Pooh

My husband and I have been planning a trip to Tanzania and had decided on 2afrika Tour Company. We need a budget tour company and what we have read about this company seemed to fit our needs. However, recently since around September 15, I have been unable to reach them either by telephone (I leave a message and they don't respond) or by e-mail. I'm wondering if anyone has had good/bad experencies with this company or if anyone is having the same problem now? I first heard of 2afrika on this forum and the people who recommended it seemed pleased with their experineces.

Also, does anyone know of another tour company that offers an equally comprehensive budget package? We were hoping to travel in February, and I'm afraid time is running out to plan this trip.

Any information will be helpful. Thanks.

Pooh

hlphillips2

I too have read some wonderful things about 2Afrika on this board. But contacted them just after the blackout in the northeast and it seems their computer system was adversely affected. They also had some issues internationally with the worm virus, and I believe they're in the midst of updating their website with 2004 prices & tours.

I'd suggest you continue callling. I finally got through, though had little luck with receiving a quote.

Another tour operator suggested on this board was Lets Go Safari (letsgosafari.com) which I found was reasonably priced and very responsive.

Kavey

I'm based in UK so these may not be of use but a friend often travels with Exodus and Explore Worldwide and is very positive about them.

I have also heard good things about Guerba but don't know anyone who has used them personally.

AAFrequentFlyer

I also tried to work with 2Afrika.com, and before the blackout, they seemed on the ball, and very responsive. Since that time, they seem to have problems. Their website was supopose to be changed on 9/1, it did not happen. They posted a new date, 9/15, and again it did not happen. I still believe they are a good, reputable company, but it seems like they were hit hard by the blackout and viruses, and are having a hard time since. Budget Travel magazine highly recommends them, although travel magazines are probably 3 months behind. So it's possible they may not recommend them in the next issue, due to their problems.

I did find another great agency, out of South Africa, www.go2africa.com. Every request was handled in a timely and informative matter. They offer everything from budget to luxury.

Good luck!

roderick

I just returned from a safari with Predators Safari Club, this is the tour company that 2afrika uses in Tanzania.

If 2afrika won't respond I would recommend that you go directly to them. www.predators-safari.com

uhoh_busted

I've been researching budget tour companies as well, so I'll check these out too. The one I found, initially, is www.friendlyplanet.com however I don't know anyone who has used them so I'm not making a recommendation...just mentioning it as an option for checking. They are more limited in their Africa offerings than some of the specialists people on this forum seem to use.

AAFrequentFlyer

I posted earlier today that 2afrika.com seems to have problems. Well, I just checked their website, and there is movement and more info. Looks like they are getting their stuff together finally. This Monday they will have all of their South Africa safaris posted, and according to Ken, each week they will get new safaris in different countries posted, so by Oct.15 everything should be on-line.

I hope so, as I do want to work with them on one of my safaris.

sundowner

I know you are asking about 2africa but if you haven't locked in on anything you might check out http://fisheaglesafaris.com/
I think they offer tours in Tanzania and I've heard good things about them.

I looked at their prices when I was thinking of going to Kenya and the prices were very reasonable. (I ended up going to South Africa and Botswana instead.)

They were very responsive to emails and questions.

Pooh

Thanks everyone. Today I finally received a response to my e-mail and as AAFrequentFlyer posted above, 2afrika is suppose to have their new tours to Tanzania on October 15. So I guess I will wait and see if that happens and in the meantime I will look into some of the other tour companies that were mentioned and recommended. I wonder if October 15 is getting rather late to wait to arrange a trip in February?

Thanks again.

Pooh

AAFrequentFlyer

Pooh,

I don't think October is too late. Africa tourism is in a deep depression. They are hurting.

I was able to grab a free(points) Hilton HHonors packaged safari in Kenya for February, just couple weeks ago. Three years ago, it was impossible to get the award trip even if you started inquiring a year earlier. The great HHonors rep in Glasgow informed me that I would have no problem with getting a room with a great view of the watering hole. Only 1/2 of the rooms face that way.

I also exchanged few e-mails with go2africa.com CSR, and she admitted to me that business is way down. You should have no problem getting the package you want. It's also verified by some of the recent trip reports here. So don't worry.

I can'wait!!!

I hope you have a great trip as well!!!

hlphillips2

Pooh, my husband and I decided a few months ago we wanted to go to East Africa in November. We didn't finalize our plans until this week. I think that the lack of tourism in EA helped us in that respect, though it's painful for the country. I'd suggest that you try to schedule your air transport in the meantime, only because many of the flights we wanted were sold out. As far as accommodations go I found that there was availability everywhere we looked. While many of 2Afrika's trips include airfare, most of the others only offered it as a secondary courtesy.

Just my thoughts-- happy planning

Kkimkim

I booked my flight through Ken ad 2afrika and he was great! I worked with Robynne at Pulse Africa and she was awesome! They are located in Johannesburg and is very prompt and is willing to work up a few plans for you.

Happy travels.
Kim

nkh

Hi Pooh

I dont know about 2afrikas recent problems with communications, but when we worked with them for our trip they were extremely prompt and helpful. I do know that they were putting in a new computer system, having just moved office, and were having the usual reorganization issues that involves.

We went on a safari with them to Tanzania and Kenya in June (wangiko if the names havent changed)and had an incredible experience. I would definitely recommend them unhesitatingly.

If you cannot get through to them the idea of booking directly with Predators safaris is also good. Our liaison was Ms. Nabeela Khan and she was also most pleasant and helpful.

Good luck!

star55

Hi Pooh,

I just returned from a trip to Tanzania/Kenya through 2Afrika and it was great. Vintage Africa, the land operator, took very good care of me (I was traveling by myself). Ken answered a lot of questions for me before my trip and all of my documents, etc. arrived on time.

I do know that they had a lot of problems with the blackout and the virus at the beginning of September.

Full trip report to follow (when I've come back to earth!).

rsnyder

star 55, am really looking forward to your report. We would like to return to East Africa maybe next year. Thus, interest in your trip. Are thinking of Kenya/Tanzania.

Dick

Thyra

Hi There, My husband and I travelled with 2Afrika last April.. The trip was just fantastic A+, but we had a very similar experience to you, as we didn't get our final documents until about 48 hours before we left.. I was freaking out..calling every 5 minutes (well it felt that way for sure) I also had some difficulty reaching them, initially as we had booked our trip right before 9/11/01 and of course that threw everything in the country (they are in New Jersey) into a horrible mess.. so that was entirely understandable.

Another bit of weirdness that happend turned out very well for us., since our tickets arrived so terribly late, I neglected to notice that our return flight left a day later from Nairobi..and we hadn't booked the supplimental tour or hotel to cover that. We ended up finding out on the last day of our safari, the day we thought we were flying out!.. (they take your return tickets on the first day and place them in an office safe, so they don't get lost or stolen while out in the bush). Well all I can say is that, these things they do happen and 2Afrika/Vintage Africa went above and beyond the call of duty to set things to rights. They put us up in the Swanky Nairobi Safari Club.. paid for our b-fest. Picked us up from the hotel the next day and gave us an entire tour through Nairobi.. complimentary lunch at Carnivore, paid for our admission to the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe sanctuary, (feeding the baby giraffe is one of my most cherished memories).. bottom line they really rose to the occasion!!! If I had it to do over I would hope we got stuck in Nairobi again.. We missed a day in A'dam, but heck, you can get to A'dam a lot easier then Kenya.. (on a funny side note, I called our Hotel in A'dam and explained to the desk clerk that I wouldnt' arrive that night as I was in Nairobi, he replied VERY formally and completely earnestly "but Madame, you are on the wrong continent!")

We also had some weirdness with getting Ken on the phone and with emails, particularly during the weeks after 9/11 (most understandable) and when the tickets were delayed. Would I book with them again? IN A HEARTBEAT!! The trip still brings me to tears with longing for Africa.. the staff really went out of the way to be sure that everything was great.. and in the end Ken and 2Afrika delivered all that was promised and then some, and at an incredible value.. When we go to Botswana, I will use them.

Guest

I notice now that you are interested in Tanzania. I was going to recommend that you consider smarTours, an excellent low budget company that gives one a much better tour than low budget! But they only travel to S, Africa and Kenya. We are going to S. Africa with them next year. In case some one reads this that is interested in traveling to South Africa...smarTours phone is:1-800-337-7773

kathy_nelson

That company uses services of local companies in Africa.
I don't see a reason of booking thrugh them, while you can deal with local companies directly with some of them having offices in UK/USA.
For Tanzania safari, you can find reputable local companies here:
http://www.tanzania-web.com/tourops/home.htm