| Which is the best African safari company for my | | | | before? |
| safari trip? | | | | No problem. There are dozens of websites on the |
| This is a question that comes up very frequently | | | | internet that list safari trip reports and travel |
| and it's not surprising. | | | | diaries written by the people who have previously |
| There are so many safari operators in the | | | | gone on the trip themselves. Find them and learn |
| market all promising the earth that it is very | | | | from them. The tips and recommendations you |
| difficult to choose between them, especially when | | | | can glean there are very valuable for your own |
| you know nothing about them. | | | | trip. |
| But there is a way to improve your chances | | | | Check their credentials |
| significantly of making the right choice of safari | | | | The next thing you need to do is check the |
| company for your dream African safari trip and | | | | credentials of the safari company you are planning |
| avoid the ones that might turn your trip into a | | | | to use to make sure they are reputable. |
| nightmare. And it consists of three simple steps. | | | | To do your own research here is the process to |
| Don't let this happen to you | | | | follow... |
| If you leave this decision to chance and just go | | | | Membership in safari associations don't guarantee |
| with the safari company that seems the best or | | | | that a company is reputable but it can be a |
| the cheapest you might end up in a situation like | | | | pretty good indication so find out if your |
| Dale and Dana Russell who went on safari in | | | | prospective safari guide is listed. |
| Tanzania and chose their safari company by gut | | | | Here are the associations you can check: KATO - |
| instinct and price. | | | | Kenya Association of Tour Operators, TATO - |
| They were the only two in the safari vehicle on | | | | Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, SATSA |
| this trip but things started to go downhill fast | | | | - Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, |
| when they asked their driver and guide questions | | | | TASA - Tours and Safari Association of Namibia, |
| and he would only answer in monosyllabic grunts | | | | ATTA - African Travel and Tourism Association |
| and sometimes not at all. | | | | and ASTA - American Society of Travel Agents. |
| And then on the way to the Serengeti from | | | | If they are not members it doesn't automatically |
| Nairobi he began to visit his relatives while Dale | | | | mean they are not reputable but it does afford |
| and Dana had to sit fuming in the safari vehicle. | | | | some peace of mind. |
| To make matters worse when they finally did | | | | Ask the right questions |
| reach the | | | | So you have a safari company in mind and you've |
| Serengeti he would drive straight at the animals | | | | done a little research to find out more about |
| as if he was going to run them over and then | | | | them and now it's time to get in touch. What |
| stop at the last moment. And finally on the way | | | | questions do you need to ask to make sure you |
| back to Nairobi he did run over and kill a goat that | | | | are going to get the best value for your money? |
| was crossing the road, making no attempt to | | | | Find out how many other people there will be on |
| swerve or slow down. | | | | your trip. Some of the companies can be guilty of |
| Beware. There are a few shoestring operations | | | | trying to cram too many people into the safari |
| like this out there but this one has fortunately | | | | vehicle and that can become unpleasant. |
| since closed down. | | | | And ask about their payment policies. Some |
| So how do you avoid these cowboy operators | | | | companies place the clients money in trust until |
| when you choose a safari company for your trip? | | | | the tour occurs so that in the unlikely event of |
| Simply apply the following three steps and you will | | | | the company going into liquidation your money will |
| cut out all the risky operators. | | | | be safe. |
| Recommendations from others | | | | Make sure they explain their cancellation and |
| Some of the best advice you will receive about a | | | | refund policy to you clearly and the timing of |
| safari company is from people who have been on | | | | reservations and payments that need to be |
| a trip with them already. They can tell you | | | | made. |
| exactly how the company performed and it's first | | | | There are dozens of other questions that you |
| hand information without any kind of marketing | | | | can ask but these should go a long way towards |
| agenda. | | | | establishing if they are a fly-by-nighter just out to |
| This is a great way to create a shortlist of safari | | | | make a quick buck. |
| companies so if you know anyone who has been | | | | Follow the three steps and you can find the best |
| on safari before ask them about it. But what if | | | | safari company for your trip with unerring |
| you don't know someone who has been on safari | | | | accuracy. |