Hello,
I was looking for advice on how people have paid the deposit for their safari. My TO is requesting 50% deposit be sent to a bank account. This seems like it if fairly standard practice I just wanted to verify as it is very scary to send such a large sum of money into a bank account across the world. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hello, What's the name of your TO? It is usually to send that amount of money through bank account but sometimes there are some TO which are not reliable.. It is Scary for sure this is why you need to be sure with your TO. When are you supposed to be in Tanzania? and when do you want to send the money? you need to check that? It is always 3 month sometimes prior arrival.
It is Swahili Paradise. I am going for a one week tour at the end of January and they want the money now. I have read that this is common practice to request a bank transfer or wire transfer. There is a few reviews on the TO but not many. I was actually recommended the company based on thorn tree forum but i'm not sure how they did the deposit.
natalea54
We are also considering to go for a week safari at the end of January. Can we join you?We contacted Swahili Pradise and other agences also.
calolinabarbroatgmaildotcom
Jambo Natalea - to follow up on the name of the tour operator and yes I agree it can be scary handing over $500-700 US to someone you know nothing about. So do some research, ask for names of people who have been with them recently - to confirm what they are telling you is correct. Which bank are they asking you to send the money too? Ask your bank/financial institution to enquire about them. You can also do some online checking of their bank - you should be able to determine how big they are and how long then have been in business. I think 50% is a bit over the top - usually 30% is what I have paid. Another question how are they asking you to pay the balance of the fee? If its cash then be more than a bit careful carrying large amounts of cash. ATMs / Cash points abound across Tanzania and you can withdraw up to 250-300,000 TSh (per day) to pay the rest of the amount. Yes I know that national park fees for non-citizens are paid in US dollars - but they are actually paid by the TO via a specific debit card, if the driver tries to tell you that the card is not working and ask for "extra" funds (that he assures you will be refunded back in Arusha) tell him NO and to contact the TO directly (he will have a mobile/cell phone and will be in regular contact with them). Good luck
WOW The company I joined five people paid by visa at each park entrance seemed very legitimate and professional
We all paid small deposit at start of tour. One company I talked to wanted all cash before the start I ignored them of course.
MONEY CASH talks there are at least two hundred companies doing budget safaris they use same vehicles go the same camp sites and similar meals and see same animals.
The big difference is the fly in lodges with a sauna and $1000 a night but the lions don't know how much you paid
Three weeks ago the max per day at several Tanzania ATMs was 400000 shillings about $185.00 unless you go to Barclay and pay their rip-off fee and get 1,000,000 $460.00
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