About Us|Rates and Reservations|Vehicles|Locations|Policies|FAQs|Discount Rooms & Tickets|Specials|Travel Guide
Orlando Car Rental Travel Guide - Africa
Welcome to the friendly African village of Harambe (Swahili for “come together”). This town does not represent any one particular place in Africa but is a collage of several different regions. Some of the places depicted in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom include Zulu huts, Kenyan dwellings, an East African port city and a Zanzibar fortress.
A beautiful nature trail, a train ride and an adventure-filled safari offer Orlando car rental customers an inspiring opportunity to witness the beauty of African wildlife in a natural setting.
When you reach Africa, it is best to make your way immediately over to the Kilamanjoro Safaris and grab a FastPass. After securing a time slot for your safari adventure, make sure to take in the sights on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail:
“Pangani” is Swahili for “place of enchantment” and the word truly describes this area. The lush, tropical trail, offers park guests an opportunity to observe some truly amazing wildlife, both familiar and unfamiliar.
Among the captivating sights are Meerkats (like Timon from The Lion King), Hippos, Guenther’s Dik-Diks, Naked Mole Rats and a variety of African birds including the Stanley Crane (Africa’s national bird, also known as the Blue Crane). Be sure to catch a glimpse of the Okapi (the only known living relative of the giraffe), which look similar to zebras and the Gerenuks which are gazelles that have long necks similar to giraffes (I don't know ... you figure it out!).
The featured Orlando vacation attraction along the trail is the Gorilla Research Camp. There is a glass viewing area here where you can watch a Gorilla family interact as well as an open air viewing area, which his home to many more of the lowland apes. Disney Cast Members are always available to answer questions in this favorite area of the park.
For an educational and interesting look “behind the scenes,” make sure to hop on the Wildlife Express Train. This is the only way to get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where you will see how the park’s animals are cared for.
Kilamanjaro Safaris:
The signature attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the incredibly long lines to prove it, the Kilamanjaro Safaris offer an opportunity for Orlando car rental customers to go on an expedition that will take them into the heart of the jungle. Here, you may find yourself surrounded by a herd of Giraffes, Zebras, or even Elephants. Inside of your 32-passenger jeep, you will find a helpful chart that shows pictures of the various different animals which you may encounter on your safari adventure.
The drivers are trained to be able to spot the animals and point them out during the ride. Do not expect them to stop for photo opportunities, however, as they must always keep moving to stay ahead of the vehicle behind them. If you have questions about anything, don’t hesitate to ask your driver. Most of them are from Africa and are more than happy to talk about their homeland.
Orlando Car Rental Travel Guide Tip: The best time for observing the wildlife is usually first thing in the morning or between the hours of 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
If the more gentle, hoofed animals are what you seek, look for the Kudu, Bongo, Giraffe, Gazelle, Sable Antelope, Long Horned Eland or the nearly extinct Scimitar-Horned Oryx. On the wilder side, see if you can spot the Black Rhinos, Elephants, Ostriches, Hippos, White Rhinos, Warthogs or the Mandrill Baboons. For the Ferocious at heart, you may get an opportunity to see Cheetahs, Crocodiles or the “King of the Jungle,” Kopje Lions.
This Orlando vacation experience is meant to duplicate an actual safari. Your vehicle makes its way over deeply rutted and potholed roads, along muddy trails, and through high grasslands and small creeks.
WARNING: People who experience back, shoulder or neck pain might want to skip this very jarring ride.
A Little Birdie Told Me ...
Although it may seem like the lions could dine on a nice meal of giraffe, zebra or even Orlando tourist, Disney has made sure that will not happen. The jeep trails on the Kilamanjaro Safaris have been placed in such a way that they are slightly lower than the elevation of the land where the animals are. This makes it impossible for park guests to see the deep pit-like trenches that have been dug that are cleverly disguised with natural plants and shrubs. These “moats” separate the carnivorous predators from the prey that they would most likely seek in the wild if they were able to cross.
The hippos that park guests see on the safari are the same ones that are part of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, as one attraction backs up to the other.
In order to preserve the natural look of the landscaping in the African Savannah, park designers allowed the plants and shrubs to grow in for two years before moving animals into the area.
As you cross the bridge that leads to the Kilamanjaro Safaris, check out the rocks that are in the river below. Many are shaped like animals!
We sure are glad that it's Disney jeeps and not one of our Orlando car rentals that are being driven over the deeply rutted roads on the Kilamanjaro Safaris. Can anyone say "wheel alignment?" If you have not yet reserved your Orlando car rental, you can reserve your Orlando Car Rental here.