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Maharajah Jungle Trek
(photos below)
One of two safari walking tours in Disney's
Animal Kingdom, Maharajah Jungle Trek is located in the Asia
area of the park (the other is the Pangani
Forest Exploration Trail in Africa. Kilimanjaro Safaris is
another African safari in which you board safari jeeps to
enter the habitats). This tour provides viewing areas for many
species of wildlife from the continent of Asia, and as a
self-guided tour, you're free to linger for longer looks, or
breeze through if you find that it's not as appealing as you
anticipated. There are cast members positioned along the trail
to provide info about the various animals on display--so feel
free to ask them any questions you may have.
The biggest draw here is the tiger habitat--a
very large area themed as a long-abandoned temple. It includes
a large water pool, grassy areas, and plenty of viewing spots,
including some glass windows which allow the giant cats to
come very, very close to guests. A bridge passes over the pool
area, and here the tigers can occasionally be seen bathing.
Additional habitats include a very
intricately-themed fruit bat exhibit, which is accessible
through a separate chamber and may be bypassed by those who
are less than eager to view the bats with no barrier between
them (except for a railing to keep the guests inside the
open-air building and out of the habitat; there are no wire or
glass barriers between the bats and you in this area!).
At the end of the trail is a bird habitat,
with a fine mesh ceiling to keep the birds inside--it appears
to be a completely outdoor area. This is, in Aronda's opinion,
the best landscaped area of the Jungle Trek, with plenty of
lush plantings and a pleasant walkway of ancient pavers. There
are several very unique birdhouses on pedestals in this
area--be sure to have a look at them as you pass through.
This is a terrific tour, and a can't miss,
especially for the younger set who seem to have a special
affinity for the tigers!
Tucked into a back corner
of Asia, Maharajah Jungle Trek is a treasure to be sought
after
The sign at the entrance
A large python is on
display in a tank inside the fruit bat habitat building
One of several birdhouses
in the aviary
A pair of crowned pigeons,
the largest pigeon species--these are as big as chickens!
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