Does it really matter what time you ride Safari?

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The best safari I ever experienced was at sunset right after a big storm. Not for the animal activity- as others have said, Disney tries to ensure there is some activity most of the time- but for the amazing colors of the sky and how the savanna looked in that lighting. I timed my fastpass exactly right (I actually checked precise sunset times) and I got lucky with the end of the storm.

I’d recommend a sunset safari, if it fits your plans. Beautiful.

 

[Alpineslide]

I'd avoid the night time safari. The animals may be out, but you can't see them.

We had a great time doing the Safari at night. We saw tons of animals all over the place, but it’s going to change each and every time you do it.

 

[LMA712014]

During our February trip we road the Safari twice - once around park opening (8ish am) and once around 530/6.

We saw lots of animals both times. The elephants weren’t out in the evening, and some of the baby animals are put in around 11/12.

If either of those are important I’d say do it first thing in the am!

 

[aimfon]

We have always done the safari first thing in the morning, but our last trip we had a noon fast pass for it and it was by far our best safari ride we’ve ever done. Many animals were out, giraffes were so close, could have reached out and touched one. We had to stop for a minute for the rhinos to cross the road. Saw the new baby hippo. It was great!

 

[Summer2018]

For most animals visible, I've heard first thing in the morning...at dusk...etc. Our plan would put us with a noon FP during the first week of May to avoid too much park criss-crossing. Will this time likely diminish our chances of seeing animals?

We went late morning in 80 degree weather, and the animals were sacked out just lying around. I wish we had gone early morning or dusk.