Balla Balla, as to your last question normally there are surviving family and yes there is recourse. As I have a meeting with a client (funeral director) this after noon I will check with him and his son (the sucessor to the business). The son wants to go along on my next trip to Africa it will be his first.

Back to the original thread and as I have said I am not a client with many safaris under my belt. Ray this is the first safari that I will have a charter flight from the Omay to Vic Falls and I have to pay that at flight time the outfitter has no advanced costs the same for hotels.

Fornately I have never been left waiting in an airport for days. I did fly into Windhoek (the first trip) and no one waiting for me. Another hunter I had talked with in Cape Town was met by his PH and when I explained my situation (ie the outfit) the PH laughed - now that gives on a warm fuzzy feeling. Yes it worked out but when the only contact number I had was in RSA it ain't funny magee.

I will end here because no one is going to change their mind on this subject.

When I book a hunt with John Sharp, I give him 50% of the daily rate at the time of booking, then the other 50% 60 days prior to my arrival. I don't pay trophy fees unless I take or lose a wounded animal. The reason for paying for the balance of the hunt two months prior is the the PH can pay for concessions, outfitting, etc. I thought this process was standard operating procedure in the industry. I guess I just learned something new. jorge

BK,
I would say that yes, you could get ripped off paying up front if you were dealing with a shoddy outfit..I have refunded deposits and hunt costs several hunts in my lifetime as a booking agent and out of my pocket, not the outfitters..It hurts but if your going to stay in this business then you better be prepared to bite the bullet on ocassion...

On the other hand everyone that hunts with us puts all the money up before going off to wherever and they must have some trust in us to do that voluntarily...

I guess the best advise is to pick your safari company or booking agent with care...I would recommend going with a booking agent, it does not cost you the hunter a nickle, and he is in the states and you can get your hands on him, not so if he is in Africa or Tim buc too...I know, don't say it, I am pro booking agents, so be it, you have been forewarned!! Do your own thang!!