WILD AFRICA TREK
WALK ABOVE CROCS AND LUNCH ON THE SAFARI
BY TATJANA LAZAR
If you have eagle eyes , you may have noticed a sign to the right of Kilimanjaro Safaris that most people don ’ t register . The sign reads “ Wild Africa Trek ,” and walking under it leads you into a section of Animal Kingdom the majority of park guests have not experienced .
Trek Requirements
• Wear closed-toe shoes , shorts or pants , and a comfy shirt
• Must be at least 8 years old and 48 inches tall and between 45 and 300 lbs to fit into the provided gear
• Requires physical stamina , surefootedness , and comfort with heights
• Takes place rain or shine
• Arrive 10 minutes early to sign in
Call Disney ’ s tour line at ( 407 ) WDW-TOUR to arrange a wheelchair-accessible option .
If you ’ re willing to pay the $ 249 fee per adult in your party and can dedicate 3 hours of your park day , you qualify to peek behind the bamboo curtain and head out on this wild adventure .
GEARING UP It was a relatively cool and somewhat overcast day when I led my husband under that Wild Africa Trek sign . Buzzing Cast Members greeted us , eagerly preparing to take my tour group on our excursion . We were given a designated locker for items we didn ’ t want falling into a crocodile pit . ( I hear they have developed a taste for tick-tock clocks .)
“ What about my phone ?” I asked , somewhat panicked . I had planned to Instagram the entire experience , and the thought of parting with my phone was a difficult pill to swallow . Luckily , I wasn ’ t the first Instagram addict to cross this threshold . A smiling Cast Member handed me a strap to secure my phone case to my safety vest .
ABOVE : Matt and Tatjana geared up for a wild trek . PREVIOUS PAGE : Crossing the suspension bridge over the crocodile pit . DISNEY PHOTOPASS COURTESY OF TATJANA LAZAR