2012: Day 2 Wanyama Safari

     Without question, the Wanyama Safari was one of the highlights of our trip.  It is only available to guests of the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the tour is also limited to 12 guests.  You start the tour with hors d'oeuvres at Jiko.  There were two other groups on our tour.  Two older (than us) couples from New Jersey and a Mom and her two kids (17 and 11) from Vancouver.  After a short wait, an African drummer paraded us through the lobby and out to the safari vehicle. 
     The safari begins on the far side of Kidani Village and winds it way through the four savanas.  Jeff, our tour guide for the first part of the tour, was a hoot!  He was also quite knowledgeable and gladly answered all of our questions.  You truly get within feet, even inches, of these animals. 
     Christopher took over as tour guide once we entered the Jambo House savana areas.  He was more reserved, but just as knowledgeable.  Shelby's loved the zebras, while Brent's favorite were the giraffes. 
     We spent about 2 hours out on the savana before returning to Jiko for our dinner at the chef's table.  Hands down, this was the best meal of our trip.  I had always heard Jiko was good, but I had no idea.  Oh, my word!  I was afraid Shelby would not have anything to eat as many of the selections were a bit more exotic than her typical diet.  However, she surprised me and not only tried everything, but enjoyed it. 
     Our server was excellent, but the only negative (and it isn't even that big of a deal) was the "chef."  I was under the impression that the head chef would be the one introducing each of our courses.  I could be wrong, but I do not think the young man who came to our table was anything more than a sous chef.  He spoke very quickly and introduced two courses at a time.  Given that a cocktail and a wine pairing with each course was included, it would have been nice if he could have come out and introduced each course individually...slowly.  Truly, though, the food was fabulous !