Top things to do nearby and on property
See hoofed animals from Jambo House overlooks and private balconies on Savanna View rooms, dine on African-inspired menus at The Mara, Boma, and Jiko, and use on-site pools, fitness centers, and spa services for downtime. Complimentary Disney bus service connects the resort to all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs.
In this guide
Savanna wildlife viewing
Watching the savannas is one of the resort’s signature free activities. Guests can view more than 200 hoofed animals and birds from the Jambo House lobby overlook (Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook) and from many Savanna View room balconies.
If you want the closest, most private views, book a Savanna View Room or Savanna View - Club Level Access Room; those categories list private balconies overlooking the animals. For a deeper experience there’s a paid Starlight Safari nighttime vehicle tour using night-vision equipment (fee applies).
- Free public viewing: Jambo House lobby Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook
- Savanna-view rooms: Savanna View Room; Savanna View - Club Level Access Room; Savanna View - 1 BR Suite - Club Level Access
- Paid option: Starlight Safari (nighttime tour; additional fee)
| Where to view | Notes |
|---|---|
| Jambo House lobby (Arusha Rock Overlook) | Floor-to-ceiling windows and public overlook |
| Balconies of Savanna View room types | Private views available from many rooms |
| Starlight Safari (paid) | Nighttime open-vehicle tour with night-vision optics |
Pools, water play and pool bars
The resort operates two main pool complexes: Uzima Springs at Jambo House and Samawati Springs at Kidani Village. Both pools have zero-depth entries and waterslides; Uzima Springs is the larger pool and Samawati Springs includes the Uwanja Camp water-play area for kids.
Pool access is limited to registered resort guests and requires a MagicBand or room keycard. Each pool has a nearby pool bar serving cocktails, beer and wine—Uzima Springs Pool Bar at Jambo House and Maji Pool Bar at Kidani Village.
- Uzima Springs Pool (Jambo House): largest pool with zero-depth entry and waterslide
- Samawati Springs (Kidani Village): water-play Uwanja Camp with water cannons and tipping bucket; 128-foot slide in Kidani Village
- Pool bars: Uzima Springs Pool Bar (hours listed 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.) and Maji Pool Bar
| Pool | Notable features |
|---|---|
| Uzima Springs (Jambo House) | Largest pool; zero-depth entry; waterslide; pool bar |
| Samawati Springs (Kidani Village) | Uwanja Camp water-play area; longer waterslide; hot tub/whirlpool nearby |
Dining highlights on property
On-site restaurants focus on African-inspired menus plus familiar American options. The Mara is the quick-service counter restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Boma – Flavors of Africa is a family-style buffet for breakfast and dinner; Jiko – The Cooking Place is the resort’s Signature Dining venue for dinner only and has a noted South African wine collection.
Reservations are recommended for Boma and Jiko; Jiko has a dress-code for dinner service and is typically dinner-only. Guests do not need to be staying at the resort to dine here, but should plan transportation since Disney bus service does not run from other hotels to the Lodge for a dining visit.
- The Mara: quick-service, daily roughly 6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
- Boma – Flavors of Africa: breakfast and dinner buffet (typical breakfast and dinner time windows)
- Jiko – The Cooking Place: signature dinner-only restaurant; advanced reservations recommended; dress code in effect
| Venue | Typical service hours |
|---|---|
| The Mara | Breakfast–dinner (roughly 6:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.) |
| Boma – Flavors of Africa | Breakfast and dinner (breakfast and evening windows) |
| Jiko – The Cooking Place | Dinner only (evening hours) |
Spa, fitness and family activities
Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center at Jambo House is the resort’s full-service fitness and treatment facility; Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center serves Kidani Village. Fitness-center access is complimentary to registered guests, while massages, facials and other treatments are paid services.
Zahanati is open 24 hours and includes a steam room and sauna; guests must be at least 14 years old to use the facility, and those 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Family-friendly activities on property include the Hakuna Matata Playground, nightly campfire with complimentary marshmallow roasting, daily kids’ activities (face painting, cookie decorating), and a video arcade.
- Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center (Jambo House): 24/7 access, steam room and sauna, paid treatments available
- Survival of the Fittest Fitness Center (Kidani Village): 24/7 cardio and strength equipment
- Family activities: Hakuna Matata Playground, nightly campfire, face painting and cookie-decorating sessions; Pumbaa's Fun and Games Arcade
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments | Paid services (massages, facials); fitness center access complimentary |
| Kids’ activities | Daily themed activities, face painting and cookie decorating (times vary) |
| Campfire & marshmallows | Nightly activity; s'mores kits may be available for purchase |
Rooms, suites and club-level access
Room categories include Standard View Room, Resort View Room, Water View Room, multiple Savanna View categories (including Savanna View - Club Level Access Room and Savanna View - 1 BR Suite - Club Level Access), and suites such as 2 Bedroom Suite and Two Bedroom Suite - Club Level Access. Many Savanna View rooms offer private balconies that face the savannas.
Club-level rooms (Kilimanjar o Club access) provide access to the Kilimanjaro Club concierge lounge with refreshments served daily (roughly 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.) and include complimentary health-club access. Room service is available 24 hours for all guests; accessible rooms and roll-in options are also offered.
- Examples of room names: Savanna View Room; Savanna View - Club Level Access Room; Standard View Room; Two Bedroom Suite
- Club-level benefit: Kilimanjaro Club lounge (refreshments served daily)
- Service notes: 24-hour room service; accessible rooms and elevators available
| Room type examples | Notes |
|---|---|
| Standard View Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds options |
| Savanna View - Club Level Access Room | Club lounge access; balcony views of savanna |
| 2 Bedroom Suite | Larger living area; multiple bed configurations including 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds |
Getting around and nearby attractions
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers complimentary Disney bus transportation to all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs. There is no Disney Skyliner or monorail service from this resort; Minnie Van and rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) are available for destinations not served by Disney buses.
The resort sits within the Walt Disney World area adjacent to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (about 1 mile away) and is roughly a 10-minute bus ride to the park. Other area destinations such as Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and local beaches require outside transportation; Orlando International Airport (MCO) is commonly reached by shuttle or rideshare and is roughly a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic.
- Included: Disney bus service to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs
- Alternate transport: Minnie Van, Uber/Lyft, local shuttles for destinations outside Disney transportation
- Nearby: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (~1 mile; about a 10-minute bus ride)
| Destination | Typical travel note |
|---|---|
| Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park | Approximately 1 mile; ~10-minute bus ride |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | Roughly 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic |
| Universal Orlando/SeaWorld | Not served by Disney buses; use rideshare or private transport |
