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? ;-)

Tom,

I do believe that the package would actually for 6 nights split between RPS and NCS with the final night coming at the lodge that RPS likes to use just outside Lusaka, thus allowing for a connection with the British Airways flight. Not bad...but it still works out to $479.17 ($2875/6) per safari night with flights and an overnight near Lusaka included. Plus, if you are an American, factor in the costly summer flight to London.

That is a pretty good deal but this is just something that is available by proper planning...wait until November 2006 and this is what is possible:

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT IN LOW SEASON

Luangwa River Lodge (3) x 340 = $1020
Puku Ridge (3) x $300 = $900
Lusaka Holiday Inn (1) x $170
Air = $410

TOTAL = $2500 ($425 per safari night, w/ air and included overnight near airport)

Here is a better itinerary, however, that includes the Lower Zambezi:

Chongwe River Camp (4) x $365 = $1460
Luangwa River Lodge (3) x $340 = $1020
Puku Ridge (4) x $300 = $1200
Lusaka Holiday Inn (1) = $170
Air = $750

GRAND TOTAL = $4600 ($418.18 per safari night, with an additional national park visited and the same included overnight in Lusaka).

THIS SAME PACKAGE WOULD BE $5,200 for low season 2007 and this is still a great deal for a single traveler.

So, there are still some excellent deals out there...unfortunately, there are not very many qualified people who will search for such deals to share with travelers.

*All prices above are listed at RACK RATE.

Thanks Rocco, very interesting suggestions.
I realized RPS was not even close to a half off bargain. What I thought was interesting is that they had enough availability to promote such. And, if that is the case this year, what will it be like next year when their rate goes from below $500 to well above $500. But what do I know, double your rate and even if you lose 20% of your business you are still way ahead.
Thanks again.
regards - tom

RPS probably is losing popularity compared to some of the owner-run intimate establishments in Zambia!!!

Hari

A few more good options.

Star Of Africa's packaged tours not only offer savings off rack rates/air but in 2007 they do not charge a single supplement for low season:

http://www.starofafrica.com/tours/tours.htm

Cooncat, how would I know...I'm sleeping????!!!

But I do like to sing in the shower!

Hello Carla,

You might want to take a look at CC Africa -- the single safari goer's best friend.

http://www.ccafrica.com

If it hadn't been for their no single supplement policy, I'm not sure I could have afforded my early trips.

Cheers,
Julian

Hi Julian,

Thank you for the recommendation, I will look into that for sure. Rocco has also made some great suggestions.

I am currently reading some of your old threads from last year as it seems you attempted to get a "singles group" together, which I was thinking about doing this week and wondering if anyone has tried this before. I am just out of budget going in high season as a solo traveler, so I am brainstorming ways around this.

All suggestions welcomed.

Hi Carla,

As you know, I've almost always travelled solo, and have made a virtual career out of avoiding single supplements.

If you're considering South Africa, one option that not many people know about is Mala Mala -- they do have one single room with no supplement, and the game viewing is superb, some of the best I've ever had. At $500 per night (or even $575 at next year's rates) it's tremendous value for money.

Canechick and I did spend three nights together at Savuti this year, after taking a lot of time to get to know each other off-line to see if we would get on. We had a great time, and are looking at another trip in 2008. When travelling with someone you haven't met in person, I'd advise only booking part of the trip with them -- that way if your companion turns out to have living habits you can't live with (or she or he snores) your entire trip won't be ruined.

Best of luck!

Cheers,
Julian

Julian, that's good to know about Mala Mala. Thanks for the tip, I wonder if there are other camps that have this option. It doesn't show on MM's website so do you have to put in a request at each camp to see if available?

I appreciate your advice, now get back to your trip report and photos!!! (Please)

Roccco-

Regarding your suggestion of a low-season (november) South Luangwa safari, just how bad (muggy/rainy) would the weather be at the beginning of November?
I wouldn't mind hot, or even a bit of rain, as long as the animals were still around.

Thanks
Cruisinred

cruisinred,

If you don't mind the heat, then early November would be a great time to visit. Typically the rains don't occur until late November/December. However, keep in mind that even once the rains start that it may rain for a couple days and then not again for a couple weeks.

I am attaching some weekly reports from Robin Pope Safaris "It's Monday" column to show you reports from November's from years past:

http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/itsm...?date=20051107

(Although rains started mid-month, in the next report is the end of the month and it is again pretty dry)

http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/itsm...?date=20051128

(Not until this next trip report, January 09th, did South Luangwa get its first major storm)

http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/itsm...?date=20060109

Here are all the reports from November 2004 and December 2004:

http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/itsm...hp?date=200411

http://www.robinpopesafaris.net/itsm...hp?date=200412

Although clearly a case of apples and oranges, my last safari to Tanzania this past March featured rain nearly every day and I loved it. It would rain for a couple hours and then stop. I think only once did it have an impact on our game drives when we had to cut one short halfway through.

For the value of money you get in November, South Luangwa (and Lower Zambezi) is a terrific value. Here is what I would do to take advantage of low season pricing (not offered at all camps which is why I am picking Chongwe and Kulefu over Chiawa and Sausage Tree Camp):

Nov. 01st to 03rd - Chongwe River Camp
Nov. 04th to 06th - Kulefu
Nov. 07th to 09th - Luangwa River Lodge
Nov. 10th to 13th - Puku Ridge

13 night low season safari, likely ending just as the rains are about to start.

I think these rates are astonishing, I don't even want to think about the Zim resident rates I paid in the mid 1990s!

Rates have gone mad and I agree with Sandi et al that it's linked to the decline of the dollar. But it's also tied to the rising number of tourists who are chosing Southern and Eastern Africa as holiday destinations. The rates will conitinue to rise just as long as people are prepared to pay - simple supply and demand.

I can't believe Nsefu @ $560pp to me it just isn't worth it.

At the end of October 2000 we paid $2,500pp for TEN NIGHTS including three charter flights (Vic falls-Jeki-Mfuwe-Lilongwe)

Tongabezi 2 nights
Sausage Tree 3 nights
Tena Tena 3 nights
Nsefu for 2 nights

I don't want to think about the cost today, it would probably be three times the price.

Rocco,

Who is this "Kim" person, who writes the article? it's not well written at all.........

Hari

I bookmarked Linjudy's itinerary from June 2005,since it sounded wonderful AND affordable ($4500pp share) It included 2 nights at each camp, Mombo,Duma Tau, Kwetsani and River club. Any ideas how much this would cost for 2007?

Roccco-
Thanks for your feedback and for the links. I remember that you had a mixed experience at Kulefu some time ago. I suppose the kinks have been worked out? I am a sucker for the more traditional/old fashioned style safari tents at Kulefu and Puku Ridge. Do you know of Kulefu will be open in November in 2007? I think their website currently says the close Oct31 in '06.
Thanks again,
Cruisinred

cruisinred,

Kulefu has been totally upgraded and it has been moved about 1 kilometer away from its old location.

Originally, its old location was perfect but the Zambezi severly flooded about 5 years ago (something to do with a dam being released). This put Kulefu a good 500 feet back from the river.

Also, Star of Africa did seem to have some hiccups that they have since resolved. Now, Kulefu is a beautiful camp with very nice tented rooms that appear quite luxurious. Best of all, at $475 pppns in high season it is a relative bargain compared to other camps in the park. Chiawa, Old Mondoro and Sausage Tree Camp are great if they are within budget, but if not, Kulefu is the only camp that I would endorse within the national park.

Outside the national park boundaries I do endorse Chongwe River Camp and Kasaka River Lodge. While both camps are excellent, it is hard to overlook that guests need to enter and exit through a guarded entrance for each and every game drive.

Star Of Africa has instructed me that they are now keeping Kulefu open into November...not sure if that means Nov. 30th or Nov. 15th, but what this does is provide Kulefu at low season rates. To my knowledge, only Chongwe River Camp also reverts to low season rates at the start of November. This makes a Chongwe River Camp (3) & Kulefu (3) combination very attractive.

Chongwe scores off the charts in camp atmosphere while Kulefu (which translated means "The Far Away Place") scores big on its exclusive area deep within the national park. I don't know if any other vehicles other than Ana Tree Lodge would be encountered at Kulefu.

November offers such a tremendous bargain for a top notch Zambian safari that it is not even funny:

Chongwe River Camp $430 x 3 nights = $1290

Kulefu $345 x 4 nights = $1380

Luangwa River Lodge $380 pppns x 3 nights = $1140

Puku Ridge $345 pppns x 4 nights = $1380

AIR = $750

ZAMBIAN 14 NIGHT SAFARI including air transfers = $5940 per person RACK RATE
(under $425 per night at some truly fabulous camps). I do intentionally favour the camps that are within the national parks but I do think the other two properties add a lot to the safaris in terms of luxury and atmosphere. Luangwa River Lodge is hard to top for its luxury and Chongwe, despite being outside the national park enjoys a storybook like setting at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chongwe Rivers.