Safari before or after Wild Africa Trek?

[klam_chowder]

I think it'd be fun to see the safari from both perspectives of where you were or can go compared to the Safari...do you think it's better to go before or after? Anyone have first hand experience?

Booked the 11:30 WAT if that makes a difference.

Any insight much appreciated!

cheers,

 

[michelepa]

I know this won't answer your question because I have not experienced WAT ... yet ~but when we go this August I'm planning on an early morning ressie for WAT and then going back to the hotel for a bit, returning mid-afternoon to AK for the rides, including the evening safari that will start in the spring (hopefully). Also, Tiffins will be open by our trip (hopefully) so I'm planning on a dinner package (if it's offered) and then watching Rivers of Light evening show.

Depending on when you're trip is scheduled my plan might be something that interests you as well.

 

[kiford]

Go before. If you're lucky, you might see a group going over the rope bridge from the ground (we did) and it will give you an idea of what you'll get to experience and also where to look when you're on the bridge to see the safari trucks. It also gives you a much better appreciation when you do the WAT as to how much more you get to see on the trek than what you see on the Safari. It will also give you a bit better perspective on the lay of the land because on the WAT you come down to the savannah at a totally different location and it's hard to figure out where you are in comparison to where you go through on the Safari. Also, you can get a look at where the building is where you'll end the tour.

 

[klam_chowder]

michelepa, thx for sharing your plans. You should have better luck as those 3 new offerings are marked for spring...hopefully, even if it slides, it won't be to August - good luck with them! I'll have a keen eye out for them and will be delighted if I get to experience them.

kiford, great points...I've mapped out my day with your suggestion and looking fwd to going before!

Thx a mint both for taking the time to reply.

 

[Hopefully]

We've done The Wild Africa trek & if you want to do the safari too I would do it first.

 

[Asc341]

Another vote for doing Kilimanjaro Safaris before your WAT. We were pretty tired after our trek!

 

[Mouselovejess]

I would def do the safari first. That way you experience two different things. If you do WAT first you will know what to expect on the safari. Both are amazing! Good luck!

 

[klam_chowder]

Thx a mint all for the unanimous confirmation - Safari-first FP+ booked!

cheers,

 

[sayuracodfish]

We are going on the trek in May, but Disney doesn't seem to offer much information - can any of you who have been tell me where to meet for the tour? All I've been able to gather is at the "Harambe Meeting Place" and I'm not sure where that is - close to the Safari entrance? Thank you!!!

 

[georgina]

We are going on the trek in May, but Disney doesn't seem to offer much information - can any of you who have been tell me where to meet for the tour? All I've been able to gather is at the "Harambe Meeting Place" and I'm not sure where that is - close to the Safari entrance? Thank you!!!

I just did the trek in September, and don't recall a problem finding the location. Disney may have sent more information prior, I can't remember, but yes, the checkin was near the Safari entrance.

To the OP, I also did the Safari prior to my 11:30 tour (and Kali rapids after the tour!)

 

[kiford]

We are going on the trek in May, but Disney doesn't seem to offer much information - can any of you who have been tell me where to meet for the tour? All I've been able to gather is at the "Harambe Meeting Place" and I'm not sure where that is - close to the Safari entrance? Thank you!!!

Yes, I was a little worried about the lack of information of where to meet and I had no confirmation. My TA said that I was supposed to get an e-mail but I didn't. So we went a little early to see if I could figure out where to meet. There is an entrance to the right (I think it was to the right - it's close anyway) of the Kilimanjaro Safari normal entrance that has a podium and (I think) has a sign mentioning the Trek. There was a person out front with a clipboard and I checked with her to confirm that we were on the list which we were. We then just came back about 15-20 minutes before our scheduled time. We were the first ones there. They take you into that entrance, sign some paperwork, kit you out, give you a locker to put your stuff in because there's very little you're allowed to take with you unless it's able to fit onto a clip on your harness, and give you all the information and instructions you need.

You can take a camera with you but it has to fit onto that clip. DH has a huge SLR camera which he couldn't take with him so he had to take my little point-and-shoot which was small enough and had a strap that could clip onto the vest. We probably didn't need that, though, because photos are included with the package and one of the guides has an SLR and takes tons of photos which you then just download aftewards. Though I will say that one of the best pictures they took was of DH taking a picture on the rope bridge of the crocs. He spends his entire vacation behind the lens of a camera so, to me, it is a picture that represents our typical vacation.

You also get a water bottle that clips onto your vest which is then yours to keep so you don't even need to bring your own.

I've been past that entrance dozens of times but never noticed the Trek entrance or the signage because I simply wasn't looking for it and didn't really know what it was. Once you're looking for it, it's easy to find.

 

[roselark]

We are going on the trek in May, but Disney doesn't seem to offer much information - can any of you who have been tell me where to meet for the tour? All I've been able to gather is at the "Harambe Meeting Place" and I'm not sure where that is - close to the Safari entrance? Thank you!!!

Yes, near the Safari entrance.

 

[SharonLowe]

If you have never done the safari before, definitely do it before the trek. It will be more magical that way. The Trek is great fun and the snack they provide is really good. We did the Trek the first year they offered it and I would say it is much better now - better organized and the information the guides provide is more informative. They do include photos but I encourage you to take a small camera and take your own too.

To add to Kiford's great advice, you will only be able to take your phone if their clips work on it. They even make you take off your magic band - that's how concerned they are that something will fall into the animals' homes.

 

[jennab113]

I was able to take my phone because my case was rubber and they could thread a small strap through one of the speaker holes and connect it to my vest. I loved all the pictures they took, but having a few of my own was amazing.

There is a big sign that says Wild Africa Trek, so if you're walking towards the regular safari, you really can't miss it.

I did the regular safari a couple days after my trek and it was really disappointing honestly. It felt like we were going so fast. I was definitely spoiled by being able to stop near animals and just watch for a few minutes.

 

[sayuracodfish]

Thank you all! Feeling much better now One more question...regarding the pictures...do you have to have photopass to be able to get the pictures or are they included in the price of the tour? Thank you again...I can always count on the DISers!!

 

[GaryDis]

Would it be reasonable to just skip the safari if you're doing the Wild Africa Trek? Especially if you did it once, 15 years ago?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Would it be reasonable to just skip the safari if you're doing the Wild Africa Trek? Especially if you did it once, 15 years ago?

it is never reasonable to skip the safari!!!

 

[jennab113]

Thank you all! Feeling much better now One more question...regarding the pictures...do you have to have photopass to be able to get the pictures or are they included in the price of the tour? Thank you again...I can always count on the DISers!!

They're included in the price of the tour, so you don't have to have photopass. They give you a piece of paper with the website and a number on it at the end of the tour and the pictures are available within a couple days.

There are parts of the regular safari that aren't covered by the Trek safari, I think, so I'd still recommend doing it.

 

[sayuracodfish]

They're included in the price of the tour, so you don't have to have photopass. They give you a piece of paper with the website and a number on it at the end of the tour and the pictures are available within a couple days.

There are parts of the regular safari that aren't covered by the Trek safari, I think, so I'd still recommend doing it.

Thank you!!!

 

[mickeymom629]

Would it be reasonable to just skip the safari if you're doing the Wild Africa Trek? Especially if you did it once, 15 years ago?

I try to go twice in one day at AK, if I can!!