.

How to do it:  Scott Dunn (020 3627 9878) offers the 10-night airborne safari expedition from £40,000pp including transfers, accommodation, meals, drinks and activities. Kenya Airways flies Heathrow-Dar es Salaam from around £630 return.

Your own private waterhole in Namibia

When the dry season parches Etosha, wildlife throngs to shrinking waterholes, providing effortless yet thrilling game viewing. Super-luxe Onguma Camp Kala, in its own private reserve alongside the national park, has its own animal-luring pool. Carrier’s safari adds a night on a wildly romantic Dream Cruiser sleepout under the stars – parked up alongside a waterhole, naturally.

How to do it:  Carrier (0161 492 1353) offers a five-night Namibian adventure from £8,495 including flights, accommodation, meals and activities.

Sweet valley hikes in Zambia

The Luangwa Valley is famed as the birthplace of the walking safari, pioneered by visionary conservationist Norman Carr well over half a century ago. Guests on Mountain Kingdoms’ holiday join some of Africa’s finest guides strolling between characterful, comfortable camps in South Luangwa National Park, watching for the “little five” (including elephant shrews and antlions) as well as really big game.

How to do it:  Mountain Kingdoms (01453 844400) offers the 11-day Classic Luangwa Walking Safari in Style from £8,675pp including flights, accommodation, meals and guided walks.

Track cheetah in South Africa

Finding the world’s fastest land mammal on foot is quite the ask – but easier with an expert guide locating radio-collared cats. Not that Aardvark’s new cheetah-tracking holiday is all cheating: on morning walks you’ll also learn to identify paw prints, scratch marks and dung, Watch for the Big Five plus diverse antelopes in malaria-free private Samara Karoo Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

How to do it:  Aardvark Safaris (0131 297 6229) offers the six-night Cheetah Trail from £4,627pp including flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and activities.

Tramp through Tanzania

Ruaha is wild, vast – Tanzania’s largest national park, spanning more than 7,800 square miles   – little-visited and scenically varied, encompassing plains, hills, bulbous baobabs and thriving wetlands, perfect for active exploration. On Audley Travel’s feet-first holiday, join an experienced guide for long morning walks tracking animals, immersing yourself in the rhythms of the bush and learning how to safely encounter elephants and buffalo.

How to do it:  Audley Travel (01993 838545) offers a nine-night Tanzania walking safari from £7,100 including flights, accommodation, most meals and activities. 

Marine marvels in Kenya

Africa’s terrestrial habitats get the lion’s share of attention, but the coral gardens, turtles and hundreds of fish species in Watamu Marine National Park are every bit as scintillating. Hemingways Collection’s itinerary adds a family-friendly stay in a private villa tent in the Mara-adjacent Naboisho Conservancy for Big Five sightings.

How to do it:  Hemingways Collection (00254 [0]711 032000) offers the seven-night Bush and Beach holiday from £2,567pp including accommodation, domestic flights, transfers and activities. British Airways flies Heathrow-Nairobi from around £700 return.

Whale sandwich in South Africa and Mozambique

Pick your season to meet marine giants off the gilded sands of Ponta do Ouro in southern Mozambique: humpbacks breach offshore from July to November, while whale sharks and manta rays glide through the brine December-May. Bookend a snorkelling safari with wild walking among buffalo and rhino in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and game drives in Kruger National Park on Exodus’s new tour.

How to do it:  Exodus (020 3411 6734) offers the 11-day Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast holiday from £3,920 including flights, accommodation, some meals and activities.

Be dazzled by the ‘lake of stars’, Malawi

Liwonde National Park is a heartening conservation success story, having translocated lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and black rhinos. Pelorus Travel’s luxury holiday combines a Liwonde safari with tea-tasting at a highland estate, roaming the waterfalls of the Nyika Plateau on horseback and snorkelling in the inland sea David Livingstone dubbed the “lake of stars”.

How to do it:  Pelorus Travel (020 3848 5424) offers the 10-night Malawi Highlands and Islands holiday from £18,000pp, including accommodation, transfers, most meals and activities. Kenya Airways flies Heathrow-Lilongwe from around £760 return.

Go ape in Uganda

Though mountain gorillas hog the headlines, a trek to meet these endangered great apes in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is only one highlight of World Expeditions’ action-packed holiday in Uganda. You’ll also track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, and spot tree-climbing lions and cruise among hippos in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

How to do it: World Expeditions (020 8875 5060) offers the seven-day Primates and Wildlife of Uganda holiday from £2,920pp including accommodation, meals, guide, transfers, activities and permits. RwandAir flies Heathrow-Entebbe from about £500 return.

Lope with lemurs in Madagascar

Bustling with curious creatures found nowhere else on earth, the Great Red Island is home not only to diverse species of lemurs – ring-tailed, ruffed, skeletal-fingered, dancing, noisy and mouse-sized – but also goggle-eyed chameleons, humpback whales, giraffe-necked weevils and the elusive, catlike fossa. Rainbow Tours’ comprehensive itinerary traverses rainforests, spiny bush, baobab avenues and inselbergs in search of Madagascar’s unique species.

How to do it:  Rainbow Tours (020 3773 7945) offers the Classic Madagascar Overland holiday from £5,565pp, including flights, accommodation, some meals, guide, driver and activities. 

Rainforest bathing in Republic of Congo

Among Africa’s least-touristed safari destinations, Odzala-Kokoua National Park is home to some of the continent’s most charismatic yet endangered species: western lowland gorilla, plus forest elephants and forest buffalos wallowing in the swamping clearings known as  bais . Natural World Safaris’ holiday stays in three of Kamba Africa’s comfortable lodges in Odzala.

How to do it: Natural World Safaris (01273 691642) offers the nine-day Western Lowland Gorilla & Bai Safari from £12,480pp including accommodation, meals, activities and transfers. Air France flies Heathrow-Brazzaville from about £765 return.

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Read between the lions in Kenya

Mara Naboisho Conservancy is not only home to one of the continent’s highest densities of lions but also shows how community-led tourism makes for better experiences for all. On Responsible Travel’s holiday, join Maasai guides in search of those maned predators and other game, honing bushcraft and tracking skills via walking safaris and game drives.

How to do it: Responsible Travel (01273 823700) offers a nine-day safari in Kenya from $5,465 (£4,230) including accommodation, meals and activities. British Airways flies Heathrow-Nairobi from around £700 return.

Secret spectacles in Zimbabwe

Safari aficionados celebrate the huge elephant herds of Hwange National Park and the African wild dogs of Mana Pools National Park, with Matusadona National Park mopping up the other Big Five species. Timbuktu Travel’s tailor-made itinerary visits these three parks – some of Africa’s quietest safari destinations, boasting arguably its finest wildlife guides – plus Victoria Falls.

How to do it: Timbuktu Travel (020 3993 1848) offers the 10-night Ultimate Zimbabwe holiday from £4,500 including accommodation, meals, transfers and activities. Ethiopian flies Heathrow-Victoria Falls, Harare-Heathrow from around £720 return.

Joy of six in Rwanda

Why settle for just the conventional handful of hefty species? Yellow Zebra Safaris’ Rwanda holiday combines gorilla-tracking in Volcanoes National Park with a Big Five safari across the savannah of Akagera National Park, staying in some of the continent’s most stylish and luxurious lodges and camps.

How to do it:  Yellow Zebra Safaris (020 3797 0864) offers the seven-day Rwanda’s Luxurious Big Five Safari and Gorillas holiday from £10,778, including accommodation, most meals, transfers and activities. Rwandair flies Heathrow-Kigali from around £580 return. 

Self-drive saver in Namibia

Big Five doesn’t have to mean big bucks – or roughing it in basic campsites – if you get behind the wheel. With smooth roads, diverse habitats and profuse wildlife, Namibia offers an ideal introduction to self-drive safaris. Expert Africa’s greatest hits itinerary scoots between Sossusvlei’s soaring dunes, colourful coastal Swakopmund, Damaraland’s ostriches and elephants, and Etosha’s game-thronged waterholes.

How to do it: Expert Africa (020 3405 6666) offers the 14-night Caracal Self-Drive Safari from £2,360pp including accommodation, most meals and car rental. Ethiopian flies Heathrow-Windhoek from around £800 return. 

Road-trip through Botswana

Overland tours offer young (at heart) travellers affordable access to Africa’s most rewarding reserves. G Adventures’ “Lando” trundles between Jo’burg and Victoria Falls, watching for horned behemoths in Khama Rhino Sanctuary, drifting through the Okavango Delta in a  mokoro  (dugout) and meeting the elephants of Chobe National Park, en route.

How to do it:  G Adventures (020 7313 6953) offers the eight-day Botswana and Falls Overland tour from £949pp including transport, accommodation, most meals and some activities. British Airways flies Heathrow-Johannesburg, Victoria Falls-Heathrow, from around £900.

Tramp the trails of South Africa and Eswatini

Experience oversized wonders on Explore’s overland tour: the soaring rock palisades of the Drakensberg range, the Big Five – including both black and white rhino – in Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park and Kruger National Park, humpbacks breaching offshore near St Lucia. You’ll also walk among zebra, wildebeest and warthog in Eswatini’s Mliliwane Wildlife Sanctuary.

How to do it: Explore (01252 240850) offers the 10-day South Africa and Eswatini tour from £1,195pp including accommodation, guide, some meals and activities. British Airways (ba.com) flies Heathrow-Johannesburg return from around £750. 

Follow the migration in Tanzania

The great sea of wildebeest, zebra and antelopes that circles the Serengeti is as varied as it is extraordinary: one month the highlight is calving, another it’s the mass crossing of crocodile-infested rivers. A Tent with a View’s Bush Rover Migration Camp moves luxury tented suites accordingly.

How to do it:  A Tent with a View (00255 713 323318) offers the eight-day Serengeti Calving Season safari from £5,751 including accommodation, most meals, transfers and activities. Ethiopian flies London-Kilimanjaro from around £725 return.

Life’s a pitch in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Tick off countries  and species on an overland odyssey visiting some of Africa’s finest reserves and beaches. On The Go Tours’ camping adventure scoots from big-five nexus Kruger National Park to Mozambique’s golden sands – watch for whale sharks – then into Zimbabwe to spot rhinos and leopards in Matobo National Park, plus lions and elephants in Hwange.

How to do it:  On the Go Tours (020 4586 8085) offers the 14-day Mozambique & Zimbabwe Discovery from £2,795pp including camping accommodation, most meals and activities. British Airways flies Heathrow-Johannesburg, Victoria Falls-Heathrow from around £900 return.

Nocturnal thrills in Botswana

Keep your eyes peeled for leopard, honey badger and perhaps even aardvark on a night drive through Khwai Concession – one highlight of Naturetrek’s twin-centre mammal-centric safari based at wilderness camps in that community-managed site and adjacent Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. Expect close encounters with all manner of creatures: lions, hyenas, elephants, giraffes, various antelopes and possibly “painted wolves”.

How to do it: Naturetrek (01962 733051) offers the 10-day Botswana’s Desert & Delta holiday from £4,495pp including flights, accommodation, meals and guided safaris.

Here be giants, Guyana

Iwokrama Rainforest in central Guyana is a haven for jaguar – only one of many oversized creatures in this lush, largely pristine South American destination. Vast harpy eagles, giant otters and giant anteaters are among eye-catching species to spot on Journey Latin America’s adventure, which also visits colossal Kaieteur Falls.

How to do it:  Journey Latin America (020 3553 9647) offers the 12-day Signature Guyana holiday from £5,800pp including accommodation, transfers, most meals and activities. British Airways flies London-Georgetown from around £630 return.

Earn your stripes in India

Shere Khan, Bagheera and Baloo – or at least tigers, leopards and sloth bears – prowl and amble among the teak woods and rivers of Pench National Park, setting for Rudyard Kipling’s timeless  Jungle Book . Abercrombie & Kent’s cat-centric safari starts in Pench, continuing to Kanha and Bandhavgarh – two more tiger hotspots – plus Gir National Park to find rare Asiatic lions.

How to do it:  Abercrombie & Kent (01242 386469) offers a 12-night Indian safari from £7,995pp including flights, transfers, accommodation, most meals and activities.  

Monkey around in Malaysian Borneo

The lush forests of the planet’s third-largest island are home to some of our closest relatives: orangutans. Encounters are guaranteed at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre on Wildlife Worldwide’s tour of diverse reserves in Sabah; you’ll also watch for pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys along the Kinabatangan River, flying squirrels and slow loris in the Danum Valley and leopard cat in Tabin and Demarakot.

How to do it:  Wildlife Worldwide (01962 302086) offers the 14-night Wild Borneo holiday from £6,995pp including flights, accommodation, meals and activities.

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