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Wild Africa Trek review (cost, is it worth it?)

By: Author Shannon Albert

Published: May 9, 2023 Updated: October 12, 2023

Tours might be what Walt Disney World does best, and that definitely includes Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom .

I loved my first experience on this tour so much that I recently booked it again.

Here’s what you can expect on the tour…

In this article

Wild Africa Trek is a 3-hour tour that takes place at Animal Kingdom and includes several different backstage elements (more on that below). It’s offered a few times per day, with a very limited number of people allowed on each trek.

How much does Wild Africa Trek cost?

The cost for Wild Africa Trek is $219-$229 per person (tax not included). Price varies by date.

Yes, Wild Africa Trek is on the more expensive side, but you are also getting a pretty cool and unique experience.

There are, however, 15% discounts for select guests that will save you a little bit of money:

• Annual Passholders : from $186.15 (plus tax; prices vary by date)
• Disney Vacation Club Members : $186.15 (plus tax; prices vary by date)

Remember that to participate in the tour, you must also purchase valid theme park admission and secure a park reservation for that day.

The full payment is due at the time of booking. To receive the discount, you’ll need to be logged into the Disney Website before reserving your tour.

Note: There is a 2-day cancellation policy. The full price will be charged/forfeited if you cancel within 2 days or are a “no show” for the reservation.

Some important details to consider before booking:

• In order to participate, guests must be at least 8 years old and guests 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a participating adult of 18 years or older
• Due to height restrictions for specific areas during the tour, guests must meet the minimum height requirement of 48 inches (122 cm) or they may not participate
• Due to weight restrictions for specific areas during the tour, participants must weigh between 45 and 300 lbs (20.14-136 kg) or they may not participate (yes, they weigh you!)
• Expectant mothers cannot participate
• For safety, participants should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by the tour
• Guests who wish to participate in a less physical journey or a wheelchair-accessible trek may contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for an alternative offering

Reservations can be made online up to 60 days out. Since spots are limited, be sure to reserve ASAP.

Is there a dress code for Wild Africa Trek?

There are certain items you are not allowed to wear and some that are recommended.

Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. You cannot wear flip-flops.

There is recommended casual attire, including shorts or pants with a comfortable shirt. Skirts or dresses are not recommended.

Small personal items, such as cameras and cell phones, are permitted if they can be securely attached to the safety gear provided. Backpacks are not allowed.

What’s included in the cost?

In addition to getting to experience the savanna in a new way and see the animals up close while learning from the experts, the price of the tour includes the following:

Food and Drinks

You’ll be able to indulge in African-inspired snacks.

To give you an idea of what you might expect, this is a sample menu. What you actually are served may vary:

• Chicken curry salad
• Sun-dried tomato hummus and mini pita
• Marinated tandoori shrimp
• Smoked salmon roulade with dill
• Air-dried beef and prosciutto
• Fresh fruit marinated in mint and ginger

If you have any dietary restrictions, you’ll want to make a note of that when booking online.

Plus, you’ll inform the Disney Cast Member, server, chef, or manager on duty of any dietary restrictions when arriving at the dining location.

One of your guides will capture different moments of you throughout the tour.

Then, at the end of your expedition, you will receive a photo code that you can use to access and download the images.

As a souvenir, you’ll get to keep both your water bottle and name tag. You can see both in the photo below:

Safety Gear

Any necessary safety gear is provided by Disney.

• Warning: big spoilers ahead.

Arriving for the tour

This tour starts with checking in right by Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom. Be sure to show up a little early to allow time to sign paperwork, ask questions, etc.

Once the group has arrived, the guides will lead you to a locker and harness area where you can store your items.

You can take sunglasses and phones with you as long as they have a strap, which they’re happy to provide.

The guides will get you connected to harnesses and give you a water bottle that you can fill right in this area.

They will also give you a headset to wear that they’ll use to speak to you throughout the tour.

Parts of the tour

Once you’re ready to get started, the tour consists of a few different parts:

Hippo backstage viewing

• Rope bridges with views of crocodiles 
• Croc viewing 
• Private safari ride 
• Snack time at a private pavilion on the savanna 

To get to the first step, the group will walk through part of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and then enter a backstage area from there to get started.

First up, hippos!

After hiking a little ways toward the hippo viewing area, a knowledgeable Cast Member will talk about hippos and attempt to wake the up for a snack.

Lucky for us, the 2 hippos responded and came out for quite a while as the Cast Member taught us about them and answered any questions we had.

Since this is a ledge overlooking the hippos, you are tethered via your harness during this part.

Rope bridges

If you’ve ever been on the Kilimanjaro Safaris and seen people climbing the rope bridges, you might’ve wondered how they got there. This tour is the answer to that!

You’ll be able to climb 2 different rope bridges during this part, with the second one passing over the crocodiles that you see from the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride.

You can kinda take your time walking across the bridges, which comes in handy if you have a fear of heights and/or want to snap some pics.

The guides will take pics of you along the way that can be downloaded afterward.

Croc viewing

While the 2nd rope bridge does include a view of the crocodiles, you’ll get another chance once you’re back on land with another tethered harness view overlooking their area.

Private safari ride

After seeing the crocs, the whole group will head out on a truck that will provide a private safari ride. After this, you may never want to go on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride again.

The main perk of having a private ride is the ability to pull over and spend time with active animals, providing lots of chances to take great pics.

On our recent trek, we spent at least 10 minutes in the giraffe area as they were very active after being fed.

Snack time at a private pavilion

The safari truck will eventually make its way to a private pavilion overlooking the savanna.

The view is gorgeous from here and makes for great photo ops. In fact, many proposals have taken place at this spot.

Bathrooms are available, and a light lunch prepared by Tusker House restaurant is provided. Oh, and the popular pog juice (passion fruit, orange, guava) is included as well.

If you have special dietary needs, you’ll be able to email them ahead of time to let them know.

From there, you’ll hop back in the truck and finish out the private safari.

This is also the end of the tour, so you’ll want to pick up your locker belongings before heading out.

Is the Wild Africa Trek worth it?

As mentioned in the intro, Walt Disney World is exceptionally good at tours, so it will not come as a big surprise when I say: yes! Definitely yes.

Though it’s definitely not cheap, it’s 100% worth it, especially if you’re looking for something new or special to do during your trip.

• If you’re typically a person who wears sandals or skirts, be sure to pack close-toed shoes and long shorts or pants for this trek.
• During hotter months, I’d suggest booking the earliest time possible to avoid afternoon heat.
• With the tour overlapping prime touring, be sure to have your Individual Lightning Lane Selections and/or Genie+ Selections booked for afterward.

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Tuesday 5th of December 2023

The list of conditions mentions "motion sickness". When would someone have motion sickness on the tour? Just the safari ride portion?

Friday 12th of January 2024

@Regina, That would be due to the rope bridge swaying and the rough ride of the vehicles.

Friday 27th of October 2023

how many people are in a group? we have a group of 11

Caitlin Kelch

Monday 2nd of October 2023

They say no backpacks. Is the locker large enough to store the backpack in??

Shannon Albert

Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

Yes, it is. That's what I did on this tour.

Wild Africa Trek: A Review In Words and Pictures

Hi everyone!

Each trip our family tries to enjoy one “Magical Extra”, and this time we chose the Wild Africa Trek in Animal Kingdom. I thought others might be interested to know how the experience was for their own planning purposes. What follows is my personal review on our experience on this tour.

We selected the first tour of the day, which started at 0800, in large part because this was our last day on property and we wanted to ensure full ability to enjoy it without worrying about timelines around our departure. It also occurred to us that, it being late April, it might be wise to do it earlier rather than later so as to enjoy more moderate temperatures.

To give a very broad overview, this tour is “an active, approximately 3-hour privately guided expedition into the world of African wildlife. This trek is an outdoor journey requiring physical stamina and comfort with heights.” It involves walking - I would call it a light hike - riding in a special safari vehicle, different than the ones in Kilimanjaro Safaris, and enjoying a light meal in an open-air cabana-type accommodation overlooking the savanna.

As with many of the Magical Extras, this tour does not populate to My Disney Experience so I made personal note of the confirmation number at the time of making the reservation. However, one week prior to our tour date - which just so happened to be our check-in date - I received an email from the “WDW DAK WAT Help Desk” both confirming our reservation and providing further instructions around proper attire for the tour, requirements for participation, checking in, what to bring (and what not to bring!), as well as instructions around how to notify the team about any dietary restrictions.

We were staying at Polynesian Village Resort on this trip, and given that we needed to arrive no later than 0730 to check in, we utilized a Lyft to arrive at the front gates of Animal Kingdom. Our guides, Steve and Olivia, presented themselves to us at 0745 and got us all checked in. It was an 0800 EMH opening and so we entered at the same time as the masses. I was a little concerned that we would become separated in the throng of people, but our guides expertly helped us make our way through the check points without losing any of us.

We made our way to the entrance of Kilimanjaro Safaris where just to the left is the locker area for WAT. We were instructed that absolutely everything must come out of our pockets, including any and all paper, and that nothing would be allowed to come with us that could not be secured to our safety harness. This included our magic bands, though personal watches were allowed. Complimentary lockers were provided for all of our belongings that could not come with us. We were then asked to step on the scale, to both verify that we met the weight restrictions for the tour and to ensure we were fitted with the most appropriately sized safety harness. I was impressed with the discretion observed here, for those worried about any disclosure of their weight.

Each individual was sent with a guide who fitted the harness appropriately. We were given souvenir water bottles that attached to the safety harness, and those whose phone cases allowed were provided with a strap that attached the phone to the harness as well. Straps were also provided to secure sunglasses, though none were given to me for my prescription lenses presumably because they were not coming off my face.

I should mention, too, that we had been informed at the start of the trek that both guides would be snapping photos throughout the journey, both posed and candids, of us and of the wildlife. So if your phone case does not allow for being attached to your harness, as my husband’s, you should be reassured that you will have PLENTY of photos of the experience. Our guides took nearly 200 of our group, and we were given access and permission to use about 50 additional photos that are in the WAT gallery.

Once we were all fitted, we set out on our journey with the first stop being at the hippo pool. Here we were met by animal keeper Emily who talked to us at length about her role in caring for the hippos, hippo behavior and facts, and about Gus (Augustus) the hippo baby born about 4 months ago.

We spent a few minutes here waiting for each person to cross. Nobody was asked to hurry, and nobody was made to feel rushed. Each person was encouraged to go at their own pace, even stop and take photos if they liked, and to “get there when they get there”. It gave us some time to take a family shot and to check out the crocs up close.

There was a water refilling station here too.

Once each person was across, we hiked on to where we met our safari truck and our driver, Will. We relinquished our safety harnesses there before boarding the vehicle.

It was a little more than halfway through the tour and time to enjoy a snack. We headed over to that cabana you see off in the distance when you’re on Kilimanjaro Safari. Our driver parked us right up close to the deck there and we disembarked. This is where the only restroom was available on the tour, and folks availed themselves of it while our guides distributed our meals. We were encouraged to partake of the killer view and to take as many pictures as we liked. There were binoculars available at each table for getting a closer look if you cared to.

Our light meal was served in tiffins which is a sort of lunch box similar to the bento box, and which is also the name of the signature restaurant in Animal Kingdom! I now need a tiffin.

In the top part of the tiffin was some fruit yogurt topped with granola, a fruit salad, and some soft cheeses and apricots. A bamboo spoon was also provided. I now need a bamboo spoon.

We spent about 20ish minutes there in the dining location. Steve and Olivia were happy to answer questions and take plenty of photos.

When we had finished eating, we went back out on the truck to see one more savanna up close.

And then it was time to return to where we started from.

If you can’t tell from the photos, this tour was AMAZING! It was, by far, one of the coolest things I’ve ever been fortunate to do on a vacation - not just at Disney but anywhere. Our guides were so kind and knowledgeable, just really phenomenal ambassadors for the park. They took an interest in each and every one of us and got to know us a little, and we got to know them too. Olivia talked with me at length about her experience in becoming an employee of Disney, through her experience in College Program. And they praised my son quite enthusiastically for doing so well with the bridges; at 10 he just about meets the minimum age requirement, and some of those slats were spaced fairly widely apart for me! They taught us a lot about what they do, about Animal Kingdom and its mission, about what it means to be an accredited zoo, about animal care and conservation efforts. And they kept checking in to make sure we were having the experience we wanted. In fact, they started off the tour by asking us if there was a particular animal we hoped to see and said they would try their best to make sure we saw them all - and we did! Our meal was delicious and so graciously prepared and served. And the photos they took will help us to forever document this special experience.

Oh, and as to the first tour of the day: it was a wise decision! Temperatures did in fact remain low throughout our time, and it was getting hot by the time we returned. It is nice that much of the tour is in the shade of vegetation, in the truck, and in the cabana. So one does not have to worry much in the way of becoming sunburned or overheated. And with the water bottles provided at the start of the trip and refilling options twice along the way, one would have no trouble remaining hydrated.

This tour is not inexpensive, ranging from $189-$249 per person depending on the date you go. But given that we had such an up close experience, a light meal, AND that a portion of the cost of the tour is donated to conservation efforts, we felt it was a good value. We would gladly spend that again on this tour, and I would encourage anyone interested to go ahead and do the same. You will not be disappointed!

I hope you enjoyed this review of our Wild Africa Trek! Please let me know if you have any questions; I am more than happy to answer!

Thanks for reading!

Either you fixed them or it’s browser dependent - none of the pics are sideways on my display via Chrome.

Thanks for sharing…

Thanks for the review! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do with DS and he’s at the perfect age now (he’ll be 10 in September). I was a little worried about the physical requirements, but based on the pictures and your description, I think I’ll be fine (I am fine walking about, but can’t climb much of anything - stupid leg braces make that rather difficult - but if the bridge is the worst of it, that is more than doable!).

Awesome review! Thank you for sharing! I have a long way to wait until my kids are older, but maybe an adults only trip will be in order! (Save some $$)

I’m surprised they let you keep the hats on if they were concerned about stuff falling off! Go Sox!

I was a little surprised about the hats, myself. I had to leave my ears in the locker.

Great review and great hat your DH is wearing! Go Sox!

Thank you for such a detailed review. Looks like such a great tour.

Many thanks for taking the time to write this review. As you know, thanks to you I’ve booked the tour myself. I’m taking the 1.15pm tour because it fits my schedule better, but I feel reassured by what you had to say about shade and hydration.

I get quite emotional looking at animals and I can imagine being moved to tears at getting close to them on this tour.

Great review! DH and I want to do this in November.

Those of us who use chat are quite used to Niter’s sideways pictures. No worries. Besides you pics were not sideways.

Love the report. Now I want to consider doing this.

Lots of good pictures and details. Well Done.

Wow! Thanks so much for the great review!

Thank you for you post, it is such a joy to see your family with all their smiles. Looks like they had the time of their lives. You might have pushed Profmatt into doing this tour but you pushed me into not doing it: fear of heights and bridges would have left me stuck frozen in place, my weight and disability would also be another factor. So thank you for bringing us with you, thank God I did not have to physically go through it my self. Side note its funny that a guy who is afraid of bridges lives on an Island.

Wow! Thanks for the awesome review! I hope that I can go on this tour someday!

That’s a tough one! Do you never leave the island?!

Wonderful pictures! Enjoyed reading about your experience - thanks for taking the time!

Yes I can be driven over with out any real problem and after I drive over a bridge once or twice I’m ok but don’t ask me to walk over one or even get out of the car and stand on one. I am thankful for cruise control I can set it so I can focus on just my lane the first one or two times then I’m fine.

Looks awesome! Thanks for the review and photos!

My family got me a tiffin for Mother’s Day!!!

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• Animal Kingdom / Walt Disney World

Everything You Need to Know About Wild Africa Trek

by Mickey Blog · May 31, 2019

Do you love animals? Are you the adventurous sort? Do you feel fashionable in a flak jacket? Would you like to experience something that few Disney guests ever do? I’m here to tell you about one of the best tours at Walt Disney World. Here’s everything you need to know about Wild Africa Trek.

What Is Wild Africa Trek?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most novel of all theme parks in the company’s empire. When you visit the fourth gate at Walt Disney World, you’ll interact with some of the animals at various attractions.

I’ve previously described Kilimanjaro Safaris as the backbone of Animal Kingdom. I feel this way because the giant vehicle transports guests through dozens of animal habitats. It’s one of the best ways to experience the hallmark achievement that is this theme park. It’s not THE best way, though.

Wild Africa Trek is like the deluxe version of Kilimanjaro Safaris . It’s a paid guided tour of many of the same habitats. The difference is that you walk rather than ride. Also, you get to go to places where standard park visitors cannot.

For example, when you’ve ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris, you may have noticed people walking across rope bridges high above the ground. Those lording above you aren’t cast members. Well, most of them aren’t. They’re people enjoying the benefits of the Wild Africa Trek.

The price of the tour is $189-$249 per person. That’s on the high side of tours at Walt Disney World. As you’re about to see, Disney has priced it extremely reasonably, though.

What Do You Need to Know about Wild Africa Trek?

You should think about Wild Africa Trek like a school trip to the zoo…combined with an African safari. You’ll be one of a group of “students” seeking to learn more about animal behavior. The trek will take you across much of the Animal Kingdom campus.

Your adventure will consist of several phases. During one part, you’ll walk through and even over some animal habitats. Many of these views are ones that you’ve had during Kilimanjaro Safaris, only from a different angle. You’ve paid for the privilege of getting up close and personal with the residents of Animal Kingdom. In some instances, you’ll stand closer to animals than you could at a zoo!

Animal interactions are a critical part of Wild Africa Trek. Have you ever wanted to feed a hippopotamus? You can play real-life Hungry Hungry Hippos on this tour! All you’ll need is to get strapped in (more on that in the next section) and start tossing food. If you’re lucky, you may even see some birds fly to the mouths of the hippos, who are known to share dinner with their avian friends.

Another part of the tour is the driving section. This part will feel familiar to Kilimanjaro Safaris fans, although the setup is closer to Jungle Cruise, just not a cruise. You’ll get into a special rectangular vehicle with a giant square for its seating area. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a wonderful perspective of the Animal Kingdom habitats. During your tour, you’ll listen as a cast member relays detailed information about the animals.

Photo credit: Kent Phillips, Photographer

This brings me to a different point. Communication is integral to the Wild Animal Trek experience. During the crowded park part of your walk, you’ll receive a headset. It will allow you to hear your tour guide even in the most congested (i.e. loudest) parts of Animal Kingdom. When you’re riding in the special tour vehicle, however, you won’t need it. A cast member will literally sit with you and point out all the wonders that you should behold.

This part of the experience differs from Kilimanjaro Safaris . The cast member doesn’t have to drive as well. Someone else provides that duty. You have a zoology expert at your disposal, and they’ll display an encyclopedic knowledge of everything related to the park and its denizens.

Just as importantly, you’ll travel on different paths than during the safari. You’ll go onto roads that are historically reserved for cast members in charge of the care of the animals. You’re seeing the hidden parts of Animal Kingdom!

Disney throws in lunch during Wild Africa Trek. And the consensus opinion is that the food options are stellar. You’ll start with Jungle Juice, the legendary concoction made famous at restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge . This meal even includes an edible flower! Unless you’re a foodie, you won’t have familiarity with many of the flavors. As long as you like fruits, meats, and curries, you’ll be fine.

The other phenomenal aspect of the tour is the photography. Should you prefer to watch the proceedings, you won’t need to capture images. A cast member will do that for you! Once your tour ends, Disney will provide a code that allows you to look at the pictures from your trip in My Disney Experience.

The Magic Jacket at Wild Africa Trek

You’ll know that you’re doing something unusual when you arrive. One of the first things that will happen when you check in for the Wild Africa Trek is that you’ll be given a jacket. This vest isn’t there to protect you from the elements. It’s there to keep you comfortable and save you from disaster. Don’t get me wrong. Disney wouldn’t place you in harm’s way during a tour. The jacket is there for precisely this reason.

At various points during your tour, you’ll enter situations that are slightly precarious without some kind of support. Your jacket has hooks on it. Their purpose is to harness you. In the event that you stumble or fall, the harness will prevent you from anything untoward happening. And I have to say that I’ve watched a LOT of Wild Africa Trek videos. EVERYONE trips at some point. I even saw a cast member who works on Kilimanjaro Safaris take a dive and scrape up her leg.

Why is tripping so likely? At times, you’ll cross rope ladders. The steps on these ladders are spaced out a fair amount. And the people creating Wild Africa Trek videos are often more focused on their phones than their next step. I struggle to understand this behavior since some of the walks are literally above crocodile ponds. Friendly suggestion: don’t film your walk across a rope bridge. That’s how you become a cautionary tale in an Indiana Jones movie and/or crocodile food.

The vest does more than save you from falling into a den of crocodiles. It also secures your belongings. Even though you shouldn’t whip out your phone as you cross a bridge, you will still want it with you in case of emergency texts. Okay, let’s be honest. It’s probably dating drama. Whatever the reason, your jacket has a hook that will connect to your cellphone, too! No matter what happens, your device is safe, just like you.

Finally, the vest comes with a water canteen, one that you’ll get to keep as a souvenir! Anyone who has spent any time at Animal Kingdom understands that this area is humid. You must stay hydrated during your three-hour tour. Disney officials know this and throw in the water bottle to maximize your comfort. You should secure the canteen to the vest. Otherwise, you could lose your water while climbing stairs, something else that happens a lot.

By the way, if you doubt me about the tripping/livestreaming, watch this video . I’ve queued it to a spot where the person crosses the bridge. You’ll see what it looks like and what kind of view is possible during your trek. Then, you’ll understand why you shouldn’t livestream it.

Wild Animal Trek is one of the best tours available at Walt Disney World. It allows you to see and experience Animal Kingdom in a way that’s otherwise impossible. You’ll feel like a cast member when you enter restricted areas. At other times, you’ll lean on the expertise of one of the most informed people at the park, allowing you to ask all of the things that you’ve wondered about it over the years. It’s THE best way to appreciate the brilliance of Disney’s most impressive theme park.

PS: You can feel good about your VIP tour of Animal Kingdom. Disney directs part of the money that you spend on Wild Africa Trek to a charity. In fact, you get to pick which charity out of several options. A cast member will ask you to choose your favorite from the list. You’re not just having the time of your life on Wild Africa Trek! You’re also helping with animal conservation! It’s just another reason why you should book this tour!

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Your Guide To Wild Africa Trek At Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Do yourself a favor and book the Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during your next visit! This 3 hour private tour takes you up close with the exotic African wildlife where you can discover animals of nearly every variety living in the Safi River Valley.

Related – Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World

Your private guide will take you to walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna where you will have the chance to see giraffes, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles! All of this while learning details about the animals and Animal Kingdom’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t memorable enough, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir as well! 

Relax and enjoy the encounters with the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures the moment! This is a service included with your tour so you can be in the moment and get fully immerse in this wild experience.

At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience.

After all of this fun, you will for sure wake up your appetite, but don’t worry, you will be able to enjoy some first class African inspired snacks while watching animals in their natural habitat. This is a sample menu:

• Garlic and leek hummus and pita
• Prosciutto and mozzarella
• Fresh fruit
• Chicken wrap
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

Looks amazing right? This is a great activity for families with older kids, all guests must be 8 years old or older to participate and at least 48 inches tall. Guests must also weight between 45 and 300 pounds to enjoy this experience. You can check all the requirement at the Walt Disney World website.

Have a wild time!

Credit: Disney Parks

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Disney Wild Africa Trek Review

Thinking about different ways to have a unique experience at Disney World?  Does the idea of an African Safari excite you (but not the cost or 12+ hour flight) or do you like animals in general?  Been to Disney World before and always wanted to have more time to take in Kilimanjaro Safaris?  Well, the Disney Wild Africa Trek may be just what you’re looking for.  In this article, we’ll provide our complete Disney Wild Africa Trek review, where we’ll show you pictures, talk about some requirements that you MUST know about, hit the highlights on food, animals and more.

Some might say our review could be a little spoilery, but when you’re going to drop some serious dough on this backstage tour, we figure you want to have a good idea of what your signing up for.  So, if you don’t want to see some detailed images of the tour, you may want to turn back now.

If you’re still with us, let’s get to our Disney Wild Africa Trek review!

What to Know About the Disney Wild Africa Trek Before You Go

The Wild Africa Trek will run you $189 during the off season and $249 during peak season (before tax) per person.  There is no lower price available for kids.  Remember that you must also have a valid park admission to get to the Wild Africa Trek.

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• Nov 28, 2023

What to Expect on Disney's Wild Africa Trek: A Complete Guide and Why It's Worth the Splurge

Updated: Dec 5, 2023

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the African wilderness with Wild Africa Trek located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Discover the wonders of the Animal Kingdom, traverse breathtaking landscapes, and experience the thrill of up-close encounters with wildlife. This complete guide will provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your trek and why this enchanting extra is worth the splurge.

Preparing for the Wild Africa Trek

Before embarking on the Wild Africa Trek, it's important to make some preparations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Firstly, be sure to make a reservation in advance as spots for this popular adventure are limited. You can do this online or by asking your Castle Coach to book your enchanting experience.

Next, it's essential to dress appropriately for the trek. The "African wilderness" aka the Florida heat can be hot and humid, so it's recommended to wear lightweight and breathable clothing. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are also a must, as you'll be walking on uneven terrain. Don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellent to protect yourself from the elements. Keep in mind you won't be able to take a backpack with you or even a small cross-body, these will all be stored in a locker prior to your adventure.

In addition to clothing, it's important to bring a few essential items. A small backpack or bag is handy for carrying personal belongings such as a water bottle, camera, and snacks. It's also a good idea to bring some extra cash or a credit card for any additional purchases during the trek.

Lastly, make sure to arrive at Disney's Animal Kingdom park at least 15 minutes before your scheduled trek time. This will give you enough time to check in and meet your knowledgeable guides who will accompany you throughout the adventure. Now that you're prepared, get ready for an incredible journey through the African wilderness!

Gear and Attire

When it comes to gear and attire for the Wild Africa Trek, Disney provides most of what you'll need. Upon check-in, you'll be given a specialized harness that ensures your safety during the trek. This harness is comfortable and allows you to move freely while exploring the wilderness. You'll also be provided with a headset that allows you to listen to your guide throughout the excursion. The harness/vest also has pockets for accessibility for your cell phone, water bottle, and listening device.

As for attire, it's important to wear comfortable clothing that can withstand the outdoor conditions. Avoid wearing bright colors or patterns that may startle the animals. Don't forget to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes that are suitable for walking on uneven terrain. Skirts and dresses are not recommended for this excursion.

In terms of accessories, it's a good idea to bring a smartphone to capture the incredible moments you'll encounter on the trek. However, for those up-close encounters, Disney's Africa Trek guides provide high-quality images of your adventure in addition to photos of the animals you saw while on the trek. You'll notice your tour guide snapping photos during your trip.

Overall, Disney ensures that you have all the necessary gear and attire to enjoy the Wild Africa Trek safely and comfortably. Just remember to dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for the best experience.

Traversing the African Wilderness

Once you're fully prepared and geared up, it's time to embark on your adventure through the African wilderness. The Wild Africa Trek takes you on a guided journey through various landscapes, allowing you to witness the beauty of nature up close.

During the trek, you'll traverse suspension bridges, climb rocky terrain, and navigate through dense vegetation. This thrilling experience will give you a true sense of being in the heart of the African wilderness. Along the way, your knowledgeable guides will share interesting facts and stories about the wildlife and ecosystem, enriching your understanding of the environment.

One of the highlights of the trek is the opportunity to cross a swinging rope bridge high above a river filled with crocodiles and hippos. This exhilarating experience provides a unique perspective of these magnificent creatures and their natural habitat. Don't worry, the bridge is designed to be safe and sturdy, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking views without any worries.

As you continue your trek through the African wilderness, be prepared to encounter various animals such as giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. Your guides will ensure your safety and provide you with interesting information about these animals. Remember to keep a safe distance and follow the instructions of your guides to ensure a respectful and responsible wildlife viewing experience.

Overall, traversing the African wilderness on the Wild Africa Trek is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and witness incredible wildlife in their natural habitat.

Encountering Wildlife

One of the most exciting aspects of the Wild Africa Trek is the opportunity to have up-close encounters with wildlife. As you explore the African wilderness, you'll get a chance to see animals like never before.

During the trek, your guides will lead you to special viewing areas where you can observe animals such as lions, elephants, and rhinos from a safe and respectful distance. These animals roam freely in their natural habitats, allowing you to witness their behavior and interactions up close.

Your guides will provide fascinating information about each animal, including their diet, behavior, and conservation efforts. This educational experience not only allows you to appreciate the beauty of these creatures but also raises awareness about the importance of protecting their habitats.

It's important to remember that the Wild Africa Trek prioritizes the well-being of the animals. The guides will ensure that the encounters are conducted in a responsible manner, respecting the animals' natural behaviors and habitats. By following their instructions and maintaining a safe distance, you can have an incredible wildlife experience while contributing to their conservation.

Prepare to be amazed by the wildlife encounters on the Wild Africa Trek. It's a rare opportunity to witness these majestic animals in their natural environment and gain a deeper understanding of their importance in the African ecosystem.

Lunch with a View

Enjoy scenic views near the BOMA and see the animals in their habitats enjoying the sunshine, bathing in the water, or roaming the safari plains. Lunch is provided by the Wild Africa Trek team, it is catered from one of the many hot spot restaurants at Disney's Animal Kingdom. They arrive in these awesome little tiffins and you can even enjoy everyone's favorite POG juice.

Capturing Memories on the Wild Africa Trek

The Wild Africa Trek offers countless breathtaking moments that you'll want to capture and cherish forever. Here are some tips for capturing memories during your adventure:

1. Take advantage of the photo opportunities: Throughout the trek, your guides will stop at scenic spots where you can take photos. Make sure to have your camera ready and listen to their instructions for the best angles and shots.

2. Don't forget to enjoy the experience: While capturing memories is important, it's equally important to be fully present and enjoy the adventure. Take the time to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the African wilderness without constantly looking through the lens.

After the trek, you'll have the opportunity to snag some photos taken by your tour guide during the adventure. These high-quality photos are a great way to commemorate your experience and relive the unforgettable moments. You'll receive a card that has a code that you can enter to obtain these photos. Be sure to snap a photo of this code on your phone in case you lose your card during your adventures at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

For this and more enchanting Disney experiences, make sure you follow @Castlecoachestravel and @castle_coach_natalie for more Disney tips and tricks. If you're interested in booking your next Disney Vacation, reach out to your fellow castle coach for more ways to book.

Embark on a magical journey with Castle Coaches Travel, your dedicated Disney travel experts! As seasoned travel agents, we understand that planning the perfect Disney vacation requires careful attention to detail and insider knowledge. Whether you're dreaming of meeting your favorite characters, exploring enchanting lands, or experiencing the thrill of iconic attractions, Castle Coaches Travel is here to make your Disney dreams come true. Our passion for all things Disney, combined with our expertise in travel planning, ensures a seamless and unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones. Let us take the stress out of planning, so you can focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime. Reach out for a personalized quote today, and allow Castle Coaches Travel to be your trusted partner in crafting the Disney vacation of your dreams. Your happily ever after begins with us!

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Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom A Behind the Scenes Tour

Disney’s Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom had been a special experience we had our eye on for some time. So after going to Walt Disney World annually for the last few years, we decided it was time to try something outside of the box. Going Behind the Scenes at Animal Kingdom, up close with wildlife and lunch on the savanna? Yes, Please. We absolutely loved the idea of upgrading our vacation with something extra special. With so many tours, VIP experiences and parties, how do you know which one to choose? The Disney Animal Kingdom Wild Africa Trek Tour offers something more. Here’s what made us pick this Disney Special Experience over all the others.

• 1 Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Tour Details
• 2 Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Review
• 3 Wild Africa Trek Tour Stops
• 4 Wild Africa Trek Lunch on the Savanna
• 5 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Conservation
• 6 Wild Africa Trek Tour at Animal Kingdom Tips
• 7 Is the Wild Africa Trek Tour Worth it?

Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Tour Details

The Wild Africa Trek at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park is a unique experience to go behind the scenes at Animal Kingdom. With opportunities to chat with animal caretakers, and see a part of AK that you didn’t know existed, this 3-hour tour is perfect for families, with children 8 and up. Here are the details to know before you go. 

• Tour Length: 3 Hours
• Cost: $220-$230 per person
• Times: 8:45 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:45 AM, and 12:30 PM
• Age Minimum: 8 years old
• Height Minimum:  48″ 
• Weight Minimum: 45lbs
• Maximum Weight: 300lbs
• Lunch: Included. Allergy free, and Plant Based options available. 

How Long Does the  Wild Africa Trek Take?

 The Wild Africa Trek Tour at Animal Kingdom Park is a 3-hour tour.  Featuring Animal Kingdom Behind the Scenes activities that incorporates a chat with the Animal Care team, a look at secret spaces, like a rackety bridge, and lunch on the savanna. 

How Much Does the Wild Africa Trek Cost?

The cost for Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is between $220-$230 per person (tax not included). Price varies by date.  There are 15% discounts for select guests that will save you a little bit of money:

• Annual Passholders : from $186.15 (plus tax; prices vary by date). Check out all the Disney Annual Passholder Perks
• Disney Vacation Club Members : from $186.15 (plus tax; prices vary by date)

Do you Need an Animal Kingdom Park Ticket for Wild Africa Trek?

Yes. In addition to the cost of the tour, all guests need a valid park ticket for Animal Kingdom in order to enter the park. 

How Strenuous is Wild Africa Trek?

Disney’s Wild  Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is moderately strenuous. While you will not be hiking for 3 hours, this event does include navigating small spaces, a rickety bridge, walking for long periods, and being okay with heights. This is the notice on Disney’s website. 

You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour

What Times is the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Offered?

Offered a few times a day, you can book your Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Park at 8:45 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:45 AM, and 12:30 PM. 

What is the Weight Limit for the Wild Africa Trek?

Participants must be between 45 pounds and 300 pounds. This is due to the safety harness capability. As a result the safety harnesses used for this experience may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating. That said, just be aware of it before you arrive. 

What is the Height Requirement  for Wild Africa Trek?

Wild Africa Trek Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches tall.

What Should You Wear for Disney’s Wild Africa Trek?

As a vigorous hike and activity at Animal Kingdom, you should plan on shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed. Skirts or dresses are not recommended. Be sure to pack everything you need. 

Where do you go in Animal Kingdom to Check In for the Wild Africa Tour?

Finding the location to meet your tour group is not as difficult as you may think. We were instructed to check in by the Kilimanjaro Safari line. Chances are if you are like us you know the Kilimanjaro Safari ride well. Because let’s face it when we’re tired of walking and just want someone to drive us around, this is the ride we find.  And wouldn’t you know it? Lo and behold, you can see the Wild Africa Trek sign right on the sign above. We have seriously never, ever noticed this before. The Wild Africa Trek Check-in is on the right of the Safari line at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk. You can’t miss it. Note, you MUST check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience. Late arrivals may not be able to join the tour. 

Is Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Good in Hot Weather?

Let’s face it, Florida is hot most of the time. Luckily, most of the “behind the scenes” activities on the Wild Africa Trek tour at Animal Kingdom are located in very nicely shaded areas! Add that and the fact that they give you a cooling towel as part of your experience and we couldn’t be happier. So for the most part we were able to stay cool throughout the 3 hours. 

Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Review

Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite places so convincing ourselves it was time to try out the Wild Africa Trek was fairly easy. Of course the fact that a special lunch was included helped. But really, it was all about the animals, and seeing all this amazing wildlife up close. How could we choose any other experience? As such it comes as no surprise that this Disney wild africa trek review is glowing. Luckily, Disney was offering $50 off the Trek during the dates we were planning.

Thankfully, this sweetened the deal given this vacation upgrade runs about 200 dollars per person normally. However, as this is for a 3 hour immersion experience in Animal Kingdom, we think that may actually be worth it. Let’s dive in. Here’s everything you need to know about Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World. 

What Happens First? You Get your Wild Africa Trek Gear

After we checked in, we were given all of our gear. You get a stainless steel water bottle with the Wild Africa Trek logo on it. So fun! And  we LOVE a good free souvenir. A name badge and an ear piece so we could hear what was being said by the guides. And you also get fitted for a harness vest. You will get weighed ( always fun) so you can get the best vest for you, and they will help you attach it to yourself. 

Do you really need the harness?

On the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Tour you have to go over some “scary bridges,” but it’s by no means a zipline experience. And, frankly, we’re not big on being dangled from things, from any height. The harness is merely a safety feature and the reason that kids have be at least 9 years old to go on this tour. And ll kids 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. So if sending your teen on this tour alone sounds a good way to get some “me” time; rethink that plan. 

Something to know ahead of time. The harnesses are supposed to be fairly snug. And your guide and helper cast members will continue to tighten them throughout the entire tour. Don’t loosen them. Seriously, don’t do it.

Where Do You Put Your Disney Day Bag? And everything else?

Since the Wild Africa Trek tour is very active, there really isn’t room for a purse or anything. In fact, Backpacks are Not Allowed. As a result, you are given a Locker to put your things in. You also aren’t allowed to take anything with you that can’t be attached to the vest. This is a safety measure for the animals mostly, and so your items don’t easily fall into the animal habitats. You can bring a camera if it has a strap or if it can be attached to the vest. But we wouldn’t recommend it. You can take sunglasses and phones with you as long as they have a strap, which the Cast Members are happy to provide

Can I take Photos of Wild Africa Trek at Disney? 

As a perk for being on this tour, you get access to some amazing high quality photos taken during your tour. And they can all be downloaded once the tour is over. You can also ask the tour guides to take any photo of you and your party. We loved this perk, as navigating rope bridges and trying to take photos of the crocodiles below, should never be a thing you’re doing. 

Do you Get a Disney Wild Africa Trek Souvenir?

YES! As a souvenir, you’ll get to keep both your water bottle and name tag from the tour, and then of course have access to all those amazing photos too! 

Wild Africa Trek Tour Stops

Ok, lets get into the nitty gritty of what you’re paying for here! Once the group was together and harnessed up, we were introduced to our guides.  They gave us a little intro, took a group photo and we learned a few Swahili words. Wild Africa Trek actually starts with walking through the main area of Animal Kingdom. 

What do you do on Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom?

The Wild Africa Trek includes a visit with an Animal Caregiver to learn more about the animals, a harnessed trip on a rope bridge, a guided tour through the savanna, with detailed animal info and times for questions. And it finishes with a unique African Lunch on the Savanna. A truly special experience you can only get on this tour at Disney World. 

Hike the Grasslands

• Visit with an Animal Caretaker, Hippos

Rope Bridge Crossing over Crocodiles

• Private Savanna Safari Tour
• See the Animals and Ask questions

The beginning of the tour is simply a light walk to Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail where you enter a backstage area. Leading you to spaces of the savanna that the animal care team usually frequent. As Behind the Scenes at Animal Kingdom Guests you too get to see what goes on behind those walls, and trees. During this time the tour guide will point out certain things of interest as you make your way to the first stop. 

Visit with an Animal Caretaker at Hippos

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation. At one point in this journey you will exit the public park area and enter a woods like area. Your first animal stop will probably be the hippos. At the hippo habitat you will stop, learn some things, and be very close to these amazing animals. You’ll get a chance to talk to the hippo caretaker and ask as many questions as you like. Seriously, this was the coolest thing.

This is the Wild Africa Trek Tour Part Where you Have to Cross a Bridge, Made of Ropes, and Boards that are Breaking. After the soothing, lovely, experience of the Hippo Habitat, you get to feel what it’s like to be Indiana Jones over at the rope bridge. Your guide takes you through more woodsy areas and eventually to a pair of rope bridges that cross over the crocodile habitat. Okay. So the bridge looks pretty shady. And if you have any fear of heights or worry, just remember…this is the Walt Disney Company…they make movie props for a living. The boards are broken and some of them are even missing. Questionable, right?! 

Did we mention there are 2 Rope Bridges to Cross

Thankfully, Everything is perfectly safe. The guide even mentioned to us at one point that if your legs aren’t long enough to stretch across the broken boards, you can put your full weight on the rope net that is directly under the boards and it would support you. So that was neat. And further, if by some weird chance that didn’t work, the harness would keep you from falling. Again, its Disney. They’ve got this. Plus, you get some pretty awesome photo ops on that bridge.

Private Savanna Safari Tour Animal Kingdom 

After that terrifying experience, you will have the chance to talk to some more cast members about the crocodiles.  Again, very cool. Then its time for a break! And food! We all took off our gear and headed to a “special” jeep, which would take us through the savanna that would normally be seen on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. But, since this is a special experience you get to go at a slower pace and with more up close opportunities of the animals. A true Private Savanna Safari Tour at Animal Kingdom with your own guide. As such this safari tour at animal kingdom allows you to meander in the safari truck at a slower pace. 

See the Animals

One of the best parts of the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is seeing the animals. For our Animal Kingdom Safari Trek we were also given binoculars and a magic towel ( which we were allowed to keep) to cool off.  Which let us just say, was amazing by 12:30 pm in the hot Florida sun. The Savanna guides were great as they gave us info about the animals and the park in general. And they were always on the lookout for great photo ops. Also tons of opportunities to ask questions here!

Wild Africa Trek Lunch on the Savanna

Did you know the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom serves lunch on the savanna as part of the experience! Such a treat! After that we headed to a beautiful hut type structure for lunch. Set right on the Savanna! Here you could find a water bottle refill station as well as restrooms. We were given our food and Jungle Juice, which is the same juice as POG juice at Ohana.  And one of our absolute favorite beverages at Disney World. Yummy enough that we’ve even made a Popsicle recipe out of POG just so we could have this at home. 

The food was really great too, and supplied by the Tusker House Restaurant. It came in a tin and consisted of chicken curry salad, sun-dried tomato hummus and pita, tandoori shrimp, smoked salmon roulade with dill, air-dried beef and prosciutto and ginger and mint marinated fruit. You could also ask for vegetarian or vegan options here, which we loved! Truthfully, we’d do the tour again, just to get this lunch. It was light, amazing flavors, unique Disney foodie options you wouldn’t find anywhere else. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Conservation

Part of the profits from the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom go to conservation. So, on the way back to civilization, the guides educated us about the c onservation efforts happening at Animal Kingdom and informed us that part of our admission cost would go to the conservation effort of our choice. Which was also a neat perk, because at the end of the tour you get to place your token in a box towards your favorite cause. 

Wild Africa Trek Tour at Animal Kingdom Tips

Wait for a deal if you can . Ok, so we paid $130 per person with the coupon; and prices vary depending on the season. But we wanted to give you a little bit of an idea price-wise because sometimes the pricing is hard to find! 

If you go in the summer, choose the earliest time possible. They do their best to keep you cool, but it gets very hot. We were there in late September and by the time got our magic towel, we were really needing it to cool off. Its Florida, it gets hot. Be prepared.

Don’t let special dietary needs sway your opinion. When you book your tour, they actually ask if you have special dietary needs. If you do, they will accommodate most every need. And since all the food is packaged separately in tins, there’s no chance for cross contamination. 

One of the Best Wildlife Experiences in Orlando?

We think so! Looking for other Wildlife adventures in Florida? Check out this article for a roundup all the Best Animal Encounters in Orlando!

Is the Wild Africa Trek Tour Worth it?

Yes. Absolutely yes. If you’re someone who loves Animal Kingdom, wildlife, conservation, and learning more about all of those things, then you will LOVE this Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom Tour. While we haven’t been on too many Disney tours to compare it to, this one was in depth, and showed us Behind the Scenes at Animal Kingdom spaces we never would have seen otherwise.

We loved the immersive experience and the opportunity to learn more about the park, animals and conservation efforts. Lunch was fantastic and it was so luxurious to sit and watch the animals while we ate. While the Wild Africa Trek Cost is pricey, if you look at it like a once-in-a-lifetime tour, then you can justify it. We think this tour is fun, inspiring and a great way to spend a morning at Animal Kingdom! Highly Recommended. 

Thanks so much for reading all about this Disney Africa Trek, hopefully it’s inspired you to check it out. Even with this cost on this special experience we really do think it was worth it, and such a great way to spend an afternoon at Animal Kingdom. Definitely consider adding it to your plans on your next Disney Vacation. If you want to book your Wild Africa Trek, just call 407-WDW-TOUR. More information regarding the Wild Africa Trek can be found on Disney’s Website. 

Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Wild Africa Trek Review

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My daughter and I are both huge animal lovers. We love Disney’s Animal Kingdom .  It’s a different experience every time because the animals never act the same.  Some of our favorite things we like to do is walk the Gorilla Trails, watch Siamangs over by Expedition Everest and also the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail .  The fruit bats are adorable and the little mole rats are the cutest to watch as well.  I could sit for hours and just watch these beautiful creatures.

My daughter has a keen interest in animals and I hope to encourage her to pursue a career in this someday.  This is what prompted our booking of the Wild Africa Trek .  I wanted her to see that what opportunities she might be able to encounter in this field.

We booked it for the afternoon in January. It wound up being beautiful, even a tad bit chilly during certain points.  We checked in right next to Kilimanjaro Safaris .  After our whole group was there, we began to put on all of our gear.  They had lockers for us to leave our stuff behind in that we weren’t taking with us, but they were able to secure our phones to our gear, as well as a water bottle they provided for us.

We set off through the Gorilla Falls Exploration trail and at one point set off the path from there into the back area of the safari.  Our first stop was down by the hippos.  An animal researcher came out to feed the hippos and tell us some interesting facts about them and answer any questions.

Next up, we hiked a bit further and then we went across two bridges.  This part was really fun!!  At the end of the second bridge was a crocodile pit.  Here, we met with another animal expert who told us all about crocodiles.

From there, we hiked up to our safari vehicle.  We went out on the savanna.  It’s the same area that the Kilimanjaro Safari, but we were able to stay out there for a while.  We got to hang out by the giraffes for quite a while, then down to the elephants.  We got to see the baby giraffe, baby elephant and baby rhinos.  After the elephants, we went up to a gazebo on the savanna to have a light snack of some tandoori shrimp, curry chicken salad, fruit salad and truffles.

We got back on our safari vehicle and finished our tour of the safari.  We made our way back and got our gear off.  Then we gathered our belongings and the tour ended.

I would highly recommend the Wild Africa Trek and can’t wait to take my daughter on some of the other animal-based tours. It was a great experience that we will never forget.  It was nice to take our time out on the safari and get to really observe the animals.  One of the best parts was that all the pictures they take are included!

Have you participated in the Wild Africa Trek? What were your thoughts of your experience? Share in the comments!

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Wild Africa Trek

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

An Exhilarating Safari Adventure

Be awestruck viewing wild animals in their natural habitat on the 3-hour Wild Africa Trek. On this privately guided tour, discover animals of nearly every variety living in the Safi River Valley—an untamed environment that resembles their home turf in Africa.

The Journey Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t memorable enough, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir as well!

Complimentary Photo Services Enjoy your encounters with the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures all the action and excitement throughout your adventure—a service that’s included with your tour.

At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience.

Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Theme park reservations are also required.

Indulge In Gourmet Eats

Work up an appetite during your trek and then enjoy some first-class, African-inspired snacks.

Sample Menu

• Garlic and leek hummus and pita
• Prosciutto and mozzarella
• Fresh fruit
• Chicken wrap
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

Please note: Menu items are subject to change without notice.

Know Before You Go

• WARNING: For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).
• Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
• Participants must be between 45 pounds and 300 pounds. The safety harnesses used for this experience may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating.
• You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour. Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for alternative programs.
• Recommended attire includes shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed. Skirts or dresses are not recommended.
• Complimentary lockers for your belongings will be provided. You will also receive a safety vest and wireless headset so that you can hear your guide at all times. Cameras are allowed as long as they can be securely fastened to the vest.
• Please check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience.
• Excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.
• Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.

Safety, Accessibility and Guest Policies

Make a reservation, times for wild africa trek.

Wild Africa Trek At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Review

The first part of the tour starts with a gentle hike into the safari grounds.  Along the way the guides will stop at various look out points and provide some interesting information about different plants and the safari in general.  The hike ends at a rope bridge.  Trekkers walk across the bridge one at a time and have the opportunity to get a very close view of the hippos and crocodiles.

This is the view from the bridge

Once each family has had the opportunity for a photograph, the entire group loads into a jeep.  The jeep follows the normal Kilimanjaro Safaris road, but you get a much more personal view of the animals and stay for a lot longer at different spots than you would during the normal ride.  This gives you plenty of time to take as many pictures of the various animals as you would like.  Throughout the ride the guides provide interesting commentary on the animals and their personalities.

The trek ends at a lookout station over the savannah.  Here each guest is given a beautifully presented snack and a chance to take a few more pictures.  After about 30-45 minutes here, you are all taken back via jeep and it’s time take off the safety gear and say goodbye to the guides.

Our tour guides were Paola and Karen.  They were both personable, perky and were especially good with children.  They were very knowledgeable about the various animals and kept everyone interested and engaged throughout the trek.  They happily answered questions and were a lot of fun.  Throughout the trek, several trainers joined the group at different times and provided in-depth information about the hippos and crocodiles as well as some of the other animals.

Up close with the Hippos

The guides also took pictures, a lot of pictures – almost 150 of them to be exact.  It was good mix of candid and staged shots.  You are welcome to take your own pictures on the tour (be sure to have a neck strap for your camera) but it’s nice to be able to experience some parts of the tour without worrying about getting a great shot. As the family photographer, I was thrilled to be in the pictures too!  These pictures are included in the cost of the trek and are accessible via an access code that is communicated to you at the end of the experience.

If you are interested in learning more about the safari animals, you will not be disappointed by the Wild Africa Trek.  We paid full price for the tour, no discounts – these are all my opinions and I highly recommend it!  If you have tried this tour – I’d love to hear what you thought!   ~ Monica

This review was written by Monica Loberto

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Wild Africa Trek

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Walt Disney World® Resort

Valid admission required. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type.

Age Interest

Tweens, Teens, Adults

Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Accessibility

• Must Be Ambulatory
• The harness on this experience may prohibit guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating.

What's New, Behind the Scenes, Animal Encounters

Embark on a privately-guided, VIP expedition full of close encounters with exotic African wildlife!

An Exhilarating Safari Adventure

The Journey Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and ride in a rugged safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.

And as if your safari weren’t memorable enough, you’ll receive a complimentary souvenir as well!

Complimentary Photo Services Enjoy your encounters with the animals of the Harambe Reserve while a trained photographer captures all the action and excitement throughout your adventure—a service that’s included with your tour.

At the end of your expedition, you’ll receive a photo code that you can use to access and download images taken during your Wild Africa Trek experience.

Theme park admission is required, but not included in the price of this tour. Theme park reservations are also required.

Indulge In Gourmet Eats

Sample Menu

• Garlic and leek hummus and pita
• Prosciutto and mozzarella
• Fresh fruit
• Chicken wrap
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

Please note: Menu items are subject to change without notice.

Know Before You Go

• WARNING: For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure; heart, back or neck problems; motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not participate.
• Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).
• Participants must be 8 years of age or older and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
• Participants must be between 45 pounds and 300 pounds. The safety harnesses used for this experience may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from participating.
• You must have physical stamina, comfort with heights, and the surefootedness to negotiate small hills, foliage and unsteady rope bridges on this tour. Guests seeking a less strenuous or wheelchair-accessible trek should contact Wild Africa Trek operations at (407) 938-1373 for alternative programs.
• Recommended attire includes shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt. Closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots are required. No flip-flops will be allowed. Skirts or dresses are not recommended.
• Complimentary lockers for your belongings will be provided. You will also receive a safety vest and wireless headset so that you can hear your guide at all times. Cameras are allowed as long as they can be securely fastened to the vest.
• Please check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, located across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join the experience.
• Excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.
• Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.

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5 Reasons Wild Africa Trek is Worth the Price

Wild Africa Trek is a premium tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This 3-hour tour allows guests to view animals on the safari like never before. Guests must be over the age of 8 and at least 48 inches tall. Children under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a paying adult. Guests need to be ambulatory and are required to be between 45 and 300 pounds while wearing the provided gear. Additional requirements will be detailed at the time of booking. The price varies depending on the time of day, with afternoon treks being cheaper and the time of year. The experience is priced anywhere from $219-$229, depending on the date of your visit. This is an expensive experience, as the price does not include your admission ticket and park admission will need to be purchased separately. However, there are many great reasons why this experience is worth the extra cost. Here are five reasons that the Wild Africa Trek is worth the price.

5 – Photos are included

Wild Africa Trek participants receive digital access to high-quality photos taken of the Trek. These photos will include individual and group photos as well as photos of the many different animals seen on the encounter. This is a huge value for guests participating in the experience as personal cameras and cellphones are not permitted unless they can be fastened to the gear due to safety reasons. Guests will still be able to have those great photographs without the risk of losing their personal camera or phone.

4 – Gourmet Snacks

This tour includes a sampling of African-inspired snacks. Check out a list of items you may be able to enjoy below.

Sample Menu

• Garlic and leek hummus and pita
• Prosciutto and mozzarella
• Fresh fruit
• Chicken wrap
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

Please note: Menu items are subject to change without notice.

3 – Knowledgeable and passionate guides

Wild Africa Trek guides are highly trained and love to share their passion for animals, education, and conservation with the guests. These guides love their jobs and love sharing this amazing experience with their guests. Feel free to ask your guide anything about the animals you encounter, questions about food and veterinary care, and the samplings of food you enjoy. These guides know it all!

2 – Private Safari truck

Guests will also have the opportunity to board an exclusive safari vehicle during the trek; this vehicle is permitted to make stops throughout the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, while the attraction vehicles are not. When the truck is stopped guests are permitted to stand and move around the truck for better views and photographs. Because each trek has a maximum of 12 guests, there is plenty of space on this truck. This allows guests to get magnificent views of many different areas of the attraction as their trek guides provide information on the animals and their habitats.

1 – Unique and up-close animal encounters

Wild Africa Trek gives guests the opportunity to explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in ways that cannot be experienced by the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction. This premium experience allows guests an up-close and personal view of Hippos and Nile Crocodiles. If you have been on Kilimanjaro Safaris, you may have seen rope bridges or witnessed guests crossing these bridges. Guests on the Wild Africa Trek will get to these cross-rope bridges while wearing harnesses and get a closer look into the habitats of these animals. You will look down into the Hippo and Nile crocodile pools. You’ll also get a chance to see other animals up close on the safari.

Like many of the tours offered at Walt Disney World, the price of Wild Africa Trek is often a deciding factor for guests who are thinking about booking. This is one of the best premium experiences on property and provides guests with a fantastic experience and memories to last a lifetime. What really makes this tour worth the cost is the up-close encounters with the animals, the knowledgeable guides, the African-inspired snacks, and the hundreds of photos included with the price of the tour.  If you have the opportunity, this tour is worth the extra cost!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.