From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kilimanjaro Safaris |
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| Disney's Animal Kingdom |
| Land |
Africa |
| Designer |
Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Theme |
Safari |
| Propulsion method |
Liquid Propane |
| Opening date |
April 22, 1998 |
| Vehicle type |
Safari Truck |
| Vehicle names |
Simba 1 |
| Ride duration |
18:30 minutes |
| Site area |
4,791,600 sq ft |
|
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One of the animals seen on the ride
Kilimanjaro Safaris is a safari attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom on the Walt Disney World Resort property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is an open-sided safari ride through the savanna of East Africa.
The ride originally begins as a two-week safari aboard Simba 1 through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Harambe, East Africa. It is 800 square miles of natural terrain, including (Ituri forest, wetlands [Safi River valley] and open bush country (the Serengeti Savanna). During most of the ride you view the common African animals including elephants, giraffe, antelope, gazelle, crocodiles, hippos, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, flamingos and okapis. The tour guide points out animals and provides entertainment. During the journey, your driver is in radio contact with reserve warden Wilson Matua, who is flying over the reserve on his daily routine. It all takes a turn when poachers are spotted in the reserve, and it's up to Simba 1 and the guests, with support from the air and other rangers, to stop them.
[edit] History
In 2004, much of the savanna's drainage system, originally installed on the cheap, had to be replaced. The attraction remained open during the rehab, with green tarps covering the construction sites to keep the animals out.
The ride originally featured a cast member in the role of a gun-toting reserve warden who captured the poachers and saved Big Red and Little Red. This element of the attraction was eventually eliminated.
[edit] Incidents
On February 10, 2008, a fire broke out in the engine compartment of one of the ride vehicles causing little disconvienince to guests.
[edit] Construction
- The attraction features custom-built GMC trucks riding washed-out, rutted roads and a tilting bridge. The roadbed is actually constructed of dark brown-colored concrete embedded with permanent tire ruts.
- Between each ecosystem includes both chain road sensors and bars to prevent animals from venturing between sections. The vehicles drive directly on these obstacles.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] External links
28°21′39″N 81°35′37″W / 28.36083, -81.59361Coordinates: 28°21′39″N 81°35′37″W / 28.36083, -81.59361
