1-2pm bad time for safari?

[PrincessAnnabell]

We have FP from 1-2 pm for Kilimanjaro Safari. Is this a bad time? Will all the animals be taking afternoon naps?

 

[soniam]

I think we were on it about 3pm in late July. We saw more animals than the previous time we went right at RD. We've only done it twice, so that may not be a good sample size.

 

[jcnewton]

I've been on the safari several times and haven't really found the "best" time to do it. We typically try to schedule it early....10-11ish but even then the big cats can be napping. Definitely never had the same experience twice, though!

 

[greentea]

Just got back from our trip last week. We went on the safari 3 times. The first was at around 9am, right when we got to the park. There were a decent amount of animals, and they were fairly active, but not super close to us.

We went again around 11-12ish and the cattle were right next to the vehicle, the giraffes were more active and closer, and we thought it was so much better than the first time. Then we went a different day around 2pm and it was the best of all three. Giraffes crossed the road in front of us, and later we had to stop for rhinos. The crossed and then walked right next to the vehicle, only a few feet away. Vultures lined the guide rail we passed. Very neat!

So all three times were good, but our best one was later in the afternoon! I think you are fine no matter what, but definitely don't worry about it being later in the day. The animals do what they want, you never know. As for the cats, the lions were always napping, and the cheetahs were always resting way back in the trees, no difference for us there.

 

[DebbieB]

One my best safaris was in the middle of the afternoon during the summer. You would think the animals would be sleeping in the shade but they weren't. It's really just luck.

 

[rwdavis2]

The folks at Touring Plans claim that the animals are not more active at any one time than another.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

We did Kilimajaro mid-day last December and we saw more activity than we had in the 20+ other rides we took closer to opening or closing.

 

[FLchick415]

I always heard that first thing in the morning was the best time to see the animals, but on my last trip, I did one of the last safaris of the day and saw more animals than any other time before.

 

[clsteve]

I always heard that first thing in the morning was the best time to see the animals, but on my last trip, I did one of the last safaris of the day and saw more animals than any other time before.

I'd heard that too, but we saw more activity during our 2pm Safari than we did first thing in the morning.

The only thing I didn't like for the 2pm was how much more crowded it was in that part of the Park mid-day. It can get a bit congested there - especially when the African drum and singing group was performing - love their show, though!

 

[PrincessAnnabell]

Thanks! One worry to cross off the list.

 

[JRawkSteady]

The best time to see animals is when it's raining. Some of our best photos of all the animals out and about, visible and extremely close to us are during rainstorms. Highly recommended.

 

[hakepb]

The best time to see animals is when it's raining. Some of our best photos of all the animals out and about, visible and extremely close to us are during rainstorms. Highly recommended.

The most entertaining Safari I've been on happened on an afternoon when a brief storm went through while in the queue.

Animals love the rain, that tip works zoos, too.