Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience – Animal Kingdom REVIEW

Deb's Digest Blog

Have you ever ridden the Kilimanjaro Safaris and wished that you weren’t on such a huge truck and that you had an animal guide with you to answer all your questions and share interesting, sometimes amusing facts?

And have you thought about how nice it would be to just sit and watch the savanna “breathe?” And wouldn’t it be nice to do just that while enjoying some African-inspired tapas and beverages?

Well, if you answered yes to any or all of these questions, you should seriously consider signing up for Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience. It has been on my radar for a while now and when Disney Vacation Club announced a special 30 percent discount for the months of February and March, we said, “Let’s book it!” The regular price without a discount is $169; AP and Disney Visa® card holders receive a 15 percent discount on most tours. (The usual discount for DVC members is also 15 percent.)

Our savanna time was 4 p.m. and we were requested to check in 15 minutes early. We went to where we thought the check-in was, at the Curiosity Animal Tours Kiosk in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, just before you reach the Kilimanjaro Safari entrance. The folks there directed us just to the right of the standby entrance for the Kilimanjaro Safaris. The cast members were strict about not letting anyone in until exactly 4 p.m.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

At our designated time, we walked past the cast member with the sign to the check-in area. First up, sign the waiver. There was ice cold water and a special juice (orange, pineapple and mango) available while we waited for everyone to arrive.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Soon, all 10 of us (there is a limit of 12 per tour) followed our guide back into Animal Kingdom and around Rafiki’s Planet Watch. At this point, we found our truck waiting for us.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

It is important to note that the ride on this vehicle is very rough! Rougher even than a regular Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicle. You are seated along the sides of the vehicle, so people who get motion or car sick may not do well. VERY IMPORTANT: You must stay seated until the guide tells you it is OK to stand. I have photos of the truck seating at the end of this blog.

For a while, we followed the regular Kilimanjaro Safaris route. Our guide pointed out animals and shared lots of stories and interesting facts.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

When we spotted animals, we gave a shout and if possible the truck stopped to allow photos.

We started out in the forest. When most people think of Africa they do not think of forests, they think of wide open plains. But Africa has several distinct types of habitat. The forest contains animals such as the Bongo.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

I sometimes wonder if the hippo pictured above ever moves… everyone seems to have the exact same photo of it!

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

One interesting tidbit is that there are special “water holes” for the animals to drink from.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Once in the biggest (east) savanna we pulled over and the cast member who works there came to talk to us. She had lots of details about the savanna itself and the animals. I just wish I could remember it all.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Just as we started to leave a giraffe came by to say hello.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

We continued along our way and soon saw the “Boma” (in the west savanna), the next stop in our journey.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

The “Boma” is a viewing platform. It is used for various tours including the Wild Africa Trek. It is spacious, covered and has two restrooms available.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Our time here was relaxing, informative and downright enjoyable.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

You know you are someplace special when no one rushes to line up for beverages or food. We were all looking out over the savanna. I had flashbacks to the Lion King when Mufasa told Simba, “Look, Simba, everything the light touches is our kingdom.”

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

This was the “savor” part of the experience — lots of yummy snacks, shrimp, grapes, cheeses, nuts, prosciutto, edamame and desserts. There were choices of African beers and wines, as well as water and juice available.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

We could see wildebeest (AKA gnu) in the distance. Nearby the giraffes were putting on a show. One of the younger giraffes was making a game of chasing the ducks that landed in the small pond. We watched the Kilimanjaro Safari trucks pass and the greater flamingos at the big Hidden Mickey watering hole. Looking out we could see the elephants.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

The guides were on hand to answer any questions we had and to share more information about the savanna and conservation. They explained the photos on the tables of the villagers in Africa building a “living fence” to keep the predators away from their livestock. This effort is aided by donations from Disney.

There is also another walkway and overlook. This one features a view of the majestic lions. We were fortunate to see Frankie (so called because of his Sinatra-like blue eyes) the rhino walk by.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

We spent at least a solid hour at the Boma. Once reloaded in the truck, we returned to the regular Kilimanjaro Safaris path and had one last awesome animal sighting.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom

Drop-off was at one of the regular Kilimanjaro Safaris stops. When the tour was over we were all given a rock. Disney donates a portion of the tour price (as they do with all Animal Kingdom tours) to conservation efforts for various animals/programs. Each tour participant places a rock in the marked area they want to support.

Kudos to the team of cast members: Morgan, Megan, Claire, Sarah, and everyone else (sorry, I can’t recall all your names).

It was a wonderful experience and the four of us in my party highly recommend it, especially now with the Disney Vacation Club discount. We all agreed we would take the tour again.

Savor the Savanna Experience - Animal Kingdom


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

When I called to make reservations I was asked about food allergies. Once we arrived at the Boma one of the cast members asked those with allergies to identify themselves. She had responses for each person/allergy. It was nice to see things work as they should.

The particulars from Disney (the entire list is HERE):

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 must be at least 8 years of age to participate in this experience.

Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a participating adult (18 years of age or older).

This experience requires guests in ECVs to transfer into an available wheelchair to participate in the tour.

This excursion occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning.

Valid theme park admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is also required and is not included in the price of this tour.

If you have taken any of Walt Disney World’s special tours, please leave your comments to help other guests plan their vacations.

Guests must be at least 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please keep a valid form of identification on hand at all times to verify your age.

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5 Replies to “Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience – Animal Kingdom REVIEW”

  1. My husband and I have taken this tour twice – both times in December. Both times have been fantastic! We did the later tour each day and found that there was plenty of light available to see the Savannah and after dark, we had night vision glasses we could use to see. We loved the nighttime and how it was a completely different experience than the day tours. We saw the lions getting put “to bed” and as we drove through on our way out, the false lights would turn off so it was like shutting the park down. We plan to take this tour again… Such a great experience. I highly recommend to anyone who likes animals and the safari ride!

  2. My wife and I took this tour this past Sep the day the parks re-opened after Hurricane Irma. It was tentative that it was even going to happen due to the need to clean up the savannah. But 90 mins before we got the green light it was on and the only person to join us was a nice single lady. If you love animals and Nat Geo Wild etc you will really enjoy the close up personal discussions with the guides.

    We had George the giraffe going happy legs a kicking showing off after being cooped up for 3 days. The meal was amazing, we love Boma so we expected excellence, and they delivered. The wines and S African beers were a nice complement to the food. There were a few foods different than your story experienced but more or less it was amazing.

    We will definitely do it again with our daughters who were in college as we enjoyed our first trip to Disney by ourselves. We figured a great meal at Boma costs a couple about $140 so it was definitely worth the unique behind the scenes and personal touch of having the guides to ourselves in our own truck. All were so nice and made sure our meal, drinks, and all were enjoyable. A must do!

    1. Sounds like a great time. Quick question.

      We’re planning a trip, but we’re concerned it will be dark. Are any areas lit? The tour leaves around 6:15pm (Oct.), so I’m not sure much daylight will be remaining, if any.

      1. Mike, sunset is around 7 p.m. right now in Orlando. There’s still enough daylight for a good while after that. I think you’ll be able to see plenty during your safari. Enjoy!