It's been interesting to read the different safari company's everyone here has used. We originally had decided to go with Micato, and then got to talking to someone who had used and highly recommended a safari consultant, here in the states. We decided to do this, as well, and this company has arranged everything for us. Doing it this way supposedly eliminates the middle man, although I don't think it has saved us much, cost wise. Anyway, this will be a private tour, with just 6 of us. Has anyone else used a private consultant, versus going with a company like A&K, or Micato?

Just curious how safaris consultants claim they eliminate the middle man....would seem to me that they actually are the middle man.

Using a consultant in the US isn't eliminating the "middleman" as most likely your consultant needs to contract with a local ground operator. Not that there's anything wrong with that approach. You'll find that some here prefer to book with local tour operators, some with agents/consultants in the US or UK, and others with tour companies such as Micato or A&K. No matter which approach you take, what's most important is to find someone who you feel is responsive to your particular needs.

I used a consultant. But, they happened to work for a Tz operator and didn't take/make any additional money from working directly with me and booking everything I wanted. They told me the good & bad of my thoughts on itineraries, etc. Time to go, places to stay, things to do, etc. And in the end, saved me about $1000.00 per person over the A&K's, Micato, Tauck, etc.

I don't see much use of using a "safari consultant" if you are not only getting expertise that you would not have otherwise but you are also saving money from booking direct.

Any quality tour operator will be able to take a Micato itinerary and duplicate it for a significantly lower price.

Rocco, doesn't it sound like there is some confusion between a "safari consultant" (which I've never heard of before) and a tour operator and a travel agent? Can someone help define the differences?

I know this has been covered before, but can someone explain the differences between a Tour Operater, Consultant, Travel Agent etc. Do some tour operaters use their own company for ground operations?

As a few of you mentioned, I did see huge differences in pricing for what seemed to be the same trips that were being offered up.
Personally, I really don't care if someone makes a few bucks for doing the leg work for me, providing I get a say in my itinerary.
Also, it appears that things are done differently in S. Africa and E. Africa - true?
Sherry

Yes, someone please explain 'cuz I'm about to run out and have some business cards made up.

3 like minds at the same time - scary

Understanding the travel trade distribution network.

When it comes to the African travel trade there is an interesting and often times complicated network of channels that facilitates a travelers eventual journey. I will describe the traditional distribution system, however understand that this is changing quite dramatically as the internet is fast becoming a huge resource for comparative pricing, knowledge and booking.

A consumer meets a retail agent, this is the ABC Travel on the street corner, where a consultant sits behind a computer and the shelving in the agency displays myriad brochures from Vietnam to Cairo. Typically each brochure is destination specific and carries the brand of a company such as: Pacific Delight Tours on China or Micato Safaris on Kenya and African Travel Inc on Southern Africa.

The contents of each brochure typically are tours and itineraries along with prices, which the agent should offer the client. As the brochures are racked and displayed the prices amongst the trade are known as rack rates. The agency earns a commission based on the rack value of the tour/Itinerary sold & this is a pre negotiated fee between the agency and the company whose brochure the agent uses.

That leads to the next step in the distribution system, the tour operator also known as wholesaler and even DMC (Destination Management Company). This entity normally specializes in destinations such as individual countries or specific continents depending on their resources etc. In the African context these would be companies such as: Micato Safaris, Abecrombie & Kent, African travel inc and so on. They create the itineraries that are sold by the retailers. They negotiate the rates with the end products such as Sabi Sabi, Serena Hotels, Rani Resots, Southern Sun etc. They also appoint an inbound tour operator to manage the safari for the client when they finally get to Africa, these appointed companies are concerns such as Somak Safaris, Springbok Atlas, Kenya Wildlife Services, Taga and so on. AND in some instances these inbounds can too provide rates to the US based wholesaler if they are able to buy the lodges, hotels trains and planes for a lower price and still earn a profit.

Now here is the crux for the industry as an entity. The internet is a global tool that allows the last property in the distribution chain to be accessed by the consumer, so little XYZ Bed and Breakfast outside Pofadder can now enter the international market with little experience and little cost. This also allows the consumer/traveler to skirt around the distribution channel and go to source, which is the lodge, hotel, plane etc.

There is another breed of operator that is cropping up as a direct result of the internet, these are the smaller boutique type businesses that typically do not carry a brochure, do not compete for the retail shelf space and are finding their way to reach consumers. They are very focused in their areas of expertise and as they aren’t up there with the big players in moving volume, generally do not have the best negotiated rates, however this is offset by their low overhead and generally high quality traveler that they service.

And finally: A consultant. Well that could really be anybody from the lady behind the retail office desk to the person in the tour operating office who knows the destination.

For certain a Travel Agent is legally able to sell airline tickets - the international ones.

Like a Tour Operator, a TA can book a land package; like a tour operator, unless they have their own operation in-country are using an in-country Tour Outfitter.

Safari Consultant or Safari Planner are basically doing the same... it's just a different name.

Whomever one decides to have coordinate their itinerary, it's a matter of finding someone who will understand your needs, answer your questions, provide advice, is responsive and comes back to you with an itinerary that you want at a price within your budget. And, of course, reputation,reliability and references are important.

It's very unlikely a Safari Consultant eliminates the middle-man/woman... they have to be paid by someone. Either the client pays directly or the land outfitter builds in the commission to be paid to this person.

Even a company such as Micato, uses land outfitters in countries other than Kenya where they have their own in-house crew - drivers, guides, etc.

IMO, anyone who gives advice about safaris is a Safari Consultant.

Even uncle Tommy and aunt Judy at church who just returned from their 10-day package safari in Kenya, booked by his friend Moe at Moe's Travel who represents an international tour operator ABC with colorful brochures full of tours on every continent!

For a brief moment after church every Sunday, Tommy & Judy act as consultants to interested patrons who have always dreamed about Africa.

Travel Agent Moe sells cruises, air tickets and tours. He has never seen a tour he did not like - the more colorful the brochure the easier it is to sell.

The brochures come from tour operators who piece together different travel experiences in popular itineraries that are easy to sell.

Each event in an itinerary is actually the responsibility of an assortment of local guides, hotels/lodges/camps, destination management companies and outfitters. These are the folks who invested in buildings, materials, vehicles, guides and support staff.

Agent Moe (a smart guy) eventually goes on one of the tours (assume Africa) and figures out that he can increase his margins if he bypasses the tour company and deals directly with the local outfitter. He asks the outfitter to put together a few itineraries and promptly launches Moe's Tours & Travel - he is now not only a safari consultant, but also a tour operator and travel agent!

In the mean time, uncle Tommy decided to do the same thing. He emails the driver/guide of his safari who happens to work for a local outfitter named KrankyHippo Tours in Nairobi, and gets a NETT rate for future safari tours operated by KrankyHippo. He adds 20-40%to the tour costs, puts an add in the paper, launches a web site and hands out brochures at his church. Limited knowledge and all, uncle Tommy is now a safari consultant AND tour operator!

Buyer beware!

I guess, I was trying to be funny.

The consultant that I was referring was the Tz outfitter that has helped me totally plan my next safari from start to finish, without airfare.

To me, a consultant is just another name for an agent. I think the terms are pretty much interchangeable except that those who call themselves consultants generally specialize in a particular region or type of travel (like safaris) rather than act as a general agent.

I use the term tour operator (or outfitter) to refer to a company that has its own in country infrastructure, does the ground handling, owns vehicles, hires guides, etc. which may or may not be how anyone else is using the term.

I think I know this Moe guy! yunk,yunk,wabubububooo.

Really, though what's a non Fodorite African-heading consumer to do?
Sherry

Ignore last post;
I'm home dilerious with a fever. Was reliving chilhood experiences that most of you intellects wouldn't understand - too much bad TV.

what do you mean, Curley, I mean Cybor???

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

So to continue this thread how does this work. Consumer Susie looks at the tours from A&amp;K Micato etc. and decides she wants to stay at ABC,DEF &amp; GHI lodges. She now books her stays directly with these properties and there is no middle person. What rate does she get on this trip? Does she save money? Can she book the lodges herself and just ask a tour operator to arrange her transportation between the camps or can each camp do that for her. I do not think I would want to arrange my transportation etc. but sure would love to spend less than $800 per night per person for the camps.

Actually...I used a African Travel Consultant out of Seattle for my trip. and I leave in..hmm..five days.

She was great. She knows the country through and through.. and knows various operators, knows guides personally, has connections in the industry. I know I saved a lot of money and got the trip of my dream. If anybody wants the name, let me know.

Here's the itinerary she got me:

2 night Arusha Mountain Village Hotel
1 night Plantation Lodge
2 nights Ngorongoro Serena
3 nights Serengeti Serena
3 nights Zanzibar
over night in Johannesburg at Airport Grand
3 nights Nxabega Tented Camp
3 nights Selinda Camp
2 nights Tongabezi Lodge
then I head home.

I got my own airline tix from here to Africa (used milage and going British Air, Business class). She took care of the rest, including visas. Some parts are from CC AFrica...others are not.

I've travelled extensively other parts of the world, but had never used a consultant before. Africa is confusing and I'm glad we had her.

Kardon,

When's your trip? You are doing both Tanzania and Botswana? Have you considered focussing on one area to make the best out of ur available time?

I personally don't think some of the camps are the greatest for game viewing...For 6 nights in Botswana,

i would either do, Selinda/Chitabe or Selinda/Kwetsani or Lebala/Kwara.

Hari