This tour is one of the easiest to pack for. One word, layers.
Weather, you will be arriving in the dry season, it’s unlikely you will encounter any precipitation unless the rains come early.
Animal sitings,, every day will be different especially as unlike in Southern Africa there are no private concessions that you will be staying in. Certain animals do have terratories but they are vast, so they may be around one day and then have moved on the next.
Enjoy!
We found iight weight fleece jackets that fit into a bag the size of a half a gallon of milk. Add gloves and a stocking cap, Then Columbia type safari clothes which I found perfect for the Panama Canal trip. My wife almost did not bring them, and that is what she wore the most. If you brought nothing else, those things would do just fine. I topped it off with Keen hiking shoes and a Tilley hat. If you make that your basic ‘pack’, and add your required amount of ‘fancy’ stuff, you’re covered. ‘Fancy stuff’ not required.
There will be 5 in our little travel group on the February 9th trip. We arrive one day early flying from Atlanta through Amsterdam. My suitcase is packed and I have an alert on my phone for my first malaria pill. To say we are excited is an understatement. Safe travels. We look forward to joining you on this grand adventure.
Have a great trip. Having done it twice, I would place it number one on my bucket list had I never done it. And who knows? Maybe we will do it again some day. (;-).
We were on this trip in July 2018 and it is indeed a wonderful, fantastic experience. We had a great group and our TD was incredible. Since you were asking about clothes and weather etc., I only have one suggestion. When you arrive at Ngorongoro Crater it will be very cool even cold at an 8,000 foot elevation. There is no heat in any of the hotels on this trip and none there. We didn't need heat anywhere except at the Crater. They do provide you with hot water bottles at night but for us that was insufficient. Upon arriving the hotel manager mentioned that portable space heaters were available for use if requested. We didn't hesitate (there were only a few and it was first come first served) and got one for our room and we were glad we did. We had a comfortable room while others complained about how cold it was. Other than that, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime! We loved the Four Seasons the best. It was a chance to take a break, relax, and chill. Their bar was fantastic!
Thank you Virginia . Had worried that I would find the safari weather too hot but am going to invest in some warm pyjamas now and pack additional sweaters
Thank you Virginia . Had worried that I would find the safari weather too hot but am going to invest in some warm pyjamas now and pack additional sweaters
Anne - the weather for the trip changes from cool in the morning to warm and sometimes very warm and it does get very dusty in places. Please, keep in mind we went in July and you will be going in February so there can be some weather differences. Layers as others have suggested is the best way to go. My wife brought pajamas for the Crater and still used a sweater. Another point few mention is that you leave for the balloon ride early in the morning before sunrise and it is very cold then so you will definitely have to take layers for that. But as the sun comes up it does warm up. Of the many pictures we have of the balloon ride we have 2 pictures of our balloon - before and after sunrise - and you can see people bundled up early but less so later. BTW, the pilot of the balloon takes many pictures throughout and then sells CDs later that evening at the hotel. We bought the CD for a small cost (although many did not), but we were very happy we did. We have some great photos we treasure in addition to the ones we took ourselves.
We were on this trip in July 2018 and it is indeed a wonderful, fantastic experience. We had a great group and our TD was incredible. Since you were asking about clothes and weather etc., I only have one suggestion. When you arrive at Ngorongoro Crater it will be very cool even cold at an 8,000 foot elevation. There is no heat in any of the hotels on this trip and none there. We didn't need heat anywhere except at the Crater. They do provide you with hot water bottles at night but for us that was insufficient. Upon arriving the hotel manager mentioned that portable space heaters were available for use if requested. We didn't hesitate (there were only a few and it was first come first served) and got one for our room and we were glad we did. We had a comfortable room while others complained about how cold it was. Other than that, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime! We loved the Four Seasons the best. It was a chance to take a break, relax, and chill. Their bar was fantastic!
We are booked for this year in late July, so I am happy to hear of your weather and clothing experience and would welcome any further suggestions you have.
Our one problem is that since it is unlikely that we will visit Africa again we are trying to tack on a few days in Capetown before or after our K and T trip. We finally found a reasonable way to get from Nairobi to Capetown at the end of our trip but that means starting in Arusha and ending in Capetown. We leave in SF so does anyone have any suggestions about plane travel for the international flights? Sherry
We are booked for this year in late July, so I am happy to hear of your weather and clothing experience and would welcome any further suggestions you have.
Our one problem is that since it is unlikely that we will visit Africa again we are trying to tack on a few days in Capetown before or after our K and T trip. We finally found a reasonable way to get from Nairobi to Capetown at the end of our trip but that means starting in Arusha and ending in Capetown. We leave in SF so does anyone have any suggestions about plane travel for the international flights? Sherry
Sherry - Sorry, but at the end of K&T we went from Nairobi to Paris to Virginia (home). There was a couple that did go on to South Africa after our trip for a second safari but I'm unaware of their flights but know it's possible. It's probably easier to go to Capetown at the end of K&T then going there before K&T and then trying to get to Arusha. I'm sure a number of the daily Forum writers will provide some insight for you. Good luck and enjoy the fantastic trip!
We are booked for this year in late July, so I am happy to hear of your weather and clothing experience and would welcome any further suggestions you have.
Our one problem is that since it is unlikely that we will visit Africa again we are trying to tack on a few days in Capetown before or after our K and T trip. We finally found a reasonable way to get from Nairobi to Capetown at the end of our trip but that means starting in Arusha and ending in Capetown. We leave in SF so does anyone have any suggestions about plane travel for the international flights? Sherry
When we did K&T in 2015 we flew on Ethiopian Airlines (in Business Class) and were pleasantly surprised. We flew from Dulles (IAD) non-stop to Addis Ababa (ADD) then non-stop to Arusha (JRO) in a Boeing 777 with 2 - 3 - 2 seating layout and full lay-flat seats (actually more room than any aircraft before or since.) The return routing on ET was Nairobi (NBO) - Addis (ADD) - (Dublin (DUB) 1 hr gas only stop, no deplane)- Dulles (IAD). No crazy long layovers in Amsterdam or Heathrow, in fact both layovers in ADD were a tad less than 3 hr. which we spent in the ET's "Cloud 9" lounge. At the time, ET's fare beat all others, including Tauck.
Last year when I was looking at flying to Africa for the Botswana, South Africa, Zambia tour, I discovered ET has a flight from Cape Town (CPT) to ADD. I think the connection at ADD for their flight to IAD might have been less than optimal however. Anyway it is something to check out. There are some other air threads in the K&T forum archives, including one where someone did back to back K&T and Botswana- that might give you some ideas too.
I just looked on the ET website starting at SFO and using random dates at the end of July (17-31 Jul)- ET now also flies from Chicago (ORD), so you can book a single ET ticket (includes partner flights (United and Air Canada) from/to SFO) for everything except for the NBO to CPT leg (that might be possible on ET too*). It was discussed by someone in a K&T archives thread.
Sample flights for my constructive dates:
SFO - (UA 302) - ORD (2 + 37 layover) - ADD (2+45 layover) - JRO (ET uses nice, fairly new aircraft on the last two legs- 787-8 Dreamliner to ADD + A350 to JRO!)
Return:
CPT - ADD (45 min layover - possible at ADD) - YYZ (Toronto) (1 + 35 layover) (AC 741) - SFO
* OK, I just reran the flights on the ET website and added the NBO to CPT leg- I think the flight from the Mara arrives too late (and at a different airport in Nairobi) to make a same day flight on ET so you would need to spend the night in Nairobi (gift of time?). I recommend catching the first/early (0500) ET flight to Cape Town, because you'll beat the HORRENDOUS!!! Nairobi traffic, besides Tauck will provide the transfer (I know for a fact someone did exactly that- check the archives). The flight from Nairobi has a 1 hr. layover in ADD before heading to CPT, however. The major outbound and inbound legs would be the same as above. One big advantage is that everything would be on one reservation.
You can run it yourself on ET's website with your actual dates, but for my random dates, the cost came out to be $7381 p/p, r/t (Business Restricted- cancellation restrictions) (each leg is priced separately so you need to select all flights to get the total. Also, if your flight search is for two passengers, unlike Delta, etc. which shows total cost p/p, ET shows the total for both- the price can be a shock if you forget that! : ) )
NBO 0500 - ADD (1 hr layover) - 1345 CPT
Availability is limited for the dates I used, so you would need to get right on this! Let us know what you come up with.
Shescha. Unless health or age or money is an issue for you, I suspect that you may indeed want to go to Africa again. The Southern Africa safari experiences are very different. If it becomes complicated for you to make the trip to Cape Town at the end of this tour, then I suggest you bare that in mind. But CapeTown is wonderful, we loved it there and have been there three times now as part of tours. There is plenty to see and do and I might even suggest taking a vacation just to Cape Town. One of our most favorite hotels in the world is the Cape Grace which we stayed in on the Elegant South Africa tour, it is far superior to the One and Only that we stayed in on the Botswana tour. We went back to the Cape Grace for lunch last time we were there and the food and service were just wonderful.
When we were in the Ngorongoro Crater it was cool, but we still managed to sleep without nightware which I know always makes AlanS laugh. I do remember the hot water bottles but I thought there was a radiator in the bathroom, but it was some time ago so I can’t remember for sure. You should not need more than a couple of sweatshirts for the tour even if you end up sleeping in one. We always pack a down puffer jacket that weighs virtually nothing and packs into a very small included bag. We used them for the balloon ride and any early morning coolness.
We will be taking the tour again inDecember with the add on to Rwanda and we can’t wait, we will be booking our flights as soon as they open up, so I will tell you what we get then. Last time we flew in coach and used the Delta KLM. The tour is very different now, no Four Seasons or Mount Kenya and no down time then. We preferred that but I guess people want the luxury of The Four Seasons amd to do there own thing some days. The camps we went to were excellent then and there were more game drives included than now.
My husband has an ex work colleague who was going on K and T this summer, but he just cancelled after the recent terrorist attack. We were speaking to someone on our last Tauck tour who was on the Botswana tour and a big group cancelled last minute, so they ended up with just five people on the tour, how great that would be.
we intentionally did not extend our stay in Nairobi before returning home because we would no longer be accompanied but there is a heart warming video on youtube about the Kenya Hockey team experience in Canada a trip sponsored by Tim Hortons. Features a great surprise star. Have forwarded it to several hockey fans. It shows a little of Nairobi and its inhabitants. Attacks have unfortunately occurred everywhere including Toronto whereI live. intend to enjoy this trip which has been on my list for many years .
Thanks for your replies and your added information. I think we have ironed out the kinks and we are a go!(July 21-K&T)
We are flying into Arusha (DELTA/KLM through Amsterdam) and out of Capetown(DELTA/Air France through Paris). We have one additional flight from Nairobi to Capetown on Air Kenya (direct thru Livingston) at the end of the K and T trip which we had to book with a private contractor because Tauck was not amenable to booking that for us. Our international flights to/from SFO are about $5500 business
The only obstacle now is that we have to spend an overnight in Amsterdam (yay!) and will arrive into Arusha 3 days before the K and T trip. So far the hotel which Tauck stages from is not available for our extra days. Unfortunately because of the flight schedules the trip is now 3 days longer and "no room at the inn" right now. Hopefully all will resolve in the next few days.
Thanks again for all your help.
BTW, the only reason I say we will probably not do a second trip to Africa is that we are not getting any younger (LOL)
Sherry, I hope it all works out. Arusha is not the best place to spend 3 days. Here are some suggestions, 1 day Arusha Nat’l Park, if you are shoppers visit the Tanzania Cultural Heritage Center to buy or scope it out because the on-tour stop there is short, day trip to Mt Kilimanjaro, 1 day to chill and take the walk around the lake or canoe, etc., etc.
What is the NBO to CPT leg going to set you back?
How many days/nights will you need alt lodging? Check the other Tauck tours that start in Arusha- I believe there is one that doesn’t stay at the Serena. Maybe Tauck can book you in that hotel.
Good idea about the other hotel that Tauck uses. It is the one for the Bridges tour. The only problem might be that the Bridges tours will be running in July too, so it may be busy. I would call Tauck for help but if not, contact the hotel as soon as possible, the Arumeru River Lodge. Actually, I'm surprised Tauck did not suggest this to you. Having said that, when this happened to us on an Italy tour and the hotel was full for a pre stay, we had to book the alternative Tauck hotel on our own, even though the tour ended there in the same town.
I just looked for the hotel website, but it says the website is under construction and just has an email for reservations, so I do hope Tauck will help you.
What is the NBO to CPT leg going to set you back ? about $650 per person
Our K and T does not stay at the Serena, it stays at the River Tree. According to that website the River Tree is sold out for one of the 2 extra days we need. I am open to the Serena or any other place that Tauck recommends but we are not very happy and having to move about from hotel to hotel.
Another choice is for us to stay in Amsterdam an additional night on our outbound flight and eliminate one of the days in Arusha. Unfortunately this whole problem arose when Tauck couldn't get us on Amsterdam---> Aursha flight on a later date. We will see what happens in the next few days.
Again, although we are not thrilled with the extra days in Arusha I am sure we will find something interesting to do (shop?) and or rest before the actual Tauck tour starts. In the meantime I thank you for and welcome any suggestions of things to do while there. Sherry
Sherry, has Tauck changed the hotel for the particular date of your tour, because I see the tour still showing as staying at the Arusha Serena? We are taking the K and T Rwanda tour at the end of the year, and that also stays at the Serena. I have never heard of the tree hotel.
If you haven’t been to Africa before. I would not suggest ‘shopping ‘ in Arusha unescorted, I would just plan on going to the Cultural center as Alan suggests, you will find everything you might like there, plus there is great shopping in Cape Town and at the Cape Town airport.
As far as flights. You say Tauck had difficulty getting your flight. Have you tried booking it yourselves, there may be more seats available on the Delta Amsterdam that way. Their allocation may all be gone. Our first time in Africa, which was one of our early trips with Tauck, we had them book our flights and they had us going Via Detroit to Amsterdam. We later realized that we could have gone directly to Amsterdam but they never gave us that option and we had not researched it properly. The next time we went we asked them to book it from our home airport, otherwise they would have done the same. These days we do a lot more research about flights. Until recently we mainly booked through Tauck, now we often book our own flights. There is often more choice than Tauck can give.
Sherry, has Tauck changed the hotel for the particular date of your tour, because I see the tour still showing as staying at the Arusha Serena? We are taking the K and T Rwanda tour at the end of the year, and that also stays at the Serena. I have never heard of the tree hotel.
If you haven’t been to Africa before. I would not suggest ‘shopping ‘ in Arusha unescorted, I would just plan on going to the Cultural center as Alan suggests, you will find everything you might like there, plus there is great shopping in Cape Town and at the Cape Town airport.
As far as flights. You say Tauck had difficulty getting your flight. Have you tried booking it yourselves, there may be more seats available on the Delta Amsterdam that way. Their allocation may all be gone. Our first time in Africa, which was one of our early trips with Tauck, we had them book our flights and they had us going Via Detroit to Amsterdam. We later realized that we could have gone directly to Amsterdam but they never gave us that option and we had not researched it properly. The next time we went we asked them to book it from our home airport, otherwise they would have done the same. These days we do a lot more research about flights. Until recently we mainly booked through Tauck, now we often book our own flights. There is often more choice than Tauck can give.
I did look at the flights myself. There was a $2K difference in the price we are paying with Tauck and the price we were quoted independently. I agree, we often find better prices on our own, but not this time.
Our brochure for ehte July 21 2019 Great migration uses the River Trees Resort, the "other" K and T uses the Serena. I'd be happy with either as long as we don't have to relocate mid stay.
I did look at the flights myself. There was a $2K difference in the price we are paying with Tauck and the price we were quoted independently. I agree, we often find better prices on our own, but not this time.
Our brochure for the July 21 2019 Great migration uses the River Trees Resort, the "other" K and T uses the Serena. I'd be happy with either as long as we don't have to relocate mid stay.
Thanks for your suggestions. Sherry
Sherry, you had me and British confused! K&T still stays at the Arusha Serena. You actually posted on the wrong forum- as your updated post states you are on T&K Great Migration which stays at the River Trees which is only a few miles / 19 min east of the Serena. Looking at the website, it appears the River Trees is the nicer of the two places, it has pool which the Serena does not. We stayed at the Serena in 2015 and think the rooms are a bit tired. How many nights will you spend at each place? Did you get a gift of time for at least one night at the RT? Will Tauck provide transport from the Serena to River Trees?
Ah!!!! Yes I was confused. So on re-reading, you can stay at the Trees for two nights and the Serena Arusha for one.
I've never even looked at the Migration tour, I just can't figure out how they can predict in advance when the migration will be since it depends on when the rains come. I'm going to take a look now to see the differences.
There is a hotel called The Greenhills. Of Africa, rated at 4.5 stars, which is onlly a half mile from the Rivertrees. I don’t know what date you need, but you may want to check it out.
Ah!!!! Yes I was confused. So on re-reading, you can stay at the Trees for two nights and the Serena Arusha for one.
I've never even looked at the Migration tour, I just can't figure out how they can predict in advance when the migration will be since it depends on when the rains come. I'm going to take a look now to see the differences.
The Great Migration tour spends three days at a mobile camp in the Serengeti. My understanding is they locate the camp in or near the path of the current migration, and may reposition it each season. There may actually be more than one “mobile” camp, I don’t remember, it’s been awhile since I researched it.
There is a hotel called The Greenhills. Of Africa, rated at 4.5 stars, which is onlly a half mile from the Rivertrees.
Thanks Sealord, will check this out. We arrive Arusha on July 18 and need 2 nights before our trip reservation at the River Trees on July 20
Looks like a heavily booked time frame. Recommend you try searching on Trip Advisor or Booking.com. I found a couple rooms that looked great, but they were not close to your departure hotel.
Comments
Weather, you will be arriving in the dry season, it’s unlikely you will encounter any precipitation unless the rains come early.
Animal sitings,, every day will be different especially as unlike in Southern Africa there are no private concessions that you will be staying in. Certain animals do have terratories but they are vast, so they may be around one day and then have moved on the next.
Enjoy!
We will be on the same flights through Atlanta and Amsterdam. Look forward to meeting you all!
Bill and Linda, Charleston, SC
Anne - the weather for the trip changes from cool in the morning to warm and sometimes very warm and it does get very dusty in places. Please, keep in mind we went in July and you will be going in February so there can be some weather differences. Layers as others have suggested is the best way to go. My wife brought pajamas for the Crater and still used a sweater. Another point few mention is that you leave for the balloon ride early in the morning before sunrise and it is very cold then so you will definitely have to take layers for that. But as the sun comes up it does warm up. Of the many pictures we have of the balloon ride we have 2 pictures of our balloon - before and after sunrise - and you can see people bundled up early but less so later. BTW, the pilot of the balloon takes many pictures throughout and then sells CDs later that evening at the hotel. We bought the CD for a small cost (although many did not), but we were very happy we did. We have some great photos we treasure in addition to the ones we took ourselves.
We are booked for this year in late July, so I am happy to hear of your weather and clothing experience and would welcome any further suggestions you have.
Our one problem is that since it is unlikely that we will visit Africa again we are trying to tack on a few days in Capetown before or after our K and T trip. We finally found a reasonable way to get from Nairobi to Capetown at the end of our trip but that means starting in Arusha and ending in Capetown. We leave in SF so does anyone have any suggestions about plane travel for the international flights? Sherry
Sherry - Sorry, but at the end of K&T we went from Nairobi to Paris to Virginia (home). There was a couple that did go on to South Africa after our trip for a second safari but I'm unaware of their flights but know it's possible. It's probably easier to go to Capetown at the end of K&T then going there before K&T and then trying to get to Arusha. I'm sure a number of the daily Forum writers will provide some insight for you. Good luck and enjoy the fantastic trip!
When we did K&T in 2015 we flew on Ethiopian Airlines (in Business Class) and were pleasantly surprised. We flew from Dulles (IAD) non-stop to Addis Ababa (ADD) then non-stop to Arusha (JRO) in a Boeing 777 with 2 - 3 - 2 seating layout and full lay-flat seats (actually more room than any aircraft before or since.) The return routing on ET was Nairobi (NBO) - Addis (ADD) - (Dublin (DUB) 1 hr gas only stop, no deplane)- Dulles (IAD). No crazy long layovers in Amsterdam or Heathrow, in fact both layovers in ADD were a tad less than 3 hr. which we spent in the ET's "Cloud 9" lounge. At the time, ET's fare beat all others, including Tauck.
Last year when I was looking at flying to Africa for the Botswana, South Africa, Zambia tour, I discovered ET has a flight from Cape Town (CPT) to ADD. I think the connection at ADD for their flight to IAD might have been less than optimal however. Anyway it is something to check out. There are some other air threads in the K&T forum archives, including one where someone did back to back K&T and Botswana- that might give you some ideas too.
I just looked on the ET website starting at SFO and using random dates at the end of July (17-31 Jul)- ET now also flies from Chicago (ORD), so you can book a single ET ticket (includes partner flights (United and Air Canada) from/to SFO) for everything except for the NBO to CPT leg (that might be possible on ET too*). It was discussed by someone in a K&T archives thread.
Sample flights for my constructive dates:
SFO - (UA 302) - ORD (2 + 37 layover) - ADD (2+45 layover) - JRO (ET uses nice, fairly new aircraft on the last two legs- 787-8 Dreamliner to ADD + A350 to JRO!)
Return:
CPT - ADD (45 min layover - possible at ADD) - YYZ (Toronto) (1 + 35 layover) (AC 741) - SFO
$5512 USD p/p r/t (Business Restricted- cancellation restrictions)
* OK, I just reran the flights on the ET website and added the NBO to CPT leg- I think the flight from the Mara arrives too late (and at a different airport in Nairobi) to make a same day flight on ET so you would need to spend the night in Nairobi (gift of time?). I recommend catching the first/early (0500) ET flight to Cape Town, because you'll beat the HORRENDOUS!!! Nairobi traffic, besides Tauck will provide the transfer (I know for a fact someone did exactly that- check the archives). The flight from Nairobi has a 1 hr. layover in ADD before heading to CPT, however. The major outbound and inbound legs would be the same as above. One big advantage is that everything would be on one reservation.
You can run it yourself on ET's website with your actual dates, but for my random dates, the cost came out to be $7381 p/p, r/t (Business Restricted- cancellation restrictions) (each leg is priced separately so you need to select all flights to get the total. Also, if your flight search is for two passengers, unlike Delta, etc. which shows total cost p/p, ET shows the total for both- the price can be a shock if you forget that! : ) )
NBO 0500 - ADD (1 hr layover) - 1345 CPT
Availability is limited for the dates I used, so you would need to get right on this! Let us know what you come up with.
When we were in the Ngorongoro Crater it was cool, but we still managed to sleep without nightware which I know always makes AlanS laugh. I do remember the hot water bottles but I thought there was a radiator in the bathroom, but it was some time ago so I can’t remember for sure. You should not need more than a couple of sweatshirts for the tour even if you end up sleeping in one. We always pack a down puffer jacket that weighs virtually nothing and packs into a very small included bag. We used them for the balloon ride and any early morning coolness.
We will be taking the tour again inDecember with the add on to Rwanda and we can’t wait, we will be booking our flights as soon as they open up, so I will tell you what we get then. Last time we flew in coach and used the Delta KLM. The tour is very different now, no Four Seasons or Mount Kenya and no down time then. We preferred that but I guess people want the luxury of The Four Seasons amd to do there own thing some days. The camps we went to were excellent then and there were more game drives included than now.
My husband has an ex work colleague who was going on K and T this summer, but he just cancelled after the recent terrorist attack. We were speaking to someone on our last Tauck tour who was on the Botswana tour and a big group cancelled last minute, so they ended up with just five people on the tour, how great that would be.
Thanks for your replies and your added information. I think we have ironed out the kinks and we are a go!(July 21-K&T)
We are flying into Arusha (DELTA/KLM through Amsterdam) and out of Capetown(DELTA/Air France through Paris). We have one additional flight from Nairobi to Capetown on Air Kenya (direct thru Livingston) at the end of the K and T trip which we had to book with a private contractor because Tauck was not amenable to booking that for us. Our international flights to/from SFO are about $5500 business
The only obstacle now is that we have to spend an overnight in Amsterdam (yay!) and will arrive into Arusha 3 days before the K and T trip. So far the hotel which Tauck stages from is not available for our extra days. Unfortunately because of the flight schedules the trip is now 3 days longer and "no room at the inn" right now. Hopefully all will resolve in the next few days.
Thanks again for all your help.
BTW, the only reason I say we will probably not do a second trip to Africa is that we are not getting any younger (LOL)
Sherry
What is the NBO to CPT leg going to set you back?
How many days/nights will you need alt lodging? Check the other Tauck tours that start in Arusha- I believe there is one that doesn’t stay at the Serena. Maybe Tauck can book you in that hotel.
I just looked for the hotel website, but it says the website is under construction and just has an email for reservations, so I do hope Tauck will help you.
What is the NBO to CPT leg going to set you back ? about $650 per person
Our K and T does not stay at the Serena, it stays at the River Tree. According to that website the River Tree is sold out for one of the 2 extra days we need. I am open to the Serena or any other place that Tauck recommends but we are not very happy and having to move about from hotel to hotel.
Another choice is for us to stay in Amsterdam an additional night on our outbound flight and eliminate one of the days in Arusha. Unfortunately this whole problem arose when Tauck couldn't get us on Amsterdam---> Aursha flight on a later date. We will see what happens in the next few days.
Again, although we are not thrilled with the extra days in Arusha I am sure we will find something interesting to do (shop?) and or rest before the actual Tauck tour starts. In the meantime I thank you for and welcome any suggestions of things to do while there. Sherry
If you haven’t been to Africa before. I would not suggest ‘shopping ‘ in Arusha unescorted, I would just plan on going to the Cultural center as Alan suggests, you will find everything you might like there, plus there is great shopping in Cape Town and at the Cape Town airport.
As far as flights. You say Tauck had difficulty getting your flight. Have you tried booking it yourselves, there may be more seats available on the Delta Amsterdam that way. Their allocation may all be gone. Our first time in Africa, which was one of our early trips with Tauck, we had them book our flights and they had us going Via Detroit to Amsterdam. We later realized that we could have gone directly to Amsterdam but they never gave us that option and we had not researched it properly. The next time we went we asked them to book it from our home airport, otherwise they would have done the same. These days we do a lot more research about flights. Until recently we mainly booked through Tauck, now we often book our own flights. There is often more choice than Tauck can give.
I did look at the flights myself. There was a $2K difference in the price we are paying with Tauck and the price we were quoted independently. I agree, we often find better prices on our own, but not this time.
Our brochure for ehte July 21 2019 Great migration uses the River Trees Resort, the "other" K and T uses the Serena. I'd be happy with either as long as we don't have to relocate mid stay.
Thanks for your suggestions. Sherry
Sherry, you had me and British confused! K&T still stays at the Arusha Serena. You actually posted on the wrong forum- as your updated post states you are on T&K Great Migration which stays at the River Trees which is only a few miles / 19 min east of the Serena. Looking at the website, it appears the River Trees is the nicer of the two places, it has pool which the Serena does not. We stayed at the Serena in 2015 and think the rooms are a bit tired. How many nights will you spend at each place? Did you get a gift of time for at least one night at the RT? Will Tauck provide transport from the Serena to River Trees?
I've never even looked at the Migration tour, I just can't figure out how they can predict in advance when the migration will be since it depends on when the rains come. I'm going to take a look now to see the differences.
Thanks Sealord, will check this out. We arrive Arusha on July 18 and need 2 nights before our trip reservation at the River Trees on July 20
Looks like a heavily booked time frame. Recommend you try searching on Trip Advisor or Booking.com. I found a couple rooms that looked great, but they were not close to your departure hotel.