I'm interested in learning what travel agents bring to the table.
I can see using a "safari planner" but I am not sure what you'd use a travel agent for. Perhaps to get from a professional the sort of info sort we ask about on this forum?
Jess

We use an agent to ensure all transfers go as smoothly as possible - to get insider knowledge, good rates and someone 'AT HOME" who knows our plans inside out and can help on the ground in an emergency.

not all TA's are created equal though - I think we are very lucky to have the agent we do, check them out thoroughly before commiting. it is your trip and they should be honouring your wishes not trying to sell you their packages and preffered lodges etc. Although sometimes a sugestion to "improve" is welcome, eh?

Good luck
jude

OK - I get it; guess I've just never taken that kind of trip. To Africa, it's my first trip, and I'm going with Micato,so no need for additional help (except fodorites, bless you all). Usually I travel to cities (Europe and Japan), and therefore have been able to do everything myself.
Jess

As Jude says, check 'em carefully. Unfortunately, some TA's bring little 'to the table', indeed they can take rather than bring...and that's the risk with those (even those who are honest and mean well) who cannot satisfy you that they can provide back-up should something go awry. But a good one is invaluable to iron out all the wrinkles in a package and leave you to concentrate on enjoying yourself.

Like Jude, I'm in Australia, and while I don't have the same TA as her, I've used mine for 10 years for the same reasons. Mine was a specialist Africa TA for 20 years, after spending the first half of the 1980s travelling extensively in Africa. Their staff travel regularly to Africa (and now to other parts of the world, as the firm has branched out).

I originally chose my TA because it was a specialist with a good reputation and gave me the confidence that it would be able to provide good back-up. It has always given me what I wanted, and nothing has ever gone wrong. Because the 'old firm' no longer specialises, I'm about to try a new agent...one who I know and trust similarly and, incidentally, has much the same destination likes and dislikes as I do.

John

Hi Jess! I've done a lot of independent traveling in Europe and Asia, but we're planning on having an agent for this trip. From what I've read, the "agents" used by most people on Fodors are more like "safari planners" than traditional travel agents. I'm not sure a traditional travel agent would be much help with the sort of trip my sister and I are planning...it's definitely not the sort of thing you can just pick out of a brochure! I also found that a number of the camps we want to stay at can't be booked directly, so that's a factor as well.

Moira

I definitely see your point. I am coming to the conclusion that, for Africa at least, a good agent is a big plus, and perhaps indispensible, unless you are going to be in cities or have booked a tour.
Jess

agree. i never used an agent before going to Africa. too many little things: charter flights, road transfers, airport pickups etc. that an agent can arrange. you could do it yourself but as Thembi says, it's good to have someone at home in case something comes up...three trips to Africa so far and thankfully nothing has come up.

I generally do all the travel planning for our family and we tend to do things independently. We've done New Zealand, China, South AFrica, and multiple spots in Europe on our own.

We've only used TA when I felt the logisitics warranted it - Kenya/Tanzania safari and a complicated trip for DH and son to Zimbabwe. We will also be using a TA for an upcoming trip to St.Petersburg, Russia.

what's the difference between a travel planner and a TA?

The ability to book Wilderness properties. That company doesn't deal direct.

Because when you're planning a trip for three others and yourself, it's nice to know there's someone to call in case you have a last minute question three hours before your flight out. As prepped as I was, I stressed myself out at the last minute over something so small but I just needed to hear that I was right and all was well in the world. LOL!

Plus other things obviously but that was the ultimate for me.

Juliet

I too don't get the TA thing. We usually do things ourselves although we of course have a safari planner. We are on our own in Nairobi for 2 days and plan to taxi to places. Our safari planner said she could offer us a day trip to the giraffe place for $70 per person. I looked on their website and it has a $7.50 admission fee-----why would we want to be gouged like that when we can taxi there----does anyone have insight on this?

I was in Kenya in January and I got sick. The camp manager (Joy's Camp) called my TA. The TA called and made a dr appt, arranged for the extra flights and arranged for a driver to pick me up at the airport. I was driven to the doctor, had the blood test/physical done, got the prescription filled and then was driven back to the airport in time for a flight to my next camp - all in one day. Also, my luggage was overweight and the driver spoke the the airline officials and got them to waive the overweight fee.

Of course, I could have done all of that myself but it would have been much harder. First of all I was sick and didn't feel like doing anything. The TA knew the Dr so she was able to get an appt for me even though he was fully booked. The Dr was the tropical disease specialist in Nairobi so I wasn't too worried about having blood drawn.

Yes, I will use TA's to book trips to Africa.

When you are paying several hundred dollars per night for a camp is good to get from one to the next with minimal hassle/delay.
Example, when this last May I went from my first safari camp, Madikwe Hills to my next camp Kings Camp, it required I have four (4) different plane flights. Could you have arranged this - so that I did not miss a game drive that day? If so, then you probably don't need a TA.
regards - tom
ps - putting the finishing touches on my trip report now. It will be worth the wait (promises, promises)

Abbyo,
$70pp is a lot for an excursion to the Giraffe Centre and IIRC there are 5 of you? What I usually do is just ask my tour operator to provide a vehicle for the day. The last time I paid $110 (per vehicle, not per person). Hiring a taxi for the day will cost less than that, but I don't know if you can fit 5 in a regular taxi. You can check with the hotel when you get there and see if they can arrange a larger vehicle (still would be a lot cheaper than $70 x 5).

Another idea, Abbyo, contact Kennedy and see how much he charges. A lot posters here have used him for day trips around Nairobi.

I've used a travel agent when the logistics were beyond me. For example, I had trouble booking a Kenya Airways ticket from here in the U.S., and I needed a TA to take care of it for me. Furthermore, a good TA provides support when things go bad. My aunt was joining us in Tanzania, and her flight out of Cleveland was cancelled. She called up the TA, and the TA took care of booking alternative flights and getting the Kenya Airways flight rescheduled for her.

Not Africa-related, but I booked a cruise to the Galapagos with a TA. After I had booked, the operator offered a special, last-minute discount on the price on the cruise a month or two later, and the TA was able to secure the lower price for me.

$70/person for Giraffe Center only is way too much. Usually the fee (should be less than $70/person) covers Blixen, Giraffe Center and Utamuduni/Kazuri or other shopping; includes entry fees at all requiring these.

A day-rate for a vehicle would be a better option; you then pay your own entry fees/contributions.

Thank you Patty/Sandi/everyone.

I would love to know how you go about hiring a vehicle for the day and also how to contact "Kennedy".

Also, does anyone know anything about hiring a driver or guide in Cairo?

Kennedy can be contacted at Waymark Safaris - he has a web site.