PDA

View Full Version : AKL concierge review and Sunrise Safari


Cinderella
August 30th, 2005, 20:40
We were at the AKL concierge level for 6 nights August 19-25 before we headed out on the 3 night cruise

Hi Speed internet will be available sometime in October of this year

We were put in room 5307 which is overlooking the Arusha savannah. Great room and it was a deluxe room so the room was larger then the norm. It came with one queen bed, bunk beds and a daybed. The only thing wrong with this room is that they needed another dresser for clothes storage but we later found out we could have asked for it. The reason this didn't have the normal extra dresser is that it was a connecting room to 5309 and that is normally where the dresser would be. Our room was always cleaned before noon and we had turn down service about 7pm each night.

We arrived at about 2pm and told the valet that we were staying concierge, he immediately took us in to the bell desk and they had a packet of information waiting with our restaurant confirmations, room number, map of the lodge and our room key. They took us up to our room and said that whenever we were ready to go up to the 6th floor to give them the credit card we wanted to use for room charges during our stay. The room was a little walk to the elevators that go up to the 6th floor but it wasn't bad and after all the good eating we actually enjoyed the walk. We went up and had a cafe latte and some munchies to tie us over till dinner.

We saw all the animals from our room except for the Ostrich and Vultures as they are kept in another part of the savannah but we could see them just by walking down the hall

Here is a list of what the food offerings were
Breakfast 7am-10am- muffins, danish, croissants, bagels, hot oatmeal plain and with brown sugar, different juices, whole and sliced fruit, dry cereal

Snacks 11am-3pm - this had gummy bears, banana chips, pumpkin seeds, animal crackers, mixed nuts, cinnamon crips (these were yummy) they are like tortilla chips sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and baked

Tea time 3-4pm - assorted desserts, scones, rice krispy bars

5-7pm
Friday evening - Salmon, hummus same kind as in Boma's, chicken nuggets, assorted cheeses of gouda, brie, and others, veggie wraps, PB&J, hummus, crackers

Saturday evening - Lentils and plaintains, salmon, spare ribs, chicken in tomato chutney, couscous in pastry cups, tamarin chicken flatbread, PB&J, hummus, hummus, crackers

Sunday evening - didn't see the offerings as we weren't there during these hours

Monday evening - Beef Satay, Chicken nuggets, PB&J, Veggie wraps, Noodles with tofu, corn and avocado relish, bbq pork, assorted cheese, salmon, hummus, crackers

Tuesday evening - noodles with tofu, beef satay, nut crusted salmon, shrimp skewers, PB&J, chicken nuggets, assorted cheese, hummus, crackers

Wed evening - shrimp skewers, nut crusted salmon, chicken nuggets, some type of chicken skewer, assorted cheese, PB&J, hummus, crackers

There is a small fridge that is always stocked with milk, in the mornings and afternoons it also has juice. In the evening they bring out the soda but you can always ask for it too

Available all day is soda, juice, milk, whole fruit, iced tea, lemonade, tea, South African wines and a few different beers. Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches were out in the evening but also available all day by asking.The wine and beer is only out from 5-7pm but you can have it anytime of day just by asking. We made great use of the espresso machine every day. I have to say that I didn't care of the juice that everyone always raves about on the boards. It was ok but I am not much of a juice drinker to begin with

Sunrise Safari - we met in the lounge at 7am and by 7:30am we were on our way. We were put on buses and taken through the backstage area of the AK park. We then boarded the jeeps from the regular safari and we were on our way. This was really worth it. We learned alot about the animals and the jeep stopped along the way anytime there were animals so that we can ask questions and take pictures. We even saw the baby rhino and it was the cutest thing, it kept coming up to the jeep wanting to play and the mother kept pulling it back

After this was over we were taken to Tusker house where there is a room that is closed off from the rest of the restaurant where they had a breakfast buffet. OH MY GOSH there was so much food. Everything from scrambled eggs to omlettes to fried eggs, different breakfast breads, french toast, salmon cakes, bacon, sausage, italian sausage and peppers, and much more that I can't think of it all

We were also given fastpasses to ride the safari the regular way

Everyone we encountered at the lodge was wonderful and friendly. We didn't deal with the front desk staff at all so can't comment on them

We were also able to get a tour of the suites, we saw the 2 bedroom suites, the presidential and vice presidential suites. I will post pictures when I get a chance

There are many many activities during the day going on for the kids and you can definitely spend a whole day at the lodge and never be bored.

There is also something new available for children that can only be booked while staying at the AKL, it cannot be booked in advance

Adventure Camp
Wednesday's 10am-2pm
Children age 6-14
$80 per child

*Ostrich Egg painting
*Picnic lunch on a private balcony overlooking Arusha Rock
*Meet and greet with our own personal African Animal Expert
*Private Lodge Animal Tour

Limit 10 children per camp session

Bottom line we truly enjoyed this resort and will definitely be on our list of resorts to stay at again

Johnie
August 30th, 2005, 20:49
Great review, everything sounds fantastic. One of these days I'm going to stay concierge at AKL and do the safari.

PaulaK
August 30th, 2005, 20:52
Roughly how long did the safari last Jo?

uscwest
August 30th, 2005, 20:54
Yep, definitely must book concierge at AKL and do the Sunrise Safari.

PaulaK
August 30th, 2005, 20:56
I'm pretty sure you can do the safari from other concierges, not just AKL.

Cinderella
August 30th, 2005, 21:02
Roughly how long did the safari last Jo?

Paula normally the safari is over by 8:30am but we ran a little late as we had to wait on the jeeps before starting as all the animals weren't out of the pens yet. By the time we were headed to breakfast the park had just opened they usually try to have to at breakfast before the park opens so that when you are done the park would have just opened

The Sunrise Safari and Sunset Safaris are only available to concierge guest staying at AKL

There is another that is available to all concierge guest

It is called the Wildlife Discovery Excursion. It takes place at 10 am and 1 pm at Animal Kingdom. Guests meet at Mombasa Marketplace with Animal Programs. They go into the Kilimanjaro Safari ride are via a hippo holding area. The vehicle holds 12-14 guests and winds in and out behind the regular safari vehicles for about 1 hour. It allows guest unique opportunities to learn about our animals and take photos. The cost is $45.00. It can be booked by their Itinerary Planning office at that resort subject to availability.

PaulaK
August 30th, 2005, 21:07
Ah right, I knew someone mentioned a safari to us, but we didn't really fancy it. I certainly don't fancy being held in a hippo holding area :lol:

Vikki
August 31st, 2005, 16:20
We considered staying here for our anniversary night, so we could do the sunrise safari, but I believe they only do them certain days, and it was not on the day we wanted..... :(