Kilimanjaro Safari vs African Lion Safari

[nodes101]

Trying to avoid thinking about trip cancelations, COVID-19 and all the negative stuff out there but focusing on a planned trip in October. Our kids love zoos, aquarium, and animal attractions so I did a quick search and i'm surprised this hasn't come up on the board. The question may only make much sense to people around Ontario or have been to African Lion Safari.

So acknowleging there's much more to Animal Kingdom than just the safar attraction, if you have been to both how do they compair? Specifically talking about Kilimanjaro Safari and African Lion Safari Game Reserves, is one better than the other? What DIS magic is added to make this more than just another ride through different animal habitats? Secondary question, I've also heard the animals are more active in the morning than a hot afternoon. Any validity to that?

As I mentioned we have a trip currently planned for October so hoping this all blows over by then. I'm still planning fast passes and park schedule and curious how much of a priority I should make this attraction.

 

[Raimiette]

In terms of the drving safari, I prefer African Lion Safari actually. It seems longer (perhaps because you can bring your own car and stop to get pics, take things at your leisure etc). They also have an (optional) monkey section where they climb all over your car (good or bad I suppose).

The park itself though is obviously no match but the safari aspect I like more at African Lion Safari.

 

[chicagoshannon]

We were at African Lion Safari last summer. It was AWESOME! We opted to take the bus tour because we didn't want the baboons all over our car. It was amazing seeing all the baboons on everyone else's cars. That was probably the best part. You also get a lot better views of lions.

They also have several bird shows and you can see elephants bathe in the lake. It was super neat.

Well worth the trip. If you have littles bring their swim suits because they have a big water play area.

 

[AngelDisney]

We were at African Lion Safari last summer. It was AWESOME! We opted to take the bus tour because we didn't want the baboons all over our car. It was amazing seeing all the baboons on everyone else's cars. That was probably the best part. You also get a lot better views of lions.

They also have several bird shows and you can see elephants bathe in the lake. It was super neat.

Well worth the trip. If you have littles bring their swim suits because they have a big water play area.

I drove a pickup truck last time I visited when DD was still young and the monkeys scratched the hood and both sides of the truck. Sat on the side mirrors. They left their DNAs all over the windows and wouldn’t leave as we were driving away. They stayed on the back of the truck until zoo keepers came and chased them away. It was fun but kind of scary. I had been there twice when DD was little and enjoyed it. I think they were monkeys, not baboons. I think they had tails.

 

[nodes101]

Yes i've also seen peoples vehicles get pretty messed up going through African Lion Safari. i've been several times growing up in the area and also have taken our kids now. i'm looking forward to Disney's version but I sort of expected it wouldn't be quite as good. its only a small part of Animal Kingdom but the safari drive is the main attraction here. the new(ish) splashpad for the kids is amazing though and i have a hard time getting them to leave.

Any experience on best time of day to go? Ive heard animals are more active in the morning. and do they shut it down after dark or is there evening viewing?

 

[uandmfan]

We've been several times and I think the animal experience is much better than AK. We usually take the bus through the animal areas and then take the car - and skip the monkeys.

We've also seen cool stuff from the boat and train there.

The kids LOVE the waterpark.

I think it's a great experience.

We've never done it, but they offer private (or small group) morning safaris that look really neat.

 

[isabellea]

I NEVER considered African Lion Safari (I've heard of it but never really looked into it). We finally decided to stay close this summer since I'm not even sure I will have any vacation time left come August with this confinement. I think I will add it to my list of potential things to do if we decide to visit our friends in Toronto for a long weekend (I know it's not in Toronto but Cambridge).

 

[chicagoshannon]

I drove a pickup truck last time I visited when DD was still young and the monkeys scratched the hood and both sides of the truck. Sat on the side mirrors. They left their DNAs all over the windows and wouldn’t leave as we were driving away. They stayed on the back of the truck until zoo keepers came and chased them away. It was fun but kind of scary. I had been there twice when DD was little and enjoyed it. I think they were monkeys, not baboons. I think they had tails.

you might be right about the monkeys. Is it possible they were mandrils? They weren't cute little monkeys in any case. lol We were certainly glad we took the bus! We did go a 2nd time in our car before we left but skips the monkeys.

 

[hdrolfe]

We've never been to African Lion Safari but the song is now stuck in my head.

We do love the safari ride at AK, we usually ride it a few times when we are in the park. We've done it morning and afternoon as well as early evening. You always encounter different animals. I love that they all roam around so close to the trucks, even the rhinos! AK is one of our favourite parks, maybe we'll check out african lion safari this summer, I suspect I won't have a lot of vacation days to use so a few day trips would be good. Isn't there another one like it in Quebec? Near Montreal?

 

[Donald - my hero]

We've never been to African Lion Safari but the song is now stuck in my head.

You mean THIS silly little ditty?? This is an extended commercial with the silly thing running in the background

 

[uandmfan]

There is Parc Omega near Montobello. It's more domestic animals but my kids love it

 

[isabellea]

We've never been to African Lion Safari but the song is now stuck in my head.

We do love the safari ride at AK, we usually ride it a few times when we are in the park. We've done it morning and afternoon as well as early evening. You always encounter different animals. I love that they all roam around so close to the trucks, even the rhinos! AK is one of our favourite parks, maybe we'll check out african lion safari this summer, I suspect I won't have a lot of vacation days to use so a few day trips would be good. Isn't there another one like it in Quebec? Near Montreal?

Omega in Montebello for local fauna and Parc Safari in Hemmingford for more exotic animals. You can also feed girafes and walk under the lions and tigger habitat in a glass tunnel. Hemmingford is 45min-1h south of Montreal and is right at the border with NY state.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We've done both, many times. Disney is much better! Animals have more space that seems natural/realistic, seem more content, with less ritualistic behaviour. Transitions between areas less obvious. One thing that resonated with me: Animals are at home in their space in FL year round, not like in Ontario winters where they are warehoused in the cold winter.