I Went On A Wild Africa Trek #MoneyKingdomEvent

I Went On A Wild Africa Trek

Last week I was in the happiest Place on earth – Walt Disney World.  When I received the invite to attend the Monkey Kingdom Event I was beyond excited because I knew it would be an adventure of a lifetime.  I couldn’t wait to visit Orlando and get started on all the adventures that were waiting for all of the Monkey Kingdom Event bloggers.  One of the adventures I was looking forward to doing was the Wild Africa Trek.  Thanks to Walt Disney World for providing the Wild Africa Trek complementary during the event.  Any opinions expressed are my own.

Our trek was scheduled to start at 12:30 and it’s recommended you arrive at least fifteen minutes before the start of your trek so you can store your belongings in the lockers provided, sign the waiver and get strapped in your harness.  Wild Africa Trek is suggested for ages 8 and older and there is also a weight and height limit due to the safety restrictions and to ensure that the harness is secure.  While on the trek you are allowed to take a camera as long as it can be secured to you and they even have straps for cell phones if you want to take your along.  Cast members helped secure us in our harness and performed a two part check before we took our group photos and then we were on our way to explore the wild.

Wild Africa Trek provides photos complementary during your trek.  It’s included in your attraction price, you just download them from their site 48 hours after the trek.  I opted to not take any cameras or phones with me and left the photo taking to Wild Africa Trek Cast Members Jason and Joe.

Our adventure started with a short walk through a portion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Pangani Forest trail in Africa.  We took a short stop in the Aviary to check out birds native to Africa.  We were walking through the park for about five minutes and then we were off to our personal private walking trail to start our adventure.  The day was kind of cool but mainly while we were walking through the wooded areas.  Our first stop was to the hippo habitat to see of the the cast members feed the hippos.

It took a few minutes to get one of the hippos to come over to where we were standing to be feed.  This particular habitat contained two males.  We learned that Hippos are very territorial and usually males do not live with each other but this pair (a father and son) surprisingly had been living together for about thirteen years with no problems.  Cast members at Animal Kingdom however pay close attention to their behavior patterns in case that happens to change.  We also had an up close and personal view of a dung shower.  It wasn’t pretty at all.  After hanging with the Hippos it was time to head to the dreaded rope bridge.

Walking across the bridge during the trek seemed like a daunting task.  I wasn’t the first person over but I was in the first half of the group to go over.  I think I looked down the entire time.  I never looked back at all.  Some of the ladies stopped and took photos or they turned around.  I’m sure I was terrified but it seemed like the bridge was never ending.  The bridge had two parts.  The first goes over the White Rhino habitat and the second over the Crocodile habitat.  Two people are on the bridge at the same time but there’s a large gap between both people.  Everyone in our group crossed over without any problems.

 

After our entire group crossed the bridge and refilled our water bottles we had the opportunity to visit the croc enclosure and have our photo taken in there.  Those crocs sure looked ready to eat, the one pictured above doesn’t have it’s mouth open ready for food but it’s trying to keep cool.  We learned that crocodiles keep their mouths open to let out the hot air and cool down.  None of these guys moved at all while we were there.  Next we ditched the harness and when out on a safari in our private safari truck.

 

There were so many great sightings on safari.  All the animals were out, making it a great adventure. Did you know that Giraffes eat for most of the day.  They get very little sleep because they’re eating most of the time.  Another fun fact is that male elephants live alone, while the females and babies live together.  At the age of thirteen, male elephants are pushed out on their own.

Half way through the trek we were provide a light snack.  There was also a restroom here for anyone needing to use it.  We had great views of the the Savannah that we just drove through.  We could see the animals walking around and the breeze was so cool.  There were two lunch options for guests.  I also had a special dish because I have an onion allergy.  They were great with accommodating with people’s food requests.  We spent thirty minutes enjoying the food.

After lunch we walked down to the patio area and got a closer view of some White Rhinos.  We also got a view of the eastern side of the Savannah from the patio.

When we started the trek again we learned more about other animals that were roaming around.  I loved stopping and learning about the lions.  There’s so much to learn about animals and their behaviors.  For example I learned that lioness sometimes provoke lions to see just how strong and powerful they are.  The Wild Africa Trek is one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Our guides Jason and Joe did an amazing job and got great photographs for us to keep for memories of our trip.  Oh and if you’re wondering what Asante Sana means it’s Thank You in Swahili.  When you participate in the Wild Africa Trek a donation is made in your honor to Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund.  To learn more about the conservation fund visit their site www.Disney.com/conservation.  If you’re thinking about going on your won Wild Africa Trek then here’s a few things you need to know:

• Each participant must be 8 years or older.  Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Tour groups are small, consisting of no more than 12 trekkers per safari.
• The Wild Africa Trek is three hours long.
• Pricing varies seasonally, starting at $189 per person.
• You need to purchase your admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom separately from the cost of the Trek.
• An African-inspired food tasting is INCLUDED with the tour cost, and you can make arrangements in advance for trekkers with food allergies.
• A Disney photographer captures your experiences during the entire trek; the photos are INCLUDED in the price of the tour. All photos of your group can be accessed online for download within 24-48 hours. The photos in this post are examples of what you will receive.  You can also make reasonable requests to the guides about the photos you want taken.
• A donation will be made on your behalf to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.
• Closed toe shoes are required and I would suggest longer shorts or pants. Flip Flops and sandals are not allowed.  Also dresses and skirts are not recommended.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your trek is supposed to start and use the bathroom before the start of the trek.

If you’re interested in booking a trek you can visit the WDW website or call 407-939-8687.  Since I wouldn’t be on this trip if it wasn’t for the Monkey Kingdom Event, I have to mention that Monkey Kingdom is playing in theaters now.  If you see the film between now and April 23rd a donation will be made in your name to the Conservation International.  Earth Day is approaching and seeing Monkey Kingdom would be a great way to celebrate.  Even if you don’t make opening week go out and see the film and support Disneynature.  You can read my Monkey Kingdom Review as well as my interview with Disneynature Ambassador Dr. Sanyajan about the film, also check out the trailer below:

About Money Kingdom:

Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than its share of colorful personalities—and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family retreats, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to uncover untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.  You can get the free Family Activity Packet and Educators Guild from the official MONKEY KINGDOM website (http://nature.disney.com/monkey-kingdom/educators-guide).