Surprise Dinner Date to Africa

This past Sunday, Brian took me on a surprise dinner date to Boma- Flavors of Africa, located inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Never having tasted African cuisine before, I was excited to try something entirely new. At the same time, I was nervous that should I dislike the food, it would have been an expensive experiment instead of enjoyable experience. Thankfully, Boma is a buffet style restaurant that offers African and traditional American food that would satisfy any individual.

The food is absolutely exceptional, better than any other Disney restaurant I’ve tried to date. The “Flavors of Africa” is exactly spot on- as this food has a terrific amount of a variety of flavors. A lot of time flavor translates to spicy, and although there are a few spicy dishes, the vast majority just have incredible flavor from the variety of different foods that are combined to create the dish. For example, I typically do not care for fish, but the salmon and harissa was one of my favorite items on the buffet. Although harissa is hot chili sauce, the salmon was topped with (what appeared to be) a concoction of tomatoes and pineapples, which calmed and complimented the flavor of the harissa. While I gave top honors to the salmon and fufu, Tarzan Brian filled his plate with seconds of the Braised Pork Shoulder and African Carved Strip Loin (loin, not to be confused with lion…we weren’t eating Simba). Although I am no longer a huge meat-eater, I will note that it was some of the best tasting meat I have had to date. Just a tip for you carnivores out there…

Fufu and lion eating aside, the real star of the show was obviously the Willy Wonka style dessert section of the buffet. Being a good blogger, I tasted every.single.dessert for you, just to provide an accurate review (some may or may not have been tasted twice). With the exception of two desserts, the rest were mouth-watering delicacies sent straight from heaven. My honest opinion for all you calories counters out there, skip the alcoholic beverages (they were not that great for the exorbitant price, honestly), and instead go to town on dessert. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. Pinky promise.

When you are done grazing the buffet like an animal on the African Savannah, the real treat is still in store. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge sits upon 43 acres of a wildlife preserve that holds Ankole Cattle, Bontebok, Eland, Zebra, Greater Kudu, Impala, Okapi, Red River Hog, Nyala, Reticulated Giraffe, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Thompson’s Gazelle, Waterbuck, White-Bearded Wildebeest, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Blue Crane, East African Crowned Crane, Greater Flamingo, Marabou Stork, Ostrich, Pink-Backed Pelican, Spur Winged Geese, Guinea Fowl and Ruppel’s Griffon Vulture…to name a few. The best part about this is that you are free to roam about the lodge and just out the back door to where the viewing area is for the animals. Not only do you get to work off some of your dinner, but where else can you go and eat a spectacular meal and then step outside and see a giraffe? It’s not an everyday encounter and creates a truly memorable experience all around.

Dinner date now over, I would highly recommend Boma for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind dining adventure for all of your senses. From the smells of the food, to be beating of the drums outside the restaurant, Disney is once again able to transport you from Central Florida to Africa the moment you step inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. Families, young adults, and big kids alike will all enjoy the time had, as there is something for everyone. And if you end up liking African cuisine, you can continue your journey on the next dining experience at Sanaa or Jiko, where plated meals are served a la carte. The journey continues…

Hakuna Matata,

Stephanie