Review: Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom + Photos
Harambe Market is another quick service option worth considering during a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Readers of the site know we’ve explored many of our favorite quick services at Animal Kingdom over the past month. We’ll end on a high note with a place we’ve grown to love for its food and elaborate theming.
Harambe Market is located at the back of the Africa section of the park, near the entrance to the train that takes you to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Kilimanjaro Safaris is also nearby. You’ll see this popular Mickey mural that reads Fichwa Fellow outside the market entrance. Fichwa means hidden in Swahili. However, this particular Mickey is not so hidden.
Here’s a closer look.
Harambe Market has a formal entrance and a few quick service windows. There are plenty of tables and chairs in the immediate area, and guests often use this space to take a break throughout the day.
You’ll find plenty of shaded and partially covered areas. But the best part is the painted murals like the one below that reads, “We Renew Broken Hearts.” The mismatched tables and chairs are fun, too.
You’ll also find a variety of other murals and an abundance of flyers advertising special offers, restaurants, and tours that you might find in Africa. It is always fun to pause and read the signs as they were written.
“Beauty is your birthright.”
“Also, sunset cruise or create personal safari-sailing, fishing, snorkeling, and bio-diversity tours.” I love how the advertisements appear to be written on the fly, many of them afterthoughts. It kind of reminds me of a blogger I know.
“Offering Our Catch Down Near the Beach…Most Weekdays.” They are so honest. Perhaps I should put a sign on the home page that says, “Provides something to read…sometimes.”
A few years back, this mural was popular when everyone was posing for their best #wallwednesday posts on Instagram. It’s still a nice place to take a photo, although it sits near the entrance of a busy service area. That’s why the rearview mirror provides a reflection in the top left corner above it.
You’ll find a few Hemingway references and other interesting objects throughout Harambe Market. Even the roof is made of scrap materials.
If you’re dining at Harambe Market, you might enjoy a seat beside the chain-link fence. The Wildlife Express Train passes approximately every 10 minutes.
But you are welcome to “Please seat where you like.”
As far as food goes, Harambe Market has several unique options. Most are either in the form of a bowl, pita, or salad. This location also accepts mobile orders. So, placing an order ahead of time is an option.
Here is the mobile-order pick-up window. I stopped in one afternoon after everything was closed to take a few photos. You may remember that I like to visit the Animal Kingdom in the evenings to ride the safari in hopes of having little to no wait.
Related: Why I Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom In the Late Afternoon
On a recent visit, I ordered the Chicken and Shrimp Rice Bowl. Because I don’t love tomatoes, the chef separated most of the components. Typically, these elements would come in the same bowl with the sauce poured over it. So if you want it specially prepared, you’ll probably want to order at the window. The menu describes this item as “Chermoula-marinated Chicken and Peri Peri-marinated Shrimp on Jollof Rice with Kachumbari Tomato Salad and Tzatziki Sauce.” It was delicious and filling.
On another visit, I had the chicken rice bowl kids’ meal. This didn’t photograph well, but the chicken was tender and flavorful. It was a small meal, but it was exactly what I needed at the time.
Overall, Harambe Market is an excellent place to grab a bite to eat or, at the very least, walk through and explore the area if you enjoy these kinds of things. When it comes to dining, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the quick services in the park. Here are a few of our other favorites:
- Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes Quick Service Review
- Flame Tree Barbeque Review
- Satu’li Canteen Review
- Nomad Lounge Review
If you’re planning dining for your vacation, you may also enjoy our Disney World Dining Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know beforehand.
In the Comments
Did you enjoy this review of Harambe Market? Have you ever dined there? Leave your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments section below.
