Kilimanjaro Safari: best time?

[kniquy]

If you want to hit it first thing in the morning then it saves your FP for something else. When we went, we hit pizzafari for breakfast and then made our way over to the safari - at that point it was probably around 9:30 and the wait -- only 5 minutes. We saw plenty of animals.

 

[stazmatic]

The night safaris are the best our family has seen. The animals are SO active and kind of acting crazy. We saw all of the animals, and lots of chasing, roaring, playful behavior, etc that I have never seen during the day.

 

[GC&S]

We usually go in the am. But the best time we had was last year when it was raining. Safari was still open and there was no waiting. Besides the three of us there were 3 other people in our jeep. The animals were having a blast in the rain and our guide stopped several times just so we could watch. I think it's the only time we've seen the Lion and lioness actually moving!! The elephants looked like they were dancing in the rain. We were soaked by the time we got done but it was a blast!!

 

[BelleWannabe4]

I haven't been on a nighttime safari, but I used to work there. I think that early morning is the best time. It's also hard during peak times because there are so many trucks on the track that they have to keep a certain pace. If the park is a little less busy, there's some more room between the trucks which can make it more enjoyable. Also, if its raining the baby elephants are normally really active! It's a lot of fun but you will get soaked.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Unfortunately I haven't been on the nighttime safari yet. It kind of bugs me that you can only book FP+ for KS once, so you have to choose day OR night. I wish they offered two FP options for that, day KS or night KS. But I understand that it really isn't feasible as well as doing that might open a can of worms. For the nighttime safari, how long is the standby line. We're early to bed people so I'd hate to hang around until after dark only to find long lines.

 

[Robo]

Unfortunately I haven't been on the nighttime safari yet. It kind of bugs me that you can only book FP+ for KS once, so you have to choose day OR night. I wish they offered two FP options for that, day KS or night KS. But I understand that it really isn't feasible as well as doing that might open a can of worms. For the nighttime safari, how long is the standby line. We're early to bed people so I'd hate to hang around until after dark only to find long lines.

You can wait and book the nighttime Safari as a 4th or 5th FP at DAK.
There are very few "needed" FP at DAK right now.
That may change if they ever decide to run the (near mythical) Rivers of Light.

Also, when they open Pandora, the must-do FP+ will likely be at least one of the attractions in that section.

 

[hakepb]

During or immediately after it rains is the best time for a safari. Most animals love the rain, so they are normally more active when it's raining.

 

[disnut8]

During or immediately after it rains is the best time for a safari. Most animals love the rain, so they are normally more active when it's raining.

Totally agree. Doing the Safari in the rain is great. We once saw the wildebeests just tromping along during a very heavy rain and they were a ton of them (or so it seemed). The giraffes also liked that day because the tree branches were heavier so closer to the ground.

 

[mickeyway]

Anytime is great! But after 3 if it is not extremely hot is great time to go. shorter lines and animals are up and about

 

[d-train]

Best ride I had was late afternoon, during a light rain. The rain cooled everything down for a bit, the animals were more active, we stayed dry on the truck, and got a rainbow over the savanna!

Good luck planning that though...lol! Lucked out on that day.