oma_show

We're getting squeezed now by our TO for extra money for an itinerary they already priced months ago. Shidolya quoted a price of about $11,000 for my wife and I to do a private 12 night safari: 2 nights at Ngorongoro Serena, 4 nights at Kungwe Beach lodge at Mahale, 3 nights at Serengeti (2 at Serena, 1 at Mbuzi Mawe), and 3 nights at Whistling Thorne in Tarangire. Now they want an additional $770 per person! We just talked by phone and they way they made some mistakes in their pricing. We're really upset at these last minute changes. We've already made a $3,000 deposit. It's late to change TO's (we leave on 10/13 and our safari starts 10/22), and I'm afraid of losing our deposit. We really wanted to use an African company, but these changes are completely bogus. Any advice?

amyb

So you go in October? It's not really too late, that's 7 months out. What is the cancellation policy on your existing arrangement? What does your existing contract with them say about price changes? Contact another operator and price out the same itinerary. You may want to be honest with them about what's happened, just in case they look at the same lodgings they will likely see your name there already. I had an excellent safari in TZ with Access2Tanzania. They are US based but have their own on-the-ground management, guides and vehicles in TZ.

I think in the end you need to weigh out whether it's better to (potentially) lose $3k knowing you won't continue to be pinched for "pricing mistakes" right up until you leave or book with someone more reputable and know the price is firm.

tripinsights

I am sorry for this, and it is a concern, first of all professional people will not do that, this is not a good sign for sure! I am very much sure you did enough research before you decided to use them, and for that case I assume that they are reputable online.

I will call this an opportunity cost, because no a straight forward ans for this. If the only thing you are concerned with is the increase in cost, and you are satisfied and comfortable that they will do a good job, then I would top up the amount.

But at the end of the day, you just want a great Safari, it cost you a lot to buy tickets, have the travelling time, and being ready to spend such a huge amount of money for this Safari. You might want to save $1500 or $3000 and ruin the overall value of your safari which is money, time as well as the experience you wanted.

I hope you will somehow get a breakthrough and do the right decision.

Marike

That is not good at all that is why all my safaris to Africa i use Africa based operators but any way since you have made the deposit the best way is you reduce the number of nights to 11 instead of 12 or alternatively you can also change on accommodation in one area so that it will fit your budget other than loosing the 3000$
Let it be a lesson we have learned from such operators yes mistakes are human but they need to explain to you well so that you will be convinced on adding that money. I hope they will not make another mistake in a safari time and start pushing on things which are not in the itinerary

I wish you the best

Marktendolee

Hullo that is a sign of un professionalism in the service, any were what you have deposited is more better agree with them and you divide the amount in the middle since its amistake and they have to understand that its not your fault let them top up 770$ and you also top up 770$ so that the mistake is balanced

rsnyder

Besides checking out the details of the contract to see about cancelation as already suggested I would also get quotes from other companies including ones in Tanzania. Oct is far enough off to allow plenty of time to arrange with another if that would work out. Their initial price may have been in line for October and with some of the lodges mentioned but seemed a bit high to me. I trust you compared such with other companies when making the initial decision.

I can not accept the degree of their mistake.

KathBC

I'd request a detailed reason for the "mistake".

I know that last year when the Tanzanian government increased or imposed (can't recall which) a Value Added Tax most tour operators covered that cost, painful as it was for some.

Perhaps this is a mistake the TO should cover.