Just before sunset three nights a week, adventurers gather outside the 1,293-room lodge with a guide who readies the group for a traditional game-viewing safari. Up to eight persons can board a specially designed pop-top vehicle for a bird's eye view of a typical North African safari.
Joe Kalla, the resort's animal curator, says the safari strives to recreate the essence of an African experience with free-roaming wildlife in an authentic environment.
"We wanted to give our guests a close look at our animals, understand how we manage the animals and offer a glimpse into the training of the animals," said Kalla.
The hotel's savannahs are home to more than 200 mammals and exotic birds represeting a cross-section of the African palette – bongo, greater kudu, zebra, wildebeest, spiral-hored antelopek impala, African spoonbills and pink-back pelicans, to name a few.
A customary South African "sundowner" rounds out the safari experience. Fresh-squeezed guava/pineapple juice, dried beef, figs and nuts are shared with the guests in a ceremonial moment.
The second part of the journey leads to the resort's signature restaurant, Jiko-The Cooking Place, where a savory South African feast awaits safari-goers. Flavors of Africa fill the air in a memorable meal blending regional spices and grains.
The experience begins with a basket of warm kalamata olive flatbreads and African dips, followed by maize tamales with herb and white truffle oil, lentil pastilles and cinnamon-spiced beef rolls. Entrees such as oak-roasted filet of beef and chermoula-basted and roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, olives and roasted garlic are served family-style. Popular South African wines are paired with each course, which includes a sweet display of desserts.
The Wanyama Safari is offered to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge adult concierge-level guests on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. The over three hour experience, including dinner, is $150 per person, with a maximum of eight persons. For reservations, contact 407-938-4755.
