Are you ready for this? This is going to be a loooooooooooooooong post! So grab a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy!
The most colourful and exciting of the Disney parks, at least for me, is the Animal Kingdom. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved going to the zoo with my now, dearly departed Nagymama (’Grandmother’ in Hungarian), and it awakened in me the desire to visit Africa. When I cannot visit the ‘real thing’, Disney’s Animal Kingdom fills the aching void in my heart. Now there is more to the Animal Kingdom that just Africa – there are animals here from Central America ans well as a sizable collection of fauna from Asia. So let’s go back to the AK – easier to refer to than Animal Kingdom – and enjoy the sights, though, unfortunately, not the sounds of the wild!
A Military Macaw, indigenous to Mexico and South America, having his morning grooming session.
A piece of balsa wood appeared to be irresistible to this Scarlet Macaw.
I guess it was too early in the morning for this Lesser Flamingo to be doing anything but trying to sleep. The Lesser Flamingo is a species that resides mostly in Africa, but may also be found in parts of Asia.
His mates were a bit more active.
For the second time during our visit we went on the Kilimanjaro Safari. The Kilimanjaro Safaris tour begins in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, across the river from Discovery Island. We climbed aboard a rugged open-sided safari vehicle for an exciting expedition through the wildlife preserve. The ride can be a bit bumpy as it crosses rickety bridges, rocky hills and rivers—but you’re rewarded with spectacular animal sightings.
Never have I been able to capture a close up of a baby Kudu like this in my past trips to Zimbabwe!
Black Rhinos are on the endangered list but can be seen at the AK. How do you spell ‘laid back’? 
My most favourite animal from Africa, the hippopotamus! Let’s call him Henry.
These Reticulated Giraffe are normally found in Northern Kenya, in the Samburu region. They are the exclusive giraffe type at WDW.
Eland and Blue Wildebeeste graze peacefully, ignoring the safari coach.
The Eland is the largest African Antelope, weighing between 1300-1500 Lbs, and of these The Lord Derby is the largest.
The Mandrill is found in the tropical rainforests and occasionally woodlands of southern Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. This one is obviously a well fed specimen!
And what would an animal park be without Elephants! This is a young male.
Another highly endangered species is the Southern White Rhino. And no, he isn’t sick, just resting!
We survived ‘poachers’ in Harambe Park and slowly made our way towards Asia, and tigers, among other animals. One of the Disney photographers took this photo of Marlene and me. Thanks Mariano!
And then I took a photo of him – here is Mariano!
I loved photographing the rustic looking walls and exotic decorations everywhere.
The sign is self-explanatory…
One of the first animals we saw were the 32 bats of the Rodrigues Fruit and Malayan Flying Fox species. These are giant bats that are surprisingly beautiful when viewed up close.
Get a load of these claws… the better to hang on with…
This plant reminds me of one of the African rainforest plants that I last saw in Zimbabwe.
But the most exciting animals we saw that day HAD to be the Tigers! And they were everywhere!!!!
Don’t you just love that tongue? The better to lick you with…
And this is a tiger yawn… whew! what big teeth you have!
And the action begins…
The Case of the Disappearing Tiger – he is behind the tree sharpening his claws and marking his territory. Can you believe that he is almost completely hidden by a tree trunk?
Part of the tiger habitat at AK is created to look like ancient jungle ruins, including a fountain. One of the tigers was using it as a high class toilet!
We could smell the poo from where we were watching. Phew! It’s no Chanel No.5!
Feeling much better now…
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
And then sometimes I get creative and work on an image…
Another nail sharpening session…
A tiger’s version of walking a tightrope…
I beg forgiveness for the amount of tiger images posted here, but tigers are my step-daughter’s favourite animal. Helen, these were for you!
In the grazing area behind the tigers, you’ll find Blackbuck and Elds Deer..
… and ‘Sacred’ cows…
As you saunter further down the path, you’ll pass through a domed Mughal-style mausoleum known as the “Red Pavilion”.
Amidst the great hall ruins on the other side, you’ll find exotic birds of Asian descent, some of who are tree dwellers, while others may be ground or mud dwellers.
A most incredibly colorful creature is the Mandarin Duck.
Male and female, I presume.
Hidden underneath the brush a Nicobar Pigeon was foraging for food.
He was joined by a Golden Pheasant
Asian Siamang Gibbons swing gracefully through the trees and around the ruins on their own personal island.
And since it was Marlene’s birthday, I have to show her wearing her elephant pendant, a gift from me.
The gibbon temple, sans gibbons…
More artsy shots of ‘Asia’
Prayer flags flutter in the breeze, while behind, the train climbs up Everest.
Expedition EVEREST. This high-speed train adventure combines coaster-like thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the Abominable Snowman.
The following are some artistic shots of some of the more interesting sights of ‘Asia’
And with this last shot of prayer flags, we bid farewell to the Animal Kingdom make our way to Animal Kingdom Lodge for our last two night at WDW.
Thank you all for hanging in here and viewing this post to the end. Let me know what you think!
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