Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas offer an unparalleled experience: waking up to views of African wildlife roaming expansive savannas. A key part of this unique resort layout, particularly within Jambo House, is the Kudu Trail Animal Kingdom Lodge corridor, which provides access to stunning savanna vistas. Understanding the different savannas and their specific animal inhabitants can enhance your stay, whether you’ve booked a savanna view room or are simply exploring the resort’s immersive environment. This guide explores the four distinct savannas, with a special focus on the perspectives offered from the Kudu Trail.
Exploring the Savannas from Jambo House’s Kudu Trail
The Kudu Trail is one of the main guest room hallways extending from the grand lobby of Jambo House. Staying in a room along this trail places you directly overlooking parts of two significant savannas: the Arusha Savanna and the Sunset Savanna. This location is highly sought after for its potential wildlife sightings right from your balcony or the hallway windows.
Arusha Savanna: Views from the Kudu Trail
The Arusha Savanna occupies the central horseshoe area behind Jambo House. Rooms along both the Kudu Trail and the Zebra Trail offer views of this active landscape. If your room is situated on the Kudu Trail side, you’ll likely have a north or west-facing view across Arusha. All Disney Vacation Club (DVC) rooms overlooking Arusha Savanna from Jambo House are located on the 5th floor. This savanna is home to a variety of fascinating animals, including pelicans, geese, graceful giraffes, distinctive ankole cattle, zebras, wildebeest, eland, and gemsbok. While observing Arusha, you’ll often find the pelicans and wildebeest are quite visible. Giraffe sightings might be slightly less frequent here compared to Uzima, but they are certainly present. For potentially more active viewing areas, requesting a room nearer the main lobby might be beneficial. Conversely, rooms towards the far end of the Kudu Trail’s portion overlooking Arusha tend to offer a more tranquil setting. The largest public viewing overlook for Arusha Savanna is conveniently located just off the main Jambo House lobby, accessible to all guests.
Wildebeest and other animals grazing on the Arusha Savanna as seen from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House
Sunset Savanna: A Kudu Trail Perspective
Considered by many to be a favorite, the Sunset Savanna is the largest of the four and boasts the greatest diversity of animal species. It is uniquely shared between Jambo House and the neighboring Kidani Village. From Jambo House, rooms along the Kudu Trail offer views of this magnificent savanna, primarily located on the 5th floor for DVC members, with Club Level rooms available on the 6th floor. Guests staying here might face various directions depending on their specific room location along the trail. The Sunset Savanna features an impressive array of wildlife: male giraffes, bongos, impalas, Thompson’s gazelles, ostriches, ankole cattle, waterbuck, African crowned cranes, storks, and blue cranes. Animal activity often seems particularly high, making it a rewarding viewing experience. If you are exploring rather than staying on this savanna, public overlooks are available off the Jambo House lobby and near the Sanaa restaurant entrance in Kidani Village. The views from the Kudu Trail section of Jambo House provide a fantastic vantage point onto this vibrant ecosystem.
Giraffes and Ankole cattle roam the vast Sunset Savanna, viewable from Kidani Village and Jambo House at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Other Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannas for Context
While the Kudu Trail primarily offers views of Arusha and Sunset Savannas, understanding the other two savannas provides a complete picture of the resort’s wildlife habitats.
Uzima Savanna (Zebra Trail)
Situated on the east/southeast side of Jambo House along the Zebra Trail (opposite the Kudu Trail), the Uzima Savanna is one of the smaller habitats but frequently bustles with activity. DVC rooms here are also on the 5th floor. Expect to see giraffes, impalas, kudus, bongos, blesboks, and Thompson’s gazelles. The giraffes and gazelle-like animals are often seen actively grazing or moving about. Even if not staying on Uzima, guests can view the animals from large windows along the Zebra Trail hallway. A dedicated overlook is accessible from the Uzima Springs pool area, which is also where you can spot the resident flamingos.
Pink flamingos wading near the Uzima Springs pool area overlook adjacent to Uzima Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House
Pembe Savanna (Kidani Village)
Exclusive to Kidani Village on the North Trail side, Pembe is the smallest savanna. It is distinct partly because it is enclosed by fencing and does not house giraffes. Animals found here include nyala, impala, waterbuck, spur-winged geese, ground hornbill, red river hogs, ostrich, and the rare okapi. Though sometimes mistaken for zebras due to their striped legs, okapis are actually related to giraffes. While there isn’t a dedicated public overlook, the Pembe Savanna can be viewed from various windows along the North Trail hallway in Kidani Village. Rooms overlooking Pembe can be found on floors 2 through 5. Despite its smaller size, it offers a peaceful viewing experience and the unique opportunity to spot an okapi.
Okapi and other animals grazing peacefully on the Pembe Savanna, exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
Conclusion
Whether your room is along the Kudu Trail Animal Kingdom Lodge corridor overlooking the Arusha or Sunset Savannas, or situated elsewhere within Jambo House or Kidani Village, the opportunity to observe African wildlife is a defining feature of this resort. Each savanna presents a unique cast of animals and distinct viewing experiences. From the diverse wildlife on the expansive Sunset Savanna to the active grazers on Uzima, the central Arusha views, or the unique species on Pembe, exploring the overlooks and hallways reveals the incredible, immersive environment that makes Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas a truly special destination. The savannas are undeniably a primary reason this resort remains a beloved choice for many Disney guests and DVC members.
