HELP! Local versus East African bookings
Oct 20th, 2006, 06:28 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HELP! Local versus East African bookings
Hello, Upon the advice of you all I began booking my Kenya protion of my tripo with bush and Beyond in Nairobi, got prices for my Kenyan plan. then it was suggested that I contact Uncharted Outposts. When I did, I was told by Aimee that they were one and the same company as B & B and that I could just more easily work with them as they are here rather than resorting to emails to Nairobi. Well, I have just receive their quote for the same itinerary and it is 40% higher. does any one understand this? Am I just being subjected to the US operators mark up? would the prices given by B & B have been that off? Is my ability to now go forward with B & B jeopardized? Help!! and thankyou!
Oct 20th, 2006, 07:18 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is very good, Simbakubwa, quite brilliant. I would have laughted if under different circumstances.
13moons, send your itinerary to different operators to get quotes, good/professional advices might not be
available for the time being.
Pat
Pat
13moons, send your itinerary to different operators to get quotes, good/professional advices might not be
available for the time being.
Pat
Pat
Oct 20th, 2006, 12:28 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
13moons,
Strange. I agree with atravelynn. E-mail or call and ask directly (but politely) what the deal is with the big price jump. In terms of operators, Patty and kimburu and others have used Eastern and Southern a few times now for Kenya. And I believe Jan Goss uses Southern Cross in Mombasa. Certainly you can find a few on the KATO website as well if you need to.
Good luck. I'm quite envious that you're able to return so soon.
Strange. I agree with atravelynn. E-mail or call and ask directly (but politely) what the deal is with the big price jump. In terms of operators, Patty and kimburu and others have used Eastern and Southern a few times now for Kenya. And I believe Jan Goss uses Southern Cross in Mombasa. Certainly you can find a few on the KATO website as well if you need to.
Good luck. I'm quite envious that you're able to return so soon.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 08:59 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Again.
Well, it appears that bush and Beyone is a booking agent...Uncharted OUtpost a tour operator. It would also appear that the Uncharted misled me vis a vis their relationship to B & B. So now, I have reservations made through out Kenya by B & B. And I wonder>>>
Is it a problem to do it this way and not use a tour operator per se? I am saving literally $2000 but don't want to set myself up for trouble by going direct. What does anyone think?
Well, it appears that bush and Beyone is a booking agent...Uncharted OUtpost a tour operator. It would also appear that the Uncharted misled me vis a vis their relationship to B & B. So now, I have reservations made through out Kenya by B & B. And I wonder>>>
Is it a problem to do it this way and not use a tour operator per se? I am saving literally $2000 but don't want to set myself up for trouble by going direct. What does anyone think?
Oct 23rd, 2006, 10:07 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Bush and Beyond is a reputable ground outfitter in Kenya. As a booking agent, they book the various properties shown on their website... perfectly legit!
Unchartered Outposts is a tour operator who uses Bush and Beyond properties and B&B remains the ground outfitter. So this relationship isn't unusual, however, a difference of $2,000 between the price received direct from B&B and that from UO is quite substantial.
There are few US or UK based tour operators who are actually both tour operator and ground outfitter. A&K for one, though in some instances, even A&K uses in-country outfitters other than their own. Micato, as a tour operator is also the ground operator in Kenya, while in Tanzania they use another ground outfitter.
You should be fine with Bush & Beyond.
Unchartered Outposts is a tour operator who uses Bush and Beyond properties and B&B remains the ground outfitter. So this relationship isn't unusual, however, a difference of $2,000 between the price received direct from B&B and that from UO is quite substantial.
There are few US or UK based tour operators who are actually both tour operator and ground outfitter. A&K for one, though in some instances, even A&K uses in-country outfitters other than their own. Micato, as a tour operator is also the ground operator in Kenya, while in Tanzania they use another ground outfitter.
You should be fine with Bush & Beyond.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:00 PM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sandi-
Just curious as to what I should have seen as a difference in Tanzania if Micato uses another ground op there? The vehichles still said 'Micato', and the driver told me he worked for Micato. (we had the same driver throughout TZ - he picked us up at the Tarangire airstrip, we then drove to Ngorongoro, and then drove to the Serengeti). Daniel (the 24 x 7 concierge) was with us all throughout both countries as well.
Zanzibar was different though - the guide had on a Micato shirt and hat, but the driver didn't, and the van said something else. Our guide told us he was contracted by Micato in Zanzibar, but he does not work exclusively for them.
Your comment just made me think back, maybe things have recently chanaged, or would the operator be so 'far' in the background that we'd never pick up on that?
Just curious as to what I should have seen as a difference in Tanzania if Micato uses another ground op there? The vehichles still said 'Micato', and the driver told me he worked for Micato. (we had the same driver throughout TZ - he picked us up at the Tarangire airstrip, we then drove to Ngorongoro, and then drove to the Serengeti). Daniel (the 24 x 7 concierge) was with us all throughout both countries as well.
Zanzibar was different though - the guide had on a Micato shirt and hat, but the driver didn't, and the van said something else. Our guide told us he was contracted by Micato in Zanzibar, but he does not work exclusively for them.
Your comment just made me think back, maybe things have recently chanaged, or would the operator be so 'far' in the background that we'd never pick up on that?
Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:36 PM
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lynda - Yes, the ground operator in Tanzania maybe that far in the background. It's very possible that Micato has employees in Tanzania, but as best I know they don't actually have their own operation in Tanzania.
No big deal to slap on a Micato or A&K sign on the door of a vehicle, even for the guide/driver to be wearing a Micato uniform. And, of course, Daniel was with you 24/7, you paid for him and that's his job - a tour guide/leader. Not uncommon.
Even a company as Tauck who uses Tanzania and/or Kenya based ground operators, sends their groups (from the States) who are on a very basic "Serena Lodges w/ Kirawira Camp" itinerary, with a tour leader. Beats me why, as a guide/driver can handle the same duties; but then Tauck does charge a nice supplement for this person/service to escort their group.
No big deal to slap on a Micato or A&K sign on the door of a vehicle, even for the guide/driver to be wearing a Micato uniform. And, of course, Daniel was with you 24/7, you paid for him and that's his job - a tour guide/leader. Not uncommon.
Even a company as Tauck who uses Tanzania and/or Kenya based ground operators, sends their groups (from the States) who are on a very basic "Serena Lodges w/ Kirawira Camp" itinerary, with a tour leader. Beats me why, as a guide/driver can handle the same duties; but then Tauck does charge a nice supplement for this person/service to escort their group.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
luv2globetrot
Africa & the Middle East
5
Jan 21st, 2008 09:48 AM
