What I dont understand is why the flights were not booked and then why does Rocco need to take a deposit from the clients?

Wow, didn't mean to open up the "Where's Rocco?" issue again. Your (bots) questions have NOTHING to do with the question going 2 africa posed. And, since you clearly are an insider of some sort, you know very well why deposits are required, whether or not they are asked to be forwarded to the camps right away.

But, I;ll make it simple for you. If a camp has a good, established relationship with a TA, it is perfectly reasonable for the camp and the TA to have the good faith money in hand from a prospective client.whether it is forwarded immediately or not. or not. Pretty reasonable to me. The fact is that Rocco was at least partially right, and perhaps entirely right re. his camp relationships, and NOT entirely wrong as some accused him. And that was my point.

Yes, I am a little testy about someone trying to steer this discussion away from the subject at hand and back into Rocco bashing. Please, can we move on?

Jim

Thanks Jim.

While I am satisfied with the responses I've received and have taken the steps to resolve my issue, be it internally based and an unfounded worry, or not, I didn't want to reopen that debate. As I originally said, I had been thinking about it since before all of that other stuff came to surface. I've just always thought it a better idea to have confirmation #'s etc. I just wasn't sure of the appropriateness, if you will, of my personal contact when I have a TA - again trying to think of potential cultural differences and/or travel style as this is different than any type of travel I've done before.

If this is going to "go there" then I'd rather the thread be locked now and just make it's way down the list, into oblivion.

Shane

Shane,

I understand your concern.

However, in two trips to East Africa, I haven't confirmed my camps/lodges. I've simply trusted my operators, both times mid-size, mid-budget ops, one in Tanzania, one with offices in TZ and the UK. Neither time was I disappointed. Sometimes the Serenas overbook--and I've been twice told at the Wildlife Lodge that they don't have my reservation (this is due to the Wildlife's disorganization, which they admitted both times, and both times "found" rooms for us).

Oops, hit post too soon.

I'm certainly no expert, but if you're dealing with a reputable operator, I would think it is VERY rare to have your deposit not used to hold your rooms and tents.

I once tried to contact the Mbuzi Mawe directly to get rates, and I never heard a thing. I don't think it's unusual for the staff out in the bush to *not* answer e-mails for whatever reasons, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. It's not that it's inappropriate for a traveler to contact the lodges, but I do think it's somewhat unusual, and perhaps you may not get a confimration number (TIA, after all).

You could write Sardius and ask politely if they're sure tents are being held in your name. However, I think you're more than likely okay, keeping in mind that sometimes things do not go exactly as expected--but that they usually do.

You'll have an amazing trip.

Oops again. I hadn't read the comments from above. Apparently, your deposit isn't always used to hold tents or rooms (although I would think flights would be reserved as soon as schedules come out, etc.). However, I still maintain that, barring overbooking or other innocent mix-ups beyond your control, a reputable operator makes sure you have rooms held for you once you pay your deposit.

Thanks, Leely. I'm sure you're right and everything will be fantastic. I agree, too, about the possible lack of confirmation number. I asked for either a confirmation number or (if they don't use them) just an email to confirm the res.

I'm probably being a tad OC here. ;-)

Shane

I think this is a very natural and real concern, and as my September trip gets closer I might become nervous also. One thing that gives me a lot of peace of mind is that before I ever sent my initial deposits to my Kenyan operator and my Tanzanian operator(I am using two operators, long story), I directly contacted most of the camps they were booking me at and asked management about their experiences with the operators, and whether all was in good standing with them, and I got back glowing reports and was told that I was in good hands in both cases. That made me a lot more comfortable about sending money. Of course, things can change over 6 months in any business, so hopefully I won't be doing an involuntary walking /sleeping under the sky safari!!

Approx. 10 years ago I planned a trip to India and Nepal and found that faxing was a great way to make and confirm reservations. We'd fax them our request, they'd fax back a confirmation, easy as that. Also, I found it better than calling, as there were often language and accent barriers to clear communications, not to mention time zone issues.

Of course this was before the internet got as huge and widespread as it is now, but it may solve your problem. Good luck!