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what is of beaten tracks Tanzania safaris ?
and why is a bad safari even more expensive ?
Web guide about beachs holidays and African safaris
Please remember that I am an African wildlife photographer and not a tour or ground operator. However my extensive experience in these regions enables me to advise you on the best tour and ground operators - those who live in the area, who will take care of you best and for the best prices.
Safaris are very expensive! This is why I recommend directly contacting local tour operators who live on site in Africa; they alone know the tours really well (they are at home).
The best option
Using my advice you choose a local tour operator, a professional (who speak and write English) who lives on site in Africa, a member of the association that monitors tours operators , i.e. TATO (Tanzania association of tour operators) for Tanzania and KATO (Kenya association of tour operators) for Kenya. These agencies that I recommend have vast safari experience, climbed Kilimanjaro, Masai etc. - sometimes for 30 years. Feel free to ask me about my ground operators !WHY is a GOOD safari EXPENSIVE and why is a BAD safari even MORE EXPENSIVE ?
They are expensive not because of the local tour operators' margins but for various reasons such as park entry taxes (Euros 30 per day and per person) as well as the prohibitive prices
of 4WD vehicles in a good condition, important for safety (rental costs approximately 1,500 USD per week) and if you want to camp, you must pay taxes. In lodges budget for 300 USD and more for a night (dobble-bed)
depending on the lodge's reputation comfort etc. everything is very expensive!
Rule N°1: there are no wild animals outside parks and reserves, except for dogs and cows!
How could I be ripped off? Beware the "beach boys" and town touts!
You can travel with an agency that has its office on site but above all never buy so-called "good value" safaris from "beach boys" or touts on the beach or in town! This is very risky.
I personally was harassed by the police 10 years ago (fortunately I was able to prove my good intentions but it was not easy), because the technique of cheap safaris is to not pay the park and reserve entry taxes
(Euros 60 USD per day and per person) and if the dishonest tour operator is caught out when a ranger carries out an inspection, he will say that you did not want to pay! It is therefore his word against yours.
Do you want to take the risk?
An African safari is communing with nature and listening to nature’s silence!
If you want to do it anyway, follow my recommendations Before paying and before going on safari with him, you must ask the tour operator to give you the tickets that the rangers
give out at park entry for your payment! They want to keep them for obvious reasons as it is you who is paying, it is therefore you who must receive them. Above all warn them in advance before paying for
the safari, otherwise it is often too late! Check that the tickets are for the correct dates (as they sometimes cheat with old tickets).
The second very important factor is the car! Before paying for your safari, always ask exactly which car you will be travelling in! Beware - they will show you that it is this type of car - do not accept it!
Ask to see the "real" car that will take you! Look at its condition - it is your safety! There are so many awful cars! Finally ask exactly how many passengers there will be as well as you? Especially if it
is a minibus, as they will "fill up" to the maximum! It is a way of keeping the price down - more passengers means it will be cheaper! Obviously all this does not relate to serious agencies but how can you
be sure of recognising them? The solution is to use those I have told you about because I have tested them! If they meet my very strict criteria, they will certainly also meet yours!
Always remember this: in Africa all the while you have not said NO for anything whatsoever that means YES! Even if you have not said a word! Remember to say NO gently but firmly and the person will not bother you anymore.
The best option - using my advice you choose a local tour or ground operator!
The best option - using my advice you choose a local tour or ground operator a professional company, with very good safari guides, who lives on site in Africa, a member of the association that
monitors tours operators , i.e. TATO (Tanzania association of tour operators) for Tanzania and KATO (Kenya association of tour operators) for Kenya. These agencies that I recommend have vast safari experience, climbed
Kilimanjaro, Masai etc. - sometimes for 30 years. This is the best option for successful trips or holidays and is not more expensive because you will be saving on the seller's margin and you will benefit from this high
quality direct contact, and from all the "good plans" of these tour operators that I have personally chosen for their achievements, since I use them myself!
Please remember that I am a professional wildlife photographer and not a tour or ground operator! However my extensive experience in these regions enables me to advise you on the best tour
operators - those who live in the area, who will take care of you best and for the best prices. Il you need a contact, write me !