Safaris , prices, operators
Jun 30th, 2006, 06:48 AM
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Safaris , prices, operators
To all those who wish to make safaris in East Africa,
There are over 500 registered tour operators in Kenya. All are registered with vetting by the Ministry of Tourism and Industry, the governing body of Kenya Tourism.
Most of you tourists think that KATO is the registering body for tour operators, which is WRONG. KATO and non-KATO members undergo the same vetting the same way as all the other tour operators.
To be a little critical, KATO members use this name to extort money from Tourists as MOST websites will indicate whether or not one is a KATO member.
The main battle between the KATO members and the non KATO members is the profit margin with KATO members going for the highest possible profits while the non members going for reasonable profits and maximising their sales.
For instance, for a 10 Day safari the so called “Big Companies” will rake a staggering $ 1000 per client while the mid sized companies will collect as little as $ per client in profits. The shorter safaris will be the same with the later taking 60% more in profits than the mid sized or Kenyan owned companies.
For those of you with ears, eyes and the commonest of sense, the verdict is yours.
Facts:
Lodges: All tour operators use the same lodges for accommodation.
Roads: All tour operators use the same roads.
Vehicles; All vehicles are check for safety and compliance by the same body.
Drivers: All Tour drivers are trained and certified by the same body.
Aircrafts: All Tour operators high aircrafts from the same companies for air safaris.
Parks: All tour operators visit the same parks.
So the ultimate difference between any tour operator is the price.
Verdict: Unless you pick money from trees, (of which non of you does) then you should level the playground. Do not be guided by the misguiding guides who are out there. Make your own noble decision.
Have a thoughtful day. Won’t you?
The spy
There are over 500 registered tour operators in Kenya. All are registered with vetting by the Ministry of Tourism and Industry, the governing body of Kenya Tourism.
Most of you tourists think that KATO is the registering body for tour operators, which is WRONG. KATO and non-KATO members undergo the same vetting the same way as all the other tour operators.
To be a little critical, KATO members use this name to extort money from Tourists as MOST websites will indicate whether or not one is a KATO member.
The main battle between the KATO members and the non KATO members is the profit margin with KATO members going for the highest possible profits while the non members going for reasonable profits and maximising their sales.
For instance, for a 10 Day safari the so called “Big Companies” will rake a staggering $ 1000 per client while the mid sized companies will collect as little as $ per client in profits. The shorter safaris will be the same with the later taking 60% more in profits than the mid sized or Kenyan owned companies.
For those of you with ears, eyes and the commonest of sense, the verdict is yours.
Facts:
Lodges: All tour operators use the same lodges for accommodation.
Roads: All tour operators use the same roads.
Vehicles; All vehicles are check for safety and compliance by the same body.
Drivers: All Tour drivers are trained and certified by the same body.
Aircrafts: All Tour operators high aircrafts from the same companies for air safaris.
Parks: All tour operators visit the same parks.
So the ultimate difference between any tour operator is the price.
Verdict: Unless you pick money from trees, (of which non of you does) then you should level the playground. Do not be guided by the misguiding guides who are out there. Make your own noble decision.
Have a thoughtful day. Won’t you?
The spy
Jun 30th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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That being said, spy_77, doesn't change the fact that some operators, as evidenced by the various trip reports on this board, just plain deliver a better product than others.
I, personally, have always believed that most of the time, you get what you pay for.
I, personally, have always believed that most of the time, you get what you pay for.
Jun 30th, 2006, 10:47 AM
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Hi Spy 
This is very interesting first post. There are differences between operators, but a higher price doesn’t automatically mean a better product and people who choose a more expensive operator, everything else being the same, are probable picking their money from trees, or having others pick it for them. Please, come back with more.
This is very interesting first post. There are differences between operators, but a higher price doesn’t automatically mean a better product and people who choose a more expensive operator, everything else being the same, are probable picking their money from trees, or having others pick it for them. Please, come back with more.
Jun 30th, 2006, 11:13 AM
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No, I don't think that KATO is the registering body for tour operators in Kenya. KATO membership is entirely voluntary, but to me indicates a certain professionalism on the part of the operator. There are small and mid-sized Kenyan owned tour operators that are KATO members that charge very reasonable prices.
You sound like a bitter tour operator with some kind of grudge against the organization. Your post sounds vaguely familiar like I've seen it somewhere else before. You wouldn't happen to go by the screen name of Scarface77 on another internet forum, would ya?
You sound like a bitter tour operator with some kind of grudge against the organization. Your post sounds vaguely familiar like I've seen it somewhere else before. You wouldn't happen to go by the screen name of Scarface77 on another internet forum, would ya?
Jul 1st, 2006, 02:45 AM
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Thanks Spy !
It is interesting
KEEP ON SPYING FOR US !!!
but...
don't be a naiive Spy !
<"Vehicles; All vehicles are check for safety and compliance by the same body.
Drivers: All Tour drivers are trained and certified by the same body.">
all vehicles r equal ???
Vehicles "safety and compliance" is not all. There is no difference between a new car & an old one ?
As a spy u must know what a "Mtumba" is: a USED car brought from Dubai (or UAE) getting a 2006 license upon arrival in Mombasa. It does not have, for example, an East African adapted spring-system etc' it has a good chance of breaking down...
As a spy u must know the african procedures for getting a certificate of "check for safety and compliance"... ...
All guides r equal ???
i hate to write about the obvious...
happy spying
aby
PS Patty - this brain of yours ought to b researched !
It is interesting
KEEP ON SPYING FOR US !!!
but...
don't be a naiive Spy !
<"Vehicles; All vehicles are check for safety and compliance by the same body.
Drivers: All Tour drivers are trained and certified by the same body.">
all vehicles r equal ???
Vehicles "safety and compliance" is not all. There is no difference between a new car & an old one ?
As a spy u must know what a "Mtumba" is: a USED car brought from Dubai (or UAE) getting a 2006 license upon arrival in Mombasa. It does not have, for example, an East African adapted spring-system etc' it has a good chance of breaking down...
As a spy u must know the african procedures for getting a certificate of "check for safety and compliance"... ...
All guides r equal ???
i hate to write about the obvious...
happy spying
aby
PS Patty - this brain of yours ought to b researched !
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