Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Our Experience and Is It Worth It?
By Amy Davoli, CTA, Owner · Travel & Cruise ConsultantVisited August 2024 · 7 min read
Quick takeaways
- Wild Africa Trek is a small-group (12 guests max), privately guided safari tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, listed at 3 hours.
- You hike in a harness, cross rope bridges over the crocodiles, see hippos up close, then ride a private safari vehicle out onto the savanna.
- Snacks and drinks at a private savanna lookout, plus professional photos, are included.
- From $229 USD per person plus tax (varies by date). Park admission is extra.
- Ages 8+, at least 48 inches tall, and 45 to 300 lbs. Closed-toe shoes required!
If you’ve ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and thought, “I wish we could stop here a little longer,” this one is for you! Wild Africa Trek takes you off the regular paths and onto the same savanna, on foot and in your own private safari vehicle. I had been wanting to do it for years, it just never worked out, and I’m sooo glad we finally did. My boys and I all agree it was worth every penny!
Our Wild Africa Trek experience
Groups are small, only 12 people, so it feels personal right from the start. Once we were harnessed up and had our safety vests and headsets on (so you can hear your guide the whole time), off we went!
We started in the bird aviary, where I got pooped on! No photo of that!! But man, bird poop feels hot, like spilling coffee on yourself. Hahaha. (Good to know: you can walk through the aviary on your own without doing the trek.)
From there we literally trekked through the natural landscape to two different viewpoints over the hippos, and then came the part everyone talks about: walking across rope suspension bridges right above the crocodiles. Talk about scary but awesome! I mean, it’s Disney, how scary can it be? lol
Next we boarded our private safari vehicle and headed out onto the savanna for an up-close visit with the giraffes and zebras. If you’ve been on Kilimanjaro Safaris, it’s the same savanna, but our vehicle had a lot more freedom on where we could go, and we could park and just sit and watch for as long as we wanted.
Then our vehicle brought us to the most gorgeous savanna lookout point, where we each got a meal/snack and, of course, all the Jambo juice we could drink! The views from here were incredible… hippos (yes, a baby!), flamingos, wildebeest, and out back we could see the rhinos… and… the lion!!!
After we’d all eaten and taken our photos and videos, it was back into the safari vehicle. We drove past all the big cats and got to see more of the lions and lionesses. Our tour was about 3.5 hours in total, and I honestly wish it had been longer. It went by so quickly but was so great!!
Our guides took photos the entire time, and those were included in the price of the tour. We also got to keep our water bottles, cooling towels and sunglasses straps. Nice little bonus!
Would we do it again? In a heartbeat!
What is Wild Africa Trek?
Wild Africa Trek is one of Disney’s Enchanting Extras, a privately guided small-group tour through the Safi River Valley and the Harambe savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s built to feel like a real African safari: part bushwalk, part rope-bridge adventure, part private safari drive, with a gourmet snack break in the middle. Your guide shares stories about the animals and the park’s conservation work as you go, and you get to see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, lions and more from spots regular guests never get to.
Wild Africa Trek price and what’s included
Disney currently lists Wild Africa Trek from $229 USD per person plus tax, with prices varying by date. Full payment is due when you book. Here’s what your price covers:
- A privately guided trek with a small group (no more than 12 guests)
- Safety harness, vest and a wireless headset so you never miss what your guide says
- A ride in a private safari vehicle out onto the savanna
- African-inspired snacks and drinks at a private savanna lookout
- Professional photos taken throughout the tour, with a code to download them afterwards
- Souvenirs to take home (ours were water bottles, cooling towels and sunglasses straps)
Theme park admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom (and a park reservation, if your ticket type needs one) is required and is not included. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
Wild Africa Trek requirements and what to wear
- Age: 8 years and older. Guests 17 and under must be with a participating adult.
- Height and weight: at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall, and between 45 and 300 pounds (the harnesses also have size limits).
- Health: you’ll need some stamina, sure footing and comfort with heights. Disney advises against it for expectant mothers or anyone with heart, back, neck or blood pressure concerns.
- Shoes: closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots. No flip-flops!
- Clothes: shorts or pants and a comfy shirt. Skirts and dresses aren’t recommended with the harness.
- Bags: backpacks aren’t allowed, but free lockers are provided. Phones and cameras are fine if they clip securely to your vest.
- ID: adults need government-issued photo ID.
Looking for a gentler or wheelchair-accessible option? Disney offers alternatives through Wild Africa Trek operations, and we’re happy to help you sort that out.
My Wild Africa Trek planning tips
Check in 30 minutes early at the Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk, across from the Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance. Late arrivals may not be able to join, and there’s a 24-hour cancellation policy, so plan your Animal Kingdom day around it.
- Book early. With only 12 spots per tour, times can fill up, especially during school breaks.
- Pick your time of day. Morning tours are cooler and the animals are often more active. Florida afternoons can be hot, and the trek runs rain or shine (except severe weather or lightning).
- Leave the phone in your pocket. The photographer has you covered, so you can just enjoy it!
- Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Much of the tour is out in the open.
- Love the animals? Pair it with the Caring for Giants elephant tour (Allison wrote all about it!) for a full Animal Kingdom day.
Is Wild Africa Trek worth it?
For us, absolutely! It’s a splurge, but it’s a completely different way to experience Animal Kingdom: smaller group, way more time with the animals, real food and drinks, and photos you’ll actually want to keep. It’s perfect for families with kids 8 and up, couples, and anyone who’s done the regular safari and wants more. If you’re dreaming about a real African safari someday, it’s a pretty amazing taste of one too (and if you’re ready for the real thing, read Rima’s South Africa safari story!).
Would I recommend this tour the next time you visit Walt Disney World? Yes, yes, yes! If you have any questions at all about it, I’m happy to answer them. And of course, I’d love to help you plan your whole Walt Disney World trip, tickets, hotel, extras and all.
FAQs
How long is the Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Disney lists Wild Africa Trek as a 3-hour guided tour. Ours ran about 3.5 hours from check-in to the end, and it still went by way too fast!
How much does Wild Africa Trek cost?
Wild Africa Trek starts from $229 USD per person plus tax, and prices vary by date. Theme park admission and a park reservation (if your ticket type needs one) for Disney’s Animal Kingdom are required and are not included. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
What is the age and height requirement for Wild Africa Trek?
Guests must be at least 8 years old and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall, and weigh between 45 and 300 pounds. Anyone 17 or younger must be with a participating adult, and adults need government-issued photo ID.
Is Wild Africa Trek scary?
You cross rope suspension bridges right above the crocodiles, so it feels a little thrilling, but you’re harnessed in the whole time and the guides are with you every step. You do need to be comfortable with some heights and uneven ground.
Do you get photos on Wild Africa Trek?
Yes! A photographer follows your group and takes photos the whole way, and the photos are included in the price. You get a code at the end to download them, so you can put your phone away and enjoy the moment.
Is food included on Wild Africa Trek?
Yes. You stop at a private savanna lookout for African-inspired snacks and drinks. On our trek we had a snack tin each and all the Jambo juice we could drink.
What should I wear for Wild Africa Trek?
Wear shorts or pants and a comfortable shirt, plus closed-toe shoes with a back strap or hiking boots. Flip-flops aren’t allowed, and skirts or dresses aren’t recommended. Lockers are provided for your bags, since backpacks can’t come along.
