Your Questions About Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safaris, Answered.

We’re here to answer any questions you might have about The Kilimanjaro Safaris at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom is one of four theme parks on the Disney World property in Orlando, Florida. Exploring the magic of nature, animals and culture, this park is not one you can just skip over or skim through. One of their most intriguing family-friendly attractions is the Kilimanjaro Safaris, in which you can view various forms of wildlife in their habitats. You may have some questions about this attraction, since it isn’t technically a show or a ride like most others in the Disney parks. Not to worry, we’ve got you covered.

1. What is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is a must-do attraction in Animal Kingdom. This guided tour will take you through an “African savanna,” where you can spot live animals meandering through their habitats. The Harambe Wildlife Reserve spans 110 acres where 34 species can roam freely, and you have the chance to see it! You will board an open-air vehicle that allows you to get the best view of all the animals. When in Disney, your tour guide will always be truly magical, so be prepared for an astonishing adventure.

2. Where is Kilimanjaro Safaris located?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is located in Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida. You can find it in the Africa section of the park.

3. How long is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

The ride is approximately 18 minutes long from start to finish, but this may vary due to boarding, differing tour guides, or the behavior of animals at your specific ride time.

4. When is the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

This is a difficult question only because there are multiple answers! We’ll start with early in the morning right when the park opens. Animal Kingdom opens at 7:30a.m. This time of morning is perfect to catch tons of animals waking up and starting their day. The Florida sun gets scorching hot mid-day, so when it’s a bit cooler in the morning, more animals are inclined to be out and about. The next answer is in the evening at about 7:00p.m. When it is still light enough to see the animals, but it’s cooled down. While there truly is no “bad” time to enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris, these two times will make for a better experience. If you can, we recommend taking the tour multiple times, as it is different every time and you will more likely than not be able to experience seeing some animals you didn’t get to before!

5. Is there a height or age restriction for Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Nope! The whole family, young or old, big or small can enjoy this amazing experience.

6. Are Photos and Videos allowed?

Yes! Disney-goers are encouraged to bring cameras to photograph the wildlife (within reason and without flash, of course.) As long as your hands and feet stay inside your ride vehicle, everyone is permitted to capture the beauty of the surrounding wildlife. This is actually another reason why riding multiple times is so beneficial. You can go once for the photos and videos, and once to just take in all the beauty for yourself.

7. What animals can I expect to see on my Safari?

This is the most exciting question yet! Now remember, there’s a chance you won’t get to see them all, but there are tons you will see, including: lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, gazelles, crocodiles and more! The beauty of this attraction is that it’s different every time, so you may or may not see every one of these animals. For example, the lions are extremely popular and exciting but they like to sleep a lot, so they’re definitely a hit or miss. The giraffes, however, can be spotted almost always.

8. Is the wait worth it?

The answer is always yes! No matter how long the wait for Kilimanjaro Safaris is, you’ll want to stick it out. The wait time varies throughout the day but the most popular hours are around 9:00-10:00a.m. During this window it could take over an hour but mid-day the wait usually drops. Either way, this attraction is always worth it!

Now that you know all the necessities, head for this attraction and don’t look back! Nature and animal-lovers alike, you’ll enjoy every minute.

Alyssa Spagna

Contributing Editor

Alyssa is a spunky, fun-loving traveler who has an infatuation with theme parks! While she loves her tropical beach vacations, nothing compares to the thrill of a rollercoaster drop or a character meet and greet. Standing at only 4’9”, Alyssa lives by the motto “dynamite comes in small packages.”