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