LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Whispering winds sweep
across the balmy, Africa-like plain, a peaceful
sanctuary at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. From
balconies overlooking the savannahs, hotel guests
marvel as creatures large and small roam the
grasses, forage for food and play in harmony.
But now Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge club-level
(concierge) guests can actually enter this
serene animal reserve for an up-close personal
encounter -- thanks to the Wanyama Safari
experience.
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 14 persons can board a
specially designed vehicle for a bird's-eye view of
a typical North African safari.
Safari-goers are absorbed in careful observation
as the vehicle moves along the Uzima savannah, the
first of three picturesque savannahs that horseshoe
the majestic lodge. A pair of female reticulated
giraffes from Northern Kenya pause from browsing and
gracefully move within feet of the vehicle. Guests'
cameras and videos are poised to capture an
unforgettable encounter with the tallest of the land
mammals.
Greg Peccie, 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 Peccie.
The hotel's savannahs are home to more than 200
mammals and exotic birds representing a
cross-section of the African palette -- bongo,
greater kudu, zebra, wildebeest, spiral-horned
antelope, impala, African spoonbills and Eastern
white pelicans, to name a few. Even the
once-endangered national bird of South Africa, the
blue crane, has found a home at Disney's Animal
Kingdom Lodge.
"One of the real challenges was introducing
animals and choosing the right ones to live in
harmony in this environment," said Peccie.
A customary South African "sundowner" rounds out
the safari experience. Fresh-squeezed
guava/pineapple juice, dried beef, figs and nuts are
shared with 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.
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