Jambo, Emily! Welcome to planDisney.
I must admit that getting this question was simply meant to be because I
just booked a Savanna View room at
Jambo House at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm so excited! As you know, each of the buildings at the resort has Savanna room categories with some pretty wonderful views of the animals that call this magical place home. I mean, where else can you get these kinds of views outside of Africa? There's a
savanna outside your room! When Disney commits to theming, they
really commit!
While both Jambo House (the main building) and
Kidani Village (the Disney Vacation Club-specific building) both have Savanna Views, if you're looking to book a room specifically
for the Savanna Views, your best bet is Kidani Village. This building was built after Jambo House and is situated in a way that you usually get closer views of the animals. There are different Savannas at the resort, with the Sunset Savanna being the biggest and most photographed. This savanna can be seen from both resorts and typically has the most variety of animals. Please note that while specific savanna views can be requested, they are not guaranteed.
So what animals can be seen in which savanna? The Sunset Savanna (viewable from some rooms in both Jambo House and Kidani Village) is home to giraffes, cranes, waterbuck, Ankole Cattle, ostrich, gazelles, and impalas. The Arusha Savanna (viewable from some rooms in Jambo House) has giraffes, Ankole Cattle, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, eland, and pelicans. You can usually find giraffes, impala, gazelles, blesbok, and kudu at the Uzima Savanna (viewable from some rooms in Jambo House). And on the Pembe Savanna (viewable from some rooms in Kidani Village), there are ground hornbill, red river hogs, okapi, ostrich, nyala, impala, and geese. Just know that this is not an exhaustive list nor will all animals be visible at all times. Even though you're at the Walt Disney World Resort with its stunning and advanced animatronics, these are real-life animals with minds of their own...and sometimes they get moved around and if they don't feel like coming directly into your view, they won't! But no matter which building you choose, you're bound to see some wonderful wildlife you can't see in many other places! And it's important to remember that no matter where you are staying, there are viewing areas all around each building to sit and watch the animals go by. My favorite place at the resort is a room off the lobby of Kidani Village where you can sit by the windows and just stare at the wonders of nature all around you!
So I guess the only question left is: why did I choose Jambo House over Kidani Village? Well, ultimately, I want my cake and I want to eat it too...or rather, I want my Savanna View and I want the best
restaurant options close by. While Kidani Village has Sanaa, which is outstanding, Jambo House has some of my favorites across the entire Walt Disney World Resort property: Boma - Flavors of Africa, Jiko - The Cooking Place, and The Mara, which is a fantastic quick-service location. But just like the savannas, you can enjoy the restaurants at both resorts no matter which building you choose. They are a quick walk from each other and there's a shuttle service that goes in between!
Emily, enjoy your stay at this wondrous place. And be sure to
reach out again with any other questions.
Kwaheri,
Matt