There’s something undeniably magical about Disney’s Animal Kingdom after a summer rainstorm. The pavement still glistens, the air feels fresh, and if you time it just right, the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris seem to put on a show just for you.
That’s exactly what happened on a recent post-storm adventure, where a rare sighting of a rhino enjoying a soak and a glimpse of Tucker, the young Masai giraffe, turned an ordinary ride into some unforgettable memories.
As our safari truck rumbled into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, the skies had just cleared from a classic Florida afternoon downpour. The timing couldn’t have been better. The animals were eager to stretch their legs and get to their dinner, offering up some surprisingly photogenic moments.
One of the highlights? A white rhino calmly standing in the water at the beginning of our trek, half-submerged like it was me on a Disney Cruise. It’s not often you catch a rhino lounging in the water like that, and our guide even noted how uncommon the behavior is.
Further down the savanna, baby Tucker, the newest member of the giraffe family, made an appearance. Still sporting that slightly awkward, lanky charm that only a giraffe calf can pull off. It’s always fun to check in on the baby animals of Animal Kingdom… they grow up so fast!
More Masai giraffe ended up walking pretty close to the truck, and caused a few minutes of a “Giraffe-ic Jam”! These make for some pretty great shots of the gorgeous creatures, though.
I’m jealous of those long lashes you can see from BEHIND their head!
Continuing on, the lions were resting and basking in the recently-revealed sun:
Peek-a-boo!
And the flamingos were standing (one-legged) around their infamous “Hidden Mickey” island:
We also spotted some of the African painted dogs circling around atop some rocks, Black rhinos dining, and a lone Nile crocodile standing by in his own habitat.
Interestingly, the elephants weren’t out on this go-around, but the bathing rhino at the start made this safari entirely memorable!
Tips for the Best Post-Rain Safari Experience
If you’re hoping to catch these kinds of special sightings, there’s a bit of strategy involved. Kilimanjaro Safaris is always worth riding, but heading there just after a summer shower can yield surprisingly active animal encounters. Why? Because many animals retreat to shaded shelters or backstage areas during the heat or rain. But once the storm clears and the sun peeks back out—especially in the late afternoon—they return to their habitats hungry and refreshed, making it prime time for grazing, socializing, and generally being more visible.
Plan to hover near Africa on rainy afternoons, and as soon as the rain stops, make a beeline for the safari. Crowds tend to thin a bit during wet weather, so you might also benefit from a shorter wait. Don’t forget to keep your camera ready, some of the best snapshots happen when you least expect them.
Rainy days at Animal Kingdom aren’t something to avoid, you never know what wild wonders are waiting to step out after the sun returns!
