If you are looking to find the Disney magic in Animal Kingdom look no further than the best animal encounters. Offering a unique kind of animal magic that captures the hearts of kids and adults alike, Animal Kingdom is the perfect park for families. Your young explorers will love coming face to face with gorillas, while you take in the relaxing vibes and leisurely walks that offer an escape from the thrill of the rides.
Animal Kingdom has so many animals to see, and the heart of the park lies in the animal encounters and conservation experiences you need to see. If you’re an animal lover looking for the best animal encounters to explore in Animal Kingdom, look no further. You family is sure to have the best time making wow memories as you experience animals like never before.
Best Animal Encounter Ride: Kilimanjaro Safari
The animal experiences and encounters on this ride are genuinely mind blowing. There are over 34 different species of African wildlife to spot on this experience journeying through the African Savannah in a jeep.
The Cast Member commentary provides information about the animals and conservation, which gives kids lots to talk about when they get back to school. You might even find yourself picking up a great conversation starter. We always find ourselves marvelling about how much information the Cast Members on the safari know every time we ride.
You’ll see so many animals on this moving adventure and the encounters you will have vary every time you ride which is what makes it such a must do animal encounter. With the added advantage of not requiring any walking children can sit and watch as the animals come to them.
The best time of day for this attraction is morning as the animals are more active then, and you will likely have a closer encounter. We have had animals walking alongside the jeep so close you could touch them, which you are not allowed to do.
For other incredible attractions in Animal Kingdom, take a look at the Best Animal Kingdom Attractions to make sure you are getting the most from your park experience.
Exciting animal encounters by jeep
Here are some of the animals you will see and the encounters your family can get excited about:
Giraffes
Tall and majestic, giraffes are often seen grazing or strolling across the savannah during Kilimanjaro Safaris. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, their graceful movements and impressive height make them a highlight of the safari. It’s quite an experience being so close to them in an open sided vehicle too. They can get that close you see their dark tongue!
Elephants
Watch these gentle giants as they interact with each other in their spacious habitat from within your safari jeep. It’s fascinating to see how they use their trunks for everything from eating to playing. Also be sure to keep your eyes peeled as a baby elephant joined the herd in March 2024.
Lions
Usually seen lounging on ‘Pride Rock’ within the safari environment, these African lions are the kings of the Harambe Wildlife Preserve. While they tend to be more active in the early morning or late afternoon, catching a glimpse of them is always thrilling.
Zebras
Their striking black-and-white stripes really make the dazzle of Hartmann’s zebras stand out against the landscape. Found commonly in the same area of the safari as the giraffes, these lovely animals often have foals during the Spring season and this year was no different.
Rhinos
These magnificent creatures roam the safari, which is home to both species of black and white rhino. To find one wandering at the side of your vehicle as you pass-by is a a magical memory for anyone, and the jeep will usually slow enough for you snap a picture of your encounter.
Best Walk-Through Animal Encounter: Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
This walk-through area is home to an impressive gorilla habitat, as well as quite a few other animals. It’s a 20–25-minute walking experience through the Pangani Forest, that can quite literally put you face to face with gorillas, including the new baby gorillas.
There’s also lots of other animals to see, but with little shelter we recommend opting to do this walk during cooler times of the day.
Best Animal Encounters
Here are the top animal exhibits you experience on this peaceful walk:
Gorillas
It’s the star attraction of Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail which is spread over roughly a 5-acre expanse. Observing the powerful primates in their lush, forested habitat is a moving experience, particularly if you get to see the whole troop, including the new baby.
Watching them interact as a unit is fascinating but be aware that this can cause a bit of a queue around the viewing window. The western lowland gorillas are literally just behind the Perspex in terms of proximity to you.
Hippos
The Underwater viewing areas allow you to see these massive animals as they swim and rest in the water. Hippos spend lots of time submerged to keep cool, and this is a great spot to see them up close. The view under water can be a little murky, so our top tip is to look for the shoals of fish, they are usually somewhere near the hippos.
Meerkats
These small social animals live in mobs and can be found on the trail. Often standing on their hind legs watching out for predators, these creatures are a fan favourite. Situated near the Zebras, you can see the burrows they have built and experience the joy of their curious and playful behaviour.
Best Interactive Animal Encounter: Rafiki’s Planet Watch
This attraction is all about conservation and learning and families may choose to give it a miss until you realise that there is a place called the Affection Station here. This is the one opportunity in a Disney Park where you can stroke the animals. Guests are free to pick up brushes and brush the fur of goats within an area.
Donkeys and sheep also call this area home. It is a great chance for children and adults to enjoy an interactive experience with animals and snap some candid up close photos. There is a hand-washing station too to keep hands clean after your encounter.
Getting to this attraction involves a ride on the Wildlife Express, a train journey providing a great opportunity for parents to give toddlers and younger children a quick snack to power them up before a walk. Pushchairs are not allowed in this area and have to be left by the entrance.
There are other animals exhibits in this location too, a drawing class and even a glass screen for you to see into a veterinary surgery area, where on occasion you see vets performing operations on the animals who need care. This is a great opportunity for older children to find inspiration in art, conservation and vet care. If you have teens with you, they can always enjoy drawing while younger members of the family enjoy petting goats.
Best Rare Tiger Encounter: Maharajah Jungle Trek
The Maharajah Jungle Trek offers guests the chance to see the rarest tiger breed in the world: the Sumatran tiger. It’s a great opportunity to talk about the importance of conservation. Seeing an animal so endangered that there are thought to be less than 400 left in the wild is a humbling experience.
If you have young children with you try talking about the book The Tiger Who Came For Tea at the enclosure. It’s a great way to have a fun chat. If you want to keep it Disney consider talking about Jasmine and her friendship with Rajah. Don’t forget to snap a picture too, as this is something they can share with friends and classmates back home as part of a different, educational Disney experience.
Taking about 20-25 minutes to walk around, this Trek features other animals too, that are sure to surprise and delight all members of you family. From bat enclosures to walk-through with free flying birds, this trek offers exciting and up-close encounters with animals.
Avoiding this walk during the hottest part of the day is wise, as it can feel a bit much wandering around, although there is seating along the route.
Best Animal Encounters
During your wander around this mystical themed Asian forest area, keep an eye out for some incredible animals including:
Tigers
Home to beautiful Sumatran tigers, a boy and a girl who currently live in two separate enclosures. This trek gives you the chance to see the smallest living tiger species. These magnificent big cats are on the critically endangered list, so being able to see them lounging in the shade or cooling off in the water is an amazing experience. Their enclosures are designed to replicate ancient ruins, adding a mystical feel to your encounter.
Komodo Dragons
These giant lizards are fascinating, if not a little intimidating. Native to Indonesia, they are the largest living species of lizard weighing over 70kgs. It’s amazing that you can see them up close on the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
These animals make the endangered species list, with less than 5,000 living out in the wild. But did you know that these animals are thought to have been in existence for millions of years, even though they have only been identified in the last 100 years?
Bats
If you want to you can enter the home of the Rodrigues Fruit and the Malayan Flying Fox Bat enclosure as park of your Maharajah Jungle Trek. Bats are not free flying in areas where guests are walking, and you can choose to skip the enclosure. The Malayan Flying Fox has a wingspan of up to 6ft. It is a pretty impressive sight if you get to see one in flight or lounging on the enclosure wall.
The bats are usually asleep and there is a Cast Member on hand to share information about these creatures. It’s a fascinating space, which feels incredibly cave-like.
Best hidden gem: Discovery Island
Although the area around the Tree of Life is not a hidden gem, many people don’t realise how many animals actually call this central area home. With enclosures in the land all around the tree, you can see so many animal habitats set against this iconic backdrop. Our favourite animals to see here include:
Flamingos
These birds are hard to miss with their vibrant pink feathers and prominent location to the left of the Tree of Life. The flamingo is found in a large flock in more than one location at Animal Kingdom. So, if you are a fan of these pink birds be sure to head to Kilimanjaro Safari too.
Did you know that flamingos get their pink colour from the food they eat? With Cast Members on hand, you’ll also be able to ask questions at the Tree of Life viewing area.
Ring-Tailed Lemurs
Located on the Discovery Island Trails, these lively primates are known for their distinctive black-and-white striped tails and playful antics. You can find them in a great quiet spot where you can enjoy watching the lemurs jump from branch to branch. It’s a great spot for a quick-snack break too!
Kangaroos
One of many animal surprises at Animal Kingdom and in particular on Discovery Island, are red kangaroos! Lounging or hopping around in their habitat at the Tree of Life, it’s a rare opportunity to see these iconic Australian animals up close.
Paid Experiences For Best Up-Close Animal Encounters
If you are looking to add even more magic to your animal encounters consider purchasing one of Disney’s paid animal tours. Perfect for if you are heading to Animal Kingdom to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday. Perhaps you just fancy treating yourself and your family during your once in a lifetime holiday. Delivering the wow factor, these animal encounters will bring you even closer to some amazing animals, but they do cost more on top of your park ticket.
Top 3 Paid Animal Tours at Animal Kingdom (including cost)
- Up Close with Rhinos – $49 ($52.19 with tax which is £39.75) per person
This one-hour guided tour offers guests the chance to head backstage and meet the white rhinos. If you’re lucky you might even get the chance to stroke one, but that isn’t guaranteed. It’s an outdoor tour that is sure to leave you feeling awe-struck.
- Wild Africa Trek – $219 ($233.24 with tax which is £177.64) per person
This is the most expensive close animal encounter. Offering guests the chance to spend 3 hours on a guided trek through an exclusive area in the Safi River Valley. (It’s part of the Kilimanjaro Safari Area where jeeps don’t go). With food to try, complementary PhotoPass and lots of surprises and encounters along the way, it is a luxury animal encounter experience at Animal Kingdom.
- Caring for Giants – $39 ($41.54 with tax which is £31.64) per person
During this 1-hour experience you hear stories about the Animal Kingdom herd of elephants. It’s also a close encounter which gets you to about 100 ft away from the animals. You’ll learn about Disney’s conservation work with elephants while experiencing a close animal encounter with African elephants reaching over 3m tall.
All children must be supervised by an adult for these tours. Disney also have age restrictions in place for all three of these tours, which mainly affects children under 5.
Conclusion
Whatever animal experience you are looking for, Animal Kingdom will have on to suit all members of your family. From toddlers to teens to adults, your whole family is sure to find an animal encounter that makes them go wow in Animal Kingdom.
