Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park gives Disney World Guests the chance to experience the closest thing to a real-life African safari without going to Mount Kilimanjaro and the rest of East Africa. It is the largest attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring a menagerie of live animals. And, well, sometimes animals are going to do what animals tend to do.
On March 18, we embarked on our own safari tour, and we saw what looked like two crocodiles getting a little frisky in the water.
Of course, we cannot confirm or deny what exactly was going on here, and we will be waiting to see if any news about baby crocodiles comes out of Animal Kingdom in the coming weeks, just in case. But, Guests should be aware that Harambe Wildlife Preserve is designed for animals to act like animals.
Some of the most sought-after safari sights include hearing the lion roar from his pride-rock-like rock formation, bull elephants sparring, as well as any rambunctious babies exploring their habitat with their mama. Speaking of which, we also caught the safari’s baby Nile hippo on our safari.
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What also stood out about our latest safari was that we set off around 12:45 pm. Arguably the hottest time of the day, high-noon safaris tend to be lacking in excitement as most of the animals take cover under shade and take a nap to conserve their energy and lower their body heat. A highlighted example of this problem is that the lions were a complete no-show.
Despite the heat, we still saw a lot of activity among not just the crocodiles and hippos but also the giraffes, elephants, and rhinoceros.
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At the end of the day, Guests should keep in mind that each ride aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris will be different, and they should never know what to expect. It is that wildness combined with its significant contribution to animal conservation that makes this attraction such a timeless staple.
More on Kilimanjaro Safaris
A fulfillment of ‘s dreams for –which can be found in and the — is a like no other. It opened with on , 1998, and continues to be a crowd favorite.
Walt Disney World describes Kilimanjaro Safaris on its website as the following:
A Truly Wild Adventure
Explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to 34 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 Encounters
Spot a shy hippopotamus nestled in a still pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a gentle giraffe grazing on the tall trees or wave hello to a swinging baboon. Other amazing animals you may encounter include rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas and 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.
