AK's Wild Safari Trek ?

[Tia1977]

We booked this for our trip in June bc of our 12yr old DD. While we're still excited, the info I'm coming across just focuses on the hippos, swinging bridge, crocs, & lunch. Will we get to see any other animals more up close than the regular Safari truck ride? Is the extra $$ for those things alone?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We booked this for our trip in June bc of our 12yr old DD. While we're still excited, the info I'm coming across just focuses on the hippos, swinging bridge, crocs, & lunch. Will we get to see any other animals more up close than the regular Safari truck ride? Is the extra $$ for those things alone?

DH did the tour a few years ago

Basically it was a walking tour for the first part I think they started with the hippos (so they did not do the Little Atori (sp?) forest with the Okapi, black rhinos etc)

then they did the bridge(s) and the Nile crocs. The rest of it was more of a personalized safari tour. Each person was asked their favorite animal and the truck spent more time in those animal areas a bit off the beaten trail so to speak.

 

[pednurse]

My daughter (11 yrs old at the time) & I did this in Oct 2013. You will not be disappointed---it was totally worth the $$. You start out on a walking portion, behind the scenes from where the safari trucks go. During your stops with the hippos & crocs, a CM speaks with you in detail about the care of those animals & answers questions. During those stops you are harnessed and can literally step to the very edge of the ledge above these animals & get closer to them than you could ever imagine. The 2 rope bridges are a thrill themselves, going above the road the safari trucks are on & above the crocs.....quite high up (once again you are harnessed in for safety). It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but even the most timid person in our group enjoyed the thrill. There's a max of 12 people in each tour group---we had 8, including us---so there's lots of time to get questions answered by the 2 tour guides. After the crocs, you get out of the harnesses & into a much smaller safari truck for the next portion. This truck pulls over & stops frequently so everyone has a chance to really watch the animals close up & get some awesome pictures. While stopped to see the cheetahs (my daughter's favorite), a couple of rhinos came up behind us & actually made contact with the truck, at which point everyone quickly sat down and the truck moved on. Part-way through the driving part, you will pull off & have a light meal at a hut in the middle of the savannah by the giraffes & flamingos. There's plenty of time to eat & enjoy watching the animals---you can see quite a few from this location. After eating, you get back on the safari vehicle to continue the tour, once again making frequent stops. It was a very awesome experience that was well worth the money & I wouldn't hesitate to schedule to do it again the next chance we get to go to WDW.

 

[jcjen519]

Has anyone taken a younger child on this? I had thought there was an age limit on this but some of the ak cms were telling us that people have taken young kids on it a lot and that our son would be fine. He is five. I'm considering doing this in March. I will call and talk to disney but was curious if anyone on here had any info too

 

[izzylovesmickey]

DH & I did this in Sept. It was worth every penny. You will be much closer than you would be with the regular Safari. We had a great view of the hippos. The guides fed them to bring them closer to where you will stand. The rope bridge is fun (and I am not a fan of heights!) and they take pictures as you cross. We were really lucky and one of the giraffes was probably 15 feet away while we ate. It was certainly an up close and personal experience. The food was good and the guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed it so much that we will do it again with our young adult kids this summer.

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Has anyone taken a younger child on this? I had thought there was an age limit on this but some of the ak cms were telling us that people have taken young kids on it a lot and that our son would be fine. He is five. I'm considering doing this in March. I will call and talk to disney but was curious if anyone on here had any info too

You can not bring a 5 year old. The youngest allowed is 8. I know because I waited until my son turned 8 and then we went on it. It was well worth the wait. So only a couple more years for your little one. I believe on the disney website they tell you the age. You also have to sign waivers before going on the trek. I agree with their age limit. A younger child would not be able to maneuver the walking part. They also require the 8 year old to be over 48 inches.

 

[kiford]

Pednurse does a great synopsis of the tour from start to finish. We thought it was well worth the cost and would definitely do it again. I loved it, the food was very good and the time that you spent with the animals up very close was great. The guides were excellent and a huge source of information. Probably the best thing we did the whole trip.

 

[PeanutButterMom]

You can not bring a 5 year old. The youngest allowed is 8. I know because I waited until my son turned 8 and then we went on it. It was well worth the wait. So only a couple more years for your little one. I believe on the disney website they tell you the age. You also have to sign waivers before going on the trek. I agree with their age limit. A younger child would not be able to maneuver the walking part. They also require the 8 year old to be over 48 inches.

Exactly - I would wait until 10-use to really enjoy all the aspects of it. There is also minimum weight and height restrictions (45 lbs and 48") due to the harnesses and the rope bridge.

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you everyone for your time