Best Of
Re: Emergency Number for Travel Delays?
Folks, please read all the information that Tauck sends you. There is a lot of good stuff in there and will enhance your experience on the tour.
We have been on Tauck tours where people have been denied entry into countries because of visa issues.
PF606590
Re: Currency and Gratuity for Guide and Driver
Right now I’d say pounds became the dollar is so weak.
British
June 14 2025 trip
We have a party of 10 (2 grandparents, 4 parents and 4 kids(boys aged 10 12 14 and girl 16) on the June 14 bridges trip) reaching out to others on this trip to say Hi
Re: Duffels/backpacks for kids
You can have one medium suitcase, but that must be stored once you go on the safari part of the tour where you are only allowed the duffel that Tauck provides plus a small backpack such as the ones provided for the kids. No exceptions, you travel on small planes with little storage and the duffels being all the same size makes it much easier. There are also weight allowances for this portion of the trip.
British
Re: Emergency Number for Travel Delays?
I put these phone numbers in my phone so if I need to call, the emergency phone numbers as well as the Tauck main numbers are right there. I do the same with hotels, airlines, etc. I scan my passport and also put it on my phone under the “hidden” password protected section on the iPhone.
Re: Special Celebrations on Tanzania Family Safari
At the beginning of the tour, you will fill in a form or the tour director will ask you if there are any special occasions. You usually get a cake and maybe a gift. We celebrated our 50th anniversary on this tour last summer! If you get Chris Mancini as your tour director, he is wonderful. We have had him twice in Africa. My granddaughter delighted in telling him I had a crush on him last year 😂
British
Re: Currency and Gratuity for Guide and Driver
The final docs from Tauck state the amount in dollars or the equivalent in local currency. Our Italy guide was fine with dollars as she lives in Venice but is American and travels to the US often. She said tipping the driver in dollars is problematic. She stated the anti-laundering activities make exchanging them for euros a real chore. According to her the bank scans each bill front and back and it’s a very long process.
Re: What is it?
This bag is terrific. Holds toiletry items better than anything I've had previously, hangs well and things don't fall out. I'd like to buy some more for people I travel with. Haven't found one as good online.
BernieM
Re: Currency and Gratuity for Guide and Driver
I always tip in United States Dollars. If I’m not mistaken, all of the final documents I have read implies to tip in U.S. dollars. The documents you receive have never ever suggested to tip in another currency. What am I not understanding? When tipping in another currency, it could mean that one may not be tipping the suggested U.S. currency equivalent. On the two upcoming trips I am taking in May, it plainly reads: 15.00 per day per person for the tour director and 10.00 per person per day for the bus driver in U.S. currency.
Re: would you recommend this trip
Yes, definitely go. We think this is an excellent mix of city (Capetown and J'burg), and the wild (4 days on safari). The accommodations are all first class and the guides are well versed in the environment. We saw lots of animals,too
PF606590