Delicious Dining at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Boma, Jiko and the Mara

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World has a lot to offer their guests. A jaw dropping lobby, savannas teeming with African animals, the Zawadi Marketplace filled with African and multicultural and Disney merchandise, beautiful artwork, and luxurious rooms captivate visitors. A new Disney Vacation Club addition, Kidani Village, will add to the resort's appeal by increasing the rooms and adding more dining and recreation options. If the new restaurants match the current offerings of The Mara, Boma and Jiko, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will be even more of a can't miss dining destination.

The Mara. The Animal Kingdom Lodge's answer to the need for a Counter Service Restaurant is the Mara restaurant. Named for a river in Africa, this restaurant is located in the back of the resort on the first floor, close to the expansive resort pool. The Mara serves up delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks for adults and children and offers both traditional American food and African specialties. For breakfast, you can expect to find breakfast platters with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and biscuits next to offerings of breakfast sandwiches, Mickey waffles and assorted pastries. Mochas, cappuccinos and lattes are available and children can pick from the adult offerings or choose their own child sized platter. Prices range around $5 for most larger items and less for the pastries. There are also refrigerators and shelves for grab and go selections such as fruit, milk and cereal.

Once the time changes to lunch and dinner, The Mara begins to offer more savory items. Burgers, salads and pizzas are available for those who desire more standard food. But items like African Stew, Kalamata Olive and Chicken Flatbread, and Falafel Pitas show a multicultural flair. Children have their own menu again and the Grab and Go section has a large selection of desserts, chips, hummus and drinks. Prices for meals range from $6-10 and guests on the Disney Dining Plan can use their counter service credits and snack credits here.

Boma. After stepping into the awe inspiring lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests are assailed with the heady fragrance of spices. A quick trip down the elevator to the first floor will lead them to both Boma and Jiko, where the majority of the aromas originate. Boma is immediately to the left and the entire buffet style restaurant is set up to look like an African watering hole. Both breakfast and dinner are served here, with prices of $16.99 for adults and $9.99 for children at breakfast and $26.99 for adults and $12.99 for children for dinner. Both meals are eligible for table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan. The food is served here in a "pod" setting, rather than a traditional buffet line. Different courses and types of food are arranged in different pods, so guests can graze through the lines, similar to animals on an African plain. Breakfast features traditional eggs, ham, sausage, bacon and potatoes with many assorted pastries. Cereal and fruit are also available, alongside yogurt and oatmeal. An omelet station is available for fresh omelets made to order and other unique offerings include pap, bobotie, quinoa, a mixture of juices called "Jungle Juice" and Kenyan coffee. Breakfast is absolutely magnificent and will satisfy any guest.

Dinner, however, is where Boma really shines. The pods offer meat items like spiced prime rib, salmon, and Durban chicken served with several unique sauces. Soups are always available, and while unique, they are always delicious. There is a seafood chowder, a corn porridge and either a carrot ginger or squash sweet soup among the offerings. Salads are fresh and interesting as well. A mixture of avocado, mango and grapefruit sits next to a cilantro chicken salad. Watermelon rinds, curry and pasta and jicama are other interesting ingredients and spices you will find. Side dishes range from coconut rice to potatoes with afritude and many other vegetables and starches. African breads are offered next to hummus dips and plenty of fresh fruit is displayed. The desserts are interesting and delicious as well. The basics are there so the non adventurous eaters can enjoy cookies, brownies and fruit. Other offerings are banana bread pudding with vanilla sauce, a liqueur drenched chocolate mousse, a fruit crumble, a coconut flavored version of tiramisu called cocomisu, amarula cakes, and the bite sized kahlua flavored mousse atop a sponge cake called zebra domes. For those who are looking for something a little more along the ordinary, Boma features a pod with kid favorites like pasta with tomato sauce and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, and pizza. Boma is a delicious family friendly food destination in a lovely setting where everyone can find something to enjoy!

Jiko. Jiko is located to the right as you exit the elevators and is a quiet oasis of elegance and calm, especially compared to its close neighbor, Boma. Jiko is one of Disney's "signature" restaurants where the setting is more upscale and the menu matches. This is a two credit restaurant for those on the dining plan and is an exotic meal out of the ordinary. Jiko is only open for dinner, and despite its elegance, children are welcomed. Starters on the menu range from $7 - $14 and offer an array of delicious cultural flavors. A goat cheese and kalamata olive flatbread is a flavorful appetizer that is big enough for two, as is the barbecue chicken flatbread which features granny smith apples and Kenyan barbecue sauce. Seafood lovers will enjoy the mussels, and a collection of African dips is also available. The entrees continue the quality and unique flavors with the decadent Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Short Rib, Curry Shrimp, Lamb Loin served with lentils, and the amazing Grilled Beef Filet served over macaroni and cheese with a rich wine sauce. There are entrees to satisfy seafood lovers, vegetarians and carnivores alike. Prices range from $25 - $40 for adult entrees. Desserts include flavors like a Pistachio Crème Brulee, chocolate cheesecake, house made lemon curd and an excellent cheese selection with accompaniments. Prices here are $8 for most desserts and $14 for the cheese selection. Children have their own options at Jiko. Starters include choice of fruit salad, vegetable salads or vegetable crudités. Entrees available come in basic PB&J all the way up to a child size portion of the beef tenderloin filet. Desserts offer their own taste and entertainment with a white chocolate puzzle and ice cream sundae, make your own s'mores or plain ice cream. Prices for children's items start at $3 and range up to $11.

Mara, Boma and Jiko all offer excellent food, great selections and the ability to sample flavors from another continent. As the Animal Kingdom Lodge continues to grow and expand, more dining locales will become available and guests can expect more and more exciting options. These restaurants dazzle both guests of the resort, and guests who make the trek from Disney's parks and other resorts. Take some time to taste Africa...you'll be glad you did!