Patty

Wanderfilms,
If you haven't already, I'd suggest looking through the wonderful East Africa trip report index that LyndaS has compiled to see who others have used for their trips to Tanzania http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...port-index.cfm

Sandi,
Thanks for saying that so much more diplomatically than I would have

Johnson101

I'm in the early planning stages and trying to decide between Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania. Craig's post has been a tremendous help in understanding the various arrangements between agents and ground operators. Sandi's posts are always a bit confusing and long winded so I usually don't bother to read them all the way through. I thought Sandi was a travel agent? It would be appropriate if she mentioned it once in a while
Jon

LyndaS

Thankyou, Sandi!

You know, after four years of reading this board every day & absorbing SO MUCH knowledge about Africa & safaris, Sandi you have finally made it clear to me who is what in the business. I don't think I really understood the terms ground operators, etc until now. I wish we had sticky's (Katy if you are reading this....) on this sight to post definitions, indexes, standard packing lists, etc.

Definitions especially would surely clear up a lot of confusion!

Safari_Craig

Hi Jon,

Thanks for reading my posts. I am glad you found them helpful in planning your safari. That's the point!

Craig Beal

atravelynn

Maybe Wanderfilms has booked, taken off, and is wandering and filming. Looking forward to the report.

Wanderfilms

Hello!
so sorry i have not been on the site for a bit. I wish i could say it was because i was traveling, but sadly it was due to work.
I really appreciate all the information you've all given. I was a bit shocked to see that my question seemed to instigate a bit of a heated debate here!!!

In any case, I think there is a lot of information for me to really absorb. I seem to be getting more confused as I do more research! Truly overwhelming!

So if I understand correctly- it is possible to deal directly with the ground operators yes? And if that is the case, why do people use 'specialists' like AFrica Adventures, Fish Eagle, etc... is it because people feel safer with the money transactions with these companies?

I have been doing further research on difference in prices and accommodations if I went with a company like Good Earth as you mentioned or someone like Mark Thornton who I also read a lot about.

You are all very kind and a wealth of information. I'm not quite sure why the whole conversation took such a strange negative turn...I really got the impression that Safari Craig was just trying to be helpful with what he knew and I didn't get the sense that he was trying to sell me on his business. In any case, I do look to you all as the experts and I do appreciate the time you've taken to respond!

Thanks to your recommendations I have now officially researched:
Africa Adventure Company
Go2Africa
OAT
Fish Eagle
Hippo Creek
Thompson
Roy Safaris
Good Earth
Mark Thornton

I think there may be such a thing as too much research @@
And i have to tell you i feel guilty about asking so many people for their itineraries and prices! I wish they charged for proposals to ease my guilt! LOL.

thanks again everyone!

&Beyond

atravelynn

Wanderfilms,

Was the &Beyond part of your list of agents? If not, signing off as &Beyond may instigate some more heated debate. Actually we are not allowed to write &Beyond anymore. Didn't you get the email? I'm not just being sarcastic; there really was an email requesting we use AndBeyond.

Anyway, you are right about why US residents use a US agent. In my case, I went with one way back before the Internet was popular and now as a repeat I get good deals. But some of the companies you have listed such as Roy's, Good Earth, and Go2Africa would be ones I'd travel with.

I don't know Mark Thorton or Hippo Creek. But OAT does not fit in with the others. OAT has great values set itineraries for groups and they don't do independent travel. The other companies may offer some group departures, but work more on individual itineraries.

Don't feel guilty about seeking itineraries. You are a serious client and if you fall in love with Africa and return, the "rejects" this time may get your business next time. But I know what you mean.

Wanderfilms

OH no!!! I didn't mean to sign &Beyond or AndBeyond or however they are now referred to! They were at the end of my list after Mark Thornton and I didn't realize I had typed above the last line...
Yikes. If I really were with AndBeyond I don't think I'd need to get itineraries from all those other operators! They're accommodations are pretty amazing!!! LOL.

I wonder if there is a way i can edit that?
Hmmm, in any case..thank you for letting me know Atravelynn! And thank you for explaining further this whole specialists vs. ground operators! I'm finally catching on! I think I am narrowing my choices down to 2 or 3 so I will be back on to ask for more opinions--I hope that's ok!
best to you!
k

Safari_Craig

wanderfilms,

thanks for popping back on! Andbeyond was taken to court by Abercrombie & Kent...

back to your original list - IF i was a consumer i would go to fish eagle or africa adventure for a super combo of knowledge, service, consumer protection, AND rates.

craig beal

atravelynn

Wanderfilms,

I figured that was it, supposed to be part of the list. Pretty funny, though. The ampersand wars were amusing too.

You have to contact the Fodors editors for an edit and they don't do a lot of editing. It's fine.

AndBeyond does have very nice accommodations, you're right.

Whoever you contact, post the itinerary or ideas for more input.