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Dec 29th, 2007, 07:09 PM
#101
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When we were at MalaMala they had this sliced meat with a piece of parmesan cheese on top, and another type of meat that looked like chateaubriand. I loaded up my plate and ate it all. The next day the same thing was at the buffet and our guide said "Oh you like ostrich and kudu, huh?" I couldn't take another bite of either. If the camps want to serve game meat, go ahead, it's delicious, but just don't tell me what it is!
Dec 29th, 2007, 08:40 PM
#102
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Hey
I like that way of thinking Shinmewa - you can tell your ex manager! Keep the mice & guests happy.
Like most places we have a radio in the tent at night for any MEDICAL emergencies. I always make a point of this & end up with a joke or two about what is not a medical emergencey. Still though I often get woken up at 3 am because there is a spider that was spotted in the tent. I must say I hate this. After working an often 17 hour day to get woken up for that is not so nice. I am not the nicest person if this is the case but obviously civil. It is always these flatties as we call them, totally harmless. I do know that people will argue with me now and say but how would a guest know it is is harmless or not. The point is not if it is deadly but the fact that to me it is logical that there would be many spiders that can come in & there is doom. Why get a manager up when you can simply spray (not that I like the spray but it is in all tents).
Last night I was called on the radio. This time not a spider or mouse. The guest that called me though is a return guest and we get on really well. We joke with each other a lot and she likes me telling her about the undustry etc. The reason she called me is that there was a lion literally right in front of her tent. The tent has a back access so I went in the back & we enjoyed the sighting. She called me because she knew I would enjoy it. I made a joke with her saying that I have been called a few times when lions are just heard. At these times I often pick up the radio and the first thing I want to say when I hear that lions are heard roaring outside is "If the lions are raoring enjoy it, it is not a medical emergency. If the lion is chewing your arm, then call me"
I like that way of thinking Shinmewa - you can tell your ex manager! Keep the mice & guests happy.
Like most places we have a radio in the tent at night for any MEDICAL emergencies. I always make a point of this & end up with a joke or two about what is not a medical emergencey. Still though I often get woken up at 3 am because there is a spider that was spotted in the tent. I must say I hate this. After working an often 17 hour day to get woken up for that is not so nice. I am not the nicest person if this is the case but obviously civil. It is always these flatties as we call them, totally harmless. I do know that people will argue with me now and say but how would a guest know it is is harmless or not. The point is not if it is deadly but the fact that to me it is logical that there would be many spiders that can come in & there is doom. Why get a manager up when you can simply spray (not that I like the spray but it is in all tents).
Last night I was called on the radio. This time not a spider or mouse. The guest that called me though is a return guest and we get on really well. We joke with each other a lot and she likes me telling her about the undustry etc. The reason she called me is that there was a lion literally right in front of her tent. The tent has a back access so I went in the back & we enjoyed the sighting. She called me because she knew I would enjoy it. I made a joke with her saying that I have been called a few times when lions are just heard. At these times I often pick up the radio and the first thing I want to say when I hear that lions are heard roaring outside is "If the lions are raoring enjoy it, it is not a medical emergency. If the lion is chewing your arm, then call me"
Dec 29th, 2007, 09:38 PM
#103
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Shinmewa - love your story!
PB - Interesting, have not really thought of it that way and does make perfect sense.
Do think we all should live with the "visitors" in our tents while we are really visitors in their environment. I would love for a mouse family to visit while I'm there (a fobia a complete different story) and might help the "not so welcome" spider out the tent but surely we should NOT premote the use of the insect killing spray in the tents. They are actually really bad for us as well.
I always request that the cleaning staff do not spray my tent because the poison will also land on your nice soft pillow. Then we wonder why we don't feel so good in the morning but then are breathing in the insect spray the entire night. You get small little lights that you can attach to your book and it attracts very few insects.
Also like elephants, lions, and the friendly giraffe, insects are part of our safari visit.
PB - Interesting, have not really thought of it that way and does make perfect sense.
Do think we all should live with the "visitors" in our tents while we are really visitors in their environment. I would love for a mouse family to visit while I'm there (a fobia a complete different story) and might help the "not so welcome" spider out the tent but surely we should NOT premote the use of the insect killing spray in the tents. They are actually really bad for us as well.
I always request that the cleaning staff do not spray my tent because the poison will also land on your nice soft pillow. Then we wonder why we don't feel so good in the morning but then are breathing in the insect spray the entire night. You get small little lights that you can attach to your book and it attracts very few insects.
Also like elephants, lions, and the friendly giraffe, insects are part of our safari visit.
Dec 29th, 2007, 10:19 PM
#104
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hi all
Cutter, you have drawn another manager/guide "out of the closet" so to speak.
I read fodors often and really enjoy it but have refrained from comment until now. I will do my best to refrain from any self promotion and not mention any guest names (besides I have a little book of previous guests who I am blackmailing in return for keeping hush about their embarrassing moments!)Salaries not great in our industry so we have to make other plans for our retirement ha ha.
To summarise my opinions on this thread so far:
- I understand that guests are often out of their comfort zones but let's be honest, far more people get killed by lightning each year than by one of the Big 5 let alone by a fury rodent.
- I loathe any form of insectiside or poison but unfortunately the industry (and our directors) dictate that a can of "Doom" be present in the tents. The staff have been instructed not to spray when they do turndowns (rafikimilly above is correct - inhaling poison from your pillow all night is likely to give you a headache come morning)
- I see your point Cutter about venison as long as it is purchsed from a commercial "butcher" and not shot on the reserve. Shooting on site definitely makes animals far more skittish and harder to photograph. Personally I would not support purchases from a hunting operator as I do not support that industry at all (even though the arguments for hunting do make sense in theory, there are very few operations who adhere to the code of conduct laid out) I would rather cull if need be than shoot an animal for a trophy.
- I don't think food in tents is a good idea. Monkeys, squirrels and mice are geniouses at "sniffing" them out.
- Killing a family of mice merely creates a space for the next and(possibly larger and worse behaved) family to move in!
- Unfortunately there are far more "strange/demanding" requests these days compared to the past. This is largely due to the competion amongst all the camps and the quest to outdo the neighbours. I don't mind helping a guest enhance their stay at all. Without guests I have no job but it is a huge pity that there are aren't camps willing to take the risk and offer a more back to basics style camp. I still think there is a niche for such camps and they would attract guests who are really keen on nature and avoiding the bigger more luxurious camps. If I won the lotto I would not hesitate trying to establish a small tented camp away from the huslte and bustle of the high impact areas. I do not even think it would be such a risk?
-On a similar topic in my experience I would say that there is also more "conflict" between guests these days as there are now lots of "safari regulars" being mixed with the "first timers" Both are valued customers but both often have dramatically different interests, interpretations and expectations.
Let's chat further...
Cutter, you have drawn another manager/guide "out of the closet" so to speak.
I read fodors often and really enjoy it but have refrained from comment until now. I will do my best to refrain from any self promotion and not mention any guest names (besides I have a little book of previous guests who I am blackmailing in return for keeping hush about their embarrassing moments!)Salaries not great in our industry so we have to make other plans for our retirement ha ha.
To summarise my opinions on this thread so far:
- I understand that guests are often out of their comfort zones but let's be honest, far more people get killed by lightning each year than by one of the Big 5 let alone by a fury rodent.
- I loathe any form of insectiside or poison but unfortunately the industry (and our directors) dictate that a can of "Doom" be present in the tents. The staff have been instructed not to spray when they do turndowns (rafikimilly above is correct - inhaling poison from your pillow all night is likely to give you a headache come morning)
- I see your point Cutter about venison as long as it is purchsed from a commercial "butcher" and not shot on the reserve. Shooting on site definitely makes animals far more skittish and harder to photograph. Personally I would not support purchases from a hunting operator as I do not support that industry at all (even though the arguments for hunting do make sense in theory, there are very few operations who adhere to the code of conduct laid out) I would rather cull if need be than shoot an animal for a trophy.
- I don't think food in tents is a good idea. Monkeys, squirrels and mice are geniouses at "sniffing" them out.
- Killing a family of mice merely creates a space for the next and(possibly larger and worse behaved) family to move in!
- Unfortunately there are far more "strange/demanding" requests these days compared to the past. This is largely due to the competion amongst all the camps and the quest to outdo the neighbours. I don't mind helping a guest enhance their stay at all. Without guests I have no job but it is a huge pity that there are aren't camps willing to take the risk and offer a more back to basics style camp. I still think there is a niche for such camps and they would attract guests who are really keen on nature and avoiding the bigger more luxurious camps. If I won the lotto I would not hesitate trying to establish a small tented camp away from the huslte and bustle of the high impact areas. I do not even think it would be such a risk?
-On a similar topic in my experience I would say that there is also more "conflict" between guests these days as there are now lots of "safari regulars" being mixed with the "first timers" Both are valued customers but both often have dramatically different interests, interpretations and expectations.
Let's chat further...
Dec 29th, 2007, 10:42 PM
#105
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monkeypooshoe, after you win lotto, you can invite me to your camp any time.
Your line about eliminating a mouse family only to have others move in is one of things so many people fail to understand. We have a problem at home here with brushtail possums...cute little buggers. They eat our rosebuds, our fruit and new shoots off trees and shrubs. Although my wife would like to employ a Dubya WMD solution, I know it would achieve nothing. To kill, or trap and relocate them, would merely vacate territory for others to occupy. So we live and share with them...our fruit scraps go out at night to relieve the pressure on our flower garden.
John
Your line about eliminating a mouse family only to have others move in is one of things so many people fail to understand. We have a problem at home here with brushtail possums...cute little buggers. They eat our rosebuds, our fruit and new shoots off trees and shrubs. Although my wife would like to employ a Dubya WMD solution, I know it would achieve nothing. To kill, or trap and relocate them, would merely vacate territory for others to occupy. So we live and share with them...our fruit scraps go out at night to relieve the pressure on our flower garden.
John
Dec 29th, 2007, 10:52 PM
#106
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MPS - quoting you -
"-On a similar topic in my experience I would say that there is also more "conflict" between guests these days as there are now lots of "safari regulars" being mixed with the "first timers" Both are valued customers but both often have dramatically different interests, interpretations and expectations."
You got that right my friend. Let's chat. I have initiated threads here regarding exactly this subject. It really "hit home" with me last May 2007 when I was on several game drives with newlywed/honeymoon couples. Sometimes two couples in same vehicle. And of course most of them had a brand new video camera with which they had to take videos of everything.
The only solution this far has been to have your own private vehicle. Sure, would be nice if I had the $$$, but I still would rather share it with some like minded guests. After much thought, I've concluded that the key for finding a solution is to change how guests are assigned to game drive vehicles. Obvious, is it not? Now, guests are assigned to the same guide/ranger for the duration of their safari. Camp management seems basically to be concerned with keeping the game drive vehicles at optimum capacity. If a camp's guests are mixed half new and half regulars then basically that is the way the vehicles are also populated, just by chance. Camp management could, with some additional effort, sort out the guest's experience and assign to vehicles accordingly. Thus, guests may very likely not have the same guide for the entire camp visit. The problem here, and it may be a major one, is that guests may be confused about tipping/gratuities and the guides tips suffer.
From what I've seen (around 40 nights on safari) the camps have no knowledge of their guests interests. It does seem however, that some camps take into consideration the general age of the guests and try to have some compatibility with that. But I could be wrong. Anyway, the camps could easily initially inquire simply of the guests interest, safari experience, and expectations. And then match guests accordingly. Again, with the constant inflow/outflow of guests this would mean that I'd likely have two (maybe three) different guides/rangers in my usual 5 night camp stay. But that would be fine for me to avoid the newlyweds with the new video camera.
Thanks for recognizing and raising this topic and Happy New Year.
regards - tom
"-On a similar topic in my experience I would say that there is also more "conflict" between guests these days as there are now lots of "safari regulars" being mixed with the "first timers" Both are valued customers but both often have dramatically different interests, interpretations and expectations."
You got that right my friend. Let's chat. I have initiated threads here regarding exactly this subject. It really "hit home" with me last May 2007 when I was on several game drives with newlywed/honeymoon couples. Sometimes two couples in same vehicle. And of course most of them had a brand new video camera with which they had to take videos of everything.
The only solution this far has been to have your own private vehicle. Sure, would be nice if I had the $$$, but I still would rather share it with some like minded guests. After much thought, I've concluded that the key for finding a solution is to change how guests are assigned to game drive vehicles. Obvious, is it not? Now, guests are assigned to the same guide/ranger for the duration of their safari. Camp management seems basically to be concerned with keeping the game drive vehicles at optimum capacity. If a camp's guests are mixed half new and half regulars then basically that is the way the vehicles are also populated, just by chance. Camp management could, with some additional effort, sort out the guest's experience and assign to vehicles accordingly. Thus, guests may very likely not have the same guide for the entire camp visit. The problem here, and it may be a major one, is that guests may be confused about tipping/gratuities and the guides tips suffer.
From what I've seen (around 40 nights on safari) the camps have no knowledge of their guests interests. It does seem however, that some camps take into consideration the general age of the guests and try to have some compatibility with that. But I could be wrong. Anyway, the camps could easily initially inquire simply of the guests interest, safari experience, and expectations. And then match guests accordingly. Again, with the constant inflow/outflow of guests this would mean that I'd likely have two (maybe three) different guides/rangers in my usual 5 night camp stay. But that would be fine for me to avoid the newlyweds with the new video camera.
Thanks for recognizing and raising this topic and Happy New Year.
regards - tom
Dec 29th, 2007, 11:11 PM
#107
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This post reminds me of the person who complained there was a mosquito in the reception area of a hotel in Mombasa.
They thought the hotel should have kept all mosquitos out. Maybe signs? "No Mosquitos beyond this point" Can they read?
They thought the hotel should have kept all mosquitos out. Maybe signs? "No Mosquitos beyond this point" Can they read?
Dec 30th, 2007, 12:04 AM
#108
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Glad you like the thread MPS. I am really enjoying it as well as Lndaf said
"I just LOVE this thread! It's informative, civil, funny, educational & thought provoking all at the same time & goes great with coffee!"
Very interesting topics are entering the discussion.
Tom I can maybe help out on how the vehicles are split with some backround info.
Basically you would try to put people together who share something in common even if it is just an age group. I have often had requests before an arrival of not wanting to be with first timers etc. and we like birds. Where the problem comes in is that you can try to accomodate people but at the end of the day you have only so many vehicles and so many drivers/guides. We get many strange requests as well and can you imagine if everybody has their own request how out of hand it would get. The solution is to be a return guest. As soon as you are a return guest you will get a bit better treatment and especially if you were 'nice' managers/guides will remember it especially. I have had many return guests and we have often had a lot of fun and done some very different things compared to the others. I would definately not send requests first time at a lodge, rather go, see if you like and if so either become part of the family or go to another.
"I just LOVE this thread! It's informative, civil, funny, educational & thought provoking all at the same time & goes great with coffee!"
Very interesting topics are entering the discussion.
Tom I can maybe help out on how the vehicles are split with some backround info.
Basically you would try to put people together who share something in common even if it is just an age group. I have often had requests before an arrival of not wanting to be with first timers etc. and we like birds. Where the problem comes in is that you can try to accomodate people but at the end of the day you have only so many vehicles and so many drivers/guides. We get many strange requests as well and can you imagine if everybody has their own request how out of hand it would get. The solution is to be a return guest. As soon as you are a return guest you will get a bit better treatment and especially if you were 'nice' managers/guides will remember it especially. I have had many return guests and we have often had a lot of fun and done some very different things compared to the others. I would definately not send requests first time at a lodge, rather go, see if you like and if so either become part of the family or go to another.
Dec 30th, 2007, 12:18 AM
#109
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Sorry I raced through that posting.
I did still want to say something though. I think other managers would definately agree with me that we are really getting so many requests these days. I suppose it comes down to the competition that someone mentioned earlier. Many requests are also quite far out and most of the time you already know a guest before they come. What is happening as well is many agents naturally want the best for their clients. Also many owners/directors of lodges/camps think they deserve VIP treatment as well. I learnt (and maybe it is old school) that each and every single guest is a VIP. I was trained to treat all guests equally. When I get a request asking for VIP treatment it goes against my grain and I will have to really control myself not to overdo treating all the other guests better - which is wrong but true. I don't care that so & so is the friend of so & so. To me that translates to 'this person is paying a discounted rate or is on a complimentary so I should look after everybody paying full price first'.
Stop sending VIP's!
I did still want to say something though. I think other managers would definately agree with me that we are really getting so many requests these days. I suppose it comes down to the competition that someone mentioned earlier. Many requests are also quite far out and most of the time you already know a guest before they come. What is happening as well is many agents naturally want the best for their clients. Also many owners/directors of lodges/camps think they deserve VIP treatment as well. I learnt (and maybe it is old school) that each and every single guest is a VIP. I was trained to treat all guests equally. When I get a request asking for VIP treatment it goes against my grain and I will have to really control myself not to overdo treating all the other guests better - which is wrong but true. I don't care that so & so is the friend of so & so. To me that translates to 'this person is paying a discounted rate or is on a complimentary so I should look after everybody paying full price first'.
Stop sending VIP's!
Dec 30th, 2007, 12:37 AM
#110
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thanks cutther for your reply. I very much understand why every guest's every desire can't be accommodated. A typical small camp may have only three vehicles and guides out at any one time. The fewer choices there are the more difficult is the partitioning. Like, one extreme being only one vehicle so the choice is only one. The other extreme being 100 vehicles so now the choices are numerous. (Remember your math, permutations and combinations?)
An old thread about this mentioned a guest who wanted to take only pictures of dragonflys (insects)!!!! Even separating the "birders" from the "big 5" may be practical only a fraction of the time. I'm only asking that the camps try to separate the "first timers" from the "repeaters". And "repeaters" simply with safari experience not even at that camp. Just that basic division would satisfy me.
I wish I had the time and $$$ to visit many camps and choose those to patronize. Like finding favorite local restaurants. It would be great to go and sample many camps and then pick my favorite five. But I'm not going to be able to do this in my lifetime
I get to Africa usually only once a year. That visit has to count. After only three years and perhaps 15 camps I do have a couple of favorites but also want to try new ones. My next safari, Sep 2008, I'm going back to one I've been to twice before, Kings Camp, and trying a new one, Ngala. Eight nights at each camp. I like to stay put and really get to know the area. Game viewing is so serendipity that I see no advantage in changing camps every second day.
So, question if you please. How impractical would it be to assign guests for game drives based on them simply being "new" or "experienced"? No other criteria. And, would this cause anxiety among the guides about their tips/gratuities? And, although I'm looking at this from my perspective, I think the "new/first-timers" guests would also like it better.
Thanks again for bring your safari managerial experience to this question.
regards - tom
An old thread about this mentioned a guest who wanted to take only pictures of dragonflys (insects)!!!! Even separating the "birders" from the "big 5" may be practical only a fraction of the time. I'm only asking that the camps try to separate the "first timers" from the "repeaters". And "repeaters" simply with safari experience not even at that camp. Just that basic division would satisfy me.
I wish I had the time and $$$ to visit many camps and choose those to patronize. Like finding favorite local restaurants. It would be great to go and sample many camps and then pick my favorite five. But I'm not going to be able to do this in my lifetime
I get to Africa usually only once a year. That visit has to count. After only three years and perhaps 15 camps I do have a couple of favorites but also want to try new ones. My next safari, Sep 2008, I'm going back to one I've been to twice before, Kings Camp, and trying a new one, Ngala. Eight nights at each camp. I like to stay put and really get to know the area. Game viewing is so serendipity that I see no advantage in changing camps every second day.So, question if you please. How impractical would it be to assign guests for game drives based on them simply being "new" or "experienced"? No other criteria. And, would this cause anxiety among the guides about their tips/gratuities? And, although I'm looking at this from my perspective, I think the "new/first-timers" guests would also like it better.
Thanks again for bring your safari managerial experience to this question.
regards - tom
Dec 30th, 2007, 01:10 AM
#111
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Another very true story, guests were not happy that they could not pet the hippo's!
Same guests blew the emergency whistle in their tent at 4am and the security guys and us (the managers) went running to find they wanted the tent flaps lowered because the sun was waking them up. All good fun, all guests make great stories.
Same guests blew the emergency whistle in their tent at 4am and the security guys and us (the managers) went running to find they wanted the tent flaps lowered because the sun was waking them up. All good fun, all guests make great stories.
Dec 30th, 2007, 01:34 AM
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John, you are invited...hold thumbs for my Lotto numbers.
Tom, I understand your point of view completely and also have to agree with a lot of what Cutter said ie: only so many vehicles etc.
I have worked for companies both large and small and one huge factor is the chain of communication which is usually poor. From you to your agent, to the agent in the country you are visiting, to the reservations department, to the front office, to the head ranger who allocates guests to vehicles (as many as 6 different departments sometimes)It also happens with dietary requirements and allergies. I have tried to find solutions but staff turnover, computer systems and various other factors often mean your requests often don't reach the head ranger/chef etc. My suggestion would be that you obviously request your preferences in advance but also send the camp a direct request shortly before you depart and then again as they check you in.
The other problem is that often the head ranger may have your requests but not know a thing about any of the other guests so there is always a certain amount of guess work involved.
As Cutter says find a place where you feel at home and get to know the managers and your favourite guide. In a perfect industry travel agents and tour operators should find out as much about their clients in advance ie: "first timers", "regulars", "photographers" and pass this info on to the camps thereby increasing your chances of being in a vehicle with like minded people.
As you mentioned most guides don't like sharing guests as "tips" is an issue but newer guides often feel intimidated if they receive guests who have just been with the lodge's "legend ranger" who has been there for a decade. I know as I was also a new ranger once. On the other side of the coin some guests don't like switching as they fear hearing the same info more than once and also seeing similar sightings to what they had the day before since the next guide doesn't know what they have been shown or told.
A very tricky situation all round but I have no doubt the ranger/guide would welcome more info before meeting his/her guests only moments before the first game drive. As a guide it is very difficult at times trying to juggle honeymooners, birders and predator fanatics all on the same vehilce. Of course there are also guests who love walking to consider. Inevitably there is one or even two parties who leave the camp feeling a tad neglected no matter how hard the ranger has tried to please them. Ot is only natural that a renger who who is a keen photographer bonds more with guests who are too. Rangers also have strengths and weaknesses so even though my birding is not shabby I know there are some of my peers who are better at it them me and vice versa in other fields.
So in short just offer up as much info as possible before reaching your destination and hope for the best and don't be shy of letting the camp/lodge know what your goals for the safari are.
Having also been on many game drives and evaluation drives I can also comment that the biggest mistakes rangers make is not asking their guests what their interests are. Dead simple but so often forgotten.
If I were a paying customer I would strongly object to being placed in a vehicle where I don't have a "window seat" That is unacceptable in the extreme. If a vehicle has 3 rows then the max number of guests allowed should be 7 (one guest can drive up front next to the driver although even this is not ideal because the ranger often needs a place for his/her own belongings and also those lodges which have trackers also require that the tracker gets on board for predator sightings)
Lastly Cutter, I happen to agree with you. All guests are VIP's and by having it mentioned constantly often leads to staff being on edge around perfectly "normal" and likeable people.
Time for my siesta, chat soon
Tom, I understand your point of view completely and also have to agree with a lot of what Cutter said ie: only so many vehicles etc.
I have worked for companies both large and small and one huge factor is the chain of communication which is usually poor. From you to your agent, to the agent in the country you are visiting, to the reservations department, to the front office, to the head ranger who allocates guests to vehicles (as many as 6 different departments sometimes)It also happens with dietary requirements and allergies. I have tried to find solutions but staff turnover, computer systems and various other factors often mean your requests often don't reach the head ranger/chef etc. My suggestion would be that you obviously request your preferences in advance but also send the camp a direct request shortly before you depart and then again as they check you in.
The other problem is that often the head ranger may have your requests but not know a thing about any of the other guests so there is always a certain amount of guess work involved.
As Cutter says find a place where you feel at home and get to know the managers and your favourite guide. In a perfect industry travel agents and tour operators should find out as much about their clients in advance ie: "first timers", "regulars", "photographers" and pass this info on to the camps thereby increasing your chances of being in a vehicle with like minded people.
As you mentioned most guides don't like sharing guests as "tips" is an issue but newer guides often feel intimidated if they receive guests who have just been with the lodge's "legend ranger" who has been there for a decade. I know as I was also a new ranger once. On the other side of the coin some guests don't like switching as they fear hearing the same info more than once and also seeing similar sightings to what they had the day before since the next guide doesn't know what they have been shown or told.
A very tricky situation all round but I have no doubt the ranger/guide would welcome more info before meeting his/her guests only moments before the first game drive. As a guide it is very difficult at times trying to juggle honeymooners, birders and predator fanatics all on the same vehilce. Of course there are also guests who love walking to consider. Inevitably there is one or even two parties who leave the camp feeling a tad neglected no matter how hard the ranger has tried to please them. Ot is only natural that a renger who who is a keen photographer bonds more with guests who are too. Rangers also have strengths and weaknesses so even though my birding is not shabby I know there are some of my peers who are better at it them me and vice versa in other fields.
So in short just offer up as much info as possible before reaching your destination and hope for the best and don't be shy of letting the camp/lodge know what your goals for the safari are.
Having also been on many game drives and evaluation drives I can also comment that the biggest mistakes rangers make is not asking their guests what their interests are. Dead simple but so often forgotten.
If I were a paying customer I would strongly object to being placed in a vehicle where I don't have a "window seat" That is unacceptable in the extreme. If a vehicle has 3 rows then the max number of guests allowed should be 7 (one guest can drive up front next to the driver although even this is not ideal because the ranger often needs a place for his/her own belongings and also those lodges which have trackers also require that the tracker gets on board for predator sightings)
Lastly Cutter, I happen to agree with you. All guests are VIP's and by having it mentioned constantly often leads to staff being on edge around perfectly "normal" and likeable people.
Time for my siesta, chat soon
Dec 30th, 2007, 04:24 AM
#116
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Hey Tom & anyone keen on photography
I have driven the lot, from snap & go to the real serious photographer. I have never been that into it. A few people prefer to sit in the drivers seat for photography because they say you get a better perspective on the animal. If you are on the higher seats you are more often then not looking down on the animal. Is this down to personal preference or what?
I have driven the lot, from snap & go to the real serious photographer. I have never been that into it. A few people prefer to sit in the drivers seat for photography because they say you get a better perspective on the animal. If you are on the higher seats you are more often then not looking down on the animal. Is this down to personal preference or what?
Dec 30th, 2007, 06:38 AM
#117
Hi cutther, and others,
what an interesting thread, even to a safari one-timer like me, and that for only 3 days at two places.
our experiences with vehicles was vey mixed - at our first destination, there was no discernible attmept to match us with other occupants apart from the fact that we weren't german, and they were trying to put a large german party together. so we [UK family of 2 adults plus kids aged 16 & 19] were "matched" with a US family with kids aged 14 &15.
we could not have been more different. we had thrown on all the clothes we could find from our car, and looked decidedly slapdash, they had matching EVERYTHING [including daughters!]. our kids were up the front braving the driving rain and keen to spot anything that moved, their kids were sheltering in the back trying to protect their hairdos. when we were all put on the same table for dinner with our driver/guide, it was obvious that the kids regarded each other as beings from another planet.
i felt so sorry for those girls. their parents had dragged them off on a hunting trip for a week, followed by a non-luxury safari experience. they would have been sooo much happier at the fashion shows in Milan or Paris. the only good aspect was that they didn't want side seats - the further away from the action the better.
at our 2nd destination, we were put with a couple on [belated] honeymoon who were the only other guests in our lodge; although they were relatives of the guide, I discerned no special treatment for them, and with only 6 of us in the vehicle, there were no seating problems. once they left, we had the place to ourselves, which was great and gave us a taste of having a private vehicle, which would definitely be something I'd now pay extra for, if I could afford it.
keep your stories coming, all of you - we "guests" will try to tale them in the spirit in which they are meant.
regards, ann
what an interesting thread, even to a safari one-timer like me, and that for only 3 days at two places.
our experiences with vehicles was vey mixed - at our first destination, there was no discernible attmept to match us with other occupants apart from the fact that we weren't german, and they were trying to put a large german party together. so we [UK family of 2 adults plus kids aged 16 & 19] were "matched" with a US family with kids aged 14 &15.
we could not have been more different. we had thrown on all the clothes we could find from our car, and looked decidedly slapdash, they had matching EVERYTHING [including daughters!]. our kids were up the front braving the driving rain and keen to spot anything that moved, their kids were sheltering in the back trying to protect their hairdos. when we were all put on the same table for dinner with our driver/guide, it was obvious that the kids regarded each other as beings from another planet.
i felt so sorry for those girls. their parents had dragged them off on a hunting trip for a week, followed by a non-luxury safari experience. they would have been sooo much happier at the fashion shows in Milan or Paris. the only good aspect was that they didn't want side seats - the further away from the action the better.
at our 2nd destination, we were put with a couple on [belated] honeymoon who were the only other guests in our lodge; although they were relatives of the guide, I discerned no special treatment for them, and with only 6 of us in the vehicle, there were no seating problems. once they left, we had the place to ourselves, which was great and gave us a taste of having a private vehicle, which would definitely be something I'd now pay extra for, if I could afford it.
keep your stories coming, all of you - we "guests" will try to tale them in the spirit in which they are meant.
regards, ann
Dec 30th, 2007, 07:04 AM
#118
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This is without doubt one of the best threads ever on Fodors, Wow!.
Thanks to the lodge managers for letting out what we as tour operators also go thru. I simply love it and please keep it going as its nice for once to see it from our perpective.
Thanks to the lodge managers for letting out what we as tour operators also go thru. I simply love it and please keep it going as its nice for once to see it from our perpective.
Dec 30th, 2007, 07:16 AM
#119
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Perspective.
I think this thread will have a tremendous amount of value. I for one have been reading everyday and take into account the guests concerns and right at this moment have 2 fodorites on safari with their own vehicles as per their requests via this forum. Keep it up guys as this is the best way to try and make everyone happy.
I think this thread will have a tremendous amount of value. I for one have been reading everyday and take into account the guests concerns and right at this moment have 2 fodorites on safari with their own vehicles as per their requests via this forum. Keep it up guys as this is the best way to try and make everyone happy.
Dec 30th, 2007, 08:06 AM
#120
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Quick little hint for all Safari goers if you want the best chance og getting a private vehicle without paying. Send a specific request that you are a very keen birder. Any senoir ranger or manager will see this and probably put you on a seperate vehicle and at the same time you have not got their backs up with a request like "don't like to be with first timers". It works well because the first thing we think of with birders is that the other guests may get peeved having to stop every minute etc.
Sorry to the other managers out there for giving this one away, after reading how so far no guests reading this have tried to attack the managers on here I felt kind.....
Sorry to the other managers out there for giving this one away, after reading how so far no guests reading this have tried to attack the managers on here I felt kind.....
