We have been communicating with All Seasons safaris and Tours for our safari to Kenya August 2008, they have proved to be dependable and reliable, we are about to pay our 50% deposit to avoid the last minute rush since August is High season and immigrations season as well, I would like to know if it is ok to send the deposit in advance, we feel it is okay, we are planing to do the wire transfer, has anyone done that before? Any tips and advice are highly welcomed, otherwise I wish you all merry Christmas and Happy new year 2008.

Posting a deposit is the norm. However, have you shopped around your itinerary to see if you can get a better price? You might want to try Southern Cross, Eastern and Southern, and African Serendipity. I found those the most competitive for our trip last year (Take a look at recent postings, someone mentioned another operator who was competitve with those on pricing.)

Also, I have not heard of All Seasons. See if anyone has reviewed here.

Kevin from California

They aren't listed as a member of KATO, Kenya Association of Tour Operators. That doesn't mean they aren't reputable; it takes a long process to get in KATO, but that might give me pause. 50% seems a bit high, compared to what I've paid Nature Expeditions as my deposit for my Kenya safari next year. Have you asked for any references...someone in the US or whatever country you're in that you could talk to?

Pascaline,

How did you choose All Seasons? I've never had a 50% deposit on any trip to Africa or elsewhere that I can recall.

For peace of mind, why don't you check some of the other agents suggested.

Lynn, I just paid Mala Mala and Mashatu 50% and the balance is due in June, arriving July. Didn't think to question it. :-?

This company is recommended in other forums and thought to communicate with them they have been so quick in replying my mails. I have also compared their prices with other tour companies and found them to be much cheaper, they also send me correspondence and communicated with someone from France and India who did safari with them and said that everything went well as they were expecting, I have no doubts with this company though they are not KATO registered, (whatever that means) Hoping our trip will be okey.
Will be sending the deposit in a week's time.

Which other tour operators have you compared their prices with? If these are in-country operators and you're finding All Seasons to be <i>much</i> cheaper (how much is much?), I'd be a little suspect. 50% seems high as an initial deposit to me too.

There you go. 50% at Mashatu and Mala Mala and those are certainly reputable places.

Have a great trip, Pascaline, whoever you decide to go with. Please report back.

From our first correspondence with the operator, they were fantastic. They created a safari that suited our desires, and were always open to making changes and alterations to the program. They never forced anything on us; they only provided all possible options, and let us make the conclusions. We made a 30% deposit, initially they were asking for 50% but we told them that was too much, they did not argue when we told them we will only send them 30%, The rest we paid on arrival.

Thank you for the wonderful arrangements All Seasons Safaris and tours made for us. As far as we were anxious nothing went off beam and everything was just great. If we had been overwhelmed by what we read about them before we came to Kenya, we were even more so after we met them. Well done to the operator and their team for taking such superior care of us. We certainly are glad about it and are appreciative.

The game drives were superb, the driver-guides well-informed and welcoming, the hotels tranquil, the lodges were stunning, clean, and the meals were magnificent.
Overall, we would highly recommend All Seasons Safaris and tours to anyone looking for any type of safari in Kenya or Tanzania.

I have not heard about them either. In Kenya it is very important to book with Tour operators who are members of KATO. However this should not discourage you.Just go ahead since you have been given a better deal.

have not heart of them and deposit should be not more than 25% of the total in order to secure your booking!
75% to be due 45 days prior to arrival!