cooncat2

I'm spending my OWN inheritance! ;-)

bwanamitch

"Next time it's less expensive because I know how it works." ;-)

jasher

Mitch,

I think you have a good point, in that credit cards can tempt some people to just go for the most expensive option without stopping to think if it's actually the best option.

On the plus side, they allow people who aren't super-rich to experience some of the finest things this world has to offer.

They just need to be used wisely!

Cheers,
Julian

Dlemma

I am just now leaving on my first safari trip. I was expecting to spend plenty on the trip itself (and I did!). What has been a bit of a surprise is that I've "had to" spend so much on gear. Neutral colored clothes, luggage, camera gear, meds, more tunes for the iPod.... I'm usually not much of a shopper, but now my husband is starting to cringe every time I come home with another shopping bag.

I guess this will be a good argument for going on safari #2 - "But, we already have all the gear. It will be cheaper this time"

Sarvowinner

Don't get me started - to top of the unbelievable amt we are spending on our RTW & safari, we have bitten the bullet and upgraded to World Traveller Plus on our flight from Toronto to London. They are hitting us for AUD 600 each vs the USD 300 which is offered to Cathay Pacific passengers (we are Qantas). They are now charging us AUD 55.00 to reissue tickets (fair enough I guess) but they are now adding AUD 89.0 in fuel surcharges - we are travelling on the same flight as before. Go figure.

But in the end of it - the additional charges are actually a drop in ocean compared to the whole trip.

Concentrate on the small things and avoid thinking about the big picture - that's my motto. Gulp!!!

jules39

Oh Dlemma you are right we are planning a trip for next year and since we bought some camera equip before going this year we are saying well we won't have that expence this year so.........
J

Sarvowinner

My boss went to South Africa last year on a private safari. He told me - "In 12 months time, you won't remember what you spent but you will remember what a fantastic time you had."
However he has just sold the business for several million so we are coming from different perspectives.

sandi

Dr_Andrea -

With $1700+/day I'm sure you can find plenty of comparable accommodations. Where do you want to go?

Egypt, East Africa, Southern Africa? Other?

Tell and we'll be glad to distribute your budget.

Leely

Don't forget this one: "It just doesn't make sense to spend less on the safari than on airfare."

Sarvowinner

Thanks Leely - you made me feel so much better

Patty

I'm toying with the idea of adding another night to our safari (as opposed to spending it in Nairobi). It's so tempting to just say what's another few hundred more when I'm already spending thousands.

And I thought we had all the necessary gear from last time but realized that there's a whole new list of things to buy. I'm worried that the jacket I brought last time isn't 'bushy' colored enough and I won't be allowed to wear it on the walking or horseback safaris. We need to buy new luggage since we have an internal flight this time. All of our bigger pieces weigh at least 16 lbs empty and our duffles are too small. We were advised to bring chaps for the riding safari and in lieu of heavier leather ones, I'm considering getting some lightweight nylon ones (which ironically I found in a hunting catalog) but have no idea how well they'll work. The list just goes on!

To brush up on our riding, I'm scheduling some lessons before our trip. That will set us back another $500. Thank God we don't have kids and can spend it all on ourselves

sundowner

You could say that these trips nickel and dime you to death but they really $100 and $200 you to death. My malarone prescription is ready to be picked up but my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Ring up another $135. ching ching

jasher

According to an article in Newsweek, it costs about $1.5 million to raise a child from birth to age 18 (not counting another $100,000 or so for university). That was back in 1999. With inflation as it is...I am not particularly good at maths, but with inflation at around 2% per year that's, well, a lot of days on safari. So the child-free amongst us have yet one more justification...

Cheers,
Julian

cooncat

I would need to deduct the cost of raising a couple of cats. Can you do the numbers on that Julian? I'm starting to feel better already!

jasher

Hi Sharon,

Whatever your cats have cost to raise, it's a LOT less than $1.5 million!

Cheers,
Ju

matnikstym

and what about a spoiled dog who has every dog toy known to man? (one consolation is that she knows them all by name!)

jasher

Think about how many dog toys you could buy for the price of one pair of this year's 'must-have' Nike trainers!

Cheers,
Julian

Leely

My dog's vet bills are currently higher than what I shelled out for myself this summer.

She's old. She's sick. She's worth it. Although I consider myself a woman of modest means, I am aware that I'm very, VERY fortunate not to have to "choose" between vet bills and holdidays.

(stepping off my high horse now. And yeah, I'll be passing on the latest rainers.)t

matnikstym

Since I live in Hawaii and mostly wear flip-flops year round, shoes are not a big part of my budget, though I did get a good pair of shoes for the Africa trip...can't believe how much shoes cost these days! Hope I can find a dog toy in Africa since she has gotten one from every trip I have taken!

mkhonzo

some tips on saving $$'s here and there.
1) Malaria prophylactics are available over the counter in So Africa. Since they are more than neccessary in Africa, prices are a lot less expensive.
2) While on the subject of drugs: Sleeping pills are a lot less expensive than the upgrade to business class seats, booze on the planes is free---Dose up on both and sleep through the pain of the flight.
3) Major city 5 star hotels are expensive: Seek established B&B's, they have great hospitality and serve home cooked wholesome meals. This is particularly true in Cape Town.
4) Look out for companies like Hertz, Europe Car and Avis, all have economic chauffuer drive transfers, which are quoted per car, not per person. You can cut airport transfer costs in half.
5) Bottle stores sell a variety of wines, beers and spirits, if you are in the city all malls have them, corkage is not widely practised, take your own wine. Restaurant wine prices are marked up 300%.
6) Buy your film in bulk and have it spooled before you go, If you aren't didgital.
7) Buy a So African travel magazine and look for the domestic "specials" although you might not be afforded the same, you can still motivate a discount based on their published rate. Generally speaking if you book direct the property is going to be hard pressed to turn you away.
8) Agents and operators get a commission, fair enough they promote the proprty and desrve reimbursement and to profit from the relationship, however if you go direct you can still make the point that you are saving them a commission and request at least a 10% discount.
9) Americans tend to believe that best is the most expensive, well yes it is, but in the case of the plethora of five star properties & lodges there is insignificant margins to account for differentials that range from $50 to $500. Save the $450 and stay at a comparable hotel/lodge or property.
10) Travel out of season, tourist season that is, the weather is seldom consistently bad and if you are from the northern hemisphere then it's never bad.

Add all of this up.
$500 x 3 nights pvt game lodge: $1500.
$50 x 4 nights city hotels: $200.
$130. Malaria pills, vs $25: $105.
$500 x 2 business class upgrade. $1000.
$150 x 3 Airport transfers. Cut in half. $225.
That alone knocks off $3030. Not bad considering the experience hasn't changed, but miight just have improved?