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Coming to you from Mt. Kenya Safari Lodge
Hi All,
We're currently about two thirds through the Tanzania/Kenya Safari. It's been amazing. Completed the "Big Nine" this morning with a wonderful sighting of a number of both White and Black Rhinos.
To answer a few questions that are common on this forum:
a) We brought a lot of cash but haven't needed it for anything with a few exceptions: pre-tour we did the Lake Duluti walk (two hour walk that we did in a meandering three and a half hours). It was $12 per person plus we tipped the guide $10/per person (there were four of us). The Arusha National Park tour (there were 7 of us so it was $250 for the vehicle and driver plus tip, normally I think $200 for up to six paid in cash to the driver, again plus tip). And the entry fee came out to about $120 per couple but that could be paid on credit card. Shopping in the souvenir shops is all in cash and at the Masai Village you may want to buy their wares. How much cash you bring is obviously dependent on what you will spend. One couple spent over $500 at the Masai Village, while we spent less than $50. They all did check the bills for the dates, so make sure they're 2009 or newer. We gave donations in cash to the Chimpanzee Rescue organization.
My credit card and bank don't charge international fees, and I find their exchange rates are better than the hotels, shops, etc., so I charge whatever I can in US dollars.
b) Currently they don't seem to be asking to see immunization cards at the borders. We were warned that this could change at anytime however, and you don't want to be required to get the Yellow fever shot at the border.
There were a couple of nights when we had the opportunity to shower and have a nice dinner in something other than safari clothes. So you might consider something very casual, but other than safari clothes. Laundry is available at all the hotels and at the Serena hotels and the Fairmont Mt. Kenya, where we are now, it's about $3 per article.
So far we have had internet at all the hotels, but it seems spotty in some rooms and locations and it is veeeery, veeeery slow in most of the hotels. So don't plan on uploading or emailing too many photos or using video Skype or FaceTime or Viber.
I'm not sure I'll have the time to answer any questions - they're keeping us very busy, but if you post them, I'll try.
We're currently about two thirds through the Tanzania/Kenya Safari. It's been amazing. Completed the "Big Nine" this morning with a wonderful sighting of a number of both White and Black Rhinos.
To answer a few questions that are common on this forum:
a) We brought a lot of cash but haven't needed it for anything with a few exceptions: pre-tour we did the Lake Duluti walk (two hour walk that we did in a meandering three and a half hours). It was $12 per person plus we tipped the guide $10/per person (there were four of us). The Arusha National Park tour (there were 7 of us so it was $250 for the vehicle and driver plus tip, normally I think $200 for up to six paid in cash to the driver, again plus tip). And the entry fee came out to about $120 per couple but that could be paid on credit card. Shopping in the souvenir shops is all in cash and at the Masai Village you may want to buy their wares. How much cash you bring is obviously dependent on what you will spend. One couple spent over $500 at the Masai Village, while we spent less than $50. They all did check the bills for the dates, so make sure they're 2009 or newer. We gave donations in cash to the Chimpanzee Rescue organization.
My credit card and bank don't charge international fees, and I find their exchange rates are better than the hotels, shops, etc., so I charge whatever I can in US dollars.
b) Currently they don't seem to be asking to see immunization cards at the borders. We were warned that this could change at anytime however, and you don't want to be required to get the Yellow fever shot at the border.
There were a couple of nights when we had the opportunity to shower and have a nice dinner in something other than safari clothes. So you might consider something very casual, but other than safari clothes. Laundry is available at all the hotels and at the Serena hotels and the Fairmont Mt. Kenya, where we are now, it's about $3 per article.
So far we have had internet at all the hotels, but it seems spotty in some rooms and locations and it is veeeery, veeeery slow in most of the hotels. So don't plan on uploading or emailing too many photos or using video Skype or FaceTime or Viber.
I'm not sure I'll have the time to answer any questions - they're keeping us very busy, but if you post them, I'll try.
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Comments
Was it just the seven of you on the Arusha National Park walking tour?
Is Bill West (BillWest66) on your tour? He was scheduled to take the T/K tour sometime in September and I am waiting for a report about his experience flying Ethiopian Airlines. Did you use Tauck's services or make your own flight arrangements and with whom? Any comments?
British, the only outlets that I've seen so far in the hotels are the three prong square. I found a picture of it on a website http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/tanzania/ that calls it a type G. The website shows another plug with round prongs, but I haven't seen that in any of the hotels so far.
Alan, Bill West is not with us on this tour. For Arusha, I think their usual is up to six, but there were seven of us that arrived a couple of days early so we asked and they had a vehicle that accommodated seven. They charged an extra $50 for the seventh person (total of $250). The tour can be divided between walking and driving. Our group decided to do two hours driving, then two hours walking and finished with another two hours driving. This is the only time you have the option to walk among the animals, and I do mean among them. We were surrounded at times by giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests. It was amazing. There are no predators in the park (except poachers, hence the armed guides) which is what makes walking possible.
We had miles on United, which allowed us to book Turkish Airlines business class. We flew JFK to Istanbul to Kilimanjaro. Turkish Air business class is amazing and far exceeds all the other airlines that I've flown business class to Europe. I also understand from others that they are actually cheaper than most of the other airlines. The only down side is we arrived at 1 AM and are departing at 2 AM from Nairobi. But Tauck had us met on arrival, so it wasn't too bad.
Ok, have to go. I may have another chance to get back online later, but not sure.
Here's the Kenya site http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/kenya/
When we went to K and T with Tauck they did not use the Mount Kenya Safari club. I actually preferred the Tanzania only trip, I just prefer Tanzania, that's where my favorite areas are, you do about the same number of Safaris, the balloon ride is far less likely to be cancelled because of wrong weather conditions, for those on a budget it is about $2000 less each and you only pay for one visa not two. You even avoid the dreaded Nairobi airport on your return. Just my opinion for those deciding which tour to chose. Let's face it though, whichever one you go on, you'll be back for more if there is a way to do it!
Continue to have a good time Merlin!
Thanks for the very helpful information. We'll be doing this trip in January.
A couple of specific questions as we, too, are arriving via Istabul on Turkish Airlines:
Any issues with the transfer from the Kilimanjaro Airport after 1AM? We've booked that night at the hotel to ensure there is a room awaiting us. We've also booked a second pre-tour night (Gift of Time) in Arusha so we'll have time for both the lake and national park tours...did you book those after arrival or in advance?
Second, at least in January, the aircraft from Istanbul to Kilimanjaro is shown as a 737 with a pretty basic business class (i.e., recliners)...true? Decent on-board experience?
We will also be at the Mt. Kenya lodge on a Sunday and look forward to the brunch you describe.
Any and all other observations and tips will be gratefully received.
Thanks.
Scott
When we arrived at Kilimanjaro, there was a driver waiting for us with a Tauck sign right outside the main door of the airport. He took our luggage, drove to the hotel and they set us up in our room without a hitch. Very easy, Hakunah Matata (no worries).
The business class flight from IST to JRO is, as you said, is the smaller 737. It doesn't have the lay flat seats, only the recliners, but it is as good as any business class flight I've flown from the US to Europe on any airline. Good food (again, chef on board), comfortable seats, noise canceling headphones, etc.
We were grounded this AM for the balloon ride because of wind, but we're waiting to hear if they can get us another pilot and maybe we can try again tomorrow. But in spite of that, the Kenya part of the trip, including the substitute game drive this morning, has been amazing every day. I don't want to give away any major surprises, but be prepared for experiences with the big five that you can't even imagine and at least we never expected. I will fill you in if you would like, but I would preface the post with a spoiler alert.
I'm not sure if the January trip is any different due to the difference in season, but we've had so many incredible experiences every day, that even if you only have a fraction, I'm sure you'll be more than satisfied.
Sorry, I neglected the question about the tours. You don't have to book the tours in advance. You can do them in the morning or the night before. Just ask at the desk and they'll give you all the info. We met a number of other Tauck people at the hotel from our tour and from the Tanzania/Zanzibar tour and we all wanted to go together. But if you want to do it on your own, you can arrange that also. I highly recommend doing the 2 hour walking tour as part of the Arusha Park Tour. As I said, we were tired, so we didn't want to do the walking at the end of the day for fear of not having any more energy, and we didn't want to do it first thing, so we could better get a feel for the park from the vehicle first. So they accommodated us by doing the 2-2-2 arrangement.
Thanks for the additional information. It all sounds wonderful and we can hardly wait...but have to!
Scott
Some travel drs may even suggest Rabies shots, which should not be necessary, but then you would not believe the number of people who petted a dog that ran up to us on the beach on the Tanzania and Zanzibar tour. I think they should offer 'Common Sense' shots too
Haaahhaaaaahaaaaaahhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa:))))))))) Good luck with that, British! You've just made my morning.
Cheers,
Jan
Don't give away the surprises! We did this trip in July, and also missed the balloon ride. But, it was so great a trip, that we will never do it again. We feel that a second trip could be a poor sequel. We will do Africa again, but a different itinerary.
Weather, there is more guarantee of weather prediction than in other parts of the world because you will be near the equator. Look on the Before You Go section, look At Weather section, you will see that you are going in the Short Rains season, it gives details, you may be lucky if the rains are late beginning, or you could expect the usual afternoon rains described. Temperatures around 80 degrees during the day.
Shorts, we found it much easier to wear long pants, protecting from sun and tsetse fly bites, that occur during the day, avoiding black and blue clothing. If you do not have time to change for dinner, that often occurs, or you are too tired to bother after those very early wake up calls, then your body is covered to prevent mosquito bites. Do not take too many fancy clothes, you will not need them. Fill your suitcase with either plenty of safari clothes or get laundry done, it's cheaper in Africa than in any other country you may visit. Leave jewelry at home, take a bandana or buff, they are really useful. Take shoes that you don't nind getting really dirty, but they must have a decent tread.
We found on the K and T tour that our Balloon flight was cancelled due to weather, that appears to occur quite often on that tour according to what I read on this forum. If this happens, you we receive a refund. Enjoy this trip of a lifetime