Finding Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (List with Photos)

We enjoy finding animals during our visits to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park has more than 300 unique species and provides a home to over 2000 animals. Throughout the park, you’ll find animal habitats around nearly every turn. If you take the time to look for them, you might be surprised. We have found that you can spend the better part of a day looking for animals.

Since there are so many animals, we created this guide to help you locate them. However, it’s important to note that some of the habitats change occasionally, and some animals might not be available on the day of your visit. Unfortunately, this list does not include every single animal that resides in the park. That would be nearly impossible to provide. But we do our best to keep up with the habitats you’ll be able to locate while touring the park.

If you want to learn more about the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we recommend watching The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney+ before your visit. You will learn many interesting facts about the animals in the park. It also shares fun information like names, habits, and what they like to eat.

Below, we’ve grouped the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in order of the section of the park where you’ll find them. We’ve linked articles that go into further depth about these areas where applicable if you want to learn more.

You’ll want to keep a few things in mind when looking for animals. Many of the animals are most active first thing in the morning. For some guests, early mornings are considered valuable touring time. But if you hope to enjoy a slow-paced, relaxed day, this is the best time to see the animals. Also, if you stay all day, we recommend riding the safari a second or third time. Often, we see the lions awake later in the day. However, most other animals tend to go in at sunset.

Other factors can affect your experience, such as the weather. If you visit on an unseasonably chilly day, you might find more animals hiding to stay warm. If you’re looking for an animal, don’t hesitate to ask an animal care specialist. They are typically positioned close to the exhibits and are exceptionally knowledgeable about the animals.

Animals in The Oasis

When you first enter the park, the area is called The Oasis. The Oasis serves as a walkway to the park’s opening, where the Tree of Life sits in the distance. However, many don’t realize it’s an attraction with multiple exhibits. The Oasis is typically home to the following animals:

• Spoonbill
• Reeve’s Muntjac
• Babirusa
• Rhinoceros Iguana
• Southern Giant Anteater
• Chilo Wigeon Duck
• Black-necked Swan
• Domestic Geese

Here are a few photos.

Make sure to cross the suspension bridge and walk through the cave while exploring The Oasis!

Discovery Island Trail Animals

At the top of The Oasis, you’ll continue into Discovery Island. This is where the Tree of Life first comes into view. If your children are interested in seeing animals, you’ll want to stop here on the immediate right and pick up a Wilderness Explorer’s guidebook.

At some point during your day, you’ll want to make time to see a show called Winged Encounters. This performance takes place multiple times per day. It lasts about five minutes. So it won’t take up much of your touring time. It’s an excellent offering. We stop to see it every time we have the chance.

During the show, cast members educate guests about Macaws and discuss why they do not make good pets. At one point, a tremendous group of macaws flew through and landed in the area. They consist of Scarlet, Military, and Hyacinth. When the presentation is over, they all fly off at once. Don’t be surprised if you feel their feathers as they take off. It’s an incredible experience.

Here is a list of other animal habitats in the Discovery Island area of the park. You’ll find these animals surrounding the Tree of Life. A few can be seen up close from the Tree of Life Garden Trails and Discovery Island Trail.

• Lesser Flamingos
• Asian Small-Clawed Otters
• Cotton Top Tamarins
• Red Kangaroo
• Lappet Face Vulture
• Shark Catfish
• White Stork
• Ring Tail Lemur
• Brown Collar Lemur
• African Crested Porcupine (They were out foraging on a recent visit.)
• Giant Galapagos Tortoise

Some of the animals from Dinoland, U.S.A., have been relocated to this area in early 2025.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

While I can’t list every animal you can expect to see on the safari, I will list a few highlights. This attraction is home to over 34 species of animals. It’s an incredible experience worth doing at least twice during your visit. The safari entrance is near the back of the Africa section of the park.

• White Rhinos
• Bongo
• Springbok
• African Wild Dogs
• Masai Giraffe
• Wildebeests
• Ankole Cattle
• Mandrills
• African Elephant
• Cheetah
• Lions
• African Hogs
• Black Rhinos
• Nile Crocodile
• Eland
• Ostrich
• Bontebok
• Sable Antelope
• Hippopotamus
• Pink-Backed Pelican
• Flamingos

Here are a few photos.

Again, these are just a few of the Disney animals you might see on safari. The best seat on the safari is on the left-hand (driver) side of the vehicle. From this side, you’ll have a better opportunity to see the elephants, mandrills, cheetahs, and lions. But it’s not the end of the world if you are seated on the opposite side.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Animals

When you exit Kilimanjaro Safaris, Gorilla Falls Exploration is on the right. This trail allows visitors to see gorillas and several other animals.

• Colobus Monkey’s
• Okapi
• Hippopotamus
• Western Lowland Gorillas
• Meerkats
• Grevy’s Zebra
• Birds (Aviary)

Fun Fact: Gino, a Western Lowland Gorilla, was one of the opening-day animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

My favorite animals in this area are the gorillas. They have a unique habitat here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. One of the animal care guides told me that the gorillas can tell when the day is almost over by the angle of the sun. As the sun sets, they usually begin to line up in one area to go in for the day. They know it’s time for their daily treat.

Maharajah Jungle Trek Animals

The next trail featuring animals is the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The big draw here is the Sumatran tigers. As mentioned earlier, they often can be found napping later in the day. Your chance of seeing them in action is greater before lunchtime. The trail is also home to a dragon, macaques (very entertaining Old World monkeys), real hanging bats, various savanna animals, and a tremendous bird sanctuary.

The tigers are a favorite here for most guests. However, if you have the time, I encourage you to explore the entire trail. It’s incredibly peaceful and includes beautiful murals that share the sad story of how animals became endangered. Bird lovers will want to take their time in the sanctuary toward the end. There’s so much more than meets the eye here. I’m always amazed at the variety of birds hiding in the foliage.

Animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Asia

Additionally, you’ll find two different Gibbon habitats in Asia near the entrance of Kali River Rapids. The first is the Siamangs. They are on the main walkway between Asia and Expedition Everest. The other habitat sits behind it, closer to Maharajah Jungle Trek, and offers white-cheeked Gibbons. The gibbons are very entertaining.

Dinoland U.S.A. Animals

UPDATE: Unfortunately, with the phased closure of Dinoland, U.S.A., the following animals have been relocated.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Our last area of the park offers a few kid-friendly animal encounters and requires a train ride to access. Rafiki’s Planet Watch is home to Affection Section, a petting zoo.

You’ll also encounter many species inside the Conservation Station area, including reptiles and insects. Below are some of the things you’ll see.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of what animals you can find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Most will agree that a day spent here is unlike any other. Where else could you visit and have the opportunity to see so many animals, including some that are even listed on the endangered species list?

For more attractions and lands, you might enjoy the following:

• Pandora, World of Avatar Guide
• Discovery Island Trails Guide
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch Guide
• Maharajah Jungle Trek

In the Comments

Have fun finding the animals at Animal Kingdom Park! Are there any specific ones you’re excited to see? Let us know in the comments below.