Kilimanjaro Safaris

Location: Africa

Welcome to Africa! Although not truly an ocean away from Orlando, you will feel like you are in the heart of bush country as you take an adventurous safari ride through the open savannah aboard one of Animal Kingdom Park's most popular attractions, Kilimanjaro Safari's. As you enter the spectacular Harambe Reserve you learn the effect and the perils that poaching have had on the precious wildlife in the area. Soon, you board your specially outfitted safari jeep which has nets for storing your articles, and an animal key on the back of the seat in front of you, which is a wonderful asset as you try to identify any of the dozens of amazing creatures that take up refuge here.

Your knowledgeable driver, in radio contact with a pilot, drives you down the bumpy, sometimes wet, rugged path to tour the 100 acres of breathtaking savannah, sparkling rivers and rocky hills. Keep your camera's ready at all times, the scene continually changes, as the gracious animals roam freely about the large reserve and there are no stops for photo-ops on this ride.

You'll come upon the rhino's and hippos perhaps resting in the water. Elephants, antelope and gazelle also take up residence here. And keep a sharp eye out for the delicate and beautiful pink flamingo's, keeping watch on their island. As you sit back in awe of the beauty that nature has to offer here you will hear your driver talk to the pilot about poachers in the area. You are asked to keep your eye out for them. Your driver will point out many of the animals that shower the landscape, and try and follow along on your picture key.

Traveling through the rugged terrain, in your jeep, you peer past the brush and look toward the giant rock formation off to your left. Out in the open, sunning himself without a care as to your presence, is a male lion waiting for his mate to come home with the food. You continue to make your way past the rugged terrain, perhaps spotting a swift cheetah amidst the rock formations. Suddenly you hear the alarming sound of the pilots voice come over the intercom and learn your driver and the pilot are concerned about the safety of a small elephant named "Little Red" who is being hunted by poachers. Your jeep picks up pace as you help try and apprehend them. As you motor quickly by through the bumpy terrain, and over a rickety bridge that doesn't seem durable enough to handle the weight of the vehicle, you hear desperation in the voice of the pilot talking to your driver hoping to save the life of the helpless elephant who is being illegally hunted down. You find the campfire that the poachers were using, and suddenly you hear gunshots and commotion; the poachers have finally been apprehended. You pass by them as they are being held under armed guard. Little Red is safe! As the attraction winds down you cruise back to the platform, where you are dropped off to enjoy the rest of Africa's sights and sounds.

Keep in mind, each and every safari tour is excitingly different. If you go in the morning the animals are much more active than after lunch or in the evening when it is hotter and they are much more likely to be napping. Please remember this is a FastPass attraction, and we highly recommend you use that option. Have a wonderful adventure!

Check out our visitor reviews for this attraction!

Last Updated: May 22, 2009