Wild Africa Trek

Guest Blogger: Leigh JenkinsFebruary 16, 2016Those traveling to Disney for the second, third, or even tenth time, may be looking for something different to try.  A new look at an Animal Kingdom favorite might be just the thing!  The Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a tour that takes guests behind the scenes of Kilimanjaro Safaris, giving a closer look at the animals and their beautiful landscape.Two guides will lead you on your journey, along with a photographer who will take amazing photos of both you and the animals, leaving your hands—and minds—free from distraction.  You can take your own photos and video, but make sure to hang on to your equipment!  The photographer and a disc of the photos are included with your tour.  The guides are excellent, and give more information and background about the animals and Animal Kingdom itself than you receive during a typical Kilimanjaro Safaris ride.  For example, while examining a crocodile skull, the guides will describe exactly how the muscles work together to trap unsuspecting prey!The journey begins with a giant vest and an imposing looking harness.  You’ll wear these for the first hour of the tour, while hiking through the trees behind the first half of Kilimanjaro Safaris.  The harness is put to good use, first while viewing the hippopotamus from the ledge above.  The hippos have been trained to know when a tour is brought through, so you are guaranteed a good look.  Then, it’s through the woods to the alligator banks where you’ll take an intimidating walk across two suspension bridges above the sleeping gators below.  Though you are once again harnessed in, the planks of wood are spaced apart, and those with a fear of heights (that’d be me right here!) might get a little overwhelmed.

This experience, lasting three hours, is only for guests eight and up, as younger kids cannot handle the harness or strain of the trip.  Pricing is from $139-$249 per person, and guests must be over 48 inches and weigh between 45 and 300 pounds.  Treks in the morning usually have a higher number of animal sightings, but those in the afternoon are cheaper.  For those with pre-teens or teens looking for something different, this is a great experience.Contact Wishes Family Travel, a trained, traveled, and trusted agency that can help you add just the perfect touch—or wild trek—to your Disney vacation!