Over the years I’ve been to Disney World many times. I still remember a time before Disney’s Animal Kingdom existed. One thing I never miss is the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. Over the years, I stopped taking pictures and just watched, but this past year I snapped a bunch. I’ve never had a safari where I haven’t seen many animals, and only one time where I thought a driver was lacking. Hey, they have a hard job, though. They have to drive the vehicle (it’s not on a track), watch for animals to point out to riders, watch for vehicles stopped in front of them, as well as recite information about the animals.

Riders board an open-air Safari vehicle and are driven through the attraction, where African animals roam freely, diligently separated so there are no accidental “Circle of Life” moments.

It’s really rare to catch the hippos out like this. This was the first time I can recall seeing one right up next to the road like that!

I was recently very lucky with the giraffes. Not only were they out in force, but I managed to actually see them running on the “savannah” and see two of the new giraffe babies!

I’ve had better luck with elephants over the years than I’ve had recently. Still, we saw a few. They are always a pleasure to watch.

Ostriches are always fin to see and often block the road. Don’t be fooled – the nest of “eggs” that’s pointed out has been there since the Safari first opened.

The Scimitar Horned Oryx will also come right up to the Safari Vehicle. They are no longer present in the wild, but are trying to be reintroduced. Only zoos and wildlife preserves contain known Oryx.

Both Black Rhinoceros and White Rhinoceros are present at Kilimanjaro Safaris, at different parts of the trip.

Did you know that flamingoes are pink due to the shrimp in their diet? These aren’t as pink as the ones we saw at Sea World.

There are many different variety of gazelle, antelope, cattle and deer throughout the Safari.

These Nigerian Dwarf Goats are the newest addition to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Madrill Baboon with a young baboon. Sometimes they can be hard to see.

Lions sleep so much, it can be hard to see them just because they blend in so well. Disney tries to entice them to certain spots for viewing with tricks like a heated rock, but it doesn’t always work. I have seen both of the lionesses and the male lion over the years, though.

It’s very worth it to take the time to go on Kilimanjaro Safari when you are at Animal Kingdom. Even if you’ve been before, each time is a different experience. It’s so much fun to see animals in a setting like this. I hope to one day go on a real Safari.