We have done K&T twice before, so our Jun 25 trip will be our third. Trips one and two were totally different experiences, so I expect number three will also be a new experience. This is not a vacation, it’s an adventure. Wakeups are consistently early. Day 2 breakfast starts at 0630. We were at the Lake Duluti Serena ‘coffee plantation’ on the previous trips so the Gran Malia will be a new experience. Also, previously we drove from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti. Parts of that trip were the drive from hell. I made a video just to show how rough it was. That drive had a prominent place in our reviews. This year we will be flying. There used to be four internal flights, now there are five. I also remember that it was still dark when we ‘saddled up’ to descend into the Ngorongoro. That’s all I’m going to tell you The rest should remain a surprise.
Many thanks and I look forward to the surprises. This is our first Tauck trip. However this will be our second Safari. The first was part of our honeymoon in South Africa in 2006 in the Sabi Sands preserve. We loved it.
We did South Africa with Tauck a couple of years ago and Tanzania and Zanzibar a couple before that. While Sabi Sands was wonderful and amazing, this is a VERY different safari-style. Many surprises to come.
Sealord, I remember that drive to Serengeti! I sat up front and videoed much of it. We went during the rainy season so not only was it long and bumpy...it was very very wet.
Let me say that Tanzania during the rainy season was AMAZING. It was lush, green, gorgeous and much less crowded. This was the only downpour and the result of only a couple hours of actual rain. I would ABSOLUTELY go again during the rainy season. Bonus, you get to sing Toto's Africa in your head!
This hotel is new to Tauck, but you do not want to go into Arusha on your own to eat. I’m not even sure how near that hotel is to Arusha. If you decide to go, be aware that you can’t even brush your teeth with the water in Tanzania.
There is often an unscheduled meet up on the Eve of the tour, so be aware of that because you might miss some important information. I’ve been to Tanzania three times with Tauck
I know you were in South Africa previously but this is different.
Shani. We were there when the short rains were supposed to be over going into January, and the flooding was so bad there some roads were closed and we had to get to, I believe it was the Four Seasons, another way. The grass airfield was also a bit flooded, we had to walk to the plane through the wet.
There is nothing around the Gran Melia. The rooftop restaurant at the hotel is nice. They also have a poolside restaurant which was not open when I went last August. There was not a night before meeting for our K & T tour in August. The hotel is very modern with a good gym and wonderful pool and walkways to stroll. Staying at the hotel, I believe, will be your best bet.
I agree with Denise there is nothing around Gran Melia but the restaurant is very nice and has a great menu. I loved the hotel, was there last September.
I’m sure the Gran Malia will be great. We did, however, really like the Lake Duluti Serena ‘coffee plantation’ where everyone had their on hut. It is a very charming environment.
Yes That was a charming place and really made me feel I was in Africa, the only negative for me was no swimming pool. I hope to get to experiences the new hotel some day.
We will be joining you, we are Steve and Tracy Brothers from north of Atlanta! Happy to come home and see our duffles arrived today.
Looking for a good packing list have you come across one?
We have been getting ideas here and by looking at various on line sources. Everyone seems to agree that you should not wear black or navy blue because of the flies. Everyone seems to agree you should bring masks or something similar because of the dust while traveling. I am planning to wear long sleeve t shirts in the morning and a light fleece. I never get cold. I Most people say a good pair of binoculars are essential, as well as back up batteries and memory cards for the camera. I have two pairs of very light pants that zip off to shorts. I like polo shirts so I may wear those at dinner. We are planning to do laundry when necessary, although I am told it is expensive, particularly at the Four Seasons. It will be a great trip.
I noticed that the July 20 trip is no longer listed as sold out. I am not sure what that indicates about how many people are on our tour. I was wondering what limited availability means to Tauck.
Hi Peter, I hope you will write a review here when you come back to let us know the latest on your K and T tour. I think you will be surprised how different it is South Africa Safari experiences you had.
At the camps, most people don’t dress up for dinner, it’s more about your choice at the Four Season and Mount Kenya Safari club, but certainly at the camps, the evening is prime time for mosquitoes, so I would suggest you keep to the long sleeves them too. You don’t tend to see the mosquitoes but they are there and if you keep covered up, it reduces the need for as much bug spray, Deet, which is not nice stuff. You sometimes come back from the afternoon safaris and go straight to dinner, especially as some places require you have an escort back to your room once it is dark.
Laundry is not expensive, apart from the Four Seasons, so plan your laundry around there.
Have a great time!
Peter47: my last trip before Covid was K&T with Chris Morrison as the TD You won the jackpot! He was fantastic—knowledgeable, compassionate, hysterically funny and passionate about Africa. I loved the trip — I would repeat it in a heartbeat!! A trip of a lifetime!
Peter - I was there last September, there were 4 people in our group, it's quite the experience and would do it again. I agree with British about dressing up for dinner, most of the days you will not even have time to change, everything is very casual. I had a lady TD Staci and she was awesome.
Thanks everyone for your tips. We are generally pretty informal people anyway, but it is good to know we don’t really need to dress up. We expect to be going laundry. My wife will also want to get a massage at one of the hotels on the trip. I will certainly write a review of the trip. We have our visas and all of our shots are up to date. I think my biggest concern is our flight connection in Amsterdam in light of Schipol’s problems. We have 1.5 hours to make our connection. I am not concerned about the dust or the rough roads. I sort of view that as part of the adventure.
Yes Peter, the dust and rough roads are certain part of the adventure. Believe me, things have improved since we first went to K and T around fifteen years ago.
We fly to Amsterdam on Thursday enroute to our June 25 trip. I will attempt to send a few reports, but I know this is a busy trip and the wifi is sometimes sketchy. We also have a short connection to our Kilimanjaro flight, but we have done it before without difficulty. I don’t think we have to go through any ‘formalities’ making the connection, just get to the proper gate. When I was working, Schiphol was my favorite airport, but it has grown to be huge. I’m hoping for gates that are close together.
Comments
Hi! Look forward to meeting you on this trip!
I do too. There are three of us-my wife Sara, 15 year old daughter Maddie and me( Peter). We are really looking forward to the trip.
We're 4. My mother, my 17 year old son and my 11 year old nephew. See you all soon!
The tour met on day two of my August 2021 K & T at 8:00 AM for a brief meeting and then directly headed out of Arusha and the Gran Melia.
We are arriving on the evening of July 19 at Kilimanjaro airport in order to give us time to rest up.
We have done K&T twice before, so our Jun 25 trip will be our third. Trips one and two were totally different experiences, so I expect number three will also be a new experience. This is not a vacation, it’s an adventure. Wakeups are consistently early. Day 2 breakfast starts at 0630. We were at the Lake Duluti Serena ‘coffee plantation’ on the previous trips so the Gran Malia will be a new experience. Also, previously we drove from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti. Parts of that trip were the drive from hell. I made a video just to show how rough it was. That drive had a prominent place in our reviews. This year we will be flying. There used to be four internal flights, now there are five. I also remember that it was still dark when we ‘saddled up’ to descend into the Ngorongoro. That’s all I’m going to tell you The rest should remain a surprise.
Many thanks and I look forward to the surprises. This is our first Tauck trip. However this will be our second Safari. The first was part of our honeymoon in South Africa in 2006 in the Sabi Sands preserve. We loved it.
We did South Africa with Tauck a couple of years ago and Tanzania and Zanzibar a couple before that. While Sabi Sands was wonderful and amazing, this is a VERY different safari-style. Many surprises to come.
Sealord, I remember that drive to Serengeti! I sat up front and videoed much of it. We went during the rainy season so not only was it long and bumpy...it was very very wet.
Yikes! Note to self: if we ever do K&T again, don't go during the rainy season! At least they fly and have done away with the long drive!
Let me say that Tanzania during the rainy season was AMAZING. It was lush, green, gorgeous and much less crowded. This was the only downpour and the result of only a couple hours of actual rain.
I would ABSOLUTELY go again during the rainy season. Bonus, you get to sing Toto's Africa in your head!
Since we are arriving early, can anyone recommend a restaurant in Arusha —or should we simply eat in the Grand Melia?
This hotel is new to Tauck, but you do not want to go into Arusha on your own to eat. I’m not even sure how near that hotel is to Arusha. If you decide to go, be aware that you can’t even brush your teeth with the water in Tanzania.
There is often an unscheduled meet up on the Eve of the tour, so be aware of that because you might miss some important information. I’ve been to Tanzania three times with Tauck
I know you were in South Africa previously but this is different.
Shani. We were there when the short rains were supposed to be over going into January, and the flooding was so bad there some roads were closed and we had to get to, I believe it was the Four Seasons, another way. The grass airfield was also a bit flooded, we had to walk to the plane through the wet.
Thanks, we don’t want to miss even an informal meeting.
There is nothing around the Gran Melia. The rooftop restaurant at the hotel is nice. They also have a poolside restaurant which was not open when I went last August. There was not a night before meeting for our K & T tour in August. The hotel is very modern with a good gym and wonderful pool and walkways to stroll. Staying at the hotel, I believe, will be your best bet.
I agree with Denise there is nothing around Gran Melia but the restaurant is very nice and has a great menu. I loved the hotel, was there last September.
I’m sure the Gran Malia will be great. We did, however, really like the Lake Duluti Serena ‘coffee plantation’ where everyone had their on hut. It is a very charming environment.
Yes That was a charming place and really made me feel I was in Africa, the only negative for me was no swimming pool. I hope to get to experiences the new hotel some day.
You are all making me excited for this trip. Our last trip was to the Galápagos Islands. We have missed some of our adventures due to the pandemic.
Pete47_nyc - Galapagos and K&T Classic Safari are my two favorite tours.
We will be joining you, we are Steve and Tracy Brothers from north of Atlanta! Happy to come home and see our duffles arrived today.
Looking for a good packing list have you come across one?
We have been getting ideas here and by looking at various on line sources. Everyone seems to agree that you should not wear black or navy blue because of the flies. Everyone seems to agree you should bring masks or something similar because of the dust while traveling. I am planning to wear long sleeve t shirts in the morning and a light fleece. I never get cold. I Most people say a good pair of binoculars are essential, as well as back up batteries and memory cards for the camera. I have two pairs of very light pants that zip off to shorts. I like polo shirts so I may wear those at dinner. We are planning to do laundry when necessary, although I am told it is expensive, particularly at the Four Seasons. It will be a great trip.
I noticed that the July 20 trip is no longer listed as sold out. I am not sure what that indicates about how many people are on our tour. I was wondering what limited availability means to Tauck.
Got an email last night from our TD Chris Morrison.
Our TD for the July 20 trip says we have a total of 24 people.
Hi Peter, I hope you will write a review here when you come back to let us know the latest on your K and T tour. I think you will be surprised how different it is South Africa Safari experiences you had.
At the camps, most people don’t dress up for dinner, it’s more about your choice at the Four Season and Mount Kenya Safari club, but certainly at the camps, the evening is prime time for mosquitoes, so I would suggest you keep to the long sleeves them too. You don’t tend to see the mosquitoes but they are there and if you keep covered up, it reduces the need for as much bug spray, Deet, which is not nice stuff. You sometimes come back from the afternoon safaris and go straight to dinner, especially as some places require you have an escort back to your room once it is dark.
Laundry is not expensive, apart from the Four Seasons, so plan your laundry around there.
Have a great time!
Peter47: my last trip before Covid was K&T with Chris Morrison as the TD You won the jackpot! He was fantastic—knowledgeable, compassionate, hysterically funny and passionate about Africa. I loved the trip — I would repeat it in a heartbeat!! A trip of a lifetime!
Peter - I was there last September, there were 4 people in our group, it's quite the experience and would do it again. I agree with British about dressing up for dinner, most of the days you will not even have time to change, everything is very casual. I had a lady TD Staci and she was awesome.
Thanks everyone for your tips. We are generally pretty informal people anyway, but it is good to know we don’t really need to dress up. We expect to be going laundry. My wife will also want to get a massage at one of the hotels on the trip. I will certainly write a review of the trip. We have our visas and all of our shots are up to date. I think my biggest concern is our flight connection in Amsterdam in light of Schipol’s problems. We have 1.5 hours to make our connection. I am not concerned about the dust or the rough roads. I sort of view that as part of the adventure.
Yes Peter, the dust and rough roads are certain part of the adventure. Believe me, things have improved since we first went to K and T around fifteen years ago.
We fly to Amsterdam on Thursday enroute to our June 25 trip. I will attempt to send a few reports, but I know this is a busy trip and the wifi is sometimes sketchy. We also have a short connection to our Kilimanjaro flight, but we have done it before without difficulty. I don’t think we have to go through any ‘formalities’ making the connection, just get to the proper gate. When I was working, Schiphol was my favorite airport, but it has grown to be huge. I’m hoping for gates that are close together.