For those who've rode Kilimanjaro Safaris later in the day

[BeckWhy]

I've seen a lot of places say ride it early, the only time I've rode it was early. Now, my question is.. what if we don't ride it early.. how is that affecting the animals. Now if it makes a difference we are going in December.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Our best ride ever was in the afternoon, around 1ish. The elephants were playing in the mud hole, spraying eachother. It was so cool. Also lots of animals out grazing. We'll never rush right back to ride the Safari first thing again.

 

[Hitched2BellesCastle]

We tend to have better luck in the morning but the best was in the rain. Apparently most of the animals are most active then.....go figure. We had the elephants in the pond spraying water like the previous poster mentioned too.

 

[kirbsam]

count me in as a morning believer. went on it once in the late afternoon, last safari of the day at end of october. not real hot. the worst for seeing animals we have ever been on. probably just bad luck, but i will go in the morning from now on. after ee of course.

 

[Belle's Castle]

LOVE the morning and when it rains!!! When we are at AK in the rain my hubby and I head right to the safari. It seems all the animals are out playing.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

My husband and I live nearby Disney and we've been on the safari at all times of day and it's always good! I agree with the previous posters that the best animal action is definitely when it rains though. But we've been on awesome safaris at noon in the middle of summer as well. I really don't think it matters that much!

 

[CarolA]

I have had some GREAT Safaris at closing. The animals know it's closing and are heading to the barn. The elephants may disappear but I have had great Rhino, Hippo sightings then!

 

[Twende]

Our best safaris have been in the late afternoon and interestingly enough in the RAIN.

Hummmmm....I am seeing a pattern here! Rain = playful active animals.

 

[jaysue]

The one thing we noticed is that in the winter with early sunset if you wait later, many of the animals will not be visible as they will be waiting by their entry areas

cheers
jaysue

 

[Hitched2BellesCastle]

LOVE the morning and when it rains!!! When we are at AK in the rain my hubby and I head right to the safari. It seems all the animals are out playing.

Thanks honey I think they got the point with the rain and all....

 

[andromedaslove]

We always used to go in the morning and thought it was great .... until this last time. We went in the afternoon, around 4 or so, and got some of the best pictures EVER. Take a look!!!

 

[aunt kelly]

We always used to go in the morning and thought it was great .... until this last time. We went in the afternoon, around 4 or so, and got some of the best pictures EVER. Take a look!!!

You did get some great pictures! That lion in the last picture looks like he's about to attack!

Can anyone tell me what the standby lines are like later in the day?

 

[disneyaggie]

And if you go later in the day, don't forget to Fast Pass! Whew! I was glad we did on our last trip. The line was unbelievable so it was pretty sweet just walking up to the front.

 

[In a hurry]

We actually had a vehicle to ourselves, and an awesome guide at 3:00 on our last trip! We didn't see any giraffes, but we actually saw 5 cheetahs up and walking around...I always thought they were fake back there lying in the shade!

 

[DutchsMommy]

We went on Tuesday at aaround 4:10pm. We walked on to the safari truck - no line. It was during the parade so maybe that helped? It was cooler and the animals were out in force - we had a great time.

 

[Caylin]

When I first went to AK I heard that you should do the Safari first. We saw a few animals, but not overly impressive. I've always had better luck later in the day, especially with the lions. I do agree that later in the day you definitely need a fastpass!

 

[EmmaAndQuinnsMommy]

Now if I can just plan some rain for our AK day ... LOL!

 

[bethbuchall]

Our last trip was May 2004. We planned EMH mornings for the AK, because we had heard that the safari was better in the morning. As it turned out, the best safari we had was right at closing. We also were able to ride it three times in a row at the end of the day.

Beth

 

[disneytraveler]

I guess it depends . I have been on the safari in the morning and seen lots
of animals but last last year during emh evening i saw lot more and a variety.

 

[bjakmom]

We had a great ride late in the day - watched the parade from right in front of the Safari - the parade starts there - as soon as the parade passed we walked right on to the Safari - I had the back row all to myself so I could slide back and forth, taping the animals on both sides! Hope we get a rain shower in June so we can try that - the savannah animals at AKL love to play in the rain, too !