Starlight Safari: An Enchanting Extra at Walt Disney World!

If you're an animal lover like me, Kilimanjaro Safaris is probably one of your favorite experiences, and you’re always disappointed when Animal Kingdom closes too early—before you’re finished watching the animals.

Well, have I got the experience for you! Disney offers a unique moonlit safari where you can see the savanna come to life after dark! Read on to find out more:

What is Disney's Starlight Safari?

On my most recent trip to Disney World, I decided to treat myself and book an experience I've been eyeing for a while now - the Starlight Safari!

Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, this 90-minute guided tour takes you through the savannas of Jambo House and Kidani Village. Unlike the stationary viewing platforms, this tour brings you within two feet of the animals. Night vision goggles (more like spyglasses) are provided, but if the animals are close enough, you won’t necessarily need them.

Day-Of Details

On the day of your tour, you’ll need to check in about 15 minutes before your start time. I booked a 7pm tour, and planned to eat dinner at DAK's Maji Pool Bar (review coming soon!). Around 6:30pm, I made my way over to the meeting location - next to the Valet Parking booth of Kidani Village (NOT Jambo House!).

Starlight Safari Tour meets outside the lobby, next to Valet Parking.

Upon arrival, I filled out a waiver form. Since this is an outdoor experience, expect bugs, dirt, and hay. If anyone in your party is highly sensitive to allergens, this tour might not be the best fit for you.

The Safari Experience

At 7:00 PM sharp, our guides called us over to our ride—an open-air safari buggy similar to the ones used in Kilimanjaro Safaris, but smaller, accommodating about 10–12 people.

Once aboard, I found night-vision spyglasses on my seat. Our guide, Emily, introduced herself, went over some ground rules, and then we were off!

The spyglasses took a little adjusting to fit my vision, but once set, they were easy to use. If you have trouble, the cast members are happy to help!

View of a giraffe through the spyglass vs without spyglass

From the moment we set off, I couldn’t stop smiling. The ride was a little bumpy, but that's part of the fun. Our cast members, Emily (tour guide) and Adam (buggy driver), were fantastic—their enthusiasm for the animals was contagious, and it was clear how much they loved what they do.

Emily shared so many fun facts—not just about the species in general, but also about the individual animals and their personalities! Her funny and interesting anecdotes made the experience even more memorable.

One thing I learned: When Ostriches run in circles, they’re called tornados! 🌪️

Some animals were shy, like the giraffes and waterbucks, which stood up and walked away as our vehicle approached. Others, like a crane, just stood in the middle of the path! One particular waterbuck got so close that we had to maneuver the vehicle around it.

The brave waterbuck that stubbornly stood in our vehicle's pathway and refused to move. Too cute!!

Q: So, how much will this experience cost me?

At the time of writing, the Starlight Safari costs $89 per person. I absolutely think I got my money’s worth—it’s one of the more affordable Disney extras, especially if you’re an animal lover who doesn’t want to give up precious park hours.

Q: When are Tours offered?

Tours are typically offered twice per night, every night. On my visit, the options were 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM, but times may change. Check out Disney's official Starlight Safari page to find out when tours will be offered on your visit.

Q: I'm sold! How do I make sure I get this done?

The Starlight Safari is part of Disney’s Enchanting Extras Collection, meaning you’ll want to book it as soon as reservations drop! Reservations open 60 days in advance at midnight (EST).

For my trip on February 3, 2024, I was on the Starlight Safari booking page at 11:59 PM (EST) on December 4. The second the clock hit midnight, I refreshed the page and secured my spot!

If you’d rather skip the stress, a Disney travel agent (like me! 😊) can handle the booking for you. My goal is to make your trip as seamless and stress-free as possible—I take care of the reservations and tailor recommendations just for you.

Have you been on the Starlight Safari? I’d love to hear about your experience!