I just recently started the process of booking a tour with Good Earth. Although, they look great, they require the last final payment to be by check/money order. No Credit card. Does that scare or bother anyone? Any way to get around it for safety? Thanks.

This is not unusual. We booked an East Africa trip with Good Earth last July and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend them. Their prices are fair and they provide excellent service. If you want you can see our photos and video at http://bodem.smugmug.com/.

Few East African outfitters accept credit cards for either deposit or final payments. Cash is what they want, so request payment by wire transfer. If GE is okay with check/money order, you're fine.

Lbodem,

Your pics and video were wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Great pics! Sounds good. Thank you for the input. Shan.

Solsenz,

I have travelled with GE twice now and the final payment by electronic transfer works fine. I have also paid for other safaris (deposits and final balances) without misadventure by transfer. I'm in Australia, not sure where you are based.

Being able to pay a deposit by cc with GE is bonus as it saves at least 1 transfer fee. Some companies insist on a wire transfer for both deposit and balance, and some add a whopping 5% to credit card payments which is another plus for paying by wire transfer.

Cheers,



Pol

We used Good Earth for our Sept. 2007 Kenya/Tanzania Safari. We paid our deposit by credit card and then sent a check for the remainder. All was well and we had a fabulous trip.

Julie

That procedure in general of no credit card is not unusual for foreign travel companies.

Treepol,

I am also from Australia and looking at using GE for a 2010 safari. Were they OK to deal with from so far away? I wasnt sure if a local agent would be better/easier but I have heard such good things about GE.

Thanks,
Kara

Kara,

I have used Good Earth twice now (2005 & 2008) and they are fine to deal with both by email and if you need to phone you might need to check the international time zones. I had success around 11 pm EST.

GE are a great company, and I'd recommend requesting Raphael as your guide.

Enjoy!


Pol