atravelynn

Reading about late vehiclemates on other people's safaris and having some on my own safari prompted me to post this.

The people in my vehicle were 20 minutes late. I was just about to ask if the vehicle could depart and a transfer vehicle be used for the others when they got ready. Luckily they showed up both times exactly 20 minutes late.

Their second tardy was our last game drive, but if I had to go out with them again, I am not sure what I would have done. I was with the guide I had requested.

Maybe I would have made the transfer vehicle request in advance if I knew we were doing more drives together.

If I am too adamant then I end up playing the part of the demanding b|+@h.

Any suggestions other than getting a private vehicle, which is not usually an option due to cost.

Thanks!

divewop

Maybe one could ask the guide, or the manager of the camp to talk to the jeepmates privately and let them know that they are supposed to be at the vehicle at a certain time and that it's unfair to keep others waiting.

sandi

Absolutely, speak up. Let management or your guide run interference. If you can be on time, the others should also.

Always remember though that there are those who feel the world revolves around them; they're late and don't give one hoot about you or anyone else.

For these types, they have to be left after 5/minutes and simply miss the game drive. They'll either get the message or keep missing game drives... their fault, not yours.

Unless someone will be late and let's someone know or is ill and should advise they can't make it, no one else should have to suffer.

atravelynn

Sandi,

Can you just leave them after 15 minutes (I'd give them more than 5)? Can a guest demand the guide "step on it" and leave the self centered @$$#0|3$ in the dust back at camp?

Do you think the guide would comply?

If so, then there's the solution.

nyama

Not the guide - but the camp manager will.

luangwablondes

You now know the correct answer to question #1 of Fodor's Bush walking test.

GeoffG

Quote "The people in my vehicle were 20 minutes late. I was just about to ask if the vehicle could depart and a transfer vehicle be used for the others when they got ready. Luckily they showed up both times exactly 20 minutes late.

Their second tardy was our last game drive, but if I had to go out with them again, I am not sure what I would have done. I was with the guide I had requested."

This is my pet hate at camps. I don't bother being quiet anymore and let my displeasure be known. Often requesting the offending guests be moved to another vehicle.

Geoff.

sandi

Lynn -

"Can" - well, anyone can do anything. As those who are late, can be late, until they are told that doing so is unacceptable.

If you're put with other guests at a camp/lodge and some show themselves to be "late" (ooops, late, means dead in Botswana, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency... sorry, went off there) then management should speak with them.

If you're with a group of unknown others (a group tour), then it's left to the guide; management is back in Nairobi or Arusha or Johannesburg or wherever. This though may be difficult for the guide to do. So, maybe the other vehicle occupants can talk to the tardy travelers.

If talking doesn't appeal as the other group members prefer not to be the "bad guys" - then leave, to a distance where the late comers can't see the vehicle and feel dejected with pouting lower lips... return 10/min later. They should get the message.

Infantile, absolutely... and a shame adults should have to play childish games, but that's what you may have to resort to when on a group tour.

If some group members can't or don't want to be up at the crack of dawn, they don't have to. And, if they don't want to, let them say so in order that others aren't left waiting on them.

Speak up! It's your safari also.

cybor

My guess, is that by the time you do the leg work involved, the offenders will have arrived.

If it's happened once, I would, as suggested, ask the manager to do speak to the Tardette family. Asking the guide to interfer immediatly may jeopardize their tip.

If it happened again, I would get a bit more assertive and perhaps gently remind the guests that they need to be on time. Asking for a jeep reassignment could turn into a logistical nightmare.

Why is it that any of us would/should feel like a #itch when in reality it is the offenders who fit that category.

Hey, I'm cranky enough in the am - losing out on those first am sighting because of some rude SOB would surely make me speak up.