Throwback to Disney's Wild Africa Trek

In advance of my first opportunity to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration (#DisneySMMC) next month at Walt Disney World, each Thursday I’m looking back to a Walt Disney World adventure experience I haven’t shared yet on Born Just Right. Last week, I shared how we celebrated Jordan’s 9th birthday at Magic Kingdom Park. This week, I can’t wait to share our experience taking part in Disney’s Wild Africa Trek.

As a Christmas gift, I surprised the family including my parents and brother with a chance to take Disney’s Wild Africa Trek. Basically, you get a behind the scenes of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It isn’t cheap, but it’s an awesome chance to experience the park in a way we’d never experienced before. I scheduled the visit in the morning so we could enjoy Extra Magic Hours and ride Expedition Everest as many times as possible before our adventure. By the end of our day, the kids could say they rode Everest eight times. I only rode it six times.

We met our tour guides just outside Kilimanjaro Safaris and got fitted for a special vest that would protect us when we toured dangerous areas. Those were times when we got to see animals up close and personal and when we got to trek along treacherous rope bridges that hang over the hippos and crocodiles. There is a height and weight limit and you have to wear pants or shorts and closed toe shoes. But after the logistics, it was totally worth getting the chance to learn about the animals up close. And the rope bridges were awesome. Jordan had no problem getting across using her hand and little arm and the tour guides never showed any concern for her safety. Jordan seemed pretty confident too.

After with the adventure portion of the experience, we also got a VIP safari tour and special time in a boma (an outdoor area) where we ate near the giraffes and pink flamingos. The food was amazing. Since our visit was in the morning, we had breakfast food prepared by the Tusker House restaurant. Everyone loved the meal except Cameron because he’s not a fan of eating outside his comfort zone. But that just meant the rest of us got to enjoy more!

Being a VIP on the safari was something we’ll never forget. Our tour guides not only taught us about the animals at the park, but we learned a lot about conservation efforts. The price of the trek includes a donation to a conservation effort of our choice. It really was the perfect way to end a really special experience.