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Home › Reviews › Safari › Trek › 28RB2

Safari Trek 28RB2 2006

Published: September 16, 2011

You’ll certainly get more with this American motorcaravan – read the Practical Motorhome Safari Trek 28RB2 review

You'll certainly get more with this American motorcaravan – read the Practical Motorhome Safari Trek 28RB2 review

Worth considering if you’re in the market for the most expensive mainstream luxury European motorhomes. It’s big, but not too brash and amazingly well specified.

Imperious driving position Domestic-quality fixtures and fittings Specification

Running costs

Big is beautiful in the States, but in the case of the Safari Trek, ‘big’ is a relative term. This US motorhome offers the luxury of a huge living space and an upmarket finish normally found only on vehicles twice the price and 10ft longer.

The secret is hidden inside the roof, above the lounge, from which the Electro-Majic bed lowers at the flick of a switch to provide a full-sized double, with plenty of headroom. This innovation has allowed Safari to ‘lose’ the rear bedroom that is standard on nearly all US motorhomes of this class without compromising on a sofa, large kitchen or a dining table.

Although this motorhome’s dimensions are larger than those of most European A-class vehicles, the lack of a slide-out section means that it can be accommodated by many campsites.

As far as driving the Trek is concerned, fuel consumption is not as high as you may have thought (around 12-14mpg) but every comfort is provided. As long as you can get your head around the vehicle’s size, it will be a pleasure to drive from the vantage point of the armchair-like cab seats. In addition to the reversing camera, there are cameras on each wing which automatically activate when you indicate, so you can see cyclists, motorcyclists and other hazards.

Specification lists on RVs can be so long as to be confusing, but a quick glance inside this coach shows what you get for your money. Everything is of domestic quality, from high quality fabrics and floor tiles to a Corian kitchen worksurface. The styling is typical of Safari’s parent company, Monaco, which builds ‘vans which retail in the region of £300,000. Despite all this, the Trek can be plated below HGV weight (7.5 tonnes) and still have around a tonne payload.

Although the lack of a slide-out is evident in the lounge width (2.4m), it’s nevertheless ample for a couple, and the Trek lacks none of the kit that makes RVs so popular in the racing paddocks.

An hydraulic levelling system automatically sets things to rights on-site, while a generator provides power. Even if you are hooked up, the inverter controls the draw from components, so if you’re in danger of exceeding the maximum amperage of the mains supply, the generator and twin batteries will kick in.

The washroom has a proper porcelain toilet, a big shower (about 88cm x 1.14m) and a big wardrobe with a linen cupboard next door. The toilet tank is the same size as the waste water tank. The kitchen is domestic in size and quality. There’s a convection microwave oven, and the fridge is huge, even by domestic standards.

Though it’s huge and highly priced in comparison with an average coachbuilt, the Safari is not much more expensive than a specced-up Hymer S-Class, yet it offers a degree of independence that wipes the floor with most Europeans.

Technical Specifications

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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.

Safari Trek for 2003

Respectable fuel economy, easy handling, and ample living space are some of the benefits of traveling in this 28-foot motorhome built by a division of Monaco Coach Corporation.

By Lazelle D. Jones May 2003

Some RV enthusiasts are attracted to the idea of driving a smaller type A coach, but they don’t want to sacrifice the comfort that comes with larger units. Recently I had the opportunity to test a Safari Trek 2810 model. At 28 feet 10 inches long and 100.5 inches wide, this Trek included all of the appointments and comforts typically associated with coaches that range from 32 to 43 feet. Safari, a division of Monaco Coach Corporation, continues to create a motorhome that is nothing short of ingenious.

The Trek does require RVers to revise their conventional mind-set a bit regarding type A motorhomes. This motorhome has no bedroom per se. That is how designers manage to squeeze in practically every available appointment.

This unusual design is made possible by the Electromajic bed, a patented device that originated with the Trek but is finding its way into other Monaco motorhomes. When not in use, the bed is stored in the ceiling of the living area and is very well disguised. When it’s needed, it can be lowered at the touch of a button (via an AC electric motor) to the level desired or to the top of the sofa, whichever comes first.

Safari Trek interiorThe Electromajic bed features a 3-inch-thick foam mattress that measures 59 inches wide and 81 inches long. (The length of the bed nearly equals the entire width of the coach.) It yields an area that is large enough to sleep two adults comfortably, with room to spare. Should you want to use the sleeper sofa feature in the living area (below the bed), the Electromajic bed can be lowered to an appropriate height to allow this. You may need a small footstool to help you in and out of bed.

The bed moves on cog wheels that travel up and down on four tracks, with one track at each corner. Its AC power source can be the coach’s 50-amp shore line; the 4-kilowatt LP-gas-powered generator; or the 1,500-watt inverter, which draws from the four house batteries. Be especially careful to keep children’s fingers (and your own) away from the four tracks while the bed is moving. To prevent the bed from being lowered unintentionally, locking pins are situated at each corner. And a hidden kill switch can be turned to the “off” position as an additional precaution.

I do think that the bed’s control switch should be located in a more convenient place. Currently, whoever is pushing the switch has to hold his or her arm in between the bed and the wall as the bed is being lowered and raised.

The 2003 Trek is available in seven different floor plans, with lengths that vary from 26 feet 7 inches to 30 feet 9 inches. It is offered on either a Workhorse or a Ford chassis. My test model had the Workhorse P Series chassis, which includes an 8.1-liter Chevrolet Vortec engine coupled with a Hydra-matic transmission.

The curbside entry door separates the galley from the living area. The coach’s living area is to your right as you enter. You’ll notice that the interior of the coach is laced with warm, natural wood tones. The raised-panel cabinets in my test coach were made of alder hardwood stained to a golden cherry color; buyers can choose walnut or oak cabinets as an option.

Optional wood plank flooring was used in the galley food prep area and in the rear bathroom of my coach. Plush carpet covers the living and dining areas.

Four color and fabric décor packages are offered; the lambrequins and valances surrounding the windows are sculptured with complementing fabrics and textures. Two barrel-type chairs separated by a small table normally are located on the curbside wall facing the sleeper sofa, but my coach had the optional Soft Touch vinyl Euro recliner with a matching ottoman. The name Soft Touch is appropriate, for the fabric is extremely comfortable. Also on the curb side of the living area and directly in front of the recliner is a forward-facing computer table and cabinet topped by a solid-surface material Safari calls Poured Marble. This material weighs much less than quarried stone, yet is every bit as elegant in appearance. It’s also low-maintenance and resistant to scratching.

Safari Trek interiorTo the left of the entry door is a freestanding dinette fashioned from solid wood, along with two upholstered chairs. The dining area is next to a large window, creating a venue that accommodates a meal with ease, or simply serves as a nice spot to enjoy a cup of tea.

Aft of the dining area is a small, waist-high buffet that also features a solid-surface countertop. A beveled mirror serves as a low-maintenance splash panel and makes the area appear to be larger.

Across the aisle from the entry door stands a two-door refrigerator-freezer with a smoked acrylic front. You can choose a four-door unit as an option, but in either case, your refrigerator will come with an ice maker as standard equipment.

Immediately aft of the refrigerator is a three-burner cook top, which can be hidden beneath a foldable cover made of Poured Marble that matches the galley countertop. The galley work surface is long and deep enough to support even the most serious gourmet endeavors. The double sink consists of one large and one small tub, and is fabricated from the same material as the countertop. Other galley appointments include a microwave oven and a water filtration system.

Safari Trek interiorBelow the kitchen counter are two sets of drawers. The three drawers beneath the cook top are large enough to hold cooking utensils. The set of drawers next to them are a bit smaller. A deep double-door cabinet provides storage below the sink.

All cabinets throughout the coach, including the overhead cabinets, are lined with material that cushions the goods stored there and is excellent for abating noise when the coach is moving.

The floor-to-ceiling pantry, immediately forward of the refrigerator, incorporates four adjustable shelves that make it possible to configure the space as needed. The pantry offers enough room to add more shelves, too.

At the rear of the Safari Trek is a private bathroom with a pocket door. The porcelain toilet is on the street side, as is the rear corner shower with a frosted-glass surround and door. A skylight is situated above the shower. On the back wall is a sink with a Poured Marble countertop. To the left of the sink, on the curbside wall, is a massive floor-to-ceiling complex of closet space and drawers. This wardrobe is capable of keeping garments wrinkle-free, and can hold enough clothing for an extended vacation.

My test Trek had the optional dual-pane windows and day-night accordion-style shades. Fabric curtains can be pulled around the windshield to provide privacy at night.

The Trek’s interior is 6 feet 6 inches high, except directly below the Electromajic bed, where the height is 6 feet 3 inches. The underside of the bed is dressed with padded vinyl that matches the rest of the ceiling. The walls are covered with low-maintenance vinyl that cleans up easily with a damp cloth, as does the urethane-finished wood plank flooring.

Safari Trek interiorSafari has kept the cockpit simple to create an environment that is driver-friendly and comfortable. The Trek 2810 I reviewed had the optional power sun visors. When you get the chance to use them, you realize just how wonderful they are, especially in the morning or late afternoon. The driver’s-side visor and the passenger’s-side visor are separately controlled. Touch the bottom of the corresponding switch and the visor lowers; push the top of the switch and the visor rises.

The instrumentation cluster includes a minimum number of analog gauges; the speedometer and tachometer are in its center. Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors and a massive windshield with an unobtrusive center post afford excellent visibility.

I traveled for a week and covered 1,000 miles, and experienced no driver fatigue. With the cruise control in operation, we sailed down the long Central Valley of California as though it were a Sunday drive. The powerful Vortec engine and four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive handled the rural roads and mountain passes along the coastal route with ease. With its 178-inch wheelbase, the Trek took on tight hairpin turns and handled city traffic without a problem.

Fuel economy was very respectable. I calculated it twice. The first time, which included city and highway travel, I reached a figure of 9.4 miles per gallon. The second, during which I drove steadily at 60 miles per hour, the figure was 10 mpg.

I was in for a bit of a surprise after the coach was weighed and I later considered the figures. With full tanks of fuel (60 gallons) and fresh water (62 gallons), its weight totaled 16,040 pounds. Afterward I discovered that approximately 300 pounds’ worth of bottled water had been left in two of the exterior cargo bays located between the entry door and the front wheel. So, the coach’s weight actually would have totaled 15,740 pounds instead. With a gross vehicle weight rating of 18,000 pounds, the Trek would thus have a payload of 2,260 pounds. This adjusted figure is reflected in the “Specifications” section.

Speaking of the Trek’s cargo bays, they are made of polyethylene, and the forward bay offers coach-wide storage for long items. An optional electric space heater warms one storage bay as well as the holding tanks, so the Trek can be enjoyed in cool weather.

Safari builds the Trek to accommodate travelers who enjoy staying at full-service campsites as well as those who prefer primitive settings. The house utilities package makes this possible. The fresh water tank is ample, and the waste holding tanks (gray and black) each have 38-gallon capacities. The coach is wired for 50-amp shore power and equipped with a 4-kilowatt generator; all of the 110-volt appliances and electrical systems function equally well from either source. The standard-equipment 1,500-watt inverter powers 110-volt equipment such as the microwave oven, the 25-inch television, and the Electromajic bed.

The 13,500-Btu roof air conditioner with optional heat pump is centrally ducted throughout the coach. Warm air from the 31,000-Btu forced-air furnace is delivered fore and aft through a system of floor registers.

The base suggested retail price of the Trek 2810 is $97,328. My test coach had the following options, which brought its price to $115,531: hydraulic leveling jacks; full-body paint; power copilot seat; power sun visors; air horns; convection-microwave oven; VCR; curbside Euro-recliner with Soft Touch vinyl; plank flooring in kitchen and bath; computer table; 60-watt solar panel; 12-volt heater in wet bay; 10-gallon LP-gas/electric water heater; day-night shades with sleeping area black-outs; dual-pane windows; patio awning; window awning; 13,500-Btu living room air conditioner with heat pump.

The Trek proved to me that a shorter motorhome can be equally as inviting as one that is much longer. If you would like to downsize, but don’t want to sacrifice luxury and comfort, this coach is worth your consideration. And if you are shopping for your first entry-level type A motorhome, you’ll want to consider the Trek as your step into the rewarding RV lifestyle.

SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturer … Safari Division of Monaco Coach Corporation, 91320 Industrial Way, Coburg, OR 97408; (800) 634-0855; fax: (541) 681-8899; www.safarimotorcoaches.com Model … 2003 Trek Floor plan … 2810 Rear Bath Chassis … Workhorse P Series Engine … 8.1-liter Chevrolet Vortec; 340 horsepower @ 4,200 rpm Transmission … 4L85E Hydra-matic Axle ratio … 4.63 to 1 Tires … Michelin XRV 225/70R 19.5 F Wheelbase … 178 inches Brakes … Hydraulic four-wheel antilock disc Suspension … Front “” wide track with auxiliary air springs, stabilizer bar, and Bilstein shocks; rear “” parabolic taper multi-leaf with Bilstein shocks Alternator … 145 amps Batteries … chassis “” (1) 12-volt deep-cycle; house “” (4) 6-volt deep-cycle Steering … Saginaw 708 14.1 power steering Inverter   … 1,500-watt Electrical service … 50 amps Auxiliary generator … 4-kilowatt Onan MicroLite; 5.5-kilowatt Onan Gold Marquis optional Exterior length … 28 feet 10 inches Exterior width … 100.5 inches Interior height … 6 feet 6 inches throughout; 6 feet 3 inches under bed Exterior height . .. 11 feet 8 inches Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) … 21,000 pounds Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) … 18,000 pounds Gross axle weight rating (GAWR) … front “” 6,000 pounds; rear “” 12,000 pounds Wet weight as tested … (weighed with full water and fuel tanks, and 300 pounds of cargo in front bays) front axle “” 5,700 pounds; rear axle “” 10,300 pounds; total “” 16,040 pounds Payload … 2,260 pounds (adjusted for cargo) Frame construction … tubular aluminum; laminated and vacu-bonded walls and floors; 9-layer roof with 3-inch I-beam aluminum frame in roof Insulation … block foam in roof, walls, and floors; additional fiberglass insulation in roof Fresh water capacity … 62 gallons Holding tank capacities … gray water “” 38 gallons; black water “” 38 gallons Fuel capacity … 60 gallons Fuel requirements … unleaded gasoline Propane capacity … 24 gallons Water heater … 6-gallon LP-gas/electric with electronic ignition; 10-gallon LP gas/electric, optional Water system … demand Furnace … 31,000-Btu electronic ignition, forced air, ducted heat Air conditioner … 13,500-Btu with ducted air and wall thermostat Refrigerator … 8-cubic-foot with ice maker Toilet … porcelain with sprayer Warranty … chassis “” 3 years, 36,000 miles; coach “” 12-month, 24,000-mile basic limited warranty/5 years, 50,000 miles structural Base suggested retail price … $97,328 Price as tested … $115,531

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Theme parks, disney cruise line – what you need to know, cruise line ships, disney private islands, recent walt disney world, recent disneyland, disney world reviews, other park reviews, recent reviews, allears style, newsletter home, reviews of wild africa trek – animal kingdom, {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"breadcrumblist","itemlistelement":[{"@type":"listitem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/","name":"all reviews"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/reviews\/category\/tours-at-wdw-wild-africa-trek-keys-to-the-kingdom\/","name":"tours at walt disney world reviews"}},{"@type":"listitem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/allears.net\/reviews\/wild-africa-trek-animal-kingdom\/","name":"wild africa trek - animal kingdom reviews"}}]} all reviews > tours at walt disney world reviews > wild africa trek - animal kingdom reviews, recommended by, reviewed by melmac82 review date: 01/28/2013, rating: (6) recommended.

I went on this tour with my mom, sister, and friend back in October. We are Disney regulars and probably average 2-3 trips every 2 years. I'll say that my expectations were a little too high for this, and I'll also admit that a large part of that was based on the cost. I put "yes" that I'd recommend the tour, but it's really a recommend with reservations. There are a lot of other reviews that detail every part of the tour, so I won't go into all of that, but rather just highlight and give my honest opinion of the things that most stood out to me. I have to start off first with the cost. For a tour that offers no discounts I was expecting a lot for $201.29 (cost including tax). We did this tour as an incentive for my sister (she's 27 by the way) to not make us go to Universal to see the Harry Potter section. So let's say that the lunch (VERY GOOD!, but not for picky eaters and waaaayy too short) would cost about $20-25 if eaten at a restaurant; the CD (a lot of great pictures!, but remember the tour guides are not official PhotoPass photographers) would cost about $10-15; and the water bottle about $10. This all adds up to $40-50, meaning that the rest of the trek better be worth the $150. After doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour for $65 (less with discounts) and the Behind the Seeds tour for $18 (less with discounts) I can officially say that this one was not even close to being worth $150!!! Now, if the price for the entire tour was about half of what it is, then I would be a lot more likely recommend it to anyone who asked. Another bad thing about the cost is that only one person in a group gets the Picture CD (I got the CD, but my mom, sister, and friend didn't get one). The CD is supposed to be included with the tour and nowhere does it say that only one person in a group gets a CD. So essentially, everyone paid for a CD up front, but I had to end up making and sending out a copy to everyone else. Since we are all adults and live in different locations I had to spend the money and time to buy blank CDs, make the copies, and mail them out. If everyone in your party lives in the same household then it's probably not a big deal, but if not then see if you can request that everyone in your party receive a CD when you check in. Next, I'll point out some of the things in the description, what I expected, and what we actually got: "Journey deep into Pangani Forest on a thrilling, privately guided expedition featuring close encounters with exotic wildlife species." --> Yep, the Pagani Forest is the trail that is located right outside the exit of the safari. So, I expected to see things that I couldn't from just walking on the trail like I've done dozens of times when visiting the park. Nope. You get to walk and fight the rest of the regular park crowd to see the animals while trying to listen, through the ear piece that keeps falling out of your ear, to the little extras that the tour guides are saying. And we went through the trail faster than I do on my own. "Get closer than you ever dreamed possible to Nile crocodiles and massive hippos." --> Pretty accurate, but I would have liked to toss some of the fruit/veggies to the hippos. Crossing the rope bridge was fun and something to experience! My complaint though is that they send you across one at a time. So if you're near the beginning of the group (we had an almost full group of 11) you have to stand around at the end waiting for everyone else to come across. Or if you are at the end, you have to stand around until it's your turn. I was probably 4th in our group and had to wait about 15 minutes until everyone was across. And yeah, crocodiles are cool to see, but they just lay there, so there's only so much looking until it gets boring. "Venture on to a VIP safari across an open savanna teeming with native African creatures!" --> Again I expected that we would get to see other parts of the safari area other than what you get to see on the safari ride. And again, nope. You do get to ride in a private safari truck, but it just follows the regular safari ride's road. We did get to stop about 5 times (wildebeasts, ankole cattle, elephants, lions, rhinos) to take good pictures and hear more about the animals and their care from the tour guides. It was nice to get good pictures, but I didn't get to see anything that I couldn't otherwise see on the safari ride. "...including a visit to an exclusive safari camp with incredible views of everything from towering giraffe to powerful rhinos." --> This is where we ate lunch. Again I was thinking that this was in an exclusive area, but it's right in the middle of the safari ride savanna - you can see the building while on the safari, it's on the right when you go by the flamingos. Lunch was very good and we had a good view of the giraffes - until they decided to wander off somewhere else. So you may or may not get a good look at animals during lunch. It just depends on which ones want to wander by. If you want a guaranteed look at the animals where you can spend as much time as you like and can see them closer just go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and see the animals there. Also, lunch was kind of short. I'm a fast eater but I had to really eat quick and ended up stuffing the dessert in my mouth as we were leaving because I didn't want to leave any of the really good food! So basically I have two summaries of the Wild Africa Trek depending on who I'm talking to: For those who don't care about the cost and have tons of extra money laying around: The Wild Africa Trek is awesome and a great experience you don't want to miss! For those who are wondering if they want to spend $200 on a tour: You get to experience some new things and get closer to the animals than you can in any other offered experience, but it's not worth the money. Go over to Animal Kingdom Lodge, eat at Sanaa for lunch (where they have savanna views from the restaurant), and then go sit outside in a rocking chair to watch the animals while enjoying a Mickey ice cream bar from the gift shop. You'll spend a lot less money, see about the same amount of animals, and hey, you get a Mickey icream out of the deal too. 🙂

Reviewed by Lou28 Review Date: 01/14/2013

Rating: (7) recommended.

I took this tour several months ago with my family. The tour guides were top notch. They also did a great job getting good photos of my family. Another highlight was the meal served at the boma, very good! Seeing the hippos up close was great, too. Unfortunately, our tour day turned out to be a hot one. The harnesses felt heavier and more uncomfortable in the heat. You don't realize just how heavy the harness is until you take it off about halfway through the tour. The cold wash cloths were a welcome addition as well as water bottles. I have taken the regular safari ride 2-3 dozen times and had the misfortune of seeing the fewest animals ever on this tour. Our truck stopped for a while in a few places but not many animals were out and about. During our lunch there weren't many animals to see either. Our tour guides tried to compensate with lots of interesting information. Given the nature of the animals, it is hard for Disney to provide a consistent tour experience. I'm sure on a different day I could have seen lots more animals. This is a wildcard factor to consider before booking tour. The "thrill" aspects of the tour (namely, rope bridges) were less thrilling than expected. There is just one L-shaped bridge. Everyone passed over it rather quickly to make way for the next guest without much time to appreciate the surroundings. I was pleased with the photo CD, which arrived quickly after our return home. I do think Disney should send a CD to every person, not just one per group, considering we all paid a rather hefty price for the tour. I would recommend this tour to people looking for something different to try at AK and with extra money to spare. Do be prepared that animal viewing can vary.

Reviewed by sand935 Review Date: 09/30/2018

Rating: (10) recommended.

We chose to do the earliest tour time and was glad. It would have been too hot for me later in the day. Liked walking the trails and loved the bouncy bridges. Our guides were very knowledgeable. they took pictures which turned out better than the ones we took so liked this service. eating area and food was great. we are saving up to do it again.

Reviewed by vanMickey Review Date: 09/28/2018

This is a great tour for anyone interested in a longer, more in depth look at the Savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It takes a slow pace, it very interactive. We had 6 people on the tour and two guides. They know where the animals congregate at the time of your tour and let you hang out in the jeep as long and close as you want. They food was good and really more of a snack, not a meal replacement. We did it 3 years ago and it is still a 'core' memory to our kids.

Reviewed by CarolB Review Date: 09/27/2018

My first and so far only WDW tour. Well worth the cost. The guides did an excellent job of allowing us just the right amount of time in each location to take pictures, ask questions, etc. before moving on. The lunch selection was great and they had no problem providing a special meal for my daughter who has an allergy.

Reviewed by Dawne Review Date: 09/27/2018

What an azi g experience this was. Up lose and perdon with the animals. Walking over the rope/wooden bridge was a thrill in itself. A myst see for everyone!

Reviewed by ars0525 Review Date: 11/14/2017

We had 11 people in our group & Macie & Katie did a GREAT job of keeping everyone involved. Loved getting to hike on the trails in the woods & see animals. I have ridden the safari ride many times, but getting to stop by the animals & discuss in further depth was amazing! We did the 12:30 tour so had the lunch food options--all was delish & a good amount of food was served. I would take this tour every time if it wasn't so pricey! My 75 yo dad who's in average shape had no trouble keeping up or participating. We all loved it! And when the rain sprinkles started--we all got ponchos so bonus gift!

Reviewed by Pallantides1 Review Date: 10/19/2017

Just got back from our Honeymoon in October and we really enjoyed this excursion. Its so nice to spend time in a small group away from the crowds and get some quality time discussing the animals with knowledgeable guides. The tour focuses primarily on crocodiles and hippos but you also go out to the savannah at the end. The food is also nice and the physical demands of the trek are minimal. The bridge crossing could be a problem if you have a fear of heights but other than that I can't think of anything that could cause someone any problems.

Reviewed by alcmom Review Date: 08/27/2016

Excellent , well organized tour with extremely knowledgable guides. Up close view of hippos, alligators, giraffes. Safari bus goes off road for even closer views of the safari. Great snack and stop with view over looking safari. The time flys!! Ours was a small. Group, four of us and another group of three plus two guides

Reviewed by weheartdisney Review Date: 12/28/2015

My husband and I took the Wild Africa Trek tour on November 17, 2015. We loved everything about this tour--the length, the animal viewing opportunities, and the learning experience. We took the last tour of the day. The price was the discounted amount offered by Disney, and we added a DVC discount to bring the cost down even more. My husband is very afraid of heights when there is too much open space around him. (Frame of reference: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Expedition Everest are okay but Space Mountain, Soarin', and ferris wheels are not.) I showed him pictures in advance of the bridge crossings and assured him that if he was uncomfortable with them that there was an alternate route. He crossed those bridges like a pro! He even stopped to look around. He said he felt safe the entire time. The snack, as they called it, was delicious. I felt there was quite a bit of food and would have actually called it lunch. We were disappointed to hear that we could not purchase that exact chicken dish anywhere else on property. The time spent viewing the animals was excellent. It was nice to pull off to the side of the road and be able to take in the surrounding areas. We had a group of 13 and had plenty of room to move around the truck. The pictures the guides took came out great and were available online to download the next day. The only negative, and I'm not even taking off on the rating for this, is when you start the tour you are walking through the regular park crowds to get to the trek entrance. We would do this tour again in the future since we know that no two trips on the safari are the same.

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

By: Author Shannon Albert

Posted on Published: May 9, 2023  - Last 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…

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.

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.

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.

Think About the Weather

One other thing to think about before you go is the weather.  The hiking portion of the trip is over an hour and the riding portion is open air with no air conditioning.  The heat of the summer may cause more of a strain on your body, than say going in the middle of October.  If you do go in the summer, it may be better to book an early morning safari trek.

Wild Africa Trek – An In-Depth Review of the VIP Backstage Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney describes the Wild Africa Trek as “[a] privately guided VIP expedition offering close encounters with exotic African wildlife in their native habitat.” In other words, the Wild Africa Trek is a tour that builds upon the experience of Kilimanjaro Safaris by taking you to areas of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve that you may have seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris, but only from afar. This article takes an in-depth look at the Wild Africa Trek experience, details the cost associated with the tour, responds to possible FAQs from those considering the tour, and, ultimately, attempts to the answer the question: Is the Wild Africa Trek worth its cost?

Checking (and Strapping) In

Check-in for Animal Kingdom’s Wild Africa Trek takes place next to the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris. When you arrive, a cast member will verify your registration, inform you that there will be no restrooms available for the first two hours or so of the Trek, and subtly suggest that you take advantage of the the restrooms available around the corner before suiting up.

Once through the initial check-in, you’ll get a locker to store everything you cannot securely attach to your vest and/or harness. The “attached to the vest” restriction can be confusing with respect to cameras, but – according to the cast members with whom we talked – a camera strap that hangs around your neck will suffice. During this phase, cast members will also provide croakies for your glasses or sunglasses, a nametag, and a keepsake water bottle that clips to your vest.

After your belongings are secured in the locker, a cast member will fit you with a vest and harness. The harness fits snugly, through and around your legs. For this reason, and also probably because the trek includes walking across exposed bridges, Disney recommends that women do not wear skirts or dresses for the Wild Africa Trek. Based on her experience with the harness straps, my wife would also recommend that women do not wear very short shorts.

Once you are all strapped into your harness, you are weighed to verify compliance with the 300 lb weight limit (those of you who are scale-shy shouldn’t worry; there are no giant flashing numbers), provided a radio earpiece to hear the guides, and encouraged to take advantage of the available sunscreen and bug spray.

Starting the Tour

The first part of the tour involves walking through what our charming guides referred to as “some of the most dangerous animals in the wild:” homo sapiens. Basically, you walk from the Wild Africa Trek check-in location to the entrance of Pangani Forest Exploration Trail . On the Pangani Trail, you follow the same path as any guest, including winding through the aviary and quickly walking past the naked mole rats. Even with the additional and humorous insights provided by the Wild Africa Trek guides, this part of the tour might leave you wondering when the real tour is going to start. Thankfully, near the end of Pangani Trail, the fun really begins.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Toward the end of the Pangani Trail, your guides lead you up into the woods. This is where the real Wild Africa Trek experience begins. After a brief trail walk, you arrive at an overlook that extends out above the hippopotamus pool. Your guide will clip you (via your harness) to a support railing that allows you to move up to the edge of the overlook without fear of falling into the hippos’ gaping maws. The primary guides provide some hippo insight, but the group is also joined by a “hippo expert”, who provides you with information about feeding habits and the hippos’ relationships with one another, and, most importantly, brings large quantities of lettuce to coax the hippos closer to the overlook.

Next comes the rope bridge across the crocodiles. Those who have experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris have driven under this bridge (really two bridges connected by a platform tower) and may have noticed cast members or Wild Africa Trek groups traversing it. The rope bridge is not particularly difficult to navigate, though it was a little more wobbly than I had expected and I appreciated the fact that I was clipped into a safety line. Every member of the group will go across the bridge individually, and you are free to stop along the way to take pictures (assuming you have the courage to let go of the railings).

Since the bridge takes you literally over the crocodiles (don’t fall!), it shouldn’t be much surprise that the next stop is to view the crocodiles a little more closely. Just as with the hippopotamus overlook, you are attached to a safety rail so that you can inch up to the edge, and you are joined by a crocodile expert with interesting tidbits of information. Now is a great time for pictures: apparently natural models, crocodiles will hold a given pose (such as showing off their jaws) for quite some time.

Riding (and Stopping) in the Savannah

After you wave goodbye to the crocodiles, you’ll also say goodbye for to your vest, harness, and earpiece, and hello to back of a safari truck. The Wild Africa Trek vehicles are different from those on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your vehicle for the Trek features benches along the outer edge of the bed of the truck, with a wide open area in the middle. This allows for everyone to face one another, and the guides, while riding through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, and, more importantly, provides a nice empty space for everyone to stand when the truck stops. Yes, unlike Simba–1 on Kilimanjaro Safaris, this truck will stop, and your guides allow you to stand to get a better view of the animals on the reserve. If you are a photographer, this fact alone might make the Wild Africa Trek worth its price.

Other than the truck’s configuration and the opportunity to stop for several minutes at various places along the tour, what you see during the ride through the Harambe Wildlife Preserve is nearly identical to what you would experience on Kilimanjaro Safaris. This includes views of the springboks, giraffes, elephants, and other savannah animals. However, since you have so much more time, you hear much more information. Our guides were very knowledgeable and the other guests had great questions. For example, we learned that one of the giraffes was pregnant, and it appears that Disney’s Animal Kingdom (or Animal Kingdom Lodge) will have another baby giraffe sometime in 2015.

When you are about two thirds of the way through the traditional Kilimanjaro Safaris trail, near the flamingo pool, the Wild Africa Trek again diverges from the standard experience. It is at this point that you stop at a boma for a meal and more animal-viewing. Note that boma simply means an area for outdoor meals and parties, and you are not going all the way to Boma , the restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The boma on the Wild Africa Trek is a large, beautiful observation deck with views of substantial sections of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The front of the observation deck, where there are tables and chairs, has fantastic views of the elephants, the flamingo pond, and the grasslands populated with many other animals; the rear of the observation deck provides a (binocular-assisted) view of the rock formation that the lions call home.

The meal provided at the boma is specially prepared by the kitchen at Tusker House and differs depending on the time of day (i.e. breakfast for morning tours, lunch for afternoon tours.) For example, a breakfast meal includes brie, various fruits, and yogurt with granola, while lunch features items such as smoked meats, salmon roulade, and shrimp. If any of that sounded appetizing to you, then you are in for a treat on the Trek. The food is excellent, and, as our guides pointed out, the boma on the Wild Africa Trek is the only place at Walt Disney World to get these items. With classic Disney Magic touch, even the flower accompanying the meal is edible and tasty.

Finishing out the Tour

After relaxing at the boma, and taking in the views from both sides of the observation deck, it is time to pile back into the safari truck to finish the tour. As before, the truck travels a route similar to that of the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride vehicles, but it has the benefit of stopping and allowing you to stand and take pictures of the animals along the way.

The tour ends at the same place that Kilamonjaro Safaris concludes. At this time, the tour group and guides all must walk back to the lockers, where personal belongings were stored approximately three hours prior, and say your tearful goodbyes.

During most of the year, the Wild Africa Trek costs $201.29 per person. During peak times, however, the price tag jumps to $265.00. Peak times include: the weeks of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, and a period Disney defines as “spring break” (which changes from year to year and has not yet been set for 2015.) You must pay for your tour, in full, at the time of booking, and if you have to cancel, you must do so more than two days in advance if you wish to receive a refund. The tour takes place rain or shine, so it would be a good idea to pay attention to the weather forecast if the thought of experiencing the Wild Africa Trek in the rain does not appeal to you.

Through October 25 of this year (2014), Disney is offering a $50 discount, per person, on “afternoon” tours (i.e. tours that start at 11:30 AM or later.) At nearly 25% of the cost of the tour, this is a fairly substantial discount. Of course, if you are traveling in July or August, saving $50 per person might not be enough to make a three hour tour in the Florida heat (or afternoon thunderstorms) enjoyable.

At the time of publication, the cast members I spoke with informed me there is no current Annual Pass discount available for the Wild Africa Trek. When I booked my tour earlier this year, however, I received a discount of $50 per person that the cast member handling the booking attributed to my status as an Annual Passholder. Consequently, I encourage Annual Passholders to ask for any potential discounts when booking their tours.

How do I book a reservation for the Animal Kingdom’s Wild Africa Trek? Reservations for the Wild Africa Trek made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR (i.e. (407) 939–8687.)

What should I wear on the Wild Africa Trek? Sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable walking shoes (but they don’t have to be made for hiking – I did just fine in sneakers and my wife wore Converse), and breathable materials in temperature appropriate styles.

What should I not wear on the Wild Africa Trek? Flip flops (or other shoes that could easily slide off), dresses, skirts, or any clothing that would be uncomfortable when you are in the vest and harness. Take a look at the harnesses used in mountain climbing and ropes courses to see where the straps of the harness hit the body, and do what you can to avoid chafing.

What are the physical demands associated with the Wild Africa Trek?

• THE WALK: The total walking on the tour probably clocks in just under 2 miles (through the prohibition against non-vest-attached cellphones meant I didn’t get a precise calculation.) I would suggest taking a couple trips around Epcot’s World Showcase to gauge how comfortable you feel walking that distance over 90 minutes or so.
• THE BRIDGE: As I noted above, the rope bridge is a little more wobbly than I anticipated it would be. Additionally, some boards are “missing” from the bridge which means that you have to step over sizable gaps (though I didn’t have a measuring tape with me, I would guess the largest gap was around 16–18 inches, and there is a safety net under the entire bridge which is visible through the gaps). Despite the wobbliness and the gaps, my wife Elyssa, who is not particularly fond of heights, and the rest of the our group had no real issues traversing the bridge. Ultimately, it comes down to your particular sense of balance and your comfort with being approximately two stories off the ground.
• THE BATHROOMS: There are no restroom facilities for the first two hours or so of the tour. A cast member will most likely remind you of that fact before you are strapped in the harness, but it is probably a good idea to hit up the restrooms in Harambe Village before you check-in. There is a bathroom once you get to the boma about two thirds of the way through the Trek.

Should I bring my camera (smartphone or stand alone?)

This depends on how much of the experience you want to capture. The guides will take pictures of the group and the animals frequently throughout the Trek, and I felt our particular guides did a good job of getting shots of each individual party within the overall group. After the tour, you receive access to a website that allows you to download the guides’ photos and a “greatest hits” set of photos from other tours. I probably would have been content had the guide photos been all I received.

I was happy, however, that I brought my own camera. It allowed me to take more candid shots of my wife enjoying the experience than the guides did. As noted earlier in the post, you do have to either attach your camera to your vest or hang it around your neck to be allowed to bring it. Though smartphone photographs would probably be sufficient to get the extra documentation you may want from your Wild Africa Trek experience, the requirement of attaching your phone to your vest might make it easier to go with a compact camera. I found it much easier to find a suitable camera strap for my camera than to find an iPhone case/strap that would keep my phone connected to my vest while I took pictures.

Does the Wild Africa Trek photo download include other Disney Photopass photos from the rest of my vacation? No. In fact, you go to a special website – which appears to be separate from the Disney Photopass site – to download your images.

Is it Worth it?

The Wild Africa Trek is fantastic. Both my wife and I enjoyed it thoroughly, and, but for the cost associated with the Trek, would love to take the tour each and every time we go to Walt Disney World. Of course, in reality, the more than $200 per person price tag must be factored into the decision. Thankfully, Disney packs a lot into the Trek to justify the $200 cost, including: access to areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom not available to regular guests, up-close encounters with animals not available through any other Disney attractions, a meal available only on the tour, full photographic documentation of the experience, and, of course, your awesome water bottle.

If you have never experienced the Wild Africa Trek, have at least a passing interest in animals, and think you might enjoy the experience described above, then the answer is simple: Yes. Go on the tour. If, however, you still have questions about whether you would enjoy three hours walking and driving mostly in the Florida sun, then you might have to think a little harder about whether this experience is right for you. The goal of this post is to provide enough detail for you to make a well-informed decision.

When my wife and I look back on our last few trips to Walt Disney World, it is the Wild Africa Trek that we list as our “Number One Highlight.” For us, the Wild Africa Trek was definitely worth its price tag.

After reading about the Wild Africa Trek, are you interested in going on the tour? What other Disney VIP tours have you been on? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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John is on the long list of attorneys who are also huge Disney fans. He likes to think there's more to him to that, but the jury's still out. John's love and fandom for Disney is only rivaled by his love for his wife Elyssa and his fandom for the Boston Red Sox. Though they live in North Carolina, John and Elyssa try to visit Disney World whenever possible - especially for runDisney events, holidays, special occasions, vacations, and days that end in the letter "y". John can be found on Twitter at @kivus.

15 thoughts on “ Wild Africa Trek – An In-Depth Review of the VIP Backstage Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ”

what is the age requirement?

8 years and at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall.

See https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/wild-africa-trek/

Thank you, after visiting the link you posted, I measured my 8 year old and found out that she is exactly 48 inches….. and we will be doing this on our next visit!!!

I am interested in knowing is an AM or PM tour better due to animal activity, etc. Heat doesn’t bother us.

Good question, and even better timing. Today, Disney published findings from a study it performed on animal activity at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The result? Time of day does not significantly change the probability of spotting animals. (You can read more details here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/wildlife-wednesday-myth-busters-whens-the-best-time-to-see-your-favorite-animals-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ )

So, if you believe Disney’s study, an AM or PM tour should not result in different levels of animal activity. One alternative factor you may wish to consider: Would you rather eat the brie, various fruits, and yogurt with granola they serve at breakfast, or the smoked meats, salmon roulade, and shrimp they serve at lunch?

We did an 8am tour in August 2012. Rather than “Check-in takes place next to the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris”, because our tour started before the park opened we had to check-in just outside the main turnstiles.

Our group was of 12 people, I assume this is the maximum. The cast members were fantastic. Disney supplied a total of 187 photos (in 2012 it was on a PhotoCD that arrived in the post a few weeks later), the vast majority were our of tour rather than being stock photos. At the boma the CMs were happy to oblige by taking numerous individual and family/group photos.

My kids still remember eating the flower during the meal! We threw the souvenir water bottles away as the screw lids kept getting cross-threaded.

We didn’t do the normal Kilimanjaro Safaris ride, there seemed little point when the tour offered so much more. It was definitely worth the money.

Adding this to my Disney Bucket List immediately! Looks like a must-do, especially for been-there, done-that types like our family. Thanks for all the information and photos!

I booked this tour a few days ago for my husband and myself in September, and with the discount it was just under $300 for the two of us including tax. We’ve been going to WDW every year for several years and this is our first tour, and I’m very excited. One question – is the meal a full meal or more like a snack? We’re doing the 1:30 tour and have dinner reservations at 7:30. I’m just wondering if we’ll be too full to enjoy dinner.

I would classify it as a “light lunch.” If you need more details than what I put in the review, Disney’s official explanation of the meal (available here: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/02/wild-africa-trek-you-cant-feed-the-animals-but-you-get-to-eat/ ) has another picture of what you will be served.

If I was taking the 1:30 PM tour, I would eat something light for lunch around 12:00-12:30 PM before going on the tour, and have the meal on the tour around 3:15-3:30 PM, and then I would be ready for dinner at 7:30 PM. If I was really concerned about maximizing my value when it comes to dinning options, I might not schedule a buffet or similar “all you care to enjoy” meal for that 7:30 PM reservation.

Again, that is based on my eating habits, but hopefully it gives you a little more insight. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for your more than through review. I think I am putting this on my list for October.

My family of 4 and another family of 4 are doing this together this August. This will be our 4th trip to the World but our first Wild Africa Trek. I am looking forward to this tour the most out of our entire trip. We got the $50 per person discount and are taking the 11:45 tour. For all 8 of us that’s a $400 savings – so we’ll tough it out in the Florida heat. Can’t wait!

My wife and I did this tour in 2011, and it was great. (To be fair, we’re the kind of people who will stand in line and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris 2 or 3 times in one trip.) It’s definitely not for Disney-on-a-budget, but if you can afford it, it’s not going to let you down.

As for the weight limit, I think it used to be 250, and when I did it I was probably about 230, but they never brought out the scale to check. I’d imagine that 300 is closer to the actual safety rating of the equipment, which is why they need to break out the scale now.

This is on my Disney bucket list. Thanks for the great article. I think when the trek first started, the weight limit was lower, I remember thinking that I wouldn’t qualify. (I’ve lost weight, so it is not any issue any way now for me.) If I ever do a solo trip to WDW, this will be my big slurge.

My wife and I have looked very carefully at this adventure and are scheduled to take the Trek on Sep 5 in the morning. We too believe this will be the highlight of our next visit. I was a bit disappointed in the reservation process. You call and give your credit card info (charging the full amount) and all you get in return is a number. No email no hard copy. We were told to ask at check in about our DVC or Disney Visa card discount. There was no discount available at the time of reservation. Then the reservation does not link to My Disney Experience. You can only make a note. Something for the Mouse to work on! Really looking forward to the experience though!

My 11-year-old daughter (who loves animals) & I did the Trek in Oct 2013. I agree that it was totally worth the cost! It was a wonderful experience that tops anything else we’ve done at Disney. Although we were both nervous about the bridges, being harnessed made it a very safe-feeling experience & ended up being one of the highlights of the experience (I will warm that short-legged people will have to stretch to make a couple of the gaps based on my 5-foot-tall daughter’s experience, but she says that was part of the fun). Being able to stop during the drive portion of the safari was great as well—but do be alert & listen to the guides as you may need to suddenly sit back down to move along quickly should the animals take an extra interest in you (they are wild animals!)—we had an up-close encounter with the rhinos when they decided to come check us out! The trek was definitely worth every penny & we would love to be able to do it again.

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Wild Africa Trek: An Insider Review of Animal Kingdom’s Safari Adventure

Ever want to experience Disney’s Animal Kingdom behind the scenes? Well sort of… If you ever get the chance the Wild Africa Trek is an experience like no other. In this article, we’ll explore the journey you’ll take, the perks of this tour, and give you our impressions of this wild excursion!

Is The Wild Africa Trek Worth It?

Yes, it is pricey, but well worth the price in my eyes, as you get immersed in the experience of being on a trek in the African wilderness. I would recommend the first in the morning or the last in the afternoon. Going in the morning is cooler, especially in the summer, and during late afternoon the animals are moving again from their naps.  I have never been to Africa so I can’t truly compare but I love Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Prices for the Wild Africa Trek range from $139 to $249 per Person (tax not included), but avid animal lovers and explorers will definitely find value in this tour.

What’s The Experience Like?

When you get there to get started you get “suited” up in a vest like you are an explorer walking through the jungle, and you get a water bottle that straps on so you can’t lose it.

Guides are very careful with what you can bring, as you will be in the same areas that the animals can be, so they don’t want to leave something behind that an animal might think is tasty. I love the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, so getting to see the animals more up close, and more a bit personal, definitely caught my interest.

On the Wild Africa Trek, you get your own private Jeep. They do not allow you to get out of the vehicle for your safety and the animal’s safety, but they do stop and allow you to learn a bit more about the animals and take pictures without all the bumps.

The guides do allow you to walk around the hut to take pictures, and you have such great viewing of the Savannah. I got to see giraffes closer than I have ever before, I was in awe. Before all of that I even got to walk over a rope bridge over the alligator and crocodile area, that was an experience!

Another bonus of this trek, was to feed the hippos. We got tethered to a pole so we could walk down a steep hill and the cast member called for the hippos. The hippos showed up mouths open and got fed watermelon and other vegetables.

Wild Africa Trek Sample Menu

You also get your own private viewing spot on the savannah for your included snack time (I called it a small lunch or brunch).

Sample Menu

• Air-dried beef and prosciutto
• Smoked salmon roulade with dill
• Fig cake with Boursin cheese
• Brie cheese and apricot
• Berry yogurt and dried cranberries
• Fresh fruit marinated in mint and ginger
• Chicken curry salad
• Sun-dried tomato hummus and mini pita
• Marinated tandoori shrimp

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

Wild Africa Trek Photos

At the end of our tour we got to have some group photos taken, and when viewing the pictures later, we noticed some surprise pictures of some characters that normally where not in the parks. Keep in mind that this experience does have an age and weight limit to ensure the safety of guest on the trek.

I am hoping they will offer this again once COVID restrictions are lifted. If you have ever wanted to see more of Disney’s Animal Kingdom “behind the scenes” I would highly recommend this tour. I have done several tours at Disney and this one is always my top rated.

Do you have a favorite tour that you’d like to share? Let us know your experience with tours at Disney World by leaving a comment below!

Karen Sarasin

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