Serengeti & NCA changes 2007!
Aug 4th, 2006 | 05:12 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,354
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Serengeti & NCA changes 2007!
In an earlier post I said that Tanzania is becoming a sophisticated safari destination; I was not kidding - things are looking better and upcoming changes are promising.
In the Serengeti for example, many camp sites are being renamed and there are new classifications for accommodations - lodge, permanent tented camp, premium site, special camp site, public camp site. Most of the names of camp sites out on the internet today are now wrong - including my own so I am updating my maps! New sites are being built, for example:
Lions of Lobo is a brand new seasonal tented camp near Lobo: see here http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/s...easoncamps.htm
There will soon be 3 zones, High Use, Low Use and Wilderness! Walking safaris are on the cards. Offroad driving areas are being redefined, and much more!
The NCA Entry fees may increase to $50 by mid 2007. Car fees are also on the increase.
And so on... Personnally, I spend all my days just trying to keep up with new safari developments in East Africa and it is nearly impossible!
In the Serengeti for example, many camp sites are being renamed and there are new classifications for accommodations - lodge, permanent tented camp, premium site, special camp site, public camp site. Most of the names of camp sites out on the internet today are now wrong - including my own so I am updating my maps! New sites are being built, for example:
Lions of Lobo is a brand new seasonal tented camp near Lobo: see here http://www.go-safari.com/Serengeti/s...easoncamps.htm
There will soon be 3 zones, High Use, Low Use and Wilderness! Walking safaris are on the cards. Offroad driving areas are being redefined, and much more!
The NCA Entry fees may increase to $50 by mid 2007. Car fees are also on the increase.
And so on... Personnally, I spend all my days just trying to keep up with new safari developments in East Africa and it is nearly impossible!
Aug 10th, 2006 | 07:39 AM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Patty,
1. Permanent accommodations-
a) hotels,
b) wildlfe lodges,
c) permantent tented camps.
2. Non-permanent tented Camps -
a) public camp sites (with public toilets, cold water, etc),
b) special camp sites (may be booked for up to 4 weeks, no toilets, water),
c) wilderness camps (in special wilderness zones when used for walking safaris for a night or two)
3. Semi-permanent Special Camps -
same as special camp sites above, but are seasonal - can be booked for 4 weeks to 4 months.
It is GREAT that the authorities are planning to limit the permanent accommodations and allowing more non and semi-permanent tented camps!
Already, we are seeing positive results as more and better low-impact camps are becoming available:
- Lions of Lobo
- Firelight Expeditions Mobile - a wonderful new luxury tented camp
- others which I cannot yet reveal!
Even Katavi has a new camp - Palahala Luxury Camp.
Keeping track of the growing number of mobile and seasonal camps is no easy task!
ON SOAPBOX:
Does anyone know how agents and tour operators can still claim to specialize in both Southern and Eastern Africa?
There is too much going on - even per region WITHIN each country!
Are we beyond the Africa Safari agent, the Eastern & Southern Africa Safari agent, the Eastern (or Southern) Africa Safari agent, and entering an era of the Country Specialist agent?
How can an agent visit ALL the areas and ALL the parks/regions and ALL the lodges/camps every year AND still operate an efficient, customer-oriented agency - talking to clients, giving advice, answering emails?
OFF SOAPBOX
1. Permanent accommodations-
a) hotels,
b) wildlfe lodges,
c) permantent tented camps.
2. Non-permanent tented Camps -
a) public camp sites (with public toilets, cold water, etc),
b) special camp sites (may be booked for up to 4 weeks, no toilets, water),
c) wilderness camps (in special wilderness zones when used for walking safaris for a night or two)
3. Semi-permanent Special Camps -
same as special camp sites above, but are seasonal - can be booked for 4 weeks to 4 months.
It is GREAT that the authorities are planning to limit the permanent accommodations and allowing more non and semi-permanent tented camps!
Already, we are seeing positive results as more and better low-impact camps are becoming available:
- Lions of Lobo
- Firelight Expeditions Mobile - a wonderful new luxury tented camp
- others which I cannot yet reveal!
Even Katavi has a new camp - Palahala Luxury Camp.
Keeping track of the growing number of mobile and seasonal camps is no easy task!
ON SOAPBOX:
Does anyone know how agents and tour operators can still claim to specialize in both Southern and Eastern Africa?
There is too much going on - even per region WITHIN each country!
Are we beyond the Africa Safari agent, the Eastern & Southern Africa Safari agent, the Eastern (or Southern) Africa Safari agent, and entering an era of the Country Specialist agent?
How can an agent visit ALL the areas and ALL the parks/regions and ALL the lodges/camps every year AND still operate an efficient, customer-oriented agency - talking to clients, giving advice, answering emails?
OFF SOAPBOX
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Aug 10th, 2006 | 11:12 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Eben -
I had a long conversation about this with my agent - who only does Tanzania. It is sort of a qualality vs. quantity type thing.
I agree with you - because of this they had an incredible depth of knowledge about Tanzania. I was very sad that I will not be able to use them again on our next trip which will probably be another part of Africa.
I had a long conversation about this with my agent - who only does Tanzania. It is sort of a qualality vs. quantity type thing.
I agree with you - because of this they had an incredible depth of knowledge about Tanzania. I was very sad that I will not be able to use them again on our next trip which will probably be another part of Africa.
Aug 10th, 2006 | 01:36 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Eben -
Soapboxes are Good!
The small guys (and gals) can't. At least to the extent they wish they could. Too much to do to provide the custom support they wish for their clients.
Or as Leely say, hire more staff. But they too have to be trained and have the opportunity to learn a specific country or area and all that's happening, changing; have to visit to know what they're talking about. They too need "educational trips."
I'm sure there are many small, medium and large all-inclusive Africa Safari operations that don't know all the properties out there, especially in each country.
It's obvious when you look at the likes of the A&Ks, Micatos, Taucks using the same properties for their scheduled trips; the marked increase in price for their custom itineraries.
Specialization is best and an excellent relationship with ones in-country outfitters and other contacts, in order to know "what's going on."
Soapboxes are Good!
The small guys (and gals) can't. At least to the extent they wish they could. Too much to do to provide the custom support they wish for their clients.
Or as Leely say, hire more staff. But they too have to be trained and have the opportunity to learn a specific country or area and all that's happening, changing; have to visit to know what they're talking about. They too need "educational trips."
I'm sure there are many small, medium and large all-inclusive Africa Safari operations that don't know all the properties out there, especially in each country.
It's obvious when you look at the likes of the A&Ks, Micatos, Taucks using the same properties for their scheduled trips; the marked increase in price for their custom itineraries.
Specialization is best and an excellent relationship with ones in-country outfitters and other contacts, in order to know "what's going on."
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