While I agree that this is a must-see exhibit, personally I was not impressed with Kilimanjaro Safaris when I visited DAK, and felt it was the weakest of their big three zoo exhibits (the other two being Mahajarah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail). One of the big reasons is the lack of time spent at different areas. It's also hit-or-miss whether the various species show themselves. On my visit, I didn't get the chance to see either rhino species (though I later saw whites from the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch), and a few of the antelope species were also no-shows. I understand no-shows is part of the zoo experience, and it's impossible to prevent this, but part of me wonders if there would be less no-shows if there was more time allotted to view each individual habitat. While some of the habitats on the Safaris are incredible, it's truly a shame that one is only able to spend a minute if that watching one of, if not the, largest hippo bloats in the United States, along with other exhibits that are all incredible in their own right.
Furthermore, the ride through the Safaris was definitely on the bumpy side, which hindered my ability to enjoy the ride and animal viewing. The big mixed savanna also seemed under-stocked, and while I don't want the zoo to put too much into this exhibit, there was certainly enough space to either accommodate larger herds of the species present or incorporate an additional species or two. A few of the other exhibits could've similarly benefitted from some additional animals, either larger herds or more species. I'm also not a fan of when zoos pass of Ankole-Watusi Cattle as an exotic ungulate species in mixed savannas. Sure, they're cool animals and all, but they should be treated as domestics by zoo and not as wild animals, taking up space that could be given to the many struggling ungulate programs. Replacing a critically endangered antelope species with domestic goats certainly doesn't do this attraction any favors either!
Great choice!
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