nighttime safari tour

[KnJ]

Has anyone done the nighttime safari tour at akl? what were your thoughts on it? Thinking of doing it when we stay at akl in september

 

[colagirl]

I don't know if this is exactly what you are referring to, but 4 years ago when we were there with extended family (group of 10) we did the early evening safari tour and then had a buffet dinner at Tusker House. (And I guess you meant something at the lodge itself, not at AK - sorry!) The safari itself was slightly different than the regular safari - guides spent more time stopped at various places. The animals were fairly active, and moving around, largely because I think many of them were ready to be fed.

 

[nkereina]

I don't know if this is exactly what you are referring to, but 4 years ago when we were there with extended family (group of 10) we did the early evening safari tour and then had a buffet dinner at Tusker House. (And I guess you meant something at the lodge itself, not at AK - sorry!) The safari itself was slightly different than the regular safari - guides spent more time stopped at various places. The animals were fairly active, and moving around, largely because I think many of them were ready to be fed.

This is a different thing. Bumping for you, OP, because I'm interested too. I can't find much info on it. One review I saw (from a google search, I stumbled on it) had an overall positive review but still not sure if I want to make room in plans for it.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

This is copied from our IPO email we got last week. Hope it helps.

Liz




WANYAMA SAFARI

Wanyama Safari is an approximately one-and-a-half hour safari experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge where our guests will experience a re-creation of a true African afternoon game drive. Your safari will conclude with a true Family Style African dining experience at Jiko, just like the lodges in Africa where a multi-course meal will await you, which may include a complimentary wine pairing if you are over 21 years of age.

Safaris are offered daily. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The cost of this experience is $190.64, which includes all taxes and gratuity. A small contribution to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is also included. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply so a credit card is required at time of booking. Admission is limited to 12 Guests and can be reserved 180 days in advance of arrival.

Safaris are subject to minimum booking requirements. Jiko will present a check at the end of the meal. No meal packages or discounts can be used to pay for this event.

Date Requested________ Names of Safari party members (with ages of children):



DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE NIGHT VISION SAFARI

Join one of our Animal Programs Cast Members on an hour long Safari Experience at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This experience takes place after dark and is reminiscent of a nighttime African Game Drive through the savannas. All guests will have use of night vision goggles to make the most of their viewing experience.

Safaris are offered nightly, seven days a week. Guests must be 8 years of age or older. The cost of this experience is $74.55 and a portion of this amount will be donated to Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply and full payment is due at time of booking. Admission is limited to 10 Guests and can be reserved 180 days in advance of arrival.

Date Requested________ Names of Safari party members (with ages of children):





Dine with an Animal Specialist. . .An “Untamed Lunch” at Sanaa

A unique and personal opportunity to interact with Disney's Animal Experts while immersed in the culture that is Africa. Enjoy a 4-course menu featuring savory African cooking with Indian flavors in our East African spice market displaying handcrafted, artisan decor.

This experience is offered on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The cost of this experience is $49.00 for Guests ages 10 and older and $29.00 for Guests ages 8-9. Children ages 8-9 will have a special kid’s menu available. Applicable tax and 18% gratuity will automatically be added to checks. The cost also includes a $5.00 contribution to Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund. 48 hour cancellation policy does apply and full payment is due at time of booking. Admission is limited to 12 Guests and can be reserved 180 days in advance of arrival.

Date Requested________ Names of Safari party members (with ages of children)

 

[sndral]

I have done the Wanyama afternoon/evening safari/dinner @ Jiko ($190 or so each) and it is lovely.
I have done the lunch with an animal specialist @ Sanaa @ Kidani once - also very enjoyable.
I hope to do the new night vision goggle safari this coming December - and would also be interested in hearing from those who have done it.

 

[figment_jii]

I've also done the Wanyama Safari and it was well worth the price. I wrote up a pretty detailed review (link is in my Signature).

In terms of the Night Vision Tour, my family through about doing it, but we ultimately decided to skip the tour. AKL sets up an area where you can borrow a pair of night vision goggles. You can't take the goggles with you and wander around the resort, so you'll only be able to look at the animals in that area (it was overlooking the Uzima Savanna when I was there), but it was still fun and it was free.

 

[Best Aunt]

I've done the Night Vision Goggles Tour twice. Last year the night vision goggles were useless. This year they had new ones. They weren't exactly goggles; you just looked through one eye. The tour guide showed me that I could hold it up to the lens on my iPhone, and take a picture through it. I will post the picture later.

As to whether it's worth it -- I think it's magical. It's dark out. The giraffes are sitting down. Your vehicle stops right next to them, and they just sit there. It feels kind of surreal. You would not get the same effect by using the goggles at the overlook to view the animals in the distance.

 

[Best Aunt]

 

[DisCatGirl]

I have done Wanyama twice. Really worth the time and money. The dinner at Jiko flowing the safari is just amazing - interesting, delicious food and tasty wine pairings. I highly recommend it.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

Subbing.
We are doing the night vision tour in two weeks. I'll try to remember and post my thoughts after we do it.

 

[KnJ]

Subbing.
We are doing the night vision tour in two weeks. I'll try to remember and post my thoughts after we do it.

Cant wait to hear your experience!

 

[vikster1]

cool night vision pics

 

[wlake]

My DH and DS (he was 8 at the time) did the night vision safari last year while my older DS and I ran the Expedition Everest race. They loved it! It was rainy, so they were given ponchos (and glow in the dark bracelets), but even with the weather the animals still came close to the truck. I seem to remember them talking a lot about a baby giraffe…. There's a limited number of people allowed (10? 12?). I can't remember exactly what the safari leader did at AK, but they learned lots of interesting facts about the park as well as the animals. My DH felt it was worth it, but did say he thought it would be possible to go out and not see much at all, or to go out and have an even better safari than they had -- it all depends on the night. DS talked about it for weeks, so for our family (or at least that half of it), it was worth it.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

I'm back.
We did the night vision safari Monday night. DH opted for sleep so it was just DD (13) and I.
We met in the lobby of Sanaa and were given glow in the dark silicone bracelets. We boarded the truck with about 8 other guests. The seats are cushioned and DD had a pillow with her since she is recovering from spinal fusion and bumpy can be tough. We had perfect weather. We entered on Uzima savannah and finished in sunset savanna. It lasted an hour.
We saw just about every animal on the savannas. The driver would look from them and stop giving everyone a chance to take pictures and ask questions of the guide. The guide was very knowledgeable about the animals. The best was the giraffe. There are only five there and we saw all five at one point or another. They have no fear of the truck. And we were very close to them. At one point, Luna giraffe, tried to stick her head into the truck and almost did, that's how close we were. The giraffe practically followed the truck though the savannas.
We took pictures through the binocular (one eye) and I found I got better pictures using my iPhone than my camera. No flash allowed.
DD loved it and it was very cool. I'm very happy we did it and I feel it was totally worth it. It is one of those things that I would do only once. You do run the risk of not seeing much. We were very fortunate.

 

[Best Aunt]

The seats are cushioned and DD had a pillow with her since she is recovering from spinal fusion and bumpy can be tough.

I forgot about that. We did Wanyama and Night Vision tours, and I remember one (or both?) being very bumpy. My friend was not in great health and had a lot of surgeries lately, so I was worried about it.

Edited to add: I just heard from my friend, and I asked her. She said Night Safari was bumpier than Wanyama.

 

[LoveToTravel2001]

I forgot about that. We did Wanyama and Night Vision tours, and I remember one (or both?) being very bumpy. My friend was not in great health and had a lot of surgeries lately, so I was worried about it.

Edited to add: I just heard from my friend, and I asked her. She said Night Safari was bumpier than Wanyama.

Night safari was very bumpy. Probably because it's difficult to see the road.

 

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

We did the Night Safari in December 2013 and loves it. I think it was fairly new back then. We were the only 3 guests that had booked that evening so we basically had a private tour and our guide really focused on my daughters love for giraffes! As mentioned, the animals are not afraid of the trucks and we were extremely close to some amazing wildlife. That said, I probably would not do it again for fear any subsequent tours would not "live up" to our previous experience

 

[lelesansan]

Hoping to do the night vision this year!!

 

[Garretsoccer2]

I'm back.
We did the night vision safari Monday night. DH opted for sleep so it was just DD (13) and I.
We met in the lobby of Sanaa and were given glow in the dark silicone bracelets. We boarded the truck with about 8 other guests. The seats are cushioned and DD had a pillow with her since she is recovering from spinal fusion and bumpy can be tough. We had perfect weather. We entered on Uzima savannah and finished in sunset savanna. It lasted an hour.
We saw just about every animal on the savannas. The driver would look from them and stop giving everyone a chance to take pictures and ask questions of the guide. The guide was very knowledgeable about the animals. The best was the giraffe. There are only five there and we saw all five at one point or another. They have no fear of the truck. And we were very close to them. At one point, Luna giraffe, tried to stick her head into the truck and almost did, that's how close we were. The giraffe practically followed the truck though the savannas.
We took pictures through the binocular (one eye) and I found I got better pictures using my iPhone than my camera. No flash allowed.
DD loved it and it was very cool. I'm very happy we did it and I feel it was totally worth it. It is one of those things that I would do only once. You do run the risk of not seeing much. We were very fortunate.

Sorry to bump this back up, but seeing as you just did this, I was curious: are they still giving guests glow-in-the-dark Disney Conservation Hero buttons at the completion of the tour?

 

[brandyleeann]

I wish the age restriction was not 8+! This sounds fabulous and I would love my little ones to experience it!