Hi Dana,

Go back to the OP's post i.e., Jess_D. They were intimated about the fire by their travel agent and kept updated. This is how it should be done, isn't it? Isn't it a TA's responsibility to communicate to their clients?

Hari makes an excellent point here. Wilderness should have a standing policy that whenever an unforseen event occurs, effecting one of its camps, that the TA is notified immediately so that they can inform the client of the situation. We are not talking about minor issues but a major camp fire or an airplane crash qualify for events that trigger concern. Clearly it is better to have the TA contact the client and explain that such an event has occurred but that Wilderness is addressing the issues and that there will be not impact on the clients stay at their facility. Wilderness is missing a great opportunity here and I don't understand why they have been so reluctant? I know from firsthand experience, that often the Wilderness agents learn of these events from their clients. This practice is a disservice to the agent and results in the agents loss of credibility in the clients eyes. I continue to believe that Wilderness is a first class operation however, on this topic it needs some fine tuning.
Cheers-SafariChuck

No word yet further on this. Our TA is just returning from the big Africa Travel trade show in Joburg. Did any of the TAs that follow Fodor attend? Did WS have anything to say publicly about the lose at Chitabe? I will post here if anything further happens with this.

Hari,
I totally agree with you. It is definitely the TAs responsibility to keep clients informed. But, we don't even know that ijkh's TA was notified about the fire, and if so, what he/she was told. If he/she was told there is no interruption in service, well I would say that is a false statement if staffing levels suffered. Also, if the client is already in the bush, and if staying at other WS camps, I think WS needs to contact the client. As ijkh pointed out, how was his/her TA supposed to get in touch with them?

Lynn,
I was referring not to a response to a complaint, but rather notification in advance if theirs a problem, in order to avoid the complaint(s) all together. Most guests probably won't choose to alter their itinerary, they will know what to expect, and having been notified in advance are much less likely to complain.

bump

bookmark

Can anyone report on the recent reconstruction efforts at Chitabe Lediba?
Chuck

We have just returned from our trip to Botswana and had stayed at Chitabe Ledida for three nights starting May 20th. Our TA had forwarded an email on May 7th from WS informing us of the fire.

We stayed at Tubu Tree and Duma Tau as well and our favorite camp was Chitabe Lediba. Not as luxurious as the other two camps but the warmth that the staff showed was fantastic. Kenny and Josephine were great hosts and we never noticed any lack of service. Game drives were just as good or better than the other camps.

Kenny said that the rebuild would take about two months to complete as they will only be working when guests are not present.

That makes sense, doesn't it? If I was a client at Lediba, I rather have a makeshift lounge/dining area instead of all the banging and construction work in the middle of full camp!

I am glad to hear some Wilderness Safari clients got an email about the fire. I still wonder why they didn't just notify us that the camp had burned and let us find out by gossip. WS was so careful to write everything else into a little cheerful note on the bed. We never heard one word back from WS. No nothing about it even at the burned camp. No sorry about this or anything. Just suck it up for $750 dollars a night.

Is Josephine still the only manager or is there a second manager too?

Our TA was sad to hear of our experience but offered only verbal consolation. I bet they would have had our business on an up coming (2 yrs off!)trip to the Seychelles. We might of considered using WS if they had handled this better. Your loss WS. Offer to greener pastures or should I say whiter beaches.

We are seriously thinking of a return trip to Madagascar. We loved it so much. We will combine it with the Seychelles and delicious Mauritius. Sounds like pure bliss to me.

top

Just came back from safari. We stayed at Chitabe Lediba 6/18-19/2008. They have started the building process. They have turned the office/gift shop into the lounge area. This is where you have breakfast & tea. For brunch, they set up a table (complete with linens & china) while out on safari under shade trees. For supper in the evening, they set up a table (again with linens & china) around the campfire. This was a nice change from eating in the dining room all the time. We really enjoyed those experiences.
I was concerned when my TA told me about the fire, but I rather enjoyed the change in dining arrangements. I was worried that the building work might impact on my vacation..making too much noise, etc. I only noticed them when I walked by the sight, & never heard a thing. I think they try to do most of the work while you are on safari. They had the posts set for the new building when we left.
As far as the camp itself, I think it needs a makeover, just to freshen things up.

Just curious to hear why this camp needs a makeover???

Can you work this out more in detail?

Thanks in advance,

Johan

Any more recent, post fire experience, at Chitabe Lediba?
Thanks-Chuck

anyone? to the top

Hi safaric,
Just returned and it's all finished and quite beautiful.
We actually we there for an informal grand opening... what a night. I'll be doing a report soon with more info.
If possible ask for tent #1 - the honeymoon tent. It's a quiet end cap with a sweet outdoor shower.
Also ask for Newman.

Hi cybor,
Hey, thanks for the information. We leave in 10 days so I'm glad to hear they are finished with construction. Newman was our guide previously and he is simply fantastic. We have him for this stay as well so really looking forward to it. Thanks again for the info-I'll pass along your regards to Newman.
Cheers-Chuck

Thanks chuck,
Remind him that we were the "Sherry and Mike" couple from the US who was with the singing Russian. He'll know.

We exchanged addresses for promises of
pictures and other stuff that he'll tell you about.
Also ask him and Alice to tell you about the night of the fire and tree climbing to put the fire out. The guy's a wonderful man with many talents. We adore him.
Enjoy your trip!