We're currently holding four nights at Rattray's, in the Mala Mala concession, for next summer, using Africa Adventure Company as the TA (this is part of a much longer itinerary). I inquired today about possibly switching to one of the Singita lodges, and was told there would be a supplement (i.e., difference) of approx. $700-$800 USD per night if we did that. When I look at the websites of these properties, however, I only see maybe a $150 difference per night (that is total, not per person). Any explanation for the disparity? I guess it's possible that AAC is giving me some large discount off Rattray's that isn't available at Singita, but I'm not sure if that's it. Just curious...

(If folks want to opine on the relevant merits of Singita vs. Rattray's, that's great too, but I know there's a zillion threads already on that topic (though I've tried to read most of them).) Thanks again.

Singita qoutes in ZAR so the prices have come down as the $ has strengthened further vs the Rand. Next years rate is $1105 ppn at current rate of 9ZAR TO $1.

Rattrays quotes in $, and next year the rate is $925.

Mala Mala is not known for giving discounts, your agent may be doing so as a favor to you, who knows.

But I make the difference $180 ppn.

Last year when I went to both camps, the difference was closer to your TA quote due to exchange rate fluctuations.

Sounds like extortion to me... you need to challenge them on the gouging and then look for another operator to handle your booking.

Oh and I meant to add that nobody is going to give the exact rate of exchange as a conversion rate as they won't be able to buy rand for the same rate as the banks, expect a few points more, but still not as extreme as the 700 - 800 usd difference they have quoted you.

You might want recheck with AAC -- maybe they did a rush quote and were comparing Main Camp (not Rattray's) prices with Singita? And it doesn't hurt to say, "gee, the price difference online doesn't seem that big?"

Thanks for all the comments. Yeah, I have a general concern that the AAC pricing is very high. I kind of knew that going in, but the actual degree is kind of unnerving me. At this point, I've had the reservations held with them for almost 10 months, and have made paid about 30% of the balance as a deposit. The pricing is kind of opaque, so I'm not sure what would happen if I started trying to transfer particular pieces to less expensive agents.

While Mala Mala might not be known for giving discounts, it's possible Mark Nolting has a special arrangement. Being provided highly discountedd rates here, but not at Singita, the reason for the difference. The Big Big difference, if I must say.

I would go back to AAC for details as to why, but approach it as above... somewhat kind of like Ricky "Lucy, esplain!" Be ready for a song-'n-dance response, maybe even a personal call from Mark!

It might be tempting to go elsewhere, but remember if AAC is actually holding Provisional Reservations at Rattrays (and elsewhere), AAC will have to cancel these, there might be a penalty even 9/months out; then if there is space at Singita, can another agent get this at a workable price, as well getting any of the other properties on your itinerary. If having different agents for separate segments, you have to hope for a smooth transition.

Not a pleasant situation to be in.

Thanks Sandi. I appreciate the advice. Will follow up with AAC, but it's all a bit difficult given where we are in terms of timing, deposits already made, and so on. But I appreciate the advice...

Pay for your original itinerary.
Go another route to add on the Singita extension. It doesn't make any sense to pay so much more for it, the value at the lodge is not going to improve by the same margin if in fact at all!

Your operator does not "own" you. They are providing a service, which you have elected, so no hard feelings and don't let them coerce you with fear that your arrangments will implode should you decide to do that sector on your won.


Oh and just a thought on the huge price increase... it might well have included a flight back to JNB from Singita, which would account for the extra $300 pp. MM flights are with a scheduled carrier and would not be available to you if you were to finish your stay elsewhere in the Sabi sands... Duh, sorry I did not think of that early before crying etortion.

There wasn't a lot of difference in flight costs between MM on SAA or the Fed charter from Singita. However if it's two one way tickets then that might be part of the issue. I would think though that you could ground transfer back to MM for the SAA flight - it's certainly worth checking on.

Thanks very much for the responses. I'm currently trying to price out the entire itinerary with a different operator that some have recommended here (Rhino) to see what their costing of the itinerary comes to. Preliminarily (I should have more insight in a couple days), it seems like there may be a $15 or $20k difference (this is a fairly complex itinerary, including Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda). It also seems that Rhino can get better rates at Singita (as well as at least some of the other properties). AAC has already received a significant (30%) deposit on the itinerary and purchased mountain gorilla passes. The Namibia and Botswana reservations I'm currently holding are for high-demand properties, and I wouldn't want to lose them. I don't think that's as much of an issue at the other properties. I guess I'm trying to figure out how much of a pain it will be to try and "un-book" portions of the AAC itinerary, while keeping other parts (e.g., Namibia, Botswana, and perhaps Rwanda) and applying the already paid deposit to that part. I would then book the remaining parts (which are presently held by AAC) with Rhino. Thoughts? I'm not inherently opposed to paying AAC a premium for a U.S. operation, ability to take credit cards, and work in designing the current programme, but there is some pricepoint where it just becomes too much for me. Obviously, I'd prefer to do this with one operator, but the pricing is starting to bother me a bit. Thanks much.

Just a further update--I spoke with Rhino Africa, and they quote Singita for LESS than Rattray's at Mala Mala (by about $200). Odd.

Rate quotes - I haven't looked at how Singita quotes, is it in Rand or USD? Might explain difference between Singita and Rattrays. The Rand has been weakening against the USD. Two days ago it was 10.5 to 1. Today it is back to 9.5 ZAR to 1 USD. A year ago it was around 7 to 1.

regards - tom

Tom: Fair point on the rate quote. Rhino quotes both Rattray's and Singita in ZAR, and then converts it to USD. The $200 difference is from there. I'm not sure if the individual properties quote in different currencies (nor am I sure what that would mean given that the TA is quoting everything in ZAR and then converting it to USD). Thanks.

If I go to MalaMala web site I see quotes in USD. Maybe if you enter web site from non-USA you get rates in ZAR? Don't know about Singita. But in two months the Rand has jumped from 7.3 to over 10, big change.

I follow exchange rates here - http://tinyurl.com/3e5yx

regards - tom

Thanks very much Tom.

Most reservations to Singita are made a year to a year and 1/2 ahead of the experience. Be careful. You may lose your original bookings and still not get to stay at Singita.

Deluxe Aftrican safaris are expensive and one must trust the travel advisor to be honest. I do not believe in second guessing my TA.

in case they play harsh - switch to sabi sabi earth lodge or lion sands ivory!
better product at the same price range

div

Both fair points, thanks.