quote:

Dear TAHOA Members

This is to notify you that the undersigned, with XXXX,XXXX,XXXX, XXXX and XXXX had a meeting with Hon. Professor Maghembe - minister of Natural Resources and Tourism.

The subject was to request The Hon. Minister to rescinded GN (Gov Notice) which raised Block and Trophy fees.

The Minister agreed on the following.

1. That the timing of the GN (Gov Notice) was unfortunate.

2. That TAHOA and his Ministry need to work together to come up with a workable counter proposal.

3. TAHOA insisted that no fees can be changed for the 2007 hunting season.

4. The Minister wants TAHOA to submit a counter proposal in two or three days. He needs our input to prepare his budget speech.

5. The Minister indicated that there is a possibility of changing the GN after considering our proposals.

6. The minister agreed that he does not want the hunting Industry to be closed or adversely affected.

7. The Minister also suggested that TAHOA should engage with non TAHOA members so that all Hunting companies can speek with one voice.

I am now bringing this news to you with a request that if any member has any suggestion on how TAHOA can propose to the Minister on how the Hunting Industry can increase Government Revenue for the year 2008 and beyond should forward his proposals to The secretary General or any of the TAHOA Executive Committee Members as soon as possible within a day or two.

Best Regards.

A.L.Mohamed TAHOA Secretary General

Several outfitters have already prepared and submitted detailed suggestions for this.

If any one wishes to let TAHOA now by email how the proposed increases would affect their currently booked hunt for 2007 (NOT 2008 SAFARIS PLS!), please email Mr. Mohamed on alm@cats-net.com

I thought this was behind us now after reading other posts and more specifically the hunting report. I am leaving in 3 weeks. Is this still a high concern or is it settled. I will be glad to write anyone but need to know current situation.

Thanks,

Larry

I have a rule in my office about second hand information and/or verbal assurances;

If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist.

Africa, of course, is a different animal and contracts and assurances are at the mercy of gov't "officials". I'll believe that I was able to conduct my safari for the 2007 year when my trophies arrive at my house.

BTW, this thing looks like a great (and deviously calculated) way on the part of the gov't to get the 2008 prices up (with the agreement of the PH's, just so they don't eat 2007's proposed changes without client participation.).... Notice how the above letter is already asking for suggestions from the industry:

"That TAHOA and his Ministry need to work together to come up with a workable counter proposal."

In otherwords, the director made the rule retro-active so those in the industry would kow to about anything to not take huge losses for this year.... and for next year..... I hope your wallet is a lot thicker than mine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going in September with a smile on my face. If getting screwed in Africa will ruin your life, go somewhere else, because sooner or later something bad will happen. But, damn if the risks don't pale before the rewards.

Larry,
It is only certain once the Minister or Game Dpt issues a letter/statement to the contrary. As stated above, the minister will be presenting his yearly Budget speech to Parliament on the 25th July and what he says then will determine the outcome unless outfitters receive official communication prior to that day.

Remember that the 21 day notice period expires on 2nd Aug so until then, outfitters have been told old trophy fees apply!

I suspect we shall know something concrete by mid next week. Outlook is positive for this season.

Even so, I have talked to operators in other countries who will most likely be booking replacement hunts for these Tanz. clients. Everyone has their limit and apparently some have reached theirs.

emailed letter and copied all concerned. Sure hope this blows over! With less than 60 days before leaving, you aren't left with many options

Rumors are that we will be receiving a GN from the Minister that will retract his earlier GN with the rate increases.

This will mean that 2007 remains unchanged as far as trophy fees and block fees are concerned.

2008 will have increases but this will be moderate. My opinion? Probably 15 - 20% general increase in trophy fees with lion and leopard and elephant slightly more.

If true Mich...good news indeed!

Thanks for keeping everybody on AR updated.

20% plus is only good news in comparison to 300% increases. keep in mind that is only the increase in trophy fees. if( probably when) block fees go up, watch daily rates take off.

the sky is falling...the sky is falling

quote:

Originally posted by ALP#4:
the sky is falling...the sky is falling

it damn sure is if you have got $5000-15000 deposit on the line and you don't know if your safari cost are going to double or triple!

You seem to look at the glass "half empty" when everyone sees it as "half full"

jdollar $5-15K is a deposit...deposits may be canceled. If you are one of the few whom has a safari under way inside of 30 days I trust it is with a company you have faith in. Any reputable company will toe the line on those costs increases this close to those starting date OR give an option of a refund.
I am one of the few whom have a safari in the Selous to start within 30 days...8 to be exact. I contacted my operator and was assured the trip would come off at the agreed price. I have no interest in lion or elephant and already have a leopard from Namibia.
If a "half empty glass" bothers you so recall your deposit and book some other country.

My money has been spent in Tanzania since February. My outfitter demanded full payment a full six months prior to the safari. There is no getting the money back. I leave in three weeks. If I get there and the trophy fees are still in flux what does one do?????

You can bet your boots there will be big increases if not in 07 then for sure in 08. It will be very interesting to see how the various outfiters handle it with clients who have hunts booked. This may separate the men from the boys. Clients like myself who are ready to book a future Hunt will be looking at T's abd C's of contracts very carefully.

I have posted many times in the past but recently have been much more interested in the opinions of others than sharing mine.

Studdog is absolutely correct in stating that it will be interesting to see which outfitters step up to the plate and which do not.

Several members have indicated that their outfitters are going ahead with their planned safaris, notwithstanding the outcome of the government actions. I leave in less than 2 weeks for a 21 day safari with Robin Hurt's firm. By way of history, this will be my 5th 21 day safari with them. (I've spent well over 300k.) Only after my questioning them did I receive any word of the recent price increases. I was told that although they were optimistic about the outcome, any price increases would be passed on to me.

This situation has a blessing in that all of us will be able to "separate the men from the boys." I would appreciate it if others would post the responses they have received from their safari companies (before the situation is resolved!) and who they are hunting with.

Hunting Tanzania has always been expensive and it looks like it will get worse. This represents a large financial investment on our part. There are many outfitters from which to choose. Knowing how an outfitter has reacted when the chips are down will be of great value to those choosing an outfitter or deciding whether or not to favor their current outfitter with return business.

P.S. Unfortunate though it might be, I've often found that I've been treated better by those trying to get my business than those who already have it!

quote:

Originally posted by JohnDL:
I would appreciate it if others would post the responses they have received from their safari companies (before the situation is resolved!) and who they are hunting with.

I think that is a great idea. Maybe a new thread?

Any more word whether the Tanzanian goverment has formally withdrawn the fee increases?

Bad news unfortunately!

The Minister has stuck to his guns and announced in Parliament the exact same increases as per his Government Notice No 159 of the 27th June.

So now, TAHOA are going to seek a court injunction which they are fairly confident will be successful. Then they take the Gov to court.

Idiots!

Bwanamitch. First of all, thanks for the prompt information--it's certainly more than I'm getting from my outfitter.

Secondly, what are the immediate consequences of this action? Will outfitters have to pay the huge concession fees before any more hunting licenses are issued? Again, thanks.

While we have not been told to do so, I expect that to be the approach

Bwanamich:

How soon the injunction attempt?

Karibu Africa

TAHOA meeting lawyer tomorrow and submitting on Friday (my guess) so probably by Monday we should know.