Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom with Toddlers: What to Expect
Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a must-do experience, especially if you have little ones who love animals.
It’s an open-air safari that takes you through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, where you’ll see giraffes, zebras, lions, and more, often closer than you might expect. And since there’s no height requirement, it’s something the whole family can enjoy together.
We’ve ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris dozens of times, and it’s easily one of our family’s favorite experiences in the park. In this post, I’m sharing what it’s like to ride with young kids, along with a few simple tips that can make an already great ride even better.
Ride Stats
Location: Africa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Height Requirement: None
Ride Type: Guided safari tour
Ride Duration: About 18-20 minutes
Ride Vehicle: Open-air safari truck with bench seating
Restraint Type: None
Ride Intensity: Mild, but can be bumpy at times
Lightning Lane: Yes (Multi Pass)
Planning Your Trip
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the most popular attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and wait times are often quite long, frequently over an hour.
If you’re hoping to ride with a shorter wait, heading there earlier in the day can make a big difference. Another option is to use Lightning Lane, which allows you to reserve a return time and skip the standby line.
If you’re planning your day around Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris is definitely one to prioritize. You can also check out our guide to visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom with young kids here to help plan the rest of your day.
And if your little ones enjoy animal experiences, don’t miss our review of Feathered Friends in Flight, a fun and interactive show that’s another great option for younger kids.
The Queue
The queue for Kilimanjaro Safaris is outdoors, but it is covered and offers plenty of shade, along with fans that help keep things more comfortable while you wait. There aren’t any interactive elements in this line, but there are a few screens along the way that play informational videos.
Strollers are allowed through a portion of the standby line, but you’ll need to leave them at stroller parking before boarding. If you’re using a Lightning Lane, you’ll park your stroller before entering the line entirely. Cast Members will direct you where to go, and your stroller will be waiting for you when you exit the ride.
Another thing to keep in mind is that open containers or cups are not allowed in line, so you’ll need to finish your drink or throw it out before entering.
Ride Vehicle
Guests board an open-air safari truck with bench-style seating, and there’s plenty of space at your feet to store bags during the ride.
Little ones can sit on their own or on your lap, which makes this an easy ride to enjoy with both toddlers and babies One thing to keep in mind is that the ride can be a bit bumpy at times, so you’ll want to make sure your child is seated securely, especially if they’re sitting on the end of the row.
The open-air design makes it easy to see the animals from just about any seat, and there are also spotting guides above each row that my toddler always enjoys looking at during the ride.
The Ride Experience
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the longer attractions in Walt Disney World, with the ride time lasting just under 20 minutes. Throughout the safari, a Disney Cast Member serves as your guide, sharing facts, stories, and information about the animals along the way. They use a microphone, so you’ll be able to hear everything clearly no matter where you’re seated.
As you travel through the reserve, the driver will often slow down or stop to give guests a better view of the animals and time to take photos. One of the most unique things about this ride is that no two safaris are exactly the same. Since many of the animals move around throughout the day, you’ll likely see something different each time you ride.
It’s also not uncommon for animals to come surprisingly close to the vehicle, which is always a highlight, especially for little ones.
If you happen to be visiting on a day with light rain, don’t be discouraged. We’ve found that the animals tend to be more active when it’s raining or just finished raining, which can make for an even better safari experience.
Because the vehicles are open-air and move at a slower pace, it can feel warm during the middle of the day, especially in the summer months. We like to bring a small fan along to help keep things more comfortable.
Toddler/Baby Experience
One of the best things about Kilimanjaro Safaris is that there’s no height requirement, so even babies can ride. This made it such an easy experience for our family to enjoy together.
Because the ride is longer and can be a bit bumpy at times, we’ve found that using a baby carrier makes a big difference. It helps keep little ones secure and comfortable while still allowing them to look around and take everything in.
Our toddler absolutely loves this ride. Being able to see so many animals up close is something he gets really excited about, and it’s one of those experiences he still talks about long after we leave the park. After we ride, he’s usually ready to go again right away.
This is one of those rides that tends to be a hit with kids who enjoy animals, and it’s a great way to slow down and take in something a little different from the typical ride experience.
Is Kilimanjaro Safaris Worth the Wait?
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the most unique experiences in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, giving you the chance to see animals up close from an open-air safari truck as you travel through the reserve.
That said, long wait times can be tough when you’re visiting with young kids. Personally, I try to stick to a wait of around 45 minutes or less. Since this is a longer ride, it can feel worth it even at slightly higher wait times, but anything much beyond that can be a lot for little ones.
If the line is longer, it’s usually better to ride earlier in the day, use Lightning Lane, or come back later. That way, you can enjoy the experience without it feeling like too much of a wait for younger kids.
Final Thoughts
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of our family’s favorite experiences in Walt Disney World. Being able to see so many animals up close in a setting like this is something that really stands out, especially for little ones.
There’s no height requirement, which makes it easy to enjoy with both toddlers and babies, and it’s one of those rides that feels just as special for parents as it does for kids.
Our toddler absolutely loves this ride. Getting to see his favorite animals in person is something he gets so excited about, and it’s an experience he still talks about long after we leave the park.
If your kids enjoy animals, this is definitely a ride you won’t want to miss.