Sunrise or Sunset Safari?

[lindeyspol]

We are travelling in June with our two boys age 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 and are trying to decide between the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris. We are planning on dining at Jiko either way since hubby is in restaurant biz and has heard such good things. My one concern is --are the animals better on the Sunrise safari? I only seem to see giraffes and ankole on the pix of the Sunset Safari. But, how much better is the Sunrise than the regular Killimanjaro one? Also, how is/what is for breakfast at Tusker House? Thanks for the opinions!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by lindeyspol
We are travelling in June with our two boys age 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 and are trying to decide between the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris. We are planning on dining at Jiko either way since hubby is in restaurant biz and has heard such good things. My one concern is --are the animals better on the Sunrise safari? I only seem to see giraffes and ankole on the pix of the Sunset Safari. But, how much better is the Sunrise than the regular Killimanjaro one? Also, how is/what is for breakfast at Tusker House? Thanks for the opinions!

Are you staying Concierge at the AKL? If so have you checked to see if there is still room left on these tours?

The sunrise safari is at the AK park the sunset safari is limited to 8 people over the age of 16yrs and is on the savannas of the AKL.

We have done the sunrise twice and will be doing it again in Jan 05 and have done the sunset this past Jan and it was great but unless you buy out the entire tour you would not be able to bring the kids.

 

[lindeyspol]

Yes, we are staying concierge. We currently have Sunrise booked but could change if need be. We would get sitter for the kids. Just trying to see which one we might prefer--although I have not heard any negative comments on either Safari.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by lindeyspol
... I only seem to see giraffes and ankole on the pix of the Sunset Safari. But, how much better is the Sunrise than the regular Killimanjaro one? Also, how is/what is for breakfast at Tusker House? Thanks for the opinions!

You're going to see more animals on the sunrise safari, hippos, elephants, lion, etc.

Since the sunset safari is at the AKL, you will only see the "hoofed" animals.

The breakfast at Tusker house is an all you can eat buffet. It has the regular scrambled eggs, sausage, etc. But also has items with an African cuisine. You may not like some items, but in general, a very good buffet.

Ed

 

[TwingleMum]

The sunset safari sounds more romantic to me. You go on a game run around AKL and I was told you stop and have cocktails with a giraffe. And then go on to have a special dinner at Jiko. Wish I was there.

 

[nasmith]

Seems like apples and oranges to me.....

Sunrise is at DAK on the Kilimanjaro safari vehicles with MANY of your closest friends and neighbors (we had 2 full ride vehicles on our safari - so that is about 30 people??) - lots of little kids- lots of info on the various animals - Giraffes, hippos, Lion, rhinos, hoofed animals.....Then we had a super yummy breakfast at Tusker house - best breakfast in WDW IMHO.....The sunrise safari is 10 times better than the regular Kilimanjaro safari because your guide stops the vehicle whenever he spies something interesting and stays put as long as needed to get a great look, plus he answers any questions you may have... - we had a Giraffe about 2 feet from our vehicle - Plus, the animals have just come out, so they are most active (we saw the lion roar - which apparently he only does first thing in the am, like a rooster) - and being the first ride vehicles of the day thru the area, many of the animals are just standing in the road, or very close to it ---

Sunset is an intimate ride around AKL (8 people total) in their specially designed ride vehicle (a van where the roof pops up and you can look out) - followed by a super yummy chef-designed dinner at Jiko - Like was previously posted, you only see the hoofed animals...

IMHO, Sunrise is more about seeing animals, Sunset is more "Romance" - plus there is the cost difference - Sunrise is about $50 each, and sunset is about $150 each.

 

[BambiTamby]

We've done the sunrise safari several times and this last March, we went on the Wanyama Safari!

nasmith explained the two safaris pretty well!
But, you are SUPER CLOSE to the hoofed animals and we witnessed an ostrich laying an egg, etc on the Wanyama safari!
Plus, the guides take you behind the scenes of the AKL and their barns, etc....

Two different "animals"!!!!

This next trip, another CL DISer and I are sharing the van and taking our children. DS is 13 and her DS is 8.
My tab will be $750...hers will be $450.
IOW....$1200 for the whole van.

And worth every penny!

 

[Tedmom]

We just returned from our trip and I am happy to report that we had a wonderful time on the sunrise safari (5/1/04). We were two adults and one well behaved 8 y/o. It was an amazing trip and we got to see a lot of wild-life upclose and personal. The trip goes on the same safari vehicles as the ones used during the Kilamanjaro safari ride -- just a lot slower and during the early a.m. hours when most of the animals are around. In fact, you could almost touch some of the animals they were so close to the safari vehicle!!! There were two fully booked safari vehicles on our trip. (approx 50 people total). The private buffet breakfast offered at the Tusker House restaurant at the end of the safari was wonderful. The chef was there to answer questions about the dishes that were offered. Most, however, were typical American offerings. This trip was well worth the $$$ spent. If you have kids who love animals as we have, it is a "must do" experience if you are staying AKL concierge. My daughter gave it two kids' thumbs up.