5 Tips for finding a Travel Agent

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By : Safaripoint

Just like planning your dream safari can be confusing with the myriad of ideas available to us, choosing the right travel agent can prove to be quite a challenge, whether online or local. The below tips should assist you in choosing the right travel agent for your trip:

1. Experience  – The longer a firm has been in the industry is not necessarily an indicator of great service or knowledge of planning safaris.  A good indicator would be the number of safaris and quality of service offered in planning past safaris that the firm has done.  Quantity in terms of planning varied safaris vis-à-vis quality of the safari both count. It is also important to establish whether the agent has planned similar trips to your destination of choice and their knowledge of the area.  For the best experience, work with an agent who has had previous experience in planning a safari to your destination and has adequate knowledge about various aspects that would relate to your safari experience.
2. Recommendations -While it is important to read reviews and feedback on different travel agents, you can’t always believe what you read or hear.  Recommended agencies from friends and family are a better bet and may point you in the right direction in choosing the right agency.  Take into account though that every individual would have different ratings for different agents based on personalities.
3. Check-Out – If possible, check-out different agencies before selecting one.  It would be advisable that the travel agent you select is accredited and a member to the relevant travel bodies in their country of business.
4. Questions – It is important to ask your travel agent of choice relevant questions to ensure all elements of your safari are catered for and you get the best deals.  Your agent should be willing to address your questions and concerns to ensure all elements are covered.  Possible questions to ask include:
   1. Speciality – It is important to establish the kind of safaris, destinations, groups and products your agent specializes in to ensure you get the best deal.  For example you would not want plan a honeymoon vacation with an agent who has no experience in this area.
   2. Charges – Where possible, compare charges for different agencies to ensure you get a good deal .  It is advisable to be clear from the onset on your travel budget inclusive of the services rendered by the agency i.e. planning expertise, time and advice offered.  You also need to be clear on the agencies charges i.e. commission, flat rate or different charges for different services rendered.
   3. Contact – Establish all ways you may contact your travel agent through telephone, email and so on both locally and while abroad.  Where possible, test the contacts provided to you to ensure they work and are responded to appropriately.
   4. Accommodation for Change – Discuss with your travel agents measures that will be undertaken in the event of a change in plans e.g. flight delays/cancellations, change of travel dates, change/cancellation of reservations and so on.  It is advisable to establish if refunds or cancellation fees in such circumstances are possible and to what extent.
   5. Supplier Incentives – Establish if your travel agent has a relationship with different suppliers in the industry e.g. hotels, flight companies, car-hire companies and so on and whether there are perks associated with this relationship e.g. lower accommodation rates, complimentary tickets, upgrades and so on.  Where available, take advantage of them!!
   6. Safari Specific – Establish from your travel agent all you can about your safari e.g. which is the best time to travel (peak & off-peak)? Which are the best locations to visit? Possible ways to reduce costs? Travel documents and other requirements e.g. vaccinations? Recommended activities during the safari? Do they offer travel insurance?
   7. International Travel – If traveling abroad, establish from your travel agent the rules that will apply to you while in that country e.g. passports, visas and so on.
   8. Reliability – Let’s face it.  When it comes to receiving your cheque, many travel agents will pose as knowledgeable when advising you on your intended safari.  It is advisable to do your own research e.g. on your intended destination and use the same to test your travel agents knowledge.  Travel agents may not know everything, but honesty with the information they offer you is a good sign.
   9. Questions to You – Pay attention to the questions the travel agent will ask you.  The questions should be intended to ensure your travel needs are met rather than seeming more interested in selling you a package.
5. Contract – Finally, it is advisable to have a contract agreement signed between yoursand travel agent.  Read it carefully and ensure all aspects are clear and nothing is left out.

Kenya Safaris Do’s and Don’ts.

By: henrykahuki

Kenya Safaris Do’s and Don’ts offers a clear guideline ahead of your Safari in Kenya and Africa. Most safari seekers will arrive in Kenya without a clear guideline.   With the world full of unpredictable’s especially in Africa, it makes  a lot of sense for someone to point out what to expect especially for the independent travelers.

1. Do not exchange money in the street, it is illegal. When you take that stroll from your town hotel you will find tempting offers from street vendors offering you better rates that established institutions ignore them and walk in to foreign exchange shops remember to negotiate a shilling or two in your favor. You will be glad you tried.
2. Do keep your passport and money and valuables on you at all times. You can check valuables into security boxes at the hotels and lodges. Loss of passport of cash could easily ruin your safari holiday. When camping a small padlock comes in handy if you have to go swimming, tents always have lockable zippers.
3. Do not walk around Nairobi and other large towns/cities at night. Please take a taxi instead, find out the cost and negotiate a little bit. Always let a tour member know where you are going and when you go off to do your own thing. Please take the same care and common sense precautions that you would in any other part of the world. Club girls are a good distraction. Don’t stray too much off the group.
4. Do not get involved with the “hustlers” in Nairobi. you may hear a hard luck story, which is designed to get you to donate to some cause.
5. Do not expect all hotels and lodges to make international calls back at home. Nairobi is the best place to make these calls. Expect to pay about $10 per Minute for a long distance call. Cell phone reception is catching up well in larger towns unless a western VIP dignitary is visiting when they jam all networks, don’t expect a signal whilst in the bush. Try to set up your roaming service well in advance you might not have much time in Nairobi city before you commence your safari.
6. On a Kenya safari, be prepared for bumpy and dusty roads. These can be irritating to the contact lens wearers. Eye drops and extra pair of glasses are sensible protection.
7. Pack light. Laundry facilities are available throughout your safari. Unless on a basic camping safari where you have to do it personally at the common areas. Remember your weight limit on your return from Kenya and Africa.
8. Be on time when you meet at your mini – vans for game viewing drives. The rest of the safari group members will appreciate when not delayed by one couple three of four times a day. They might feed you to the hyenas.
9. Equatorial sun is strong. Too much can cause dehydration, nausea, dizziness and headaches. We recommend that you wear sunscreens and a hat, as well as a strong pair of dark glasses. Most of the lodges, with the exception of the tree hotel, have swimming pools, when sunbathing use common sense.
10. Do not take photographs of the locals without permission. Never take photographs of the military, policemen, communication intitutions and the president or Government officials.
11. Always keep your camera loaded and ready for action. You never know whet it is going to start.
12. Tipping is custom ally and not mandatory, Ten US dollars per person per day for a great driver guide is welcome. One dollar for an outstanding dinning staff is really nice, this should only be used as a guideline. For outstanding personal service, you may decide to give a higher tip.
13. Remember to pack flexibility and a sense of humor.

Henry Kahuki is an online Africa safaris consultant based in Kenya. The operator of Magical Africa safaris Ltd. http://www.magicalafrica.net an eco-friendly safari agency catering for family safaris, senior travels, individual safaris and camping and offers comprehensive safari arrangements in Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Lodges and hotel bookings http://www.magicalafrica.net/africa_safaris.htm and budget camping wildlife safaris in Kenya, luxury safaris, hotel reservations in Kenya, mount Kenya hiking and self drive 4×4 car hire.