Attraction Focus: Kilimanjaro Safaris

Updated with new photos in 2021

Attraction: Kilimanjaro Safaris

Park: Animal Kingdom

Location: Africa, Harambe

Year Opened: April 22, 1998

Imagineer: Joe Rhode

Inspiration: Kenya and Tanzania

Has anyone visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom and NOT done the safari? We’re sure there are a few souls out there, but surely not many.

Located at the back of the Animal Kingdom in the land of Africa, Kilimanjaro Safaris is truly an attraction for all ages. There is absolutely no height requirement and those in wheelchairs can be wheeled directly onto a vehicle (guests in electric convenience vehicles must be able to transfer from scooter to wheelchair). It is a little bumpy and you will be warned that if you drop your cell phone while taking photos, you need to wave bye-bye because there is no stopping.

Your adventure begins in the Disney-created town of Harambe (which means “come together” in Swahili). The queue is mildly themed with an educational video playing on monitors above.

Billed as an “authentic African safari” guests travel on a 22-minute journey around the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The ride vehicle—named the Simba One—is an open-sided truck driven by a knowledgeable Cast Member Guide.

Simba One on the savannah (2021)

The safari explores 110 acres of savanna, forest, rivers and rocky hills. (The savannah is actually about 3 acres – larger than all of Magic Kingdom.) While it may seem that the grounds are barrier-free, the area is filled with hidden berms, ditches, moats, fences and turnbacks to keep the animals safe from guests. The barriers also prevent the lions from mingling with the giraffe, zebra and antelope—saving you from having that “circle-of-life” conversation with your kiddos.

However, some animals can walk right up to the vehicles and if an ostrich or a rhino decides to take a break in the roadway, you may have to sit in “safari traffic” for a minute or two while your driver waits for the animal to move on.

After stopping traffic for a little while, this ostrich shows off her running abilities (2021).

In total, there are 34 different species roaming the land including: crocodiles, hippopotamus, lions, zebras, warthogs and elephants. Disney Imagineers also created concrete replicas of the fascinating baobab tree, known for its large trunk, upside down shape and extreme longevity (1,000 years).

But enough talking about Kilimanjaro Safari. Let’s look at some photos. We can’t spoil the ride for you because every safari is different.

The CROCS

The size of the crocodiles on the safari is a little nerve racking (2018).

It’s rare to see the crocodiles move, and that’s a good thing. Here they are in December of 2020.

The GIRAFFES

It seems like the giraffes are always eating, but Disney also places other items up high for the animals to investigate (2018).

Disney has had quite a few successful giraffe births over the years (2020)

A close up encounter with the giraffes is not uncommon (2021).

The LIONS

Here a lion and two lionesses enjoy an afternoon nap (2020).

It feels magical when we catch the lion awake and channeling King Mufasa (2019).

The FLAMINGOS

The birds get their pink color from the shrimp they eat (2021).

The RHINOS

Mud baths aren’t all fun and games. This white rhino is not only cooling off, he’s using the mud to protect himself from the sun and parasites (2018).