If you’re looking for the crocodiles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll find them during Kilimanjaro Safaris in the Africa section of the park. The animals are Nile crocodiles, and their habitat is part of the Safi River area of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.
You may also have seen people online refer to this enclosure as the “Disney crocodile pit.” That’s not Disney’s official name for it, but it is the crocodile habitat guests pass during the safari.
One important correction if you’ve seen older guides: the crocodiles are not on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. To see them during a normal park visit, ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The Disney Crocodile Pit Is on Kilimanjaro Safaris
The so-called Disney crocodile pit is part of Kilimanjaro Safaris, the open-air safari attraction in Animal Kingdom’s Africa section.
Disney calls the larger setting the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. The safari covers 110 acres and passes through several different habitats with animals including hippos, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras and crocodiles.
The crocodiles live around the Safi River portion of the reserve. Disney has specifically identified Nile crocodiles living there, including animals featured in its Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom series.
You can check the current attraction details on Disney’s official Kilimanjaro Safaris page.
Where Are the Crocodiles Inside Animal Kingdom?
First, head to Africa and enter Kilimanjaro Safaris in Harambe.
You do not walk up to the crocodile habitat independently. You’ll see it from your safari vehicle as you travel through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.
The Safari driver points out animals as you move through the different habitats, but wildlife sightings vary from ride to ride. Sometimes the crocodiles are extremely obvious along the water or bank. Other times you may have to look more carefully.
If you’re unfamiliar with the park layout, my updated Disney Animal Kingdom map shows where Africa and Kilimanjaro Safaris sit in relation to Pandora, Discovery Island and the rest of the park.
Are They Crocodiles or Alligators?
The animals you’re seeing in this part of Kilimanjaro Safaris are Nile crocodiles, not American alligators.
That’s an easy question to have at a Florida theme park, especially because wild American alligators are associated so strongly with the state. But the safari is designed around African wildlife, and the crocodiles in the Safi River habitat fit that setting.
Nile crocodiles are native to Africa and are among the world’s largest crocodilians.
Why You Won’t Find the Crocodiles on Gorilla Falls
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is very close to Kilimanjaro Safaris, which probably helps create some of the confusion.
Gorilla Falls is a separate self-guided walking trail. Disney currently highlights animals there such as western lowland gorillas, meerkats, Grevy’s zebra and hippos.
It’s absolutely worth walking if you enjoy Animal Kingdom’s wildlife, but I wouldn’t go there specifically looking for the Nile crocodiles.
If animals are a major part of your visit, my guide to the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can help you sort out which species are found on the safari, walking trails and other parts of the park.
Can You Get a Closer Look at the Crocodiles?
There is another way to experience this area if you’re particularly interested in the animals.
Disney’s separately priced Wild Africa Trek takes guests into the Safi River Valley on a guided three-hour experience. Disney specifically describes the trek as including views of hippos and crocodiles, along with rope bridges high above the river valley.
That’s a much more involved experience than seeing the crocodiles from a standard Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicle, but it isn’t necessary just to see them. Kilimanjaro Safaris is included with normal Animal Kingdom admission.
Why Do the Crocodiles Sometimes Sit With Their Mouths Open?
If you see one of the crocodiles lying almost motionless with its mouth hanging open, it can look surprisingly menacing. But an open mouth doesn’t necessarily mean the crocodile is preparing to attack.
Crocodiles are ectothermic, so they rely on their surroundings to regulate body temperature. One way crocodilians release excess heat is by sitting with their mouths open.
That also explains why a crocodile can look almost like a statue while you’re passing. Sitting still and basking are normal parts of crocodilian behavior.
How Many Crocodiles Are at Animal Kingdom?
I wouldn’t plan around a specific number.
Disney does not currently publish a fixed guest-facing count of the Nile crocodiles you’ll see on a particular safari. Animal populations and which individuals are visible can change, so older claims that there are always two, three or some other exact number can become outdated quickly.
The better expectation is simply that Nile crocodiles are one of the species you may encounter during Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Is It Worth Riding the Safari Just for the Crocodiles?
I wouldn’t ride Kilimanjaro Safaris solely for one animal because you can’t control exactly what every animal will be doing when your vehicle passes.
But the crocodiles are one more reason I consider the safari one of Animal Kingdom’s defining attractions. In the same ride, you can potentially see giraffes, hippos, rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and other African wildlife.
If you’re deciding what else deserves your time, I rank Kilimanjaro Safaris near the top of my Animal Kingdom attractions because the experience changes every time you ride it.
So if you came here after searching for the Disney crocodile pit, you don’t need to hunt for a hidden walking trail or obscure exhibit. Head to Africa, ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, and watch the Safi River area for the Nile crocodiles.
