AKL night safari help please

[m1ckeymouse]

Hi guys

I am hoping you can help us. We are staying at AKL in August and considering the Night safari, it seems expensive for an hour but I'm sure the price is justified. If you have been please can you give me a brief outline of the tour and if you thought it was worth it?

We are taking my MIL on probably her last trip (as she finds the long flight difficult) and I know she'd love to go to Universal/IOA for the Harry Potter bits, much as we'd love to do the safari, I'd hate to spend the money for it not to be amazing and regret not putting it towards Universal tickets!

Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated

Many thanks

 

[Best Aunt]

I've done the Night Safari. I've done Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure. I've done Diagon Alley at Universal Studios.

If I could only do one of the 3, I would do Diagon Alley. And stay until after dark.

The Night Safari can be hit or miss. The first time I did it (March 2014) , we drove right up to the giraffes who were sitting down for the night. It was really cool because they just sat there while we were parked right next to them. The second time I did it (March 2015) the giraffes cooperated, but the tour guide talked... and talked... and talked... He was like a radio that i wanted to shut off. It took the magic out of it. Other people have reported that people were taking flash photos from their balconies and that spooked the animals, so the didn't get to drive right up to them.

Diagon Alley at night, waiting for the dragon to breathe fire... i get chills just thinking about it. You really feel like you're in Diagon Alley, not in a theme park.

 

[SwimMom2]

If you are interested in a safari- like experience, the night Safari is excellent. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. This tour is limited to ages 8 and up and stays on Lodge property. You will get to take turns with night vision goggles. If you are curious as to whether or not you will like the experience, I recommend visiting AKL on another night and seeking out the cast members with the night vision goggles at the overlook areas. The safari is much more in depth, but this will give you an idea.

I prefer the Sunrise Safari- we have done this twice. It goes through Kilamanjaro safari in the park early when the animals are active. You take your time, with much more photo opportunities and background info from the guides. They drop the act from the attraction and teach about the operations of the park as well as the animals. Warning- this safari is so enjoyable that it will make Kilamanjaro Safaris pale in comparison. You must be staying club level at AKL and book in advance to enjoy the Sunrise Safari.

You really can't compare these to Universal as that is a pure theme park/fantasy experience while both safaris compare to a zoo/ safari experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Wanyama Safari was excellent. Dinner at Jiko was delicious.

 

[Best Aunt]

If you are interested in a safari- like experience, the night Safari is excellent. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. This tour is limited to ages 8 and up and stays on Lodge property. You will get to take turns with night vision goggles. If you are curious as to whether or not you will like the experience, I recommend visiting AKL on another night and seeking out the cast members with the night vision goggles at the overlook areas. The safari is much more in depth, but this will give you an idea.

I prefer the Sunrise Safari- we have done this twice. It goes through Kilamanjaro safari in the park early when the animals are active. You take your time, with much more photo opportunities and background info from the guides. They drop the act from the attraction and teach about the operations of the park as well as the animals. Warning- this safari is so enjoyable that it will make Kilamanjaro Safaris pale in comparison. You must be staying club level at AKL and book in advance to enjoy the Sunrise Safari.

You really can't compare these to Universal as that is a pure theme park/fantasy experience while both safaris compare to a zoo/ safari experience.

The Sunrise Safari was great, but they don't offer it any more.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

The safari is expensive for what it is. I own at AKV and feel like I get the same thing in the viewing areas and Kilimanjaro. It is more personal, but IMO, again, expensive for what it is. I will say this however, it is a fun experience.