midwestgypsy

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry to have come across negatively. I was sloppy and too quick in my writing - to everyone's point, it's important to contextualize when walking a thin line. I did not intend to create controversy but apparently i did not help to further the quality of the thread.

I am happy to hear Roy's is not as bad as my observations indicated. Perhaps it is my personal bias for large companies So when i see a handful of Roy's jeeps caravaning in a long line throughout the crater, i inappropriately used that "observation" to "support" my perspective. I'm definately a small company loyalist...

I also apologize for unitnentionally perpetuating this african/indian faction one poster mentioned. It was not my intention. My best friend is indian, i've attended two weddings IN india and i've spent over a month in india during those times. My statements are not a reflection of an "indian" prejudice but rather my specific experience with indian owned tourism companies during my one week stay in tanzania. And perhaps a frustration in being able to identify elements of the culture (for example, the caste system) which make me feel frustrated at times too easily while on tour. This isn't meant as a debate, just clarification of where my prior post is coming from. I was not aware of the indian/african tension until near the end of the trip. ie my perspective was not shaped BY my guide, but clarified.

Additionally, what i like about go who focus on american specific clients (again, from a small company perspective with limited resources), is that different cultures hold very different in their expectations and what they demmand in service. Basic marketing tells us focusing on one client delivers better service. Not really a controversial theory in the business world. If there is a controversy, it deals with whether a client's experience is improved with a company who focuses on a particular nationality. I have my thoughts, but that's all they are. I will say in europe, i actively work to avoid anything american.

As to what i tipped the guide, while i don't have an issue providing that information, i don't quite see the relevance to this post.

To the "additional" expense of a naipenda safari, i can't speak to that as our cost comparison came in even with other go mentioned on this site. I was pleasantly suprised to have discovered our last night in Zanzibar that Naipenda treated us to dinner at emerson & green - not on the travel plan when we had left. Additionally, not on the itinerary, was that we were setup with a private camping experience while in the serengetti. The other clients had been placed at another nearby campsite.

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midwestgypsy

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The other element of a higher cost could be the client base. While there, we discovered Naipenda clients include prominenant dignitaries and even last year guided national geographic during their filming of the wildebeest migration. In fact, all of our camp staff's children were being sent to international private school (~$1500/yr) - and these educations were being paid by prior satisfied clients who wanted to help in some way. And for the skeptics, No, this information wasn't offered up; I had to work extremely hard to uncover these little stories.

In any case i have no wish to get into some sort of finger pointing defensive dialogue, it takes time I don’t have. My only intention, was to give back a bit by sharing some perspectives which I hoped might help others craft a better itinerary for themselves. It’s evident I didn’t do so hot with that task, so I’ll keep to my primary objective of pulling a trip report together.

Thx,
Melissa

santharamhari

Melissa,

All i can say is, i look forward to the trip report..........

Hari

santharamhari

Melissa,

I could also pick a million questions from your two above posts, but, i wont bother to do so...its tedious for both you and me.......

Have a nice day.

Cheers,
hari

Bill_H

I wonder how many safari outfitters would call this a "chui" (leopard)?

http://www.naipendasafaris.com/Pages...m=869319789098

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence ... (it's actually a cheetah, not a leopard).

Bill

julimbo

Hello salce,

With reference to peoples opinions on things - TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT! Obviously there are some members on this forum that I would consider to be 'experts' if you will and I have even booked my trip to East Africa through one of them. However, it's one thing for someone to give advice and reviews on other operators when they have only been once or twice and with the competition. Not to say that they are right or wrong, just wait for more opinions or reviews. Prime example, going on TripAdvisor.com to read reviews. A hotel could have ten great reviews and one really bad one and you have to ask yourself, was this person expecting way too much or did they have the only honest review. Again, wait for more info. Email more operators and see what they offer. Email the competition with these initial quotes and see what they send back in response. I would also quickly browse travel books like Lonely Planet, Bradt Guide, Fodors, etc. and see if any are mentioned in a positive or negative light. Use Google as well with the operator name and ‘review’ in your search. Ask for references from the operators. Do whatever makes you feel confident about the operator. You’re going to be in a whole other world and the last thing I want when I go is have doubt.

As for the whole Indian versus African owned operators question – it’s the same as being in the U.S. and saying a company is owned by Jews. Is there any relevance? NO! Can it be considered racist? YES! I understand you weren’t TRYING to start something Melissa but the reality is that you did. I’m from Uganda and I can tell you that there is a long history of East Indians in East Africa. They are part of the culture and any negativity towards them as business owners has more to do with feelings of frustrations at not being their own bosses. After all, a majority of operators are white and that didn’t seem to come up. You would think that would be more of an issue due to colonialism. But what do I know? If a guide told you that while you were there for one week then it must be true. Again, take everything with a grain of salt.

Juliet

p.s. I’ll get off my soap box now.

cary999

Melissa
If you can capitalize African, then please also capitalize American.
regards - tom

Patty

<i>My statements are not a reflection of an &quot;indian&quot; prejudice but rather my specific experience with indian owned tourism companies during my one week stay in tanzania.</i>

You got enough first hand experiences in one week to come to these conclusions? How did you have any time leftover for game viewing?

stakerk

Dear Fodorite Friends:

I hope we might put all this behind us about Melissa's comments. I for one appreciate her gracious, for lack of a better word, apology. I hope she will post her entire trip report for our enjoyment and others in the future.

Let's get back to the original question of the thread if we may if anyone has any additional comments.

Kevin

npederse

I just went on a climb and safari with Good Earth this fall. I was generally pleased with their service. The vehicles aren't the newest ones out there, but seem to be kept up well - good condition, very clean. Our guide was actually helping out to repair some other company's landcruiser. I believe Good Earth has good guides who treated us and our interests well. I believe Good Earth only has 10 vehicles or so, making them one of the smaller companies to book with.

My only issue with them was on our climbing portion and an itinerary change. I'd just recommend you confirm your itinerary (and bring a copy, in writing) a month or so prior to departing.

Even with our issue, I wouldn't have an issue endorsing Good Earth. Hope that helps.

dssxxxx

With regard to Lonely Planet recommendations.

We have traveled many, many places around the world and we used to always read LP prior to leaving. One observation - they tend to lean toward budget travel, budget accomodations and budget outfitters.

JMHO.