Is this reasonable pricing for Botswana in March?
Jun 27th, 2006, 08:56 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is this reasonable pricing for Botswana in March?
Hello, everyone:
I just received our quote for six nights in Botswana, including three nights each at 2 five-paw camps, and I want to check with all of you experienced Africa travellers to see if this is right. We were quoted $750/person per night x six nights = $4500/person or $9000 total. This is green season pricing, for time at Chittabe Trails and Little Vumbura.
I knew it would be expensive--that's no surprise--but I want to be certain this is the expected price for green season. I know we don't get the 7-night stay discount with WS.
Thanks.
I just received our quote for six nights in Botswana, including three nights each at 2 five-paw camps, and I want to check with all of you experienced Africa travellers to see if this is right. We were quoted $750/person per night x six nights = $4500/person or $9000 total. This is green season pricing, for time at Chittabe Trails and Little Vumbura.
I knew it would be expensive--that's no surprise--but I want to be certain this is the expected price for green season. I know we don't get the 7-night stay discount with WS.
Thanks.
Jun 27th, 2006, 10:14 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Although I am not in travel business - it looks quite expensive to me - have a look at the rates at the following website: http://www.e-gnu.com/chitabe_trails_camp_rates.html.
I think that in your $750/person the transfers between the camps are included but still.
I am not willing to pay that price at that time of year in Botswana unless I was going to Mombo (would be even more expensive then).
Best regards,
Johan
I think that in your $750/person the transfers between the camps are included but still.
I am not willing to pay that price at that time of year in Botswana unless I was going to Mombo (would be even more expensive then).
Best regards,
Johan
Jun 27th, 2006, 01:14 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
crystalsong,
For around $325 per person per night, MAXIMUM, you will be able to get Kwando camps excluding air transfers.
Sanctuary Lodges (Chiefs Camp, Baines Camp, Stanley Camp) will be under $500 per person per night.
For around $325 per person per night, MAXIMUM, you will be able to get Kwando camps excluding air transfers.
Sanctuary Lodges (Chiefs Camp, Baines Camp, Stanley Camp) will be under $500 per person per night.
Jun 27th, 2006, 03:08 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
crystalsong: it looks a little high to me. Everyone always focuses on the per night at the lodge though where I find the flying around is a real killer. I would guess the airfare Joburg-Maun-Chitabe-LV-Maun-Joburg is probably around 1,000 pp. If you back that out you are at 7,000 for 6 nights or about $583 pppn. A little more than $100 per night over the e-gnu reported rate for 2006 at that time of year.
I would recommend asking your agent to break down the costs so you know how much is going into air so you can truly pin down the cost per night of the lodging and make sure it is in line with what is expected. If the agent can't do that I would have another agent quote the same trip.
I would recommend asking your agent to break down the costs so you know how much is going into air so you can truly pin down the cost per night of the lodging and make sure it is in line with what is expected. If the agent can't do that I would have another agent quote the same trip.
Jun 27th, 2006, 03:31 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks to all of you; it felt high to me.
Is it typical that the pp/pn price when quoting on a Botswana safari includes the transfers in that price? I've got a message into my TA to ask for the break-down and am really hoping this price does include the whole air transfer schedule.
Thanks.
Is it typical that the pp/pn price when quoting on a Botswana safari includes the transfers in that price? I've got a message into my TA to ask for the break-down and am really hoping this price does include the whole air transfer schedule.
Thanks.
Jun 27th, 2006, 06:34 PM
#8
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
crystalsong: usually the agent will include all the necessary transfers. The agent would almost certainly specify if you still had a large fee not included and at the price you are quoting it needs to include transfers.
I believe they should be able to break it down as you are requesting and then you can ensure that the lodging is coming at a fair price.
I believe they should be able to break it down as you are requesting and then you can ensure that the lodging is coming at a fair price.
Jun 28th, 2006, 06:16 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cruisinred: you can find a summary of info for the 5 Rivers promotion right here: http://www.islandsinafrica.com/5_rivers_safari.htm
It is an exceptional deal and includes all of the Kwando and Island of Africa camps. I used this deal in March 2006 and traveled with a couple of clients to Kwando Kwara, Lebala and Deception Valley Lodge for only $205 pppn, of course the transfers can still add up but it is probably more than 60% of high season rates for Kwando camps.
It is an exceptional deal and includes all of the Kwando and Island of Africa camps. I used this deal in March 2006 and traveled with a couple of clients to Kwando Kwara, Lebala and Deception Valley Lodge for only $205 pppn, of course the transfers can still add up but it is probably more than 60% of high season rates for Kwando camps.
Jun 28th, 2006, 06:50 AM
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Crystalsong,
Wilderness Safaris do not list their rates, so it's hard to get an exact cost, but there are a couple of on-line sites that list some prices so you can get an idea of the ballpark figure.
One mentioned above
e-gnu.com
and also
http://www.botswana-safaris.com/safari_lodges/rates.htm
There is still the cost of the flights to figure in.
It seems to me that most agents give you the total cost Maun to Maun and then the added cost of Air Botswana from JNB-Maun-JNB. But it's really not clear to us what your cost included as far as the airfare goes.
Anyway, maybe that willl help you get an idea. Your price looks a little high to me. It's my understanding that Kwando discounts the "green season" more than Wilderness.
Wilderness Safaris do not list their rates, so it's hard to get an exact cost, but there are a couple of on-line sites that list some prices so you can get an idea of the ballpark figure.
One mentioned above
e-gnu.com
and also
http://www.botswana-safaris.com/safari_lodges/rates.htm
There is still the cost of the flights to figure in.
It seems to me that most agents give you the total cost Maun to Maun and then the added cost of Air Botswana from JNB-Maun-JNB. But it's really not clear to us what your cost included as far as the airfare goes.
Anyway, maybe that willl help you get an idea. Your price looks a little high to me. It's my understanding that Kwando discounts the "green season" more than Wilderness.
