Wild Africa Trek Tips

[MrsPrice]

Hello,

We are going to be doing the Wild Africa Trek next month and wanted to know of any tips for those who have done it before.
Thanks a bunch!

 

[Oneanne]

You'll love it!

When I took the tour I was concerned about taking pictures because I only use the camera on my iPhone but didn't have it in a case with a strap, so I knew I couldn't use it as everything has to be attached to you. But the guides take a ton on pictures which you'll get, so it wasn't an issue. Lunch at the boma was a memory of a lifetime.... we had a giraffe nibbling on grass right beside us and it was just magical. Can't think of any specific tips... hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I loved it too! The guides were great and pretty much memorized everyone's names immediately so would call us by name.

Everything you have with you needs to be attached to the vest somehow. They will hook up your sunglasses straps to hang around your neck. For my phone, they were able to loop a strap through one of the openings in the case. I saw someone else had a large DSLR camera that they made sure was secure with a neck strap. You also get a metal water bottle (which you keep), and hooks to your vest. They have lockers at the entrance for you to store anything else. It will be about 2 hrs into the tour before you have access to a bathroom, so keep that in mind (but the guides make sure to remind you when you check in).

The tour starts going through the front half of Gorilla Falls trail, and the guide will give you info about some of the animals (you have headsets and they have a microphone). Then you duck in a side pathway, which leads to the hippo areas (we were able to pause to get a good view of a zebra). When you go out over the ledge, it is for the male enclosure (the males and females are separated), and we had a keeper there feeding the hippos so they both came up really close. Then you have a brief "hike" through the woods to the overhead bridges, which go over the female hippo and crocodile areas. The bridges you go one by one, so you don't have to worry about being jostled by someone else walking up behind you. Then there is the crocodile lookout.

For the savanaha, you follow a similar path as the Kilimanjaro Safaris, but your truck can stop at the side and wait for a bit, especially if there are interesting animals around. After you pass the elephants, you have food at the boma and I think its about a 30 minute break which gives you a great chance to observe everything. The food was wonderful, and I am extremely picky, so that's saying a lot! If you ever want one of the guides to take a photo of a specific animal or of your group, just ask!

You then get back on the truck and finish the Safari route, going by the cheetahs, lions, etc. And you get let off near the Rafiki Planet Watch train, where you pick the animal you want to give part of your money to. And then they give you a card with a code on it for access to your photos (one card per group).

I loved it so much, I will be doing it again in December!

 

[mindeola]

It is a fantastic tour and worth every penny! I recommend leaving your phone behind and just being in the moment. The guides take hundreds of pictures that you get a code for.

 

[jjjones325]

Speaking of the bridges, are they sturdy, or do they sway and bounce as you walk across?

 

[ned911]

One of the best things we've ever done at WDW. Second leaving your phone behind. Bridges are really sturdy and fun. We had a bunch of different animals walk by the boma during lunch which was awesome. You're going to love it!

 

[ars0525]

We loved it!! Did it for my Dad's 75th bday in November. If it wasn't so costly I would do it every time I'm there!

 

[PHXscuba]

Wear longer shorts/capris/pants. The harnesses could get uncomfortable otherwise.

I'd second what others said about letting them take the photos -- they take a ton and it's included with the tour.

Depending on how many people your tour has they can customize the safari truck part a little -- if there are 6 people and they all love giraffes they can spend more time there than other places. So speak up if you have any preferences.

We had an amazing time and I'd highly recommend it to any animal lover.

The bridges sway a little but they have you well harnessed in and I never felt unsafe. They only let one person at a time cross so any of the bouncing is you!

PHXscuba

 

[fhtpdw20]

Agree with everything above. They will weigh you before the tour but don't let it bother you. It is done very discreetly. While at the Boma make sure you go to the back of the cabin/hut as you are surrounded by animals. Some of the time you are "on stage" so you become a part of the KS ride. Also sturdy shoes are a must. Enjoy.

 

[2010_Bride]

Dress for the weather. You are outside the whole time. We had a cool day and where we stopped for lunch is in an open area and the wind was whipping around us. It was much cooler at lunch then during the rest of the tour.

 

[Oneanne]

Speaking of the bridges, are they sturdy, or do they sway and bounce as you walk across?

Going up to the rope bridge, it looks pretty sketchy and I did hesitate for just a second, but once I got going I felt like it was perfectly designed to look like it was in bad shape but in reality the gaps where the perfect width for an average step length. They limit how many can be on at one time, so I don't remember bouncing and ended up really enjoying it.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

Just did it on Tuesday, so I feel fairly qualified to answer this question!

I concur with what everyone has said. Don't stress about pictures, just soak it in, you are experiencing something fantastic!! I wore shorts and wish I had worn leggings, so definitely wear a bit longer pants.

One of my favorite experiences ever at WDW.

 

[MrsPrice]

Thank you so much for all the responses!! Very helpful. My son works for DCL so we can't book until 2 weeks prior so I am really hoping they have openings. This is my number 1 to do item.

 

[Poohsmommi]

What is the best time of day to book the tour?

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

We have done the WAT twice now. Once with my 85 year old mother, and once with my daughter. My mother was very concerned about the rope bridges and was thinking of backing out. I told her to ask the CMs once she get there. The CMs reassured her that she would be able to do it. She had a great time, and still talks about it.

 

[ars0525]

What is the best time of day to book the tour?

Our tour was at 12:30pm & they ask you to check in 15 minutes early.

We picked this time for several reasons. They were offering a discount for afternoon tours. We liked the afternoon food menu more than the morning one. We wanted to go in the park before the tour for rides without having to get up super early & have a light snack so we gave ourselves plenty of time. We wanted the end of the tour to be about when we'd head back for a hotel break before going back out for the night to parks.

I think you need to consider the time of year, weather, daylight when deciding on a time. We went the 2nd weekend in November. It did start to light sprinkle while we were out, but they gave us Mickey ponchos (another treat!) & we kept right on going. I agree with cause of the harness situation maybe wear shorts that are a little longer.

 

[Pluto80]

If I were you, I wouldn’t book mid afternoon, my tour was at 2pm and a storm started to come over as we were on the rope bridges. We all got across before it started, but the guided did say that the rope bridges often get cancelled due to inclement weather. This of course depends on the time of year. We were there in August.
Also, I really wouldn’t bother with a camera, I was actually on my own and the guide took so many photos, you really don’t need to bother.
Sturdy shoes are a must as some of the ground is quite rough, also, longer shorts as the harness could be quite uncomfortable in short shorts. I’d advise wearing a top with short sleeves too, as a vest style top would be really uncomfortable with the harness
Hope you have an amazing time!

 

[reluctantredhead]

To the OP and everyone who chimed in on this thread, thank you!!!

We have been to WDW many times and I'd heard of this tour but didn't really know much about it or consider doing it, mainly because I know my D wouldn't enjoy it and our trips for the last 14 years have always been with her. But H and I are actually leaving for an adults only trip on Sunday, and this thread reminded me that it it was something I might be interested in doing. I didn't actually expect there to be any spots available, but we lucked out and were able to register for the tour on Saturday the 14th!!

Thanks again for all the incredible descriptions and details posted about this tour...I am so excited that we're going to be able to do it, and it's all thanks to you wonderful Disboarders!