It seems to me that I am seeing many more discounted hunts or hunts where someone is forfeiting their deposits being offered now than in the past.

H Kittle

great. I hope the discounted hunts continue!!

Well, I think your right, lots of things come into play in the hunting business just like any other business but probably more so...When the economy is bad, the dollar is down, the housing market is heywire, the stock market is out of wack, gas prices are sky high, and its an election year you have to expect some bad times. Most folks hunt with the extra/escess money on hand, and when times are bad they pull back, stay at home and hunt or just postpone until times get better...Smart Booking agents and safari companies know this and prepar for the bad years, that is where there extra money goes..

I think 2008 is the year to book in Africa, lots of super extraordinary deals out there right now.

Oh yeah, 99% of booking agents and safari companies will tell you things are booming, even when they arn't.

I mentioned this very thing not two months ago on the can you cut a deal on a safari thread.

I was told with much indignation from some of our resident booking agents and safari operators in no uncertain terms that the very thought of cutting a deal on the price of a safari is a physical impossibility!

Yeah right!

Like I said it all depends on the economy and the booking numbers at the time.

Back in 2002 I had several operators in Tanzania begging me to just make an offer. We might be seeing that again soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:

Oh yeah, 99% of booking agents and safari companies will tell you things are booming, even when they arn't.

That should tell you all you need to know about 99% of booking agents.

I haven't seen it Hartley. The only one I recall was Ann's, for a good discount on a Namibia plains game hunt.

Actually, on an elephant hunt Mark Young was advertising, he even raised the rates by a grand!

Ray said it well in a nut shell, it's one of those years, if you are patient enough and can leave on quick notice there will be some bargains later this year.
I have heard of quite a few clients cancelling hunts to Zim this year, but I really question if it's the unstable Zim situation WHICH IS NOT, OR SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE AT THIS TIME to any hunters who are scheduled this year, or is it hunting clients that are pinched financially at this time and figure it's better to loose a few grand than to have to divy up at the end of the hunt?
I'll be in Zim in late June and look forward to tipping over my first tuskless cow ele.

Dirk

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
I'll be in Zim in late June and look forward to tipping over my first tuskless cow ele.

Dirk

Dirk,

And I look forward to blazing a trail for you.

I have not seen many cancellations. Business seems to be quite good this year, despite the dollar, gas and bad news on the economy.

Who said negotiating deals was not possible? Of course it is possible. Don't expect big discounts, but sometimes deals are made.

It is less likely with some hunts, like Buffalo, which always seem to sell out. It is less likely with some outfitters over others. I know some outfitters who will not budge one inch, and others who will give concessions for larger groups.

Do not expect huge discounts, but sometimes if there are 2 hunters and 2 observers, sometimes you can make concessions on the observer rate.

Business is business wherever you go. If demand is high, and that particular hunt sells out every year, don't expect any special deals.