j747

I have booked a 10 days classic safari in July with Predators Safari Club. I have sent down payment. Has any one used this safari company in the last few months? Do I have any problems with this company to worry about? Thanks

atravelynn

Copied this for you from previous post.

Date: 06/19/2004, 05:08 pm
Message: We would recomment to any one who will be Travel to Tanzania and Kenya Predators Safari Club - from Arusha - Tanzania there web site is www.predators-safaris.com email: [email protected] , we just got back after almost 3 weeks vacation to 2 Days Masai Mara, 4 Serengeti, 2 Ngorongoro Crater, 1 Lake Manyara, 2 Tarangire, 1 Arusha Park, 1 Mount Kilimanjaro and beach in Zanzibar 6 Blue bay Zanzibar beach and 2 Serena Inn Stone Town. Our safari guide was Dennis very knowledgeable and Ms Nabeela was very quick on replaying our email before safari and on arrival she has taken good care of us. Its good to find a reliable tour company in Africa like Predators Safari Club.

rsnyder

Message: j747, if you do a search on my screen name you eventually will find notes from 2 trips to Tanzania (2002 and 2004) via Predators Safari Club as arranged by 2Afrika. Sometimes in endorsing this company I felt like I was working for them as I have high regard for them. Bear in mind some eight months have passed since we traveled with them so things may have changed. But, if we were to travel to northern Tanzania again, I would be quite willing to use their services again even if we did not luck out with getting Godfrey as our guide as we did for both previous trips. I did consider them for a trip to southern Tanzania which we are taking this year. But, such would have been them as the second "middle man" so we opted to work directly with the company )Foxes of Africa)providing the services we desired. As the previous poster mentioned Ms. Nabeela was keen to look after us. My comments pertain only to the services for our Tanzania visits as another company handled the Kenya portion in 2004 and we were much less impressed with it. Have a great trip and be sure to pass on our highest regard to Godfrey and Ms. Nabeela.
Dick

j747

Thanks to atravelynn and Rsnyder,

Dick, I have seen your notes about your trips. I checked the notes and your pictures a few months ago. Because of your recommendation and the attractive price of Predators safris I choose Predators. I have delt with Nabeela. She seems very helpful. Other then saying my down payment arrived, I have not heard from her for a few weeks. I guess I thought she would mail a printed conformation. Since we are not going until July, maybe I will receive info in June.
How did the two of you send final payment? Did you take travelers checks, cashier check, or cash?

atravelynn We are taking about the same itinerary as you.

j747

rsnyder

Message:
We delt with 2Afrika so our payments occurred here in the states via our travel agent.
We took cash and a credit card but used cash. Exchanged US dollars for T shilings once incountry. The larger bills got the better rate. Most places (lodges, Heritage Culture Centre (Arusha)and even the Masai accepted US dollars. Used $1 bills for tips and larger bills in both currency for guide and camp tips. A person on our 2002 trip used Travelers Checks for purchases at Masai Village as she had purse with cash and cards stolen while on international flight (she left it on the seat prior to deplaneing and it was gone when she returned). I was quite surprised when Masai person said he would take check given remoteness of village to "bank". Predators Safari Club should be able to advise you as generic questions.
Thanks for allowing me to be part of your planning. Thru inquiries such as yours we "relive" our trip.
Dick

j747

Dick,
We are thinking about taking a duffle bag full of McDonnell toys etc. to give away to children. Is this a good idea, or would the kids really rather have something else? Do you come in contact with kids along the way?

J747

rsnyder

Message:
j747, there are mixed feelings about giving gifts to the youngsters encountered during safari and related travel. Some feel it encourages the locals to be beggars. Some feel it degrades health/teeth if sweets are passed out. Others feel it is one way we can improve on the quality of life depending on the gifts. Depending on the safari one may come into contact with children. Some trips involve stopping at local school. Ours in 2002 included visit to Masai village where we are got to stop in one room school. The young students sang a lesson song for us. There was a box for monetary donations. At other times we met children when we stopped for gasoline. Often they would ask for reading and/or writing material. I also recall offers to trade handmade trinkets. If I were to take items it might include small note pads, pens, pencils, chaulk, crayons, etc. I remember one person on our plane who carried a set of encyclopedias for a school. Appropriate reading material might also be a good idea. Suggest you check with Predators Safari Company for ideas. Personally I see nothing wrong with idea of small toys but you might appreciate the idea of small books, pens, pencils, t-shirts, as well.
Dick