question about the animals at AKL

[afsi3838]

Hey all! gonna be spending the last couple of nights of our vacation at AKL savannah view (very very excited ), and was wondering if animals are always out? I know that the time of day depends on what animals you'll see, but i was wondering if they head back at midnight or something to their "beds?"

I stay up till all odd hours of the night and would love to be able to sit out and just watch the animals.
thanks in advance,

 

[TDC Nala]

The animals are back in their enclosures in midafternoon, not at night. I've seen lots of zebras and cattle out in the moonlight.

 

[afsi3838]

thanks for the repy

 

[bunnyfoo]

Sometimes if you're looking for a particular animal, you'll have to try different viewing locations. From our balcony, we saw lots of cattle and giraffe but no zebra ...

 

[DisneyMim]

We've seen lots of animals from our balcony. I too am up until very late and I loved going out on the balcony and watching the animals. They have these wonderful lights on the savannah at night. You could actually hear the animals munching on leaves. Everything is so quiet and still, it's my favorite time to animal watch there. I would find myself getting up at all hours just to peek out and see what animals were out there. We find AKL to be a wonderful experience. Hope you do too!!

Have a Wonderful Trip!!!

 

[Harambe]

OMG! You guys are driving me crazy! Just 28 more days! I even asked for small high powered binnoculars for Christmas so I can sit on the balcony, drink good South African wine, and watch the animals!

 

[Miffy]

For everyone going to AKL: Make sure if you're in the lodge around noon to walk out to the far end of the Zebra Trail, go on the outdoor staircase to the 2nd floor and prepare to be amazed! The animals from the Arusha Savannah go in for a couple of hours in the afternoon and they all hang out here waiting for the gates to open at about 12:15 pm. This location is also right next to the Uzima Savannah, where lots of animals are also hanging out at that time of day. You get the Arusha crowd (wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, elands, gemsbok, and ankole cattle) along with a lot of the Uzima crowd (we saw giraffes, Tommies, blesbok, the baby ankole cow! (1 month old and adorable), and lots of birds)...all in one place at the same time! AWESOME!

We've been back since Sunday night and I'm already trying to figure out how soon we can return.

Enjoy your stays at AKL--our favorite WDW resort.

--miffy--

 

[#1hockeymom]

I'll see you there Harmabe! We'll be at CBR (unless I can get AP rates elsewhere) the 15-17 and AKL concierge the 17-20th! I also reminded my son just five minutes ago to remember to bring the binoculars! I loved the visit I had with my mother there in November!

Debbie

 

[f-LORI-da]

Originally posted by Miffy
For everyone going to AKL: Make sure if you're in the lodge around noon to walk out to the far end of the Zebra Trail, go on the outdoor staircase to the 2nd floor and prepare to be amazed! The animals from the Arusha Savannah go in for a couple of hours in the afternoon and they all hang out here waiting for the gates to open at about 12:15 pm. This location is also right next to the Uzima Savannah, where lots of animals are also hanging out at that time of day. You get the Arusha crowd (wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, elands, gemsbok, and ankole cattle) along with a lot of the Uzima crowd (we saw giraffes, Tommies, blesbok, the baby ankole cow! (1 month old and adorable), and lots of birds)...all in one place at the same time! AWESOME!

We've been back since Sunday night and I'm already trying to figure out how soon we can return.

Enjoy your stays at AKL--our favorite WDW resort.

--miffy--

Great tip, miffy. Thanks!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I don't know how I missed that line, Miffy! The baby was born! My mother and I watched the ankole family for literally HOURS, hoping we'd see the new baby being born. It didn't happen during our stay, but she was over-due! What happened to "jr" ankole? He really wanted his mom and dad around when we were there. I felt bad knowing he was going to be displaced very quickly! I can't wait to see the new baby!

 

[pogo791]

Miffy,
Many thanks for the great tip! We're going to AKL in 37 days (yay!) and have been planning, planning, planning - but we'd never come across any info about animals lined up at the gate, waiting to punch in for work. We'll have to take a few extra rolls of film for that sight alone... It's inside info like yours that really makes this such a special board!

 

[wannabee princess]

One of our favorite things to do was to come back from the parks at the end of the evening and walk straight to our balcony to watch the animals!

We got back from the MVMCP around 1:00 and just stood on the balcony watching the 3 zebra eat right below us! It was awesome to see this the first night we were there (we didn't get to bed until almost 2:00!).

Miffy- you just gave me a perfect "excuse" to return to AKL SOON!! (we just left on Sunday too )

 

[Miffy]

Hi #1hockeymom. The "jr" ankole, whom we spent a great deal of time gazing at in January, was not on the savannahs last week. I think they're giving him a break--or maybe they're purposely keeping the 2 kids apart. The baby is so cute!

--miffy--

 

[#1hockeymom]

Thank you for the update, Miffy! I am really looking forward to seeing the new baby. I hope "Jr" is doing ok and not crying for his momma!

 

[Dee & Greg]

When we were there in Sept the ankole "family" slept under our window... You could see them lying under the tree in the moonlight.. it was fantastic!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

The baby was born Sunday before Thanksgiving! 3 days before we arrived. Baby and mom were RIGHT outside out balcony! They are in the background of our Christmas card picture with 2 Giraffes stooped over and checking baby out! We saw it nurse quite a bit. I forget the babies name(I think I was told it!?). The bellhop did not even know if they had the device on him yet to prevent him from crossing the metal "zapper" thingie.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I missed the birth by five days! I can't wait to go back! What does my counter say? Are they still on the Uzima savannah? Does anyone know what Savannah "Jr" is on?

Debbie

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Yes! Uzima! We were on the end of uzima with a view of Arusha to our left! The barn was straight ahead and behind the trees from our room. It was a great view and we enjoyed watching the mama nurture Jr. and make sure the Giraffes did him no harm! Very interesting encounters amongst the animals!