Hi,
I am have booked with freddy...www.freddysafaris.com for 7day safari in amboseli, naivasha, nakuru and masai mara. I have been asked to transfer a deposit into his bank...just wanting to check that other people have booked this way and its safe etc? Also how did you go about paying the remaining balance? I am from the UK and he has asked for the money in US dollars. Thanks for any information.
It all depends on the currency of his bank account. It is probably Kenya shillings, so you should wire the sterling equivalent of the US dollar equivalent, based on current exchange rates from a reputable site like Barclays or Reuters.
His company seems to have a great rating online, so I wouldn't worry too much about his honesty - though I never do direct deposits myself. I only pay by credit card as it is easier to dispute cases of fraud and avoid losses.
Agree with Christopher here; just pay with your creditcard so you can always withdraw the money when something seems to be wrong.
It is actually quite normal to pay your deposits in USD in Africa.
The big advantage of the world wide web is that you will find almost anything about a company. So always look for a few reviews before confirming a booking!
Edited by: rvgerven
Veroh,
Apart from few Agencies, most Tour Companies and resorts charge in US DOLLARS. This should not worry you. Also not that a deposit will assure your agents that you are indeed traveling and it could also be used in holding rooms at the Lodges that you plan to use. By sending a deposit to a reliable company, you are making then more efficient and in a way, you are helping them to serve you better. Freddy's hae a good reputation, I have been on their tours.
SS.
I wired a cash deposit to Explorer Kenya last year two months before arriving in Kenya and paid the balance in US dollars cash at the end of the three-night trip. No problems.
That the way most tour companies do to make sure you commit your self to the safari and enable the tour operator to book your accommodations
I have to disagree with the previous post. It is ridiculous for any company to say "Please pay up the money upfront, we need it to pay for your accommodation at lodges etc etc..." That to me stinks of poor business practice. I expect a company to have enough working capital to be able manage their day-to-day operations without demanding wholesome large advance payments from their clients.
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Yes it is fair to expect a booking fee (Read: Commitment Fee) but this should not be more than a couple of hundred pounds.
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I would expect the company to have insurance in place and working relationships with the lodges that cater for "No Shows". As an example, I do not book a table at a restaurant and expect to be charged for the meal over the phone while making the booking!! And I most certainly will not pay upfront (maybe one year in advance) for any service - and never to a firm in a third world country where there is no ABTA or ATOL; and where there are so many sob stories of people paying their money and having no recourse to it when things turn sour...
NEVER PAY ANY DEPOSIT MONEY TO ANYONE TILL YOU ARRIVE IN KENYA. SOME KENYANS CAN BE SO CUNNING AND MIGHT FLEECE YOU. JUST TELL THE COMPANY THAT YOU WILL PAY ONCE YOU HAVE SET FOOT IN KENYA. THIS IS A PERSONAL ADVISE, HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE BUT IT WOULD BE PRUDENT ENOUGH TO PAY THE MONEY ONCE YOU ARE ALREADY IN KENYA.