Disclaimer: Yes, I know it seems that this has been beaten to death, and yes, I read all the prior posts, but my wife claims I'm a bit OCD and I'm soooo confused, so, if it pleases, could Merlin321, BillWest66, British, ndvb, Jan, Portolan, lindapavlo or anyone else who has done this recently please help me clarify a few things. There are some conflicting numbers and I am just trying to get all the details straight in my mind and tally the costs so I know how many (newish and crisp) greenbacks I potentially need to carry.
Part of my confusion may be because I went to the Arusha Nat'l Park website which lists park fees which may or may not be correct, and I haven't figured out what I will be paying for, when, and to whom; and who provides what service to whom. I realize that many of my questions will be answered at the hotel after we get there, but remember, you are dealing with someone who is a bit OCD
The below assumes just two travelers, though my eventual goal is to see if we can get one another couple to join us for the trip to the park for a 2 - 2 - 2 tour (drive-walk-drive).
If you could please re-confirm or correct the following:
1. Reservations can be made the day/night before at the Duluti front desk?
2.a. The cost for car (jeep?) + driver (guide?) is
$200. 2.b. per vehicle or per person? (+ tip) for up to 6 people,
c. paid in
cash USD (only)?
3.a. Item 2. is just for transport to and from the park, NOT for the park tour?
b. The driver stays outside with his vehicle?
c. NO, the driver is also your guide and drives you through the park.
4.a. The entry fee to the park
$45 USD per person (as stated on park website)?
b. Assuming the park's reader and my card work, this can be paid with credit card as has been stated here on the K&T forum or in cash ?
5.a. Entry includes a tour by park vehicle?
b. NO, your vehicle provides this portion of the tour?
c. If applicable, do you pay a vehicle entry or is that included in the cost of the tour?
6.a. The walking tour (according to the park website) is
$20 per person (for 1-4 hours)?
b. Is that $20 per person, per hour? or what?
c. Do you also pay a "guide/ranger service fee"? (park website lists that as $20)
7. By my assumptions and calculations, which appear close to at least one forum posted number, the total cost if just my wife and I take the tour would be: $200 transport + $130 park = $330 ($230 with an additional couple)
Car + driver from the Duluti Hotel =
$200 USD? + tip (cash only)
Park entry = 2 x $45 =
$90 USD? (cash or credit)
2 hour walking tour = 2 pax X $20 =
$40? or is it 2 pax X 2 hr. x $20 = $80 (which would make the cost of the park
$170 per couple.)
Total =
$330 (
or $370)
8. Related questions- what is included with the box lunch provided by the hotel? Are you given any menu choices when you make the arrangements? Is this included in the cost of the tour?
To make it easier to reply for those who have the answers, just quote me and delete the incorrect info and make any necessary corrections to my text. Again, my apologies to those who have posted about this in the past.
