Should I book with a local company or with a 'well known' travel agent?

It's hard to decide sometimes if booking a safari with a local company or booking with a recognised 'big' travel agent is the best option when going on safari.

It really comes down to your personal preference and what you feel more comfortable doing.

We personally tend to recommend booking with a local company as it supports sustainable tourism and also reduces your costs drastically, as you are cutting out the third party! However, there is no doubt that travelling to Africa does raise questions about safety and it can be a complicated process, particularly ensuring you have selected a reputable company.

To give you an example, the safari that we booked for Tanzania cost us US$3500 booking directly with a local company. If we had booked through a well known travel agent for a similar trip it would have cost us DOUBLE the amount! We literally would not have been able to afford a safari if we had booked through a big, well-known travel agent.

That said, if safety is a huge concern and you want to ensure that a safari company is working in partnership with a big tour company, then booking through a tour company may be the best option for you. Ultimately it's a decision only you can make.

Below we list the pros and cons of each option and points you should consider:

Booking with a local safari company

Pros:

• You are supporting the sustainable tourism and the local economy

• The price will be cheaper

• You will be able to tailor your tours more specifically

• You get a more personalised service

• They usually have a deeper knowledge of the areas

• It may make a safari 'affordable' for some people

Cons:

• Working out if they are legitimate and reputable. There is a risk.

• Payment methods could be a little more complicated.

• It requires more research and time!

Booking through a well-known, third party travel agent

Pros:

• It takes a lot of the hassle out of planning, especially for complex itineraries

• Payment may be easier to arrange

• There may be more 'protection' over the trip if any cancellations occur

• It's more convenient

Cons:

• You'll be paying a lot more!

• There may be more limited options available