Advice needed on animal viewing restaurant

[katytrott]

My Brother in law is mad on wildlife, but due to his disability and being in a wheelchair, he can't ride the Kilamanjaro safari (has no strength in his neck). I was wondering if there is a restaurant that has views to watch animals roaming. I am thinking Boma, Jiko or Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I have tried getting info on this via their website but could find none.

Just incase it's important, we are staying offsite.

Thanks

 

[eelkmj01]

Sanaa at Kidani Village has a Savannah View.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sanaa is the only restaurant that actually has a savanna view, but it does not have one from all tables, only some tables. I don't think you are guaranteed one. You can ask when you get there but you may have to wait. The viewing is much better in daylight hours.

Boma and Jiko do not have savanna views. Both face the pool area at AKL.

 

[danielle782001]

Sanaa is the only one with a savanna view but it is very easy to see the animals if you can tour the grounds...Day would be best...You can see all sorts of animals around the property near the pool area of Jambo and Kidani...You can get an ADR there even if you are not on property...Just have to wait until the 180 day mark that you want to go the lodge area.

 

[aduck126]

not only is the view amazing the food is as well, it is Indian-African. We went for a late lunch and the place was dead, we pretty much had our pick of the tables.

 

[katytrott]

Thanks everyone - most helpful.

I was also thinking day time. We are there in August and not sure what time it starts to get dark then. I was thinking lunch may not be best time as it's heat of the day and animals may be sheltering - so was wondering early dinner about 5ish.

Any suggestions as to the best time?

 

[danielle782001]

Thanks everyone - most helpful.

I was also thinking day time. We are there in August and not sure what time it starts to get dark then. I was thinking lunch may not be best time as it's heat of the day and animals may be sheltering - so was wondering early dinner about 5ish.

Any suggestions as to the best time?

I think you would be fine...The sun does not go down until about 8ish...And your right that the heat of the day is not the best time to view...Maybe arrive around 4:00, tour a bit, eat, and then tour a bit more.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are worried about animals sheltering during hot months, these photos were taken early September 2009 from Sanaa.

 

[vinotinto]

You do not necessarily have to go to a restaurant to see the animals. The Animal Kingdom Lodge has a viewing deck that is open to anyone. when we went to Boma last year we arrived 30 minutes early and walked around the viewing deck and saw plenty of animals. There was even a CM that told us about the animals we were viewing. Having said that, I've heard the food at both Jiko and Sanaa is quite good. We're planning on going to at least one (perhaps both) in our next trip.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Also, assuming you are still planning to go to Animal Kingdom itself, there are several walking trails that are fully wheelchair-accessible--Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in Africa (African animals), Maharajah Jungle Trek in India (south/central Asian animals), the Oasis trails (animals that are cute/friendly/welcoming), and Discovery Island (mostly North/South American animals). They're all very well done and designed so you can see the animals very close up.

 

[katytrott]

Also, assuming you are still planning to go to Animal Kingdom itself, there are several walking trails that are fully wheelchair-accessible--Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in Africa (African animals), Maharajah Jungle Trek in India (south/central Asian animals), the Oasis trails (animals that are cute/friendly/welcoming), and Discovery Island (mostly North/South American animals). They're all very well done and designed so you can see the animals very close up.

Yes, my in laws do enjoy these a great deal in AK. They will be visiting AK specifically for this as they are not interested in anything else Disney It is still the African animals that he misses out on though. Thanks

 

[katytrott]

You do not necessarily have to go to a restaurant to see the animals. The Animal Kingdom Lodge has a viewing deck that is open to anyone. when we went to Boma last year we arrived 30 minutes early and walked around the viewing deck and saw plenty of animals. There was even a CM that told us about the animals we were viewing. Having said that, I've heard the food at both Jiko and Sanaa is quite good. We're planning on going to at least one (perhaps both) in our next trip.

What are the price differences between the three AK resort restaurants? I might well have a chat with my in laws and see if they are just happy to go to the viewing deck and go somewhere cheaper that doesn't have animal views.

Is there anywhere outside we could go to see animals, that is wheelchair accesible?

 

[TillyMarigold]

There are wheelchair-accessible paths out behind Jambo House, yes. I can't remember if the paths that are sort of past the Jambo House pool are accessible or not--I have a vague memory of stairs, but that seems weird in a fairly new resort. I don't know how the paths are at Kidani Village (where Sanaa is).

Boma is about the same price as Sanaa depending on what you order at the latter (since Boma is a buffet, it's fixed-price) and Jiko is quite a bit more expensive (but it's absolutely incredible).