This is the review I posted on
www.allears.net after doing the Wild Africa Trek for my 60th birthday, when the tour was new.
Review Date: Wed February 2, 2011 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Rating: 10
Pros: unique experience, free photopass CD
Cons: fake Africa narrative
We ate with Donald and friends at Tusker House after giving our bags to RAC and Bell Services. Weather was in the low 70's and we both wore shorts. I also had a denim shirt over a tshirt (more later). We checked in for our 12 noon Safari right behind Tusker House. There were 11 of us, two celebrating birthdays. We signed a waiver of liability (even exempting WDW from insect bites!) and after being discretely weighed were outfitted with brand new vests with diaper slings and safety cable. Lots of pockets and carabiners to attach cameras, and our new souvenir aluminum water bottle. We were able to put other belongings in a locker secured with our own pin number. Our guides Meghan, and Laura spent a lot of time making sure all of the straps on the safety vest were properly adjusted for each "herd" member. Then we had to navigate across a sample suspension bridge with our safety cable attached to an overhead line. The planks simulated an Indiana Jones type bridge, missing planks, uneven intervals, some "broken planks," etc. The bridge felt very safe, steel netting along the sides and underneath, and in my gear I didn't have any worries about heights. I sometimes can be afraid when I'm not in safety gear at places where I could fall over an open edge. No worries for me on this tour
We entered the jungle behind Tusker House, with the guides keeping up the pretense we were in Africa, near a river junction. They used Swahili words for animals, and stay together. We looked at the gorillas and meercats and then went into the jungle. The trail we climbed came out near the hippos on the regular Safari ride, and we clipped our cables onto a guide bar so we could get a closer look. Lots of the Safari vehicle riders added us to their Disney photos. I waved back to them. After a little more hiking we climbed onto a short tower to cross our first bridge over the hippos. It was higher and longer than the test bridge, and really kind of thrilling. We crossed to another platform, transferring to another guide cable and a second bridge that would take us over the crocs. At this point I was getting warm, and would have been very comfortable in just a tshirt and the safety vest (predicted temp was 72). After the second bridge, we clipped onto a small rail to allow us to get closer to the crocs. Then it was good bye to the safety vests and we boarded a truck with seats. If any of you have done the Wanyama Safari it is similar to those vehicles. We were given our water bottles to keep.
The truck drove along the Safari route, but was able to pull off to the side so we could get closer looks at giraffes, antelope, eland. We pulled off the track after the elephants and flamingos on the other side, and were able to get out of the truck at the new pavillion. This was about 2 hours into the trek, and we were able to use some new rest facilities at the pavillion. No privys on this trek!
Then we were offered an amazing Sundowner snack. We had Jungle Juice and water, and cold food offerings including melon balls, chicken curry, 2 shrimp, air-dried roast beef and ham, salmon and cream cheese, and a spread with pita bread. Much more gourmet than I expected. Presentation included an orchid and cool snaplocked tins. All of the food was African inspired and included some different seasonings than usual. We thoroughly enjoyed this.
This pretty much was the end of the Safari. Throughout our trek Meghan and Laura had taken photos and we are to receive a photopass CD of all of the pictures they took of the animals and us crossing the bridges. I would recommend getting Photopass pics throughout your WDW stay and adding them to those of the tour.
We have also done the Wanyama Safari twice. This is the only way to get onto the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna. I have found this experience varies depending on who the animal specialist is. I have enjoyed the company of Erick very much.The meal at Jiko is phenomenal, but may not appeal to your picky eaters. The food is paired with wines. The food includes the famous filet with mac and cheese, a chicken dish, and I seem to recall some fish. There was also an amouse bouche, an appetizer, and a dessert trio. All was excellent.
Still another animal option is the Lunch with an Animal Specialist. This is lunch at Sanaa. You have the option to sample the Bread Service with
all the sauces, several main dishes, and a dessert sampler. While there isn't much direct animal contact, you get to ask lots of questions, and this is much more affordable.
Hope this helps.
