Wild africa trek?

[LeahA]

I was thinking about doing this with my 13 year old son on our next trip. Has anyone experienced this and what are your thoughts on it? Do you get to see the animals a little closer than the normal Safari ride? My sons favorite park is Animal Kingdom and l would really like to experience something different.

 

[OKWJan]

Hey Leah! We were from Aurora but live here now . We did the Wild Africa trek and it was great! close up viewing of the hippos and crocs from special viewing areas (you are hooked onto lines so you can get close to the edge, and they were feeding the hippos). Also the truck stops for picture taking instead of trying to catch them as you are passing by. We had rhinos literally right at the side of the truck. We though the trek was great, but it is expensive.

 

[Jedi_Galvatron]

A "little" closer is a significant understatement. You're really close to everything, sometimes too close if you happen to have a fear of a given animal. A little boy on the tour I was on was afraid of hippos, deathly afraid, needless to say he never made it past the first stop. That said its an amazing experience that I would recommend in a heart beat. Any specific questions let me know I'd be glad to answer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We loved the Wild Africa Trek. We even had some giraffes almost stick their head into our truck after we finished the walk over the crocodiles before we got to the boma for our snack.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I agree with everyone else here it was AMAZING and when you get to the area for a snack there are telescopes to see things that I will NEVER forget like such a close up that yu could see the lioness' eyelashes The photo CD that is included in the price was the cream on top of the cake, don't be shy they will take as many pics of you as you want and also add stock photos to it I took it to Walmart and made a book out of it Can't wait to do it again

 

[LeahA]

Hey Leah! We were from Aurora but live here now . We did the Wild Africa trek and it was great! close up viewing of the hippos and crocs from special viewing areas (you are hooked onto lines so you can get close to the edge, and they were feeding the hippos). Also the truck stops for picture taking instead of trying to catch them as you are passing by. We had rhinos literally right at the side of the truck. We though the trek was great, but it is expensive.

Lucky you to be living in Florida!!! Aurora is still the same, 20 one day and 60 the next!

My son and I are hoping to do a mega garage sale to pay for it, we can't take the whole family, but the 2 of us hope to do it!

 

[LeahA]

A "little" closer is a significant understatement. You're really close to everything, sometimes too close if you happen to have a fear of a given animal. A little boy on the tour I was on was afraid of hippos, deathly afraid, needless to say he never made it past the first stop. That said its an amazing experience that I would recommend in a heart beat. Any specific questions let me know I'd be glad to answer.

I think I'll be more afraid then my son!!!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I think I'll be more afraid then my son!!!!

You will be perfectly safe, not close enough to any animals to get hurt The scariest thing for me was when you first encounter the bridge, after the first steps you will be so happy you did this

Once I looked up I got some pretty awesome pictures with my own camera

 

[kwdw]

It's awesome! Pricy, yes. A memory? You bet!

Some folks are nervous about the bridge crossings - but they have you try one just a few feet off the ground before you actually head out - so if someone panics, they can elect to not go.

Definitely the best views of hippos I have ever seen. And the stop at the savannah was a nice treat. Don't be afraid to have your son ask questions - the guides are there to interact with group and are happy to do so. I think it makes their day to have trek guests ask the questions instead of them relying on canned topics they know they can use to engage the group if it's a quiet bunch.

And the concept of "leaning over the edge" to get a better view - you are harnessed in and you can choose to stand back farther and not get as close if that makes you nervous.

I'd do it again! Okay - it is expensive and I have a few other things I want to do before that - but hopefully it will be around years from now when I'm ready to do it again!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You will be perfectly safe, not close enough to any animals to get hurt The scariest thing for me was when you first encounter the bridge, after the first steps you will be so happy you did this
...
Once I looked up I got some pretty awesome pictures with my own camera

Your photo crossing the rope bridge looks like mine. Looking down at my feet. The boards aren't evenly spaced and sometimes you have to take a big step. So I spent all the time looking at the boards and not enjoying the walk across. Next time I'll stop and look around.

 

[mrp4352]

http://wildafricatrekfeb2013.shutterfly.com/

I loved the Trek and want to go again!! I've attached a like to my pictures on Shutterfly (these are a combination of the CD pictures the guides took and my personal pictures).

My word of advice - when crossing the bridges, look down while walking (I'm short and a couple of stretches were long, doable, but long), but definitely stop along the way a time or two. I liked that I never felt rushed when stopping to take pictures on the rope crossings.

 

[mrp4352]

I took the first excursion in the morning, and my Mom got to AK at park opening and went back to ride the safari (she actually rode it twice in a row). On her first ride, she was passing the hippos while my tour was looking down on them! I don't know who was more excited that we saw each other, me, my Mom or the Trek guides!

 

[Luvchefmic]

http://wildafricatrekfeb2013.shutterfly.com/

I loved the Trek and want to go again!! I've attached a like to my pictures on Shutterfly (these are a combination of the CD pictures the guides took and my personal pictures).

My word of advice - when crossing the bridges, look down while walking (I'm short and a couple of stretches were long, doable, but long), but definitely stop along the way a time or two. I liked that I never felt rushed when stopping to take pictures on the rope crossings.

Yep length of leg challenged here too and yes no quides ever rushed when I stopped, looked up, and took pictures When I can afford it I will do this again in a heartbeat

 

[LeahA]

Thanks all! It sounds like fun!

 

[DizzneyDi]

Do the bridges move at all? After looking at those great pics I don't think the height or visual "ricketyness" would bother me, but if the whole thing started swaying that definitely might freak me out!

 

[SamSam]

Do the bridges move at all? After looking at those great pics I don't think the height or visual "ricketyness" would bother me, but if the whole thing started swaying that definitely might freak me out!

I may be mis-remembering but I think the bridge does sway slightly. I have a very real fear of heights and I did fine on the bridge. Was I apprehensive...YES! but I am so glad I did it and I want to do it again because I think I will enjoy it even more the second time.

 

[McKelly]

Do you have to pay park admission in addition to the cost of the tour?

 

[Kona65]

I was thinking about doing this with my 13 year old son on our next trip. Has anyone experienced this and what are your thoughts on it? Do you get to see the animals a little closer than the normal Safari ride? My sons favorite park is Animal Kingdom and l would really like to experience something different.

Another vote to do it.

 

[Jadeey]

Do you have to pay park admission in addition to the cost of the tour?

I was about to ask this too. I don't entirely want to give up a park day but I'd love to go on the trek on one of our non park days.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do you have to pay park admission in addition to the cost of the tour?

I was about to ask this too. I don't entirely want to give up a park day but I'd love to go on the trek on one of our non park days.

Yes, you need park admission. You meet near Tusker House to start the tour.