Lake Duluti Serena Hotel Arusha

SDamos

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!

British

I have stayed at this hotel a few years ago with Tauck when I took the Same Kenya/ Tanzania tour as you are about to take when it was called The Mountain Village Arusha Lodge or something like that. I will also be staying there when I go on the Tanzania/Zanzibar tour in July. We will arrive two days early this time. Last time it was our first trip to Africa, so although we normally arrive earlier for a tour we only arrived the night before because we were nervous being on our own without knowing the ropes. I just went to tripadvisor to read the report you probably read about being asked for money to take you on a tour of the lake, and the worst one where a couple were robbed at knifepoint in 2010 too!
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.

TauckTim

Hi British,

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

I will be on that tour and will be there on July 18th as well. I hope to tour the lake that day- so maybe we can all meet and go together!

British

Thanks to Tim for clarifying information about a tour of the lake, it makes sense to go with someone who will help us find what we are supposed to see.
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

ndvb

It is good to see so many people giving information on the hotel in Arusha and the private (not Tauck) lake tour guides.

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.

British

From what I remember of the Kenya Tanzania tour, you set off really early next day. There is no welcome dinner at the Duluti. I think after a long couple of flights, jet lag and missing out on a full night's sleep if you take the flight to Amsterdam, and not getting to the actual hotel, probably until about 3am and down a very very bumpy last few miles, it's good to relax and get up at leisure the next morning before the tour begins. The morning safaris begin extremely early. If you go to the hotel website, it gives a little more info on what there might be to do there, on their fact sheet. I guess an email to the hotel or phone call might get more information for those who want to do more things before the tour begins. Hopefully, more people may post information about what it's like in the town, I have been through it but can't remember much.
For me Ongorongoro crater was my favorite place, so I am glad to be visiting there again on the Tanzania/Zanzibar trip

Mlcpa51

We are arriving late on 18th and could be interested in a lake tour after lunch. Anyone else game? There are 4 of us.

SDamos

micpa51, we would like to go on a guided tour of the lake as well. There are two of us. I would think after lunch sometime. I think there will be several of our group there a day early.

Mlcpa51

This sounds great, maybe we can meet in the lobby after lunch and see what is available. Sounds like fun and should fill our afternoon.