Economic Crisis on Safari Rates - Tip of the Ice Berg
 

As we the world is officially about to enter a huge global recession, the first offers regarding Southern Africa's largest operator have emerged.

Free nights are now being offered with Taga Safaris for Wilderness Safaris.

I am not sure whether this is WS driven or Taga cutting their commissions to attract sales.

Either way, this is probably the tip of the ice berg. When the bubble does fully deflate, watch out for some excellent deals.

I would certainly hold off booking anything for next year..........

http://www.tagasafarisafrica.com/specials.htm

Here is the link. Make sure you do not get stung with higher rack rates but a free night.

Perhaps the pendulum has swung. And it may put the kobosh on new plunge pools and massage parlors (or whatever they call them in the bush) as well.

massage parlors = spas

Over half of the safari camps I've been to in the last four years have free nights. Many camps give one free night if you stay a minimum number of nights, typically 4 nights. I've also had deals where the per night rate is lowered if you stay four or more nights. For example just this last Sep at CCAfrica camps Ngala and Kirkmans (South Africa).

Now, I think news will be when MalaMala drops their rates or offers free nights. I will take notice then :-)

regards - tom

I saw the Taga website also and saw the offer. Yes, it's a good offer given that Wilderness have a wide assortment of camps and a good standard product. Atleast, they're not a one-hit wonder!!!

Have Wilderness included November 2009 as High Season? That is down right, ridiculous IMHO.

you can have a look at dumela botswana offering ccafrica, or &beyond specials 6 nights at $1700
http://www.botswanasafari.co.uk/bots...ispecials.html

no question rates are comming down

Whilst many companies have been offering specials, I think that WS is the true bellweather of the upmarket safari industry.

This is afterall, the company where you had to book a year in advance to get into their camps, so rumour has it!

Interesting times!

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/index.jsp

Well ....... it appears official from Wilderness for 2009.

I was just reading the same thing only on a different page:

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/enquiry/index.jsp

lbj, your photos are locked on pbase now. :(

Anyone see that CNN business traveller program earlier this week? I just caught bits and pieces ...... but, in brief mentioned bookings slow in Bots, Kenya and Tanzania. Also mentioned that in SA, folks could take advantage of the favourable ZAR. Went on to quote Ngala as an example of current rates (wasn't paying attention to the specifics)

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/wor...ble.safari.cnn

Hey Tom, was that you in the back row of the landy? <):)

Half price at Ngala, wow!

I've seen a special of Wilderness Safaris that is really surprising. $150pppn at Nkwali camp, no single supplement, for nearly the entire Emerald Season. Included: accommodation, game viewing, boating, walks, laundry, transfer to/from Mfuwe Airport.
Extras:Park fee ($25 pppn), bar and airport taxes ($25 leaving Zambia ).

Watched that 2 min CNN video, interesting. Nope, not me in the landy. But he is also good looking guy :-) . I do recognize one of the guides, name PJ I think !!!!!

Half price at Ngala? The commentator mentions that Ngala Lodge used to cost $800 USD per night but now is half that. Another made up fact by the press to make a story to tell. Ngala Lodge was never $800 per night, been less than half that for at least a year. I paid $342 night in Sep 2008. (Rand was 7 to 1USD). I don't know what rate they are quoting today. Their rate would have to go down to about $200 per before I would go back to Ngala Lodge. My trip report here - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35161085

regards - tom