Do you or someone in your family LOVE animals?  If so, this adventure might be one for you to look into while visiting Walt Disney World. We went over the summer last year and it was really neat!  My favorite part was being able to see all the giraffes so close!!

The Starlight Safari tour is approximately an hour long.  Guest must be 8 years of age or older to join. There are two groups that go a night as of right now.  Attire is up to you but I would recommend bringing a light jacket if the night is chilly.

This safari takes place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge savannas!  You meet outside of Sanaa, which is a restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village. This means that you can have a meal at Sanaa before going on the Starlight Safari if you’d like!!  Just make sure to give yourself enough time to eat and still make the check in process for the tour.

After you check in, you will be taken up front to board one of these awesome open-sided safari vehicles. Don’t worry about picking the perfect spot to sit.  You will be able to get up and move around the safari vehicle when your guide stops to let you all take pictures! Just make sure to sit back down and hold on when you get going again because remember…you are on an African safari…it can get a little bumpy.

Once everyone gets situated and your guide goes over a few details, you will each get your own night vision device to use for the length of the tour. Then off you go through the gates of the Savanna!

What might I see on the Starlight Safari?
There is an opportunity to search for over 30 species of African wildlife! We saw zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and gazelles, just to name a few. The giraffes got really close to us on our safari and we even got to see one laying down, which we learned is very rare to see in the wild.

At the end of the tour, you will head back to the resort to the same spot where you boarded the safari vehicle.  Have your questions ready because your tour guides are very educated about the animals and would be happy to answer them!  Once you get back to Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas – Kidani Village, you will return your night vision devices.

We received a complementary gift before getting off the safari vehicle!!  Please make sure you are aware of the time when you return.  Depending on the day and the time you get back from your Starlight Safari, Disney transportation buses may no longer be running and you will need to have another method of transportation to get you back to your hotel.

Contact your personal adventure planner to schedule your tour for your next Walt Disney World trip!  Groups are small so make sure to plan this tour in advance.