AKL tours - please help a newbie! - The DIS Discussion Forums

karmacats · 01-03-2013, 08:18 PM

Hi all,

Long-time reader (about 2 years or so), first-time poster here. Thanks for all the invaluable reading material over the last couple of years!

DH and I just booked a trip for mid-April this year at AKL CL. This is our first time ever doing CL, and our first time in a long time at AKL (last time we stayed there, construction hadn't even begun on Kidani, so it's been a while)!

We just got the CL form listing the tours we can sign up for. I knew about the sunrise and sunset safaris, but there is also a night vision safari that I didn't know about.

We are 99% sure we're going to do the sunset safari, if it's still available for our dates.

I'm wondering if anyone has done the night vision safari, and if it's worth it to a couple who a) loves animals and b) is up at night anyway, but will have already toured the AKL grounds on the sunset safari.

Also, I'm wondering if the sunrise safari is similar to the second half of the Wild Africa Trek, where you're driving around in the private safari vehicle. We've already done the Wild Africa Trek and loved it, but if the sunrise safari is similar, I don't want to get up at 6 a.m.

The only day we could do the sunrise safari is a thursday, which happens to be my birthday (why we're splurging on CL - it's a milestone one - 40!), and i work afternoons/evenings so am normally a late sleeper, so I'm thinking of skipping this one if it's similar to the Trek.

Thanks so much! I hope I'm doing this right - posting for the first time is nervewracking.

Robin

Tinker'n'Fun · 01-03-2013, 10:23 PM

We did the Sunrise, but have not been on the trek. I can let you know what we did though.

We met in the lobby. Got onto a bus. Went in the back, saw back buildings while traveling. Our host spoke the whole time. Transferred to a vehicle and travelled pretty much the same as if you were doing the Safari, but it was very laid-back. Stopped many times, saw a few new areas and received a LOT of information that is not usually spoken of.

Afterwards we had breakfast at Tusker House. Very good breakfast buffet. We asked the guide to eat with us and he did. So we were able to talk more about the animals and backstage.

We did it Christmas Morning and even though it was sooo sooo early, we all enjoyed it very much. It was me, DH, DD20 DD's boyfriend 21, DS17.

Hope this helps a little.

Sue M · 01-03-2013, 10:37 PM

We also did the Sunrise Safari, and enjoyed it very much. Very informative, and had long stops to view animals, unlike the regular safari with just quickly stopping every so often. And breakfast was very good too. It's no longer at Tusker House. If I remember correctly it was in one of the rooms (closed off to public) in Pizzafari? Fantastic buffet spread.

I can't compare it to the Trek, haven't done that. And the night vision tour was started just after we left

in September.

CL was great, hope you enjoy your birthday treat!

karmacats · 01-04-2013, 02:34 PM

Thanks so much for your responses.

I didn't realize the night vision tour was so new - I guess that's why I haven't found much info about it. I'll report back on it if we end up doing it.

Now I want to do the Sunrise Safari, too.

We definitely didn't get to see any of the backstage areas, even just driving through, on the Wild Africa Trek. And I can always nap after the Safari!

I suppose doing the Sunrise Safari, Sunset Safari, and Night Vision safari is probably a little overkill, but I don't know when we'll stay at AKL again (we usually go moderate, generally POR), so I guess I should take advantage of it while I have the chance.

Sue M · 01-04-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmacats

Thanks so much for your responses.

I didn't realize the night vision tour was so new - I guess that's why I haven't found much info about it. I'll report back on it if we end up doing it.

Now I want to do the Sunrise Safari, too.

We definitely didn't get to see any of the backstage areas, even just driving through, on the Wild Africa Trek. And I can always nap after the Safari!

I suppose doing the Sunrise Safari, Sunset Safari, and Night Vision safari is probably a little overkill, but I don't know when we'll stay at AKL again (we usually go moderate, generally POR), so I guess I should take advantage of it while I have the chance.

Have fun planning. The CL staff is great. We really enjoyed AKL, there are also some fun activities there free. We enjoyed the evening Cultural Safari. They have a different person each night that gives a presentation about their country, with slide show. Very interesting. Also the Culinary Tour of Boma and Jiko. By the Uzima lookout they have nightly night vision viewing. And there are CMs on hand by Arusha Rock who are more then happy to answer and questions about the savanna. Sitting by the camp fire outside is fun. They also have story time, around a camp fire, but we didn't do this.

karmacats · 01-05-2013, 11:58 PM

Well, we bit the bullet and ended up signing up for all three Safaris - Sunrise, Sunset, and Night Vision. My bank account won't be happy, but personally I'm psyched.

Thanks for the additional information. We've seen the bonfire and night vision goggles outside, but didn't know about the cultural safari/slide shows or the storytelling. That really sounds like something I'd like. Now I just have to get through the next three months of waiting!

Sue M · 01-06-2013, 12:37 AM

Have a great trip

MLinDisney · 01-06-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmacats

Well, we bit the bullet and ended up signing up for all three Safaris - Sunrise, Sunset, and Night Vision. My bank account won't be happy, but personally I'm psyched.

Thanks for the additional information. We've seen the bonfire and night vision goggles outside, but didn't know about the cultural safari/slide shows or the storytelling. That really sounds like something I'd like. Now I just have to get through the next three months of waiting!

We're going next week and booked the same three that you did! I can't wait. We did the Wild Africa Trek on our last visit in September, but weren't staying at the AKL. This time we are, and I'm so excited!

kapoof · 01-06-2013, 02:31 PM

Have fun! The akl is an awesome resort.

T. Baker · 01-06-2013, 02:38 PM

We were going to do the late night safari; however, it turned cold on the day it was scheduled. It was 35 degrees and windy that night. The CL conciegre said we might want to rethink going. She thought it would be way too cold. Be prepared if there is the possibility of cold weather.

karmacats · 01-07-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MLinDisney

We're going next week and booked the same three that you did! I can't wait. We did the Wild Africa Trek on our last visit in September, but weren't staying at the AKL. This time we are, and I'm so excited!

I'm glad we're not the only ones crazy enough to do all three tours!

If you think of it when you get back, please please please let us know how the night vision tour went! There's very little information about it anywhere online and I haven't been able to find any reviews.

Have fun!

01-03-2013, 08:18 PM	#1
karmacats Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NoVa Posts: 83	AKL tours - please help a newbie! Hi all, Long-time reader (about 2 years or so), first-time poster here. Thanks for all the invaluable reading material over the last couple of years! DH and I just booked a trip for mid-April this year at AKL CL. This is our first time ever doing CL, and our first time in a long time at AKL (last time we stayed there, construction hadn't even begun on Kidani, so it's been a while)! We just got the CL form listing the tours we can sign up for. I knew about the sunrise and sunset safaris, but there is also a night vision safari that I didn't know about. We are 99% sure we're going to do the sunset safari, if it's still available for our dates. I'm wondering if anyone has done the night vision safari, and if it's worth it to a couple who a) loves animals and b) is up at night anyway, but will have already toured the AKL grounds on the sunset safari. Also, I'm wondering if the sunrise safari is similar to the second half of the Wild Africa Trek, where you're driving around in the private safari vehicle. We've already done the Wild Africa Trek and loved it, but if the sunrise safari is similar, I don't want to get up at 6 a.m. The only day we could do the sunrise safari is a thursday, which happens to be my birthday (why we're splurging on CL - it's a milestone one - 40!), and i work afternoons/evenings so am normally a late sleeper, so I'm thinking of skipping this one if it's similar to the Trek. Thanks so much! I hope I'm doing this right - posting for the first time is nervewracking. Robin

01-03-2013, 10:37 PM	#3
Sue M DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: B.C. Posts: 7,434	We also did the Sunrise Safari, and enjoyed it very much. Very informative, and had long stops to view animals, unlike the regular safari with just quickly stopping every so often. And breakfast was very good too. It's no longer at Tusker House. If I remember correctly it was in one of the rooms (closed off to public) in Pizzafari? Fantastic buffet spread. I can't compare it to the Trek, haven't done that. And the night vision tour was started just after we left in September. CL was great, hope you enjoy your birthday treat! __________________ Past Trips: Aug 2003 WDW Marriott Courtyard, [B]Aug 2005 [/BSeaWorld, Universal, Busch Gardens Hilton Garden Inn, ]Aug 2007 WDW CBR, Jan 2008WDW WL, Aug 2008St. Pete Beach, Universal-HRH, Sea Workd & Aquatica- Hyatt Place & Doubletree, Jan 2009WDW AKL, Aug 2009Key West Sheraton Suites, Cocoa Beach Hampton Inn, & WDW POR/WL, Jan 2010WDW Poly, Jan 2011WDW POR, Aug 2011WDW POR/BC CL, Jan 2012WDW WL, Aug 2012AKL CL, Jan. 2013POFQ Next trip GF & YC Aug 2013

01-06-2013, 12:37 AM	#7
Sue M DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: B.C. Posts: 7,434	Have a great trip __________________ Past Trips: Aug 2003 WDW Marriott Courtyard, [B]Aug 2005 [/BSeaWorld, Universal, Busch Gardens Hilton Garden Inn, ]Aug 2007 WDW CBR, Jan 2008WDW WL, Aug 2008St. Pete Beach, Universal-HRH, Sea Workd & Aquatica- Hyatt Place & Doubletree, Jan 2009WDW AKL, Aug 2009Key West Sheraton Suites, Cocoa Beach Hampton Inn, & WDW POR/WL, Jan 2010WDW Poly, Jan 2011WDW POR, Aug 2011WDW POR/BC CL, Jan 2012WDW WL, Aug 2012AKL CL, Jan. 2013POFQ Next trip GF & YC Aug 2013

01-06-2013, 02:31 PM	#9
kapoof DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,756	Have fun! The akl is an awesome resort. __________________ me dh ds 2006 wilderness lodge 2007 beach club: 2008 dolphin 2010 downtown disney hilton/ poly cl : 2011 akl there are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, the other is getting it...oscar wilde

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01-03-2013, 10:23 PM	#2
Tinker'n'Fun "apple", peaches, "pumpkin pie", who's not ready holler "I"... i'm just trying to be optimistic! I am SO CLUELESS and I hate it!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ask, I may tell! Posts: 7,969	We did the Sunrise, but have not been on the trek. I can let you know what we did though. We met in the lobby. Got onto a bus. Went in the back, saw back buildings while traveling. Our host spoke the whole time. Transferred to a vehicle and travelled pretty much the same as if you were doing the Safari, but it was very laid-back. Stopped many times, saw a few new areas and received a LOT of information that is not usually spoken of. Afterwards we had breakfast at Tusker House. Very good breakfast buffet. We asked the guide to eat with us and he did. So we were able to talk more about the animals and backstage. We did it Christmas Morning and even though it was sooo sooo early, we all enjoyed it very much. It was me, DH, DD20 DD's boyfriend 21, DS17. Hope this helps a little.

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The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

01-04-2013, 02:34 PM	#4
karmacats Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NoVa Posts: 83	Thanks so much for your responses. I didn't realize the night vision tour was so new - I guess that's why I haven't found much info about it. I'll report back on it if we end up doing it. Now I want to do the Sunrise Safari, too. We definitely didn't get to see any of the backstage areas, even just driving through, on the Wild Africa Trek. And I can always nap after the Safari! I suppose doing the Sunrise Safari, Sunset Safari, and Night Vision safari is probably a little overkill, but I don't know when we'll stay at AKL again (we usually go moderate, generally POR), so I guess I should take advantage of it while I have the chance.

01-05-2013, 11:58 PM	#6
karmacats Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NoVa Posts: 83	Well, we bit the bullet and ended up signing up for all three Safaris - Sunrise, Sunset, and Night Vision. My bank account won't be happy, but personally I'm psyched. Thanks for the additional information. We've seen the bonfire and night vision goggles outside, but didn't know about the cultural safari/slide shows or the storytelling. That really sounds like something I'd like. Now I just have to get through the next three months of waiting!

01-06-2013, 02:38 PM	#10
T. Baker Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 45	We were going to do the late night safari; however, it turned cold on the day it was scheduled. It was 35 degrees and windy that night. The CL conciegre said we might want to rethink going. She thought it would be way too cold. Be prepared if there is the possibility of cold weather.