One of the most exciting things I did during this year’s Disney Social Media Moms Celebration was to go on the new Animal Kingdom Wild Africa Trek. The trek brought many dreams of mine to fruition. Trekking in the wilds of Africa, riding in an open photo caravan truck, crossing crocodile infested rivers on a rickety bridge, eating a gourmet breakfast with new friends overlooking an African savannah, all while giraffe and antelope frolicked about. And not to mention riding through a rugged riverbed in pursuit of elephant poachers. This is just to name a few! Whew! Okay…so I didn’t actually dream of walking across the rickety bridge or chasing poachers but … I did it! And … it was terribly exciting
Our group arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom well before the gates were open to the public. There’s something truly magical about walking about the park without throngs of people. The quiet gave us the opportunity to transport ourselves mentally to a village on the African continent.
I was lucky enough to “trek” with a delightful group of bloggers.
After signing the proper paperwork (yikes!) we set off in single file into the Pangani Forest to our first stop where we geared up and took a practice run on a sample bridge.
Our trekking vests had pockets for any necessary equipment we brought. For me: a small camera, epi-pen (in the event of a bee sting) and water bottle. The large carabiner visible on Caryn is the safety harness we were secured with when crossing bridges or near ledges while viewing wild animals up close.
All geared up and ready to go we once again followed our fearless leader, Disney guide, Bethany.
Along the trail (that seriously was not well traveled) we came upon a skull. Bethany asked us what we thought it was. There were several wrong guesses, including mine. It looked pretty much prehistoric to me.
Would you believe that prehistoric looking skull was that of a hippo?
How about now?
Our youngest son, Todd, didn’t think I could conquer my fear of heights and cross the bridges. Before embarking on the trek I was honestly fearful I might freeze up half way across but … it is, after all, Walt Disney World! Seriously … what could happen?
Quite a few of the wooden slats were, what I thought to be, very far apart. I did it though. Probably slower than I should have, but I was looking all about and taking it all in.
The second bridge came complete with crocodiles directly below!
(Image Credit: Wild African Trek Guides)
The bridges were high, shaky and quite the experience. Both are visible in this photo.
(Image Credit: Wild African Trek Guides)
I was very proud of myself! Shortly after crossing the bridges, we loaded into the back of photo caravan trucks for a drive through the Kilimanjaro Safari area. Our guides, Bethany & Jeff, were excellent, being careful to point out wildlife all while explaining the goals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We traveled to an elevated wooden lanai where …
… we relaxed and had an amazing breakfast.
Lunch with Laurie and Krista.
The view was spectacular!
A herd of giraffe were on the move. There’s something majestic and graceful about the giraffe, which just happens to be my favorite animal.
For the most part we traveled along the same road as the Kilimanjaro Safari trucks.
(Image Credit: Wild African Trek Guides)
We spotted a mother elephant with her feeding baby.
And something I’ve never seen before … white rhinoceros.
(Image Credit: Wild African Trek Guides)
The king of the beast was relaxing in the late morning sun along with one of his females.
We finished our journey on a semi-dry riverbed complete with water spouts, a poachers camp and a baby elephant (not real!) in the back of the poachers truck. We took “once in a lifetime” memories back to civilization with us. I couldn’t wait to take NY back to Animal Kingdom to show him exactly what I had done!
I paid a modest fee to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference. The modest fee included a room at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Park Hopper tickets and extraordinary events and family dinner parties. There was no requirement to blog about the conference or the events. All the excitement and opinions are 100% mine!
Krista, Mostly Mommyhood says
You captured the experience beautifully!
Kelly from Kelly's Lucky You says
I was on the tour after you and I agree, it was amazing!! I loved every minute and can’t wait to do it again.
Chantelle {fat mum slim} says
This is a great round-up.
I have a confession to make. We came to DSMM from Australia, our first ever trip to the States. When we arrived in LA we sat at our gate waiting for our connecting flight.
I disappeared for a bit and when I returned my husband said to me, I think that lady is a blogger and going to the conference too. We’d just landed in America, with all the people in America I didn’t think I could possibly be in the same space as another Disney Social Media Mom in my first half hour.
I was tempted to say hello, introduce myself and see if he was right, but I was too shy.
It was you! And he was right! America is a small world.
Thanks for sharing the trek with us. You were so lucky to experience that. x
Debra @ A Frugal Friend says
I’m so proud of you too – what an experience. I’m bound and determined to do this one day.
Gary says
Mucho gusto! And great photos.