Zebra in the grass

This photo is from Kilimanjaro Safari. As we were driving along heading towards the lions, we happened upon a couple of the Plains zebra that are typically in the exhibit with the white rhinos. They came very near the vehicle. 

This photo proves that you must look all around when enjoying the safaris. You never know what might be hiding in the grass. 

Happy Elephant and Rhino Day!

Earlier this week we celebrated International World Rhino Day, albeit a little belated.  But today is Elephant and Rhino Day at Rafiki's Planet Watch and we are right on time!

Elephants are perhaps the most iconic animal at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and have always played a big part in the park's story. 

But some of the best encounters on Kilimanjaro Safaris come courtesy of the rhinos. I will never forget when this big girl walked inches from the truck. 

And then there is the black rhino, one of the more illusive animals on safari. But stay patient, and try the ride a few times, and you make just get him to pose for a glamour shot.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Smile to Warm the Heart

When taking photos of animals, you line up a good angle and take as many shots as quickly as possible and home something good comes out of them. Imagine my joy when I discovered I photographed a baby elephant who was smiling!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Keeping a Head Above the Sand

Contrary to folklore, ostriches do not actually stick their heads in the sand. The obvious reason being they would suffocate. They do, however, often digs holes for their eggs and while tending to them appear to be burring their heads, thus the expression. This one at Kilimanjaro Safaris like to keep above ground level.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Head Above the Rest

Evolution has handed Giraffes quite the advantage by being able to see over the rest of the animals to see where the best food in the area can be found. That must be quite a view they have up there. At Disney's Animal Kingdom hey also have the advantage of the rest of their friends in the habitat not being able to reach their food!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Time to Kick Back

While some may miss the "Big Red and Little Red" storyline at the end of Kilimanjaro Safaris, few can argue against the addition of the Addax herd. These gorgeous and unique animals have really added something to the iconic attraction.

Addax have certainly faced their fairy share of dangers, but not in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Here, they can lower their guard and relax on a lazy summer afternoon.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

For Elephant Day

Today is World Elephant Day so what better way to celebrate it Animal Kingdom style then with a blast from the past. This picture was taken in 1998, a few short months after the opening of the park.

As I am sure you know, the stars of the safari, the main attraction of the park, were elephants, Little Red and Big Red, with a story focused on the plight of poaching. While they might not have been real, these two were and so unfortunately, is the plight.

By Safari Mike

Just Let Me Sleep a Few Minutes Longer

Summer time at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a time when the park is filled with guests, and many are looking for some great animal sighting. The problem is, these animals aren't exactly about to work up a sweat just to put on a show. For example, you will be lucky to spot a lion at all, and if you do he or she will likely be napping the heat away.

But have your camera at the ready anyway. Even a napping lion makes for a great photo!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Leap Tall Building in a Single Bound

The Impala is incredibly gorgeous and are widespread throughout the eastern half of Africa. They are also very athletic, as they can run about 30 miles per hour and can leap over 30 feet with a running start! They also communicate vocally by barking and roaring to their herd.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Surviving Extinction

The scimitar-horned oryx, also known as the Sahara oryx, was declared "extinct in the wild" during the early part of the last decade. They were hunted for their horns and were also the victims of habitat loss and climate change. Now, the existence of the species relies on zoos and other conservation efforts. These oryx were photographed a couple of year back on the main savannah at Kilimanjaro Safaris.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

That's Quite a Jump!

The Patterson's Eland is big, really big. Some bulls can weigh upwards of 2,000 pounds. But that doesn't mean they aren't capable of incredible feats of athleticism. They guys have often been found broad jumping over one another with little or no running start.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Cranky River Horse

Hippos can weigh over 4,000 pounds, yet they are also great swimmer. In fact, they are probably the closing living land mammal relative to the whale. So much so, that their name means "river horse". Yes, hippos are amazing creatures...they are also REALLY cranky!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

This Bird Can run

Did you know the ostrich is fast? I mean like crazy fast. And not at flying, because they can't fly. No, the ostrich is an amazingly fast runner, reaching speeds of over 40 miles per hour. And that is really saying something for the largest and heaviest bird on the planet!

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Hungry Elephant

It has been a little while since we posted a photo of an elephant. And that’s not good because, after all, elephants are the traditional star of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This one enjoyed posing for the camera in between bites of lunch.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Panting Away the Heat

Just like your family's four-legged pet dog, lions cool off by panting instead of sweating. And as you can probably imagine, the climate in Florida causes much panting. This girl needed to cool down on a hazy and warm afternoon.

If you come around the corner and see a lion sitting up in full view of the truck, you can bet the next thing you will hear your driver say is "please remain seated"! Lions do attract attention.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Hide and Seek With an Okapi

The Okapi exhibit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of my favorites because it has the unique distinction of being part of two different attractions. You can see these cousins of the giraffe from both Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Don’t miss them, but be patient. They tend to hide in the forest.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Color of Shrimp

There are a few pieces of trivia which have been part of the script at Kilimanjaro Safaris since practically the day it opened. One of those is how flamingoes get their pink color. If you don't know, I won't spoil it for your driver.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Foiled Again!

If there is one animal that seems to be particularly adept at avoiding my camera, it is the cheetah at Kilimanjaro Safaris. My camera is always at the ready as we pass through the White Rhino area and head toward the home of the planet's fastest runner. But alas, even on this occasion when it looked like the stars were finally aligning for me, something caught their attention and the best I could get was the back of their heads.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Perfect Day at DAK

To me, nothing says "disney safari" like this photo. This is what I think of, the lasting memory, from any photo trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Kilimanjaro Safaris, an amazing animal, and even a camera (not mine) can be found in this image. There is nothing more exciting then seeing a reticulated giraffe seemingly waiting by the roadside for your camera to come closer.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Lioness on Safari

Anyone who has been on the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride will know lions sleep most of their day away. But does anyone know why it always seems the male sleeps way more? It feels like, nine times out of ten, if a lion is awake it is the female. Or is it just, he's a guy? I'm not complaining, mind you. She is certainly impressive.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)