If you've ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris dozens of times and think you know every animal on the route, a recent behind-the-scenes tour at Disney's Animal Kingdom might change your mind. WDWNT joined Animal Care Manager Robyn — who has worked with the Kilimanjaro Safaris team for more than 11 years — for a special ride packed with details that most guests never hear.
Robyn walked through how the ride's environments and habitats are intentionally designed to support the attraction's storytelling while keeping the animals' welfare front and center. She touched on the Species Survival Plan and what it looks like to build genuine relationships with wildlife day after day. "One of the really interesting things about working with animals every single day is that they can do what they want to do," Robyn said, "and it's our job to cater to them to make sure that they have the best experience, the best welfare, the best change in their environment as it makes sense for their natural history."
A few standout facts made the tour especially memorable. Okapis, for instance, weren't documented in the wild until 1901 — the same year Walt Disney was born. Behind the scenes, the hippopotamuses are trained through positive reinforcement to open their mouths wide enough for dental exams and even teeth brushing. Walt Disney World maintains extensive backstage facilities specifically designed to support those kinds of interactions.
The animal care team also rotates species between multiple purpose-built habitats, which means repeat visitors may encounter a different lineup of animals on any given day. As for the lions — famously fond of napping — Robyn offered a practical tip: visit early in the morning for the best chance to see them active and vocalizing, or try your luck on a rainy afternoon, when they tend to climb up onto the rocks.
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For a full look at the tour, including video from the ride itself, visit WDW News Today, which covered this experience on September 21, 2026.
