Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: The Mara, Boma, Jiko and more
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers three main table/quick-service restaurants on-site: The Mara (quick-service, breakfast–dinner), Boma - Flavors of Africa (buffet for breakfast and dinner) and Jiko - The Cooking Place (signature dinner-only). Lounges and pool bars (Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, Victoria Falls Lounge, Uzima Springs Pool Bar, Maji Pool Bar at Kidani) serve wines, cocktails, and light bites.
In this guide
- Overview: where to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge
- The Mara: quick bites and grab-and-go
- Boma - Flavors of Africa: buffet and family-style variety
- Jiko - The Cooking Place and Cape Town Lounge
- Lounges and pool bars: quick drinks and small plates
- Practical tips: reservations, dining plan, and policies
- Eating with kids and families
Overview: where to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge centers on three distinct venues in Jambo House plus pool bars and lounges across both Jambo House and Kidani Village. Options range from quick counter service to buffet breakfasts/dinners and a Signature Dining dinner-only restaurant.
Guests do not have to be staying at the resort to dine here, but Advance Dining Reservations are recommended for all table-service restaurants.
- The Mara — quick-service (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Boma - Flavors of Africa — buffet table service (breakfast & dinner)
- Jiko - The Cooking Place — Signature Dining (dinner only)
- Lounges: Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, Victoria Falls Lounge
- Pool bars: Uzima Springs Pool Bar (Jambo), Maji Pool Bar (Kidani)
| Venue | Type | Typical Service Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Mara | Quick-service / counter | Breakfast–Dinner (6:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.) |
| Boma - Flavors of Africa | Buffet table service | Breakfast (7:30–11:30 a.m.) • Dinner (5:00–9:30 p.m.) |
| Jiko - The Cooking Place | Signature Dining (dinner only) | Dinner (generally 5:00–9:30 p.m.) |
The Mara: quick bites and grab-and-go
The Mara is the resort’s quick-service counter located in Jambo House and operates morning through late evening. It serves typical quick-service items alongside a few African-influenced options such as Falafel Platters and the resort’s Zebra Domes dessert.
Hours are listed daily from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., making it convenient for early breakfasts, snacks between parks, and late-night orders.
- Good for families who want fast, familiar fare
- Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Counter-service setup — no Advance Dining Reservations
| Why choose The Mara | Best for |
|---|---|
| Quick, flexible hours and menu | Early mornings, late nights, grab-and-go |
| Counter-service and familiar favorites | Families on a budget or with tight park plans |
| Some African-inspired items and signature desserts | Guests wanting a taste of resort specialties without a sit-down meal |
Boma - Flavors of Africa: buffet and family-style variety
Boma is a buffet-style restaurant in Jambo House offering African-inspired dishes alongside American classics. It serves breakfast and dinner with hours generally listed as 7:30–11:30 a.m. for breakfast and 5:00–9:30 p.m. for dinner.
Boma is a popular choice for families and groups who want a wide selection at a single meal; Advance Dining Reservations are recommended for dinner service.
- Table-service all-you-can-eat buffet
- Breakfast and dinner seatings — reservations recommended
- Family-friendly atmosphere; known for variety
| Meal | Hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
| Dinner | 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
| Reservation tip | Reserve especially for dinner; popular with families |
Jiko - The Cooking Place and Cape Town Lounge
Jiko is the resort’s Signature Dining restaurant located in Jambo House, presenting African, Indian and Mediterranean flavors with twin wood-burning ovens and an open show kitchen. Jiko is dinner-only and usually lists evening hours around 5:00–9:30 p.m.
A dress code is enforced: guests are asked to wear clean, neat attire (no swimwear, tank tops, flip-flops, or cut-offs). Advance Dining Reservations are strongly recommended, and Jiko is listed as a two-table-service-credit Signature Dining location on Dining Plan materials.
- Dinner-only Signature Dining — reserve ahead
- Dress code: clean, neat attire; no swimwear or flip-flops
- Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar (in Jiko’s foyer) offers wines and appetizers from about 5:00–9:30 p.m.
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Cuisine style | African fusion with Indian & Mediterranean influences |
| Wine program | Large South African wine selection |
| Dress code | Clean, neat attire required; no swimwear or flip-flops |
Lounges and pool bars: quick drinks and small plates
If you prefer a lighter stop, Victoria Falls Lounge overlooks Boma and offers cocktails and small plates with access to some Jiko items; Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar focuses on South African wines and appetizers. Both are located in Jambo House and keep evening hours.
The resort also operates pool bars: Uzima Springs Pool Bar (Jambo House) and Maji Pool Bar (Kidani Village). Uzima Springs Pool Bar lists hours around 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Maji serves swimmers at Samawati Springs and includes food and drinks.
- Uzima Springs Pool Bar hours typically 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Maji Pool Bar serves Kidani Village pool guests and offers a food menu
- Lounges are good for pre- or post-dinner drinks and small plates
| Bar | Typical focus | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar | South African wines & appetizers | About 5:00–9:30 p.m. |
| Victoria Falls Lounge | Cocktails, specialty drinks, small bites | Evening hours (around 4:00–11:00 p.m.) |
| Uzima Springs Pool Bar | Frozen drinks, beer, wine (no Dining Plan) | About 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Practical tips: reservations, dining plan, and policies
Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended for Boma and Jiko; The Mara is counter-service and does not take reservations. Guests do not have to be resort guests to dine at these restaurants, but seating times can fill quickly.
Note that the resort does not currently offer character dining, and because the property contains active savannas, balloons and plastic straws/cup tops are disallowed in dining and event areas to protect the animals.
- Reserve Jiko and Boma well ahead (especially for dinner)
- The Mara: no reservation needed, open early to late
- No character dining currently offered at the resort
- Balloon and certain plastic item restrictions in dining areas
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to be a resort guest to eat here? | No — non-registered guests may dine at AKL restaurants |
| Is there character dining? | No — there is currently no character dining at the resort |
| Are pool bars on the Dining Plan? | Uzima Springs Pool Bar does not accept the Disney Dining Plan |
Eating with kids and families
Boma is frequently recommended for families because of its buffet format and broad selection. The Mara can be useful for quick breakfasts, snacks, or when you need to get to the parks early.
If you have small children, check menus in advance and consider early dinner reservations to avoid peak dining times. The resort offers family-friendly activities such as face painting and cookie decorating near dining areas on select schedules.
- Boma — best for variety and group-friendly service
- The Mara — fast breakfasts and grab-and-go for park days
- Consider early reservations for dinner to keep wait times short
| Situation | Recommended spot |
|---|---|
| Quick breakfast before the parks | The Mara |
| Family dinner with many choices | Boma - Flavors of Africa |
| A special evening meal with wine pairings | Jiko - The Cooking Place |
