Over on the Kidani Village side of Animal Kingdom Lodge, there aren't too many restaurants. Fortunately, the one that is there… is a great one. Sanaa is a table service restaurant that is East-African inspired and takes it's design cues from a traditional spice market, decorated with handcrafted items. Large acacia tree-like drop-downs hang from the ceiling, and floor to ceiling windows are a prominent feature along one side of the main dining area.

These windows allow guests to watch some of the many animals on the Savanna stroll by, as they dine... as the guests dine, not the animals. Gazelles, zebras, giraffes, kudu, ostriches, cranes are all eye-level and at times, just outside the window.

The seating area farthest from the window doesn't offer those kinds of spectacular views, but it is a bit quieter back there.

The most popular item on the "starters" part of the menu is the India-style Bread Service which is a great item for sharing at the table. It combines your choice of three breads (Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kucha, or Paneer Paratha), and three accompaniments (Red Chile Sambal, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Garlic Pickle, Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, or Tamarind Chutney)… a larger version that includes all of the accompaniments is also available.

Other notable appetizers are the Oxtail Umngqusho and a Shellfish Tinashe which includes Pan-seared Scallops, Goan Crab Cake, Nhoip, Apple-Coriander Chutney, Pickled Apples with Jìcima and Red Chili Sambal.

Staying with a small plates theme, another guest favorite (this time under the Entree heading) is a dish called "Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned", which give you a choice of two of the following… chicken with red curry sauce, shrimp with green curry sauce, paneer cheese and spinach, or beef short ribs... along with a dish of basmati rice or five-grain pilaf.

The Butter Chicken selection from the above entree has become so popular, it's now served all by itself as the Butter Chicken with Peas and Carrots, Rice with Shallots and Cucumber! A Berbere Braised Lamb Shank entree and a Braai Lamb Sosatie with Apricots, Krummel Pap, and Sautéed Greens are available, as is a great sampler plate called Braaivleis, which combines Boerewor, Lamb Chop, and Pork Tenderloin with Seasonal Accompaniments.

Desserts here are mostly of the "small fancy" variety, but there's also a banana cheesecake, a Stone Fruit Samosa, and the Shahi Tukra which is an Indian-style bread pudding with chile vanilla sauce.