Article submitted by Jay66UK

Ride the rails on this rustic African train that travels the savannah for a behind-the-scenes journey through several animal housing and care areas of the park. In just over five minutes, your guided train ride transports you to the core of the park's conservation centre. All aboard!

A five minute train journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, nothing at Walt Disney World is that simple!

In keeping with the theme created for the Africa section of the Animal Kingdom, you are in Harambe – a port town somewhere in post-Colonial East Africa. And, as a former part of the British Empire, the old steam railway is the main method for travelling great distances.

The modest station is a relatively modern structure just near the exit of the Pangani Forest Trail.





The themeing is maintained with adverts for the safari and poacher warnings – these are regularly added to by the Imagineers to give it just the right appearance.

You look for somewhere to buy a ticket, but sadly all of the ticket windows are “temporarily closed” and the other travellers’ baggage is beginning to mount up on the station.





As you wonder whether the train line is still in action you hear the toot of a whistle and from around a bend in the tracks you see the approach of the Wildlife Express, pride of the Eastern Star Railway. Resplendent with horned trophy and looking a little past its prime, this is the machine that will take you on the next leg of your adventure within the Animal Kingdom.





The carriages all have two rows of side facing bench seats. Plenty of room for everyone. All aboard!

As you head off towards Rafiki’s Planet Watch you pass around the edge of the Safari plains and on into the backstage animal care areas – here we catch a glimpse of the rhinos.



If you peep through the screens at the back of the carriage you can see some more unthemed, backstage areas where the veterinary and animal care is located.

All change at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Enjoy your visit and look out for Pocahontas and Rafiki as well as some of the finest zoo science resources in the world.





The journey back takes you through a hidden native village. Before you know it you are back in Harambe where you can enjoy more of that famous African music and culture.