Kilimanjaro Safaris -- best time to see animals?

[Davey Jones II]

I'd just like to know what times of day you saw the most animals on the safari. We have fast passes for 10:45 a.m. one day and 5:20 p.m. on another. We especially want to see the big cats. We will be there at the end of October. Thanks!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I've always had the most luck first thing in the morning.

 

[megpie]

Definitely seconding early in the morning, before the temperatures really start to climb. I've also had good experiences later in the afternoon, when it starts to get a little bit cooler.

 

[Disneylover99]

We've gone several times over the last few weeks at different times. The only times we didn't see the cats was our early morning and late morning rides. We always saw them during our early/late afternoon rides and at dusk. I have to say we had really good luck seeing most of the other animals on all of our rides though.

 

[DisneyOma]

First thing in the morning, the dusk safari, or any time it is raining!

 

[Robo]

Each ride is different.
I've ridden literally dozens of times over the course of many years.
Each time of day can offer different opportunies to see the animals in various stages of activities.

 

[CAS239]

Every ride is different so it doesn't make much difference.

The only thing I can say from my experience is that around 5pm the lion's have been the most active. Usually earlier times they haven't been out and visible but I've had really good luck around 5ish to see 2 or 3 of them out moving around and heard a couple roars

 

[Klayfish]

Robo and CAS239 are right. We've been on it dozens of times, throughout different parts of the day. The correct answer is that there is no correct answer. They're wild animals, it's pure luck. We've had morning safaris that had very little to see and morning ones that were amazing. Same with later in the day. On one single ride this summer we saw...a heard of wildebeest stampeding around (in fact, they caused us to have to stop for about 15 minutes), springbok running and leaping everywhere (in reaction to the wildebeest), giraffe walk right up to our truck, the cheetah actually get up and run (not full speed, but still running), watch elephants play (this was during the 15 minutes we were waiting for the wildebeest to move/settle down), lions roar. It was the most amazing thing ever. I don't recall exactly what time it was, but I think it was late morning/early afternoon. Then later that day, we had one that was sort of meh.

It's just luck, so go whenever you can/want.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

While luck does play a role, I wouldn't exactly say its "pure luck." There is logic here behind recommending first thing in the morning or in the very late afternoon/early evening. The temperatures climb in the middle of the day so the cats are typically not going to be very active during those times. Does that mean you can't see them during those times, of course not.

 

[Fat01]

Be at Animal Kingdom at rope drop time and head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Just before the safari vehicles first start running for the morning, AK workers
place food out in the various habitats. This is first feed of the day for the animals and they will be out / eating in force along the safari route. This is prime time as far as seeing animals.

To the OP.. Animals will still be out and around at your 10:45am FP time. As the day temperatures warm up the animals seek shade and are often out of the easy viewing area.

 

[LongTimeLurker]

Be at Animal Kingdom at rope drop time and head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Just before the safari vehicles first start running for the morning, AK workers
place food out in the various habitats. This is first feed of the day for the animals and they will be out / eating in force along the safari route. This is prime time as far as seeing animals.

To the OP.. Animals will still be out and around at your 10:45am FP time. As the day temperatures warm up the animals seek shade and are often out of the easy viewing area.

I second this. We've had the best experiences this time of the day.

To the OP, if you've never been on KS, you're in for a treat because it's amazing! Anything can happen: we were stopped once because the zebras decided to pace along the safari route, they were so close we could've touched them! So a giraffe decided to come by and see what was happening, it was truly magical!

 

[bwang123]

While luck does play a role, I wouldn't exactly say its "pure luck." There is logic here behind recommending first thing in the morning or in the very late afternoon/early evening. The temperatures climb in the middle of the day so the cats are typically not going to be very active during those times. Does that mean you can't see them during those times, of course not.

If you can find out the feeding times that would help as well. We saw a lot of animals one morning because they were feeding them. BUT -- We have been at all hours and see plenty of animals so we never really care when we ride.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. We have done the ride many times, but I honestly could not remember any patterns when it comes to seeing animals. And the ride is being offered at different times now.

It looks like we'll keep the FP+ times, but also try to ride it on standby early in the morning. I hear the standby wait times are shorter now thanks to the popularity of Pandora? And if you do the Safari first thing, can you still get a decent standby time (under an hour) for Na'vi River after that?

 

[FSU Girl]

I must have terrible luck. I've been on this ride probably 100 times and all I've ever seen the big cats do is sleep. I've never rope dropped this ride, but I could see them being more active first thing when they go out there.

 

[Auntie_Maim]

Big cats are like regular cats. 90% of the time, all they do is sleep.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yup, it's just luck. There's one not so good time-that's usually about 5:00, just before certain animals go to their "night houses". Many of them get hungry, and have already wandered "off-stage" waiting for that dinner bell. I've ridden Kilimanjaro many times throughout the day. In the "old days" of paper Fastpasses, I spent days just riding KS all day, alternating between stand-by and FP rides. My record was 10 rides in one day! Yes, I kind of like the ride.

 

[Wicksleigh]

We went at dusk the last time we were there and it was really the first time we'd seen the lions up and moving around. After we had driven away and they were out of sight we heard them roar, as well. It was really awesome to hear in person!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. We have done the ride many times, but I honestly could not remember any patterns when it comes to seeing animals. And the ride is being offered at different times now.

It looks like we'll keep the FP+ times, but also try to ride it on standby early in the morning. I hear the standby wait times are shorter now thanks to the popularity of Pandora? And if you do the Safari first thing, can you still get a decent standby time (under an hour) for Na'vi River after that?

If you're there at RD, and you go straight to Safari, you will walk onto the ride without even breaking a sweat.

 

[helenm29]

No matter when I go, I never get to see the lions! anyone have any secrets to that?

 

[helenm29]

I must have terrible luck. I've been on this ride probably 100 times and all I've ever seen the big cats do is sleep. I've never rope dropped this ride, but I could see them being more active first thing when they go out there.

You guys must be so excited! Have a FANTASTIC time!