Can anyone advise me on how to check if a tour operatior has a good record/is trustworthy? A friend of mine went on a safari last year through Tanzania Adventure (tanzania-adventure.com) and was very happy with the outcome (she just looked them up on the internet - great website BTY). They provide private safaris with a completely customized itinerary and have reasonable prices. So, naturally, I contacted them, got a good quote, great reccomedations for our itinerary and was very pleased with our e-mail correspondence for the last couple of months. I finally sent them a 30% deposit (about $1,800 for 11 days for two people) through a bank transfer and it's been 4 weeks now and the transfer is not completed. My BofA here in LA tells me that that's not unsusual for Tanzania, but I am getting nervous. Has anyone had a similar experience or knows how I can check if the tour operator is in good financial standing (and actually exists!!)?
Very grateful for your responses!
Ann

Hi Ann,

It shouldn't take 4 weeks. I've had problems with wire transfers to Tanzania, but the problem was incorrect instructions from my outfitter that held up the wire in the Dar bank. Have Tanzania Adventures' accountant check on it from their end at their bank. Have BofA tell you where the trail ends from their records. The wires often go through a Dar bank before going on to Arusha or Zanzibar and it may be stuck there.

4 weeks is pretty long, but it doesnt nec. mean its your TA's fault or that anything sketchy is going on. If you do a search for wire transfers you will find a few posts on people having their money get held up for various reasons. I believe your bank can trace it, though they wont want to, but they can. Don't stress too much, I'm sure it will get resolved soon enough. Just get on your bank to get as many details as possible!

The actual transfer doesn't take long (24-48/hrs), but as above, even if the TO has an account in an Arusha bank, most bank headquarters are in DAR.

BofA should be able to track your wire and advise receipt on the Tanzania-end, where and when. Also, unfortunately, some TO's don't check their accounts daily (why not, I can't imagine).

Do follow up with the TO on the funds and status of your itinerary, in general. 4/weeks is too long not to hear anything.

Thanks so much for your replies, I will definitely follow up on your advises. However, the question still stands, how do you check if the tour operator is legit. Is there a website to go to or an agency? Please advise. Thanks!

You can check to see if they are a member of TATO, which it appears they are (well one out of the 2 companies in this joint venture). Also read on the forums of people who have used them. I have asked my TO for the email addresses of former clients to see if they were pleased. They should be happy to provide you with references. If your friend used them and was happy then I'm not sure what the problem is?

Search the Tanzania forum on Tripadvisor. There have been some mixed reviews of Tanzania Adventure. They're also a TATO member www.tatotz.org so you might want to email them and see if they've had any complaints. But if your friend had a good experience with them, I wouldn't panic yet. There may be a legitimate reason why they haven't received the transfer.

Great! Thanks so much, really appreciate it!