OUCH!
 

Saw someone mention in a post about camp rates going up 15% next year, 2007. So I looked at - Mala Mala, going from $500 to $575 pppn, Robin Pope Nsefu going from $490 to $560 pppn. That's 15%, that's a big increase, that's depressing. 5% increase, that's easy. 10% increase, I can handle. But 15% :-(( Somebody tell me its' going to be ok, I need reassuring.
regards - tom

Is it camp rates going up or USD going down?

I wondered same, what is driving the increase? If US$$ drops 15% next year, that is a world wide disaster. Some camps quote in US$$, others in their currency. I don't know how it breaks out as to how many do which way.
OUCH again :-(
regards - tom

Anyone know the typical camp rate increase from year 2005 to 2006??
OOUUUCH
regards - tom

Tom, I think it's worse for Tanzania and Namibia.

Many thanks Clematis1.
Guesses as to why????
regards - tom ouch

There'd be a number of factors, and I suspect one is the international situation. 9/11 cut the operators' revenue by an enormous amount for a year or so, to the extent that they were soliciting regular clients and offering as much as 50% off in 2002. I know, because I was a beneficiary. So, in what amounts to a sellers' market, they're expecting present and near-future clients to cushion them against a similar catastrophe. If that's truly one of the factors, I don't blame them at all...

John

Well, I can't argue against their charging whatever they feel the market will support. But I have a $$$ limit so it means that it will be spread among fewer camps for fewer nights.
regards - tom

Tom, it would probably affect my plans, too...but the operators know who their biggest market is, and that it's best to reap what they can before something happens to make the biggest market wet its pants. Reality.

John

Also, in recent years there are other factors......Zimbabwe not being promoted as well as Zambia and Botsw!!! The prices in the last couple of years hv gone up and up and likely go higher.

Also, The NBC Today show being filmed on location at Mombo, in 2004 increased prices significantly.......

Hari

9/11 was a major factor in travel worldwide. In East Africa especially, where there were specific travel warnings, tourism went into the toilet. Many camps closed, and those that stayed open were offering "deals" just to get people to stay. So 2002 and 2003 prices stayed as 2001, some even lower. In 2004, still no increase, but as the numbers of visitors increased - Americans, for sure, when 2005 came along so did increases; then for 2006 and now 2007.

In Southern Africa, which we visited shortly after 9/11 having booked some months earlier, we paid $600 or $650/person/night at Singita. The price at Singita has remained pretty constant for a number of years prior ranging from $550 to $650 when we visited. Within 2-years, Singita was charging twice that at $1,200/person/nt. This, however, had alot to do with the Rand gaining strength over the USD; from USD$1/10.5 to 11ZAR in '01 to now at USD$1/6ZAR (avg).

In general, one can expect on average 10% increases in worldwide travel from one year to the next. But there are many years, for whatever reasons, increases are less, some more, and some remain unchanged.

I believe if you analyzed your personal expenses - rent, utilities, gas, food, clothing, etc. - up, up, & up. So too our vacations. Sadly, for most of us our compensation doesn't increase in kind.

So, I guess it would be best to get going when the going is good and fits your budget.

To put it in context. I paid $500 ppn at Mala Mala in 2002. So its taken five years for a price increase, I think that is pretty good. Of course the one time hike does feel mmore painful, but 5 years for a 15% is a little cheaper than 3% every year.

Sandi has it spot on!!! US $$$ not being as strong......has a lot to do with these rates. During my first visit to South Africa in 2003, everything was so much cheaper....

Hari

Tom,

Thanks Bono from U2 and the others who lobbied for debt cancellation. While this does give the African economies some relief, it does cut into our safari budgets! :(

I say the above in jest as it was a sad state of affairs when countries like Zambia were paying twice as much in interest payments to wealthy industrialized nations than they were able to spend on education, infrastructure and health costs, including HIV drugs and anti-malarials for their citizens.

What this debt cancellation has done is make some of the African currencies much stronger. So, while just a year ago the Kwacha may have been 4,250+ to $1, now it is about 3,250 to $1.

What that means is that $400 per person that the lodge was receiving last year was worth 17,000 Kwacha. Now, however, $400 is only worth 14,000 Kwacha. In order to just stay at an even level the lodge would need to generate an extra 3,000 Kwacha so the first $100 increase goes just to get back to even.

Even so, Zambia is still a very good value and offers a top notch safari. Nowhere else will you find the amount of different activities available to enhance your safari experience.

FWIW, on a tangent to costs-
I just got email from Robin Pope regarding current availability. Not to advertise Robin Pope, but a partial quote is -
"RPS have teamed up with Norman Carr Safaris to offer a 7 night stay in South Luangwa for just $2675 – NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT"
Point being that perhaps this years business is a bit off and maybe more so next year when their prices are 15% higher.
Just self fess wishful thinking.
reagrds - tom

Tom,

Is that offer for the remainder of this year or for 2007?

For this year, for example, I know that Chiawa is pretty much booked solid through the end of the year. I guess it all just depends on the safari operator. I would think that Chiawa would be the first choice of many people visiting Lower Zambezi but in South Luangwa I do see where there would be more competition for business with so many great lodges.

The Robin Pope deal is for August and September of 2006 so they are definitely trying to fill up vacancies. It does not specify what camps are available but I'm sure its first come first serve on what's not filled up.

Rocco,
For August and September 2006.
More quote -

"Last minute Safari Availability and an amazing 7 night package.
We still have some space at our camps for August and September – so if you are thinking of a quick peak season dash to the bush now is a great time to book.
However, if you are looking for a 7 night safari in August or September 2006 and can be flexible about where you stay, then we have the perfect package for you."
etc
regards - tom

WANTED:

Travel buddy to Zambia. The S/S and rate increases are putting me out of budget for Sept 2007!! Emails welcomed.

Carla

Carla: Do you snore? ;-)