I am going on a trip in Oct. and am working with a tour company that has requested a deposit for our trip, which I am putting down. They say we can pay the balance of our cost when we arrive in Arusha. Is this normally the way things work? I just want to make sure that our bookings with the lodge stay confirmed. I'm worried if we don't pay till we arrive at the lodges they may be overbooked and will turn away those who haven't paid up full in advance.

Thanks for the advice!

Who is the tour company? Perhaps some of us have dealt with them and can respond with our experiences.

If you're working directly with a local operator, it's not unusual for you to pay a deposit in advance and balance upon arrival. That's what we did for our first safari as I felt more comfortable working this way. On subsequent trips, I've just wired the balance in advance as I didn't feel like carrying travelers checks or cash. Regardless of when you pay your balance, I'm not sure that really has much of an effect on how secure your space is. Where are you staying? It seems it's the big lodges that overbook.

I saw from another post that you're staying at Crater Lodge and Migration Camp (and maybe some others, I don't know). I don't recall ever reading about an incident of overbooking at these two particular accommodations. I think it's mostly a risk at the Serena, Wildlife, etc. lodges.

On my first trip we paid the balance on arrival in travelers checks (I was too fearful to carry all that cash). This isn't terribly unusual. Who are you booking with? If worried, I'd double-check with them.

Have a wonderful safari.

thanks so much for your responses, this is our first trip so wasn't sure how things worked and it's so helpful to get feedback from those in the know! We are working with an agency called Discover Kenya (they have a small Discover Tanzania operation). I had some hesitations as we are travelling to Tanzania and they are based in Nairobi, but they were recommended by a colleague of mine and seemed quite good price-wise. We are staying at Kirumuru, Plantation Lodge, Migration Camp, and Breezes in Zanzibar.
Thanks.