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Lake Duluti Serena Hotel Arusha
We are going on the July 19 Kenya Tanzania Classic Safari. Arriving a day early to acclimate. Have heard conflicting info on touring lake area. Some say you must have a guide and others say you can just arrive at entrance and a ranger will guide you free (plus small gratuity). Anyone have info?
Also read horrible comment on Trip Advisor saying that at hotel guests are constantly dunned for money by those wanting to guide you around town and lake. The reviews otherwise on hotel are excellent. Just want to be ready for whatever comes our way!
Also read horrible comment on Trip Advisor saying that at hotel guests are constantly dunned for money by those wanting to guide you around town and lake. The reviews otherwise on hotel are excellent. Just want to be ready for whatever comes our way!
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I hope what I am going to say turns out to be my next experience. First, I only had one overnight experience at the hotel and particularly remember the lovely flowers, the quiet and the lovely colonial dining room. Second, if a member of staff told me I needed a guided tour of the lake, that's what I would do, there could be some wildlife that might eat you before you even get on the safari and certainly in some of the other lodges you HAVE TO BE ESCORTED back and forth to your room when it is dark. I enjoyed all the local people on both my previous trips to Africa, and quite frankly to give a guide $35 to take two of us round the lake, with a Tauck tour, apart from any souvenirs I buy, that would probably be my only expense. Third, it was members of staff who approached the reviewer on Tripadvisor, you made it seem as if there were hoards of people roaming the resort and bothering people. Fourth, it sounds as if security has been beefed up there.
I will be interested to hear what other Tauck travelers have to say about the points you have raised, because I want to know too. I will also be sure to mention to any staff who approach us about paying for Tours that we are with a Tauck group, in the hope that may make anyone trying to rip us off that Tauck would not be happy and they might lose substancial business with Tauck as a result.
TAUCK TIM, COULD YOU ADDRESS ANYTHING YOU FIND OUT ABOUT LAKE TOURS FOR US?
You will love your safari, that's why I can't wait to return.
Yes, lake tours are available, and yes, you should absolutely hire a guide. You can do that through the hotel's travel desk.
I hope this helps!
-Tim
Lexipupny, it looks as if there will be quite a crowd of 'Tauckers' at the Duluti, there is a Kenya and Tanzania tour and and A Tanzania Zanzibar tour beginning on the 5th July. That's the date we begin our tour. I am sure there will be plenty of people getting there a day early like you on the eighteenth to share a lake experience with you. If this is your first trip to Africa, be prepared to have an incredible time! Regards, British
As I look at the Tauck itinerary, it is unclear what time the official Tauck tour actually starts on day one. Usually, it talks about an evening greet and meet dinner, but this one doesn't discuss that or show a meal that evening at all. Is there no activity planned for day one? If not, then it really isn't a true day on the tour. I guess I wouldn't have had to come in a day and a half early.
I am arriving about 1 am the day before the tour, which means that I have two extra nights in the hotel. From what I am reading, I should set up a guide and tour of the lake but be careful as to the negotiating. The focus of the discussion suggests being prudent about who I get to guide the tour and how much it costs.
As I do more reading on Arusha the general idea is that it is the "worst place in Tanzania for street touts," but during the day the market is a good place to visit. My guess is you just have to keep your head on a swivel and pay attention to your surroundings. Pretty normal when you are a tourist.
I am sure others who have been on this trip will come in and give more advice on Lake Duluti, the hotel (rooms and service), and going into Arusha. That will be helpful.
Thanks for all the comments.
For me Ongorongoro crater was my favorite place, so I am glad to be visiting there again on the Tanzania/Zanzibar trip