Review- Savor the Savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There are numerous tours available at the Disney parks that many people are not familiar with. Most people go for a week vacation lets say, but there’s barely time to go on all the rides. So who would pay extra for a tour? We would since we have been on most all of the attractions at the parks. And since Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite parks at Disney World we decided to do Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

 

We conveniently live about 2 1/2 hours away from Orlando so it makes sense to be season pass holders for the Disney Parks. Anytime we want a quick, last minute getaway we drive up. We enjoy all the parks but lately we have really been into Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s relaxed, not super busy, cocktails are readily available and food choices are great. Last time we discovered the newish Tiffins restaurant- so amazing! We decided to go back this January to do the Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari for my birthday.

If you enjoy a VIP experience, this ranks up there with the best of them. We booked it only 2 days in advance with no availability issues. Awesome right?  This tour offers 12 people the chance to see the section where the animals roam free. The tour combines the Kilimanjaro Safari with a private guide and dinner. It provides an opportunity to speak to one of the zookeepers as well. Dinner and alcoholic beverages,beer and wine, are included and served in the center of the savanna atop a T-shaped platform.

Embarking on Savor the Savanna

We reserved the last tour at 6:15. We got lucky since we were the only ones on the tour that evening! Maybe because it was a chilly that Saturday night. Upon arrival, you are greeted by your private guide who offers you juice and a locker to secure your belongings. Your tour guide takes you to your vehicle which is in a different section where the general vehicles are. So it already feels special to get through to a section where most people are not allowed. It is dark so they use lanterns as they guide you, which gives it an authentic feel.

Our Own Private Zookeeper

As we start the tour on our own private tour they offer us blankets because it’s cold and advise us to stay seated at all times. We go the usual path and we can see the other riders close by. The difference is you get more time to stop by the animal areas to catch a glance but this of course is dependent on the animals. Then we veer off to the side to speak to the zookeeper. In our case, we get the girl who takes care of the hoofed animals. She was super spunky, knowledgeable and gladly answered all our questions. After we get to see giraffes, hippos and flamingos.

We learn a great deal about how the animals are treated and Disney’s conservation efforts. Disney does a great job of making the Savanah look authentic. Actually, behind the animal environments, there are enclosures where the animals rest. The animals are called to their enclosures via a sound and they are rotated out so they can rest. Disney trades animals with other zoos and participates in saving certain species. They even have some animals on site that are extinct in the wild. A cool thing we found out was that the Beobab trees are not real. Disney as usual, does a great job at making things look authentic.  After we spend some time talking to the zookeeper it’s time for dinner.

 

Dinner on the Platform

At this point, it’s rather cold for Florida. We stop at a T-shaped platform where two servers greet us. There are about 5 tables and a bar in the dining area all empty since were the only ones on the tour. After we sit at our table our server explains that are appetizers are spiced nuts and focaccia bread with an oil dipping sauce. They also offer us wine, beer and tea. All the food is typical to and African themed.

As were eating the appetizers they tell us the lions are very active and we should walk toward them. We walk down the platform toward the lions and were able to get close enough to hear them roar.  Mind you the lion area is about 300 feet away from the platform so were safe but we have a great view. They are especially active tonight playing and roaring like cats- two females and a male lion.

When we go back to our table dinner is served. Everything is served in charming tiffins. When they open the tiffins there are 2 levels holding 4 small round containers. Each container holds different foods including a salad, a curry chicken, prosciutto, shrimp, hummus and salmon roll. All pretty tasty especially the curry chicken salad. It was very cold at this point so the cold food although delish was not keeping us warm. We were offered hot tea with dessert which was a yummy smores dish.

 

Concluding the Tour

We got back on our vehicle to finish our tour. The tour guide is very knowledgeable and has the answers to all our questions. At the end were able to donate a portion of what we paid for our tour to an animal. In true Disney style there are wooden boxes at the end of our tour with animal images carved on them. Here we are asked to put a rock in the slot with the animal we choose to donate to.  We are each given parting gifts bamboo coasters and a commemorative pin.  I’m glad that the animals are well taken care of and that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more than just a tourist attraction.