Experiences and travel provided by Disneynature. As always, all opinions stated in Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom are all my own.
There are some things in life that you think will be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. When I did the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom three years ago, I thought it would be the only time I would be able to experience it. But, as life would play out, I had the chance to experience the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom again this past week while attending the Disneynature Monkey Kingdom Event in Orlando.
Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom
Before beginning the trek deep into Disney’s Animal Kingdom, all Wild Africa Trek participants must suit up in a harness, vest, earpiece and water bottle. The water bottle is yours to keep after the experience and will keep you hydrated during the trek.
During the trek you are guided through the African Safari by two knowledgeable and funny tour guides. The earpiece allows you to hear all communication between the two guides as you trek through the safari. They share facts about the animals in a fun and comical way.
The beginning of the tour starts in the park where you learn more about various monkeys and birds while being led through the park. After seeing the monkeys and the birds, the behind-the-scenes part of the adventure begins, starting with the hungry, hungry hippos.
To get a closer look at the hippopotamus we were attached by our harness and allowed to walk to the edge of the overlook. We watched as one of the trainers fed the hippos a bucket of fresh lettuce and corn. Although hippos are strictly a herbivorous animal, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near their mouths. They can their mouths to a full 180 degrees.
After spending time with the hippos, we continued on our trek through the safari with very uneven ground, brush and trees to end up at a rickety bridge, that we had to walk across to get to the other side. Although it looks pretty scary and frightening, the harness keeps you safe from falls. And as an extra measure of safety, there are nets on the sides and underneath the planks.
While walking across the bridges, the sights that surround you are simply breathtaking. The water, waterfalls, trees, animals — it’s so much to take in. Although you are in a controlled environment in the most magical place on Earth, everything around you makes it feel like you are experiencing a real trek through a true African safari.
When crossing yet another bridge, crocodiles lay underneath basking in the sun. Last time I did the Wild Africa Trek I didn’t see a crocodile even flinch, but this time one of the crocs moved from the water to the banks to sunbathe. Weighing in between 500-700 pounds, I’m amazed their short legs can support their huge bodies.
After crossing the bridges we hopped into an open air vehicle and started the journey through the African savanna. There were so many different species of animals throughout the savanna.
Midway through the tour of the savanna, we were treated to a wonderful array of African-inspired delicacies. The food was incredibly delicious, albeit different from my normal fare. Served in a covered cabana, you can watch the animals roam as you cool off and enjoy the sights. During this stop you have access to a potty.
During the tour back to the park there are more animals to see. The guides prompted conversation by asking questions about certain animals. Although I had done the Wild Africa Trek before, I walked away from the tour knowing more about the animals then when I walked in.
At the conclusion of the the Wild Africa Trek you have the opportunity to help animals. As part of the admission cost, you are given a stone and are able to help one of four animals seen during the trek. While there are many fun aspects of the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, there are also many educational opportunities during the adventure.
If you’ve never done the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom, you definitely should. All guests must be 8 years of age or older and guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older). Price ranges from $189-$249 per person and is separate from your admission into Animal Kingdom.
And don’t forget about Monkey Kingdom. The film is in theaters now and every ticket purchased during opening week will go to help endangered species in their natural habitats.
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
What an AMAZING experience!! I’ll have to make sure I budget for the Trek while I am saving for our next Disney trip. I would love it and I think my kids would be a big kick out of it, too!
Dawn says
That is the coolest thing EVER! Although, I don’t know how I feel about that rope bridge. O_O
Pam says
That looks like such a fun time! The food looks good too. How neat!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks spectacular! I’d love to get an up close look at all the animals.
Michelle F. says
That looks like an amazing experience. Those pictures are beautiful.
Amanda O. says
That bridge looks like a BEAST! At least there was netting underneath!
Liz Mays says
That looks like so much fun. I’d love seeing all the animals up close like that!
jasmine says
That looks like it was an amazingly fun experience! I would so love that and my kids would too. thanks for sharing
Kecia says
Taking a walk across that bridge would be exhilarating and nerve-wracking at the same time! I am sure it’s lots of fun to get so up close and personal with the animals.
Michele says
Except for crossing that bridge I know I would love to experience all of that.
Heather says
Oh this must be in Florida! I would love to do this one day. You got some great pictures. What a neat experience!
Jeanine says
This looks so amazing! What an incredible experience. And I love hippos so I would be in heaven!
Alicia says
What an awesome experience! I am friends with one of the other bloggers who was with you on the trip, so I followed the trip posts. All I can say is WOW! I love animals especially in the wild, so this would be one of the best trips of a lifetime to experience, especially as a blogger.
It looks like y’all had a blast! I’d be a bit leary about that bridge, especially with me being 34 weeks pregnant tomorrow LOL!
Xenia @ Thanks, Mail Carrier says
How gorgeous and fun!! My family was at Animal Kingdom recently and we saw one of the bridges while taking the safari ride and my husband and I were talking about what a cool experience that must be to get to go behind the scenes and get up close with the animals like that!
Jamie says
This looks like such a fun place to visit!! Love the pictures, and would so love to go there one day.
Jenn says
This looks amazing! We have been to Disney so many times but have not been to Animal Kingdom yet – we are going next time for sure. My kids would have a blast!
Liz Mays says
Animal Kingdom is such a treat and totally different from the vibe of the other two parks. I really like it there!
Terry says
The Wild Africa Trek looks amazing. I bet you almost think you are really in Africa.
Marcie W. says
Hippos are seriously scary regardless of food preferences. This experience looks amazing!
Catherine S says
This looks like such an amazing time. I will look into it next time we go over to Disney.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I do not care for Disney in the least but I have friends who visit there so I will share this with them. Um, why were there slats missing on the bridge?
Donna Ward says
Crystal – I so felt like it was there with you – and didn’t know any of this about Disney’s Wild Africa Trek – We’ve never been to DisneyWorld -but love our Disneyland nearby (a much small scale it seems!)
Theresa says
The bridge might make me wet my pants, but the trek does sound like an amazing experience! I’ll have to think about taking the family on it the next time we go to Disney!
Debra says
This looks amazing! I love the animal kingdom!
Jeannette says
This seriously looks like such an amazing experience! We were just at Disney a few weeks ago and did the safari and saw the bridge and I was telling my hubby how much fun it would be. Glad you got to experience it!
jamie says
That looks absolutely amazing, my family would love it!
Jamie
andrea says
Oh my goodness, this looks so amazing & you got to do it twice. What a blessing!! I would love to do something liket his and my kiddo’s!!! Thank you for all the fun photo’s.
Raijean says
I’ve been wanting to take the boychld here for a while now. Looks like you guys had a blast.
Christie says
Your group picture is so fun! Glad you guys had an awesome trek too, I know I’ll never forget it!
Caitlin says
This looks like an awesome trip! Very fun for sure!
Demetra @SweetSavant says
These pictures are absolutely amazing, they make me want to take a trip to visit Wild Africa Trek immediately. This looks like an incredible experience.
Amber Edwards says
Oh goodness, I would have so much fun at the Africa trek! That looks like a blast! What an amazing experience! And that bridge! Oh I get butterflies in the tummy just from looking at it!
melisasource says
Oh wow looks and sounds like such a blast! I would love to go there one day!
Debbie Denny says
Looks like so much fun. An awesome adventure.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Looks like a of fun. I think I would enjoy going across the bridge.
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
What a great experience for you. Hippos are such awesome creatures. I am a big fan of elephants. Looks like everyone had such a great time.
Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says
We’ve done a behind the scenes tour at Animal Kingdom and it is SO much fun. I haven’t done the trek though – we’ll be adding that to our plans for sure.
Joanne says
We love AK and always stop there when we go to WDW. We live about an hour away so we get to go pretty often and we alway shave a good time. Great photos!! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Ashley S says
What fun!! Looks like you all definitely had a blast!
Danielle K says
This looks so cool! I’ve always seen people doing it when riding the safari ride and hope to do it myself one day. I would definitely be a little scared walking on that bridge though 🙂
Kerrie says
Wow! What an amazing adventure. This sounds incredible – I would love to go there!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
All the animals look beautiful. This looks like so much fun!
Sandra Shaffer says
Wow! We are due for a Disney trip and I think visit to Animal Kingdom is in order! What a great adventure.
Debbie L. says
What a fun time! I would love to spend a day there!
Ashley says
Man that looks so awesome! I cant believe how up close and personal it is. It looks like you’re really in the jungle instead of the middle of Orlando.
Jocelyn McGaffic says
So cool that you got this experience. I’ve been wanting to try the Trek for some time now.
Amanda says
What an amazing experience! It looks like you had a great time. Your pictures are beautiful too!
Amanda says
What an awesome experience!! Looks like you had a blast!
Carly Brydon says
This looks like it was an incredible experience! I can’t wait to go to Disney World!
Robin Gagnon says
This place looks so fun. The hippo is absolutely adorable. I want one 🙂
Cinny says
That looks like so much fun! I would’ve loved to join that trip.
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
I am so jealous of your amazing experience! I wish I knew how I could get an awesome invite like that, it looks like a super unique trip!
Shell Feis says
This is honestly one of the tippy top things on my Bucket List! I’m planning on going in a couple of years when my baby’s a bit older.