Hello All:

I posted this on the thread below, but thought maybe it should have its own post. I read Safari Craig's response to a thread below that Wilderness dropped their June rates from high to low season. I have a safari booked for husband and I for eight days with Wilderness in Botswana. 3 other members of our party have 3 days booked with Wilderness in Botswana. We have given our deposits of 2100 each to our T/A. The deposit includes some other travel to Zambia and airfare as well. Final balance is due in the next couple of days, but has not been paid yet.

I contacted T/A regarding the price drop and she said she would contact Wilderness, but was not sure that they would honor the change because we booked our trip 6 months ago. If they do not honor the price change, I am considering canceling and rebooking for South Africa or another provider like CC Africa, for example.

Am I wrong to be upset about this? I want to make sure that I am not being unreasonable, but the money for this trip has not been easy to come by especially with the ecomomy being what it is. Should Wilderness honor the price change given that final payment has not been made? If they do not, what should I do about it?

Thanks for your help.

I know CC Africa (andBeyond) did not honor the price change for trips already booked.

Mala Mala, a single operation, honored previous bookings. You are not being unreasonable, especially since there are several in your group and your safari extends beyond just Wilderness properties.

I'm betting a round of sundowners that your request will be honored.

I am going to Botswana staying at Wilderness camps the end of May beginning of June, and when i booked my trip, my TA was able to get the 3 nights in June at the May rate ($600 v $900). I booked the trip in Dec.

And no, I don't think you are wrong to be upset about it, I would be as well. In fact, now I don't think I am getting such a great deal.

amy

malamala never really lowered their rates - they just failed to raise them. for about two months they had a higher price for 2009 but they retracted it a long time ago. it was only $50 more.

lrob - wilderness camps are fantasic and june is the best time of year to go. i would stick with the plan if you can afford to!

craig

Do the Wilderness camps have vacancies at the camps you are going to? May be difficult to find out since they probably won't tell <b>you</b>. But would tell some other inquiry (hint). Can you cancel and rebook? What would be your penalty at this point? Wonder how your/this situation compares with other "bookings" in the travel industry, say, hotels, resorts, cruises, airfare?

Good luck, I'm on your side.

regards - tom

Thank you all for rooting for me. Wilderness has agreed to a decent discount and a private vehicle at one of the camps. I am happy with this and glad my agent worked to get it for me. I think all of your support helped too! Good vibes. Looking forward to my first trip to Africa. I go to bed every night thinking of elephants, hippos and the delta.

SUPER! Thanks for the update. Not much longer to wait. You get back and then almost my turn to go!!!!

regards - tom

You ended up with a great solution. Kudos and Kudus to Wilderness for coming through.