Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a very unique resort filled with delicious food and fun activities. Today, we will be focusing on Jambo House and all the food that can be found here. There are two restaurants, one quick service, and two lounges. Of course, there are more options to look at over at Kidani Village, but we will focus on that on a different day.
Table Service
There are two table service restaurants at this resort. One of those is Boma, which is open for breakfast and dinner. The other location is Jiko, which is only available for dinner.
Boma – Flavors of Africa
Boma resembles a lively African marketplace with an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner buffet. I have been able to experience this restaurant for both breakfast and dinner, and I have to say I love the breakfast more than dinner. Reservations are highly recommended due to its popularity.
Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and dinner is served from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Since Boma is a buffet, the pricing can get expensive depending on how many people are in your party. For breakfast, it’s currently $37 per adult and $22 per child, which isn’t horrible pricing; it’s actually pretty reasonable for a buffet. Dinner is where the pricing goes up. It’s currently $56 per adult and $33 per child during dinner.
As I mentioned before, I love the breakfast buffet. I highly recommend checking out breakfast here if you stay at this resort.
Jiko – The Cooking Place
Jiko is a restaurant classified as a fine/signature dining experience, serving African cuisine. Here, guests will experience vibrant spices, crackling wood-burning ovens, and boutique South African wines. All the layers of this restaurant will transport you to the heart of Africa. It is recommended that you make a reservation if you want to enjoy this signature dining experience.
Here, you will discover a delicious blend of traditional African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine. There’s an array of steak, chicken, seafood, and plant-based dishes that are infused with a uniquely bold blend of tantalizing flavors. The cool thing about this restaurant is that the menu changes seasonally, meaning that you can enjoy new menu items each time you visit.
Quick Service
There is one quick service location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House, and it’s called The Mara.
The Mara
The Mara is a wonderful quick-service restaurant that opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. They offer early-morning and late-night snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This dining location is named for a river that flows through Kenya and Tanzania.
The theming in the restaurant is very cool. Beautiful murals and tree-like structures are all over the restaurant. The only downside is that the lighting does not complement the area at all. I wish they would change the lighting in there to showcase the theming even more.
The food here ranges from African-inspired dishes to classic entrees, and there is a grab-n-go section that is home to favorites like zebra domes.
Lounges
There are two lounges in Jambo House. One overlooks Boma, and the other is near Jiko. These are perfect spots for after-dinner drinks or a great waiting area for your dining reservation.
Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
The Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar is open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Here, guests can sample South African wines and enjoy appetizers. If you don’t like wine, don’t worry; they also have a full bar. The lounge isn’t big. It’s a smaller space that feels more intimate, perfect for date nights.
Victoria Falls Lounge
Victoria Falls Lounge opens at 4:00 p.m. and closes at 11:00 p.m. Here, guests can enjoy sample suds from South Africa before or after dinner. The lounge has a full bar and a wonderful wine list, but they also have a rotating seasonal selection of light bites.
The only thing we didn’t touch on was the pool bar, Uzima Springs Pool Bar, but that’s because it’s very reminiscent of the others at other resorts. Going through all these dining locations has made me so hungry. Maybe I should take a trip to The Mara.
Have you dined at any of these dining locations before? If you have, please share your experience in the comment section below.
Hi, I'm Erica, and I write about all things Disney. Before working for The DIS, I was a theme park performer at SeaWorld, but I also performed at Disney. I have such an immense love for theme parks to the point I studied them in college.
