Animal Kingdom or AKL question

[ConnecticutNonna]

Hi
I'm planning an adult trip for just DD and myself in March.
There used to be a early am safari leaving out of AKL that is no longer done.
Does anyone know of any tours, etc that are similar. She would really like to be up close and personal with the animals. (Feeding etc?)
Not sure Disney offers anything like this and I haven't been able to ferret (forgive the pun) out any info.
If anyone knows anything PLEASE help!
I am willing to switch up resorts from BC club level to AKL club level if there is a possibility she could have an experience like this.
Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

There is no feeding of animals except by the CMs. You might try the Wanyama Safari that is held on the lodge savanna and ends with dinner at Jiko. Very nice evening. It starts around 4PM with light appetizers at Jiko, then you board the truck and go around the savanna with the CMs and then return to Jiko for a family style dinner. We had an excellent dinner and trip around the savanna when we did this. We had some very nice dinner companions as well.

And you can just get close to the animals by watching them from Kadani Village or Jambo House. Both have viewing areas where you can sit and watch the animals.

You might also try the Wild Africa Trek at the AK. You get a body harness put on before you board the truck where you drive around the savanna. Then you get out and walk across the rope bridge over the Nile crocodiles to the area behind the hippos. You get to see the hippos up close, then reboard the truck to continue on the savanna. You then disembark the truck at the boma where you are served a light African snack on the boma. Reboard the truck and head back to where you started. My son's roommate used to work as a guide on this attraction, but he has moved to California and left Disney. We did it once and it was really, really nice.

 

[Best Aunt]

I agree with Wanyama Safari. I have done it twice. You can get great pictures, and the food is really good. As Deb & Bill said, you will be eating "family style" with everyone who was on your tour.

There are other tours you might want to consider:
- Backstage Tales
- Caring for Giants
- Savor the Savanna
- Sense of Africa
- Starlight Safari
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/

Caution about Caring for Giants: the elephants have a lot of room to roam, and they might not get very close to where you go on this tour. My understanding is that it's possible that you won't even see an elephant, and you don't get your money back. Fortunately we got to see baby Stella and her Mom, as well as other elephants when I did this tour in March.

The experience you have on Starlight Safari depends a lot on the driver of the vehicle. I have done this twice as well. The first time was magical. It was quiet, we parked next to the giraffes who were sitting down for the night. Amazing. The second time we had a driver who would not shut up. It was not magical at all.

I did Backstage Tales quite a while ago. I liked being behind the scenes. I did not like this part: "learn how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation and animal well-being." It seems like Disney felt they could not just make this tour enjoyable, they had to try to make it educational as well. It feels forced. I can learn elsewhere. It seemed like a waste of my limited Disney time. (This part was in a classroom setting.)

You can google reviews.

Ask about discounts if you have an Annual Pass, a Chase Disney credit card, or are a DVC member.

 

[sndral]

Yes, Wanyama is a great experience for animal lovers & I think I read that it's open to non AKL guests these days.
We enjoyed lunch w/ an animal husbandry CM @ Sanaa, however, it focuses on discussion of animals & animal programs at AK/AKL rather than actual interaction w/ animals so may not be a good fit for OP.

 

[loves to dive]

Another vote for Wanyama and yes, it's open non AKL guests now.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thank you all,
DH and I have been to AKL to Sanaa and Boma as well as just ambling around the property looking at the animals.
That's always been enough for me. DD wanted to do something more with the animals.
Several years ago we took the grands (her oldest 2 children) to Busch Gardens and went on a safari there, where we DID get to feed the giraffes
and had a great time. I think she was hoping to do something such as this.
I really appreciate all the answers you gave me, I will have her read these posts and she can decide for both of us.
Sparkle on,
NonnaT