Wanyama Safari(Jiko Menu)

[Belleandtinker]

The Jiko menu included with the Wanyama Safari must be a preset meal. We are planning to stay at the AKL and go to Jiko so thought the tour might be a great add one.

Looking for reviews of tour.
Looking for menu.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FYI, since this offering is a resort experience and not related to a theme park, moved this to the Resorts board.

Also tagging @psac.

FWIW, we did it in April and it was a real highlight of our trip. I’ll see if I can find my review from the time. Great experience, in my opinion.

 

[Valeep]

We did the Wanyama since we were staying at Kidani. It is a preset meal and is like going to a game Park in Africa where you have tea and snacks prior to going out on the safari. The safari was excellent and they drove the vehicle on both the Jambo and Kidani Savannahs. We got many great photos with the animals nearby and had an excellent tour guide who helps take care of the animals. They tell you about the sounds they teach the animals to respond to. It was nice as the group size was not too large. There were maybe 10 people with us.

The dinner is family style with your tour group and has a separate appetizer and dessert course. Each course has a wine pairing that are Sourh African wines. The meal ranges from potatos, mac &cheese to several meat options like rotisserie chicken and ribs. The food had a flair of items you would find in Boma. Overall the food and wine were good and the chef came out to help modify my mother’s appetizer due to a nut allergy and was very helpful.

Hope you try it out as it was a worthwhile experience!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did it a few years ago and had a very nice time. We had plenty to eat and drink. Plus all the guests on the tour were friendly and fun to talk to. The chef came out with each course and explained what each was.

 

[psac]

The Wanyama was one of the best things we’ve experienced in our many years of going to WDW. I highly recommend!!! The menu is family style, but my wife has an allergy to sesame seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, etc. They were really good with making her substitute items for the things she couldn’t have. Everything was fantastic.

The safari part was incredible. The guides literally know every animal by name. You get up close and personal to tons of giraffes, zebras, etc.

Do it!!

 

[psac]

Some more...

 

[psac]

In terms of the menu I remember some appetizers, delicious bread service, a beef dish (maybe short rib?), a chicken, a fish, maybe more mains, tons of sides including their famous Mac and cheese. . And alcoholic drinks with each course. My wife usually doesn’t drink alcohol so they made her some tasty virgin drinks. Sorry I don’t have more detail!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've been fortunate enough to do it twice and loved it both times. It was expensive, so after the first time I figured I probably couldn't justify the money to do it again. But when I got a bonus at work, my immediate thought was to do the Wanyama Safari again. The meal when I did it, was always a selection of 3 entrees-the Filet, Chicken, and the Fish. The only thing that bothered me was the first time, when I refused the wine because I didn't drink, they didn't offer me a soft drink and really hesitated when I asked for one. Also, if you really want one of the 3 entrees, help yourself quickly. When I did the Wanyama the second time, we had some real beef eaters, and the meat is served amly style, so when the beef got to me, there was famedly any left. However, there was still plenty of chicken and fish, so I didn't feel comfortable asking for more.

 

[FSU Girl]

Is this something anyone can book? Or do you need to be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

 

[dansdad]

Is this something anyone can book? Or do you need to be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Anyone.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Is this something anyone can book? Or do you need to be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Is this the one that used to be just for guests staying at the AKL, but recently they opened it up to anyone? And the first time I did it, it actually cost less for guests staying club level than it did for us "peons". Gasp- I was even staying in a value studio! By the second time I did it, they'd made the price the same, so for me, it was actually cheaper the second time than it had been the first.

 

[FSU Girl]

Is this the one that used to be just for guests staying at the AKL, but recently they opened it up to anyone? And the first time I did it, it actually cost less for guests staying club level than it did for us "peons". Gasp- I was even staying in a value studio! By the second time I did it, they'd made the price the same, so for me, it was actually cheaper the second time than it had been the first.

Yes I think I had remembered reading about something that was exclusive to hotel guests, but I guess that changed. Good to know! I love the hotel, but it's so far from everything and the rooms are really dark so my Fiance doesn't like staying there.

 

[Valeep]

Also, if you really want one of the 3 entrees, help yourself quickly. When I did the Wanyama the second time, we had some real beef eaters, and the meat is served amly style, so when the beef got to me, there was famedly any left. However, there was still plenty of chicken and fish, so I didn't feel comfortable asking for more.

This happened to us as well where there were some hungry folks and some items disappeared. It was the chicken and ribs during our time. We asked for more and it took about 25 minutes to get the additional food to the table where most people had already finished.

 

[psac]

They also used to have the Sunrise Safari that was only for those staying at AKL Club, and that took you backstage through AK and then through the Kilaminjaro Safari for a slow 45 minute intense version, followed by a breakfast. That was really neat, too. Very different. But they ended it when they were building Pandora.

 

[MarkinNM]

Cost is $209 PP, do you pay upfront?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Cost is $209 PP, do you pay upfront?

Yes, you pay when you sign up for the safari.

 

[sndral]

We have done it 4 times, needless to say we really like the experience. You meet at Jiko at 3:30 and have pre safari beverages and snacks while a CM from Africa chats about their country.
After your pre safari snacks your group (maximum of 12, minimum age 8) walk out to the front of Jambo and get into your safari truck. Both your driver and the person in the back of the truck are husbandry staff who work at AKL. On our 12/18 Wanyama our CMs switched off midway through the safari since one was based in the Sunset savanna barn and knew the animals on Sunset savanna best and the other was based in the Arusha/Uzima barn and was more familiar with those animals. Each Wanyama is different but we have really enjoyed all of them and have learned so much about the animals at AKL and even some about AK since they do move animals between the two. I’m always impressed with the dedication of the husbandry staff.
You drive by the small Pembe savanna then enter Sunset savanna. You drive through Sunset savanna and then onto Arusha savanna, then onto Uzima savanna. The truck stops several times so that you can take photos. The CM in the back w/ you in addition to talking about the animals is happy to answer questions.
After your drive through the savannas you return to the front of Jambo where you leave your truck and go into Jiko for dinner. Your safari CMs escort you to Jiko and then say good by. The chef comes out and explains the courses and I think some one talks about the wines too. I’ve always enjoyed the food and have never had a problem with food running out, they tend to put serving platters at both ends of the table.
BTW, the photo of the Giraffe in my avatar was taken on my second Wanyama safari, Gordon was quite a character - he actually stuck his head into our truck. I learned on this Dec.’s Wanyama that Gordon is no longer w/ us, but I did get to see 2 of his offspring.

 

[MarkinNM]

We have done it 4 times, needless to say we really like the experience. You meet at Jiko at 3:30 and have pre safari beverages and snacks while a CM from Africa chats about their country.
After your pre safari snacks your group (maximum of 12, minimum age 8) walk out to the front of Jambo and get into your safari truck. Both your driver and the person in the back of the truck are husbandry staff who work at AKL. On our 12/18 Wanyama our CMs switched off midway through the safari since one was based in the Sunset savanna barn and knew the animals on Sunset savanna best and the other was based in the Arusha/Uzima barn and was more familiar with those animals. Each Wanyama is different but we have really enjoyed all of them and have learned so much about the animals at AKL and even some about AK since they do move animals between the two. I’m always impressed with the dedication of the husbandry staff.
You drive by the small Pembe savanna then enter Sunset savanna. You drive through Sunset savanna and then onto Arusha savanna, then onto Uzima savanna. The truck stops several times so that you can take photos. The CM in the back w/ you in addition to talking about the animals is happy to answer questions.
After your drive through the savannas you return to the front of Jambo where you leave your truck and go into Jiko for dinner. Your safari CMs escort you to Jiko and then say good by. The chef comes out and explains the courses and I think some one talks about the wines too. I’ve always enjoyed the food and have never had a problem with food running out, they tend to put serving platters at both ends of the table.
BTW, the photo of the Giraffe in my avatar was taken on my second Wanyama safari, Gordon was quite a character - he actually stuck his head into our truck. I learned on this Dec.’s Wanyama that Gordon is no longer w/ us, but I did get to see 2 of his offspring.

AWESOME, thanks so much for the reply....GREAT info, so how was the food, still pondering this but am 80% sure.....have any other pics to share, how long was the safari?

 

[sndral]

AWESOME, thanks so much for the reply....GREAT info, so how was the food, still pondering this but am 80% sure.....have any other pics to share, how long was the safari?

The food has changed a bit through the years, but pre safari there are a couple of snacks offered (don’t recall what, tho’) along with beverages, most recently the beverages were non alcoholic but previously they offered a choice of alcoholic or non.
You drive through the savannas for about an hour and a half.
Dinner lasts a couple of hours, especially if the group is friendly which is usually the case since you’ve gotten to know your fellow safari attendees during the ride through the savannas. The food is from the Jiko menu and has changed through the years. There’s usually quite a variety of dishes including a first course of sides, a second course of beef, chicken, and fish entrees, and then a third course of deserts. There are wine pairings with the courses - but I don’t drink, so can’t help in that department.
They do have special offerings for those with dietary restrictions - just note those when you reserve.

 

[MarkinNM]

The food has changed a bit through the years, but pre safari there are a couple of snacks offered (don’t recall what, tho’) along with beverages, most recently the beverages were non alcoholic but previously they offered a choice of alcoholic or non.
You drive through the savannas for about an hour and a half.
Dinner lasts a couple of hours, especially if the group is friendly which is usually the case since you’ve gotten to know your fellow safari attendees during the ride through the savannas. The food is from the Jiko menu and has changed through the years. There’s usually quite a variety of dishes including a first course of sides, a second course of beef, chicken, and fish entrees, and then a third course of deserts. There are wine pairings with the courses - but I don’t drink, so can’t help in that department.
They do have special offerings for those with dietary restrictions - just note those when you reserve.

NICE!!! THanks do you recall how much the wine pairing was?