jules39

Does anyone know when 2006 prices should be expected to come out?
J

sandi

Prices in East Africa run from 11/1/05 thru 10/31/06, and I believe it's the same period for Southern Africa - but can be wrong on the latter.

Tour Operators should have new prices approx 2 months prior, but that too can be fluid. If interested in what the next year may hold - figure on average 10%+/- increases for accommodation.

In Tanzania, specifically, there are lots of "items" pending - Crater Tours, Park Fees, maybe others - all of which may impact upcoming 2006 prices.

jules39

Thanks Sandi. I should have mentioned that it was East Africa I was asking about.
J

csuss

I have been told by everyone I have contacted that there are no prices for 2006 yet (In Tanzania and Kenya for summer 2006) and no one will commit. Everything I get has a disclaimer about pricing and I have been given no indication as to when the new prices will be posted. So - planning on a budget is kind of a gamble right now.

Sandi - did you mean 11/1/05 or 04?

sandi

csuss -
Jules asked about 2006 prices. The pricing year in East Africa is the period from November thru October (11/1/05 - 10/31/06). This is 2005, right... 2004 is long gone, right!

Patty

Now I'm confused too. I don't understand the comment about 'pricing year' being from November to October. I've been able to get prices for Nov/Dec of this year and most sites I've found with posted rates have prices through Dec 2005 (but not 2006).

csuss

Patty - that is why I am confused as well.

Who knew this could be so complicated?

sandi

Some prices change as of December 15 to the following December 14.. right before the Christmas/New Years period. But generally, prices change when the Migration season (in the Mara) is over which is end October. So the ideal time to change prices is November 1. However, since November 1 - December 15 is a shoulder season and the "short" rains, you rarely find major price changes for this period... higher prices kick in for the Holidays (the Dec. 15 date; some as of Dec. 20... depending on when Christmas falls on the calendar).

Yes, you are likely to find prices at any number of accommodations currently running thru end December '05, but none are firm till booked... those famous words "prices subject to change."

Does this help any?

csuss

Not really. If the currently posted prices are supposed to last through November 2006, why does everyone keep telling me they can't give me a price for June/July 06? Is this just to hedge their bets? I understand there is also an issue surrounding park fees etc., but excluding that?

THanks Sandi.

jules39

csuss, I think Sandie is not saying that the current prices are valid until Nov 2006. But that those costings will come out in about Oct/Nov of this year. Also that you can get pricings for Dec this year because there is generally not a big difference in prices from Nov to Dec of the same year. Correct me if I am interpreting incorrectly Sandie.

Thanks everyone.
J

sandi

I'm not talking about any prices for 2006... they are not yet available. If anyone is currently obtaining prices for travel in 2006, they are based on 2005 prices... and ALL are subject to change.

Currently, you can get prices thru mid-Dec.'05 that may hold thru Christmas/New Year's '05, and are subject to change unless already paid for in full.

2006 prices, many of which include the '05 December holiday season thru the first quarter of 2006 (Jan, Feb, Mar) are not yet available, and likely won't be until later this summer/early fall '05.

csuss

got it (don;t know how to get those little pictures like a light bulb to appear but use your imagination). Thanks.