To go hand in hand with the long thread on Cost of an Observer, how do you all feel about charges to fetch you from JNB, Port Elizabeth, Harare, Kimberley, or Wind Hoek?

I understand Tanzania where charters are involved, but what about RSA or Namibia?

When I hunted at Farm Felseneck last year, the cost of pick and drop off to/from the airport at Windhoek was included in the package, so I did not see a separate line item. It was a good drive though!
peter.

Terry

I do not mind the charge of airport pick-up and return as long as the fee is reasonable and stated up front. Some of these $200 airport transfer fees for a one hour drive is a bit extreme. The operator must account for these charges some how, just don't take advantage of me.

I have had an instance where I was charged for an airport pick up and after the pickup, the outfitter took his time to do the grocery shopping for the gang. Here, I thought my airport transfer fee was being used to supplement his grocery shopping. Also, with this delay, we did not get to hunt until the next day. Then I was a little hot, not a good way to start off the trip.

BigBullet

I have always included airport pickup in my client's safari quote, as well as all transportation in the country where the hunt takes place. Little hidden charges like "airport pickup charge" are a sure way to make a client feel as if you are nickle and diming him to death. I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but most of the outfitters I know do this as a courtesy or have it figured into the cost of doing buisness. When I am in RSA, I stay in Germiston between clients, which is fifteen minutes from the airport in Jo'burg anyway, so it's not a real inconvenience to me to pick up the clients.

quote:

Originally posted by BigBullet:
Terry


I have had an instance where I was charged for an airport pick up and after the pickup, the outfitter took his time to do the grocery shopping for the gang. Here, I thought my airport transfer fee was being used to supplement his grocery shopping. Also, with this delay, we did not get to hunt until the next day. Then I was a little hot, not a good way to start off the trip.

BigBullet

Were you being charged for a "hunt day" the day you arrived, AND charged airport pickup?

I first noticed these "airport pick up charges" about the same time the value of the dollar went down and the rates went up. Another way to increase prices without changing the daily rate?

But now that the $ is on the way back up...

Les

how do i feel about airport trtansfer charges???
I do not pay them! Recently I booked a trip to NW Namibia two operators offered nearly the same day rate and trophy fees all in all the costs were the same EXCEPT one wanted 500 US to pick me up and return me to Windhoek. I realize it is a 5 hr one way trip but I'm not paying ANYONE $100/hr to drive me around in a hunting car, while I get sand slapping me in the face.
I booked with the company that included the transfers in my safari quote.

Terry,
Well as you know, my guys in RSA seldom charge a fee for pick up and return, unless its hidden somewhere in the costs?? but at a $150 per day plus trophy fees I doubt it.

I would say that should be determined by the time involved, the distance and the costs...If they take a whole day to fetch you, paying for gas and time is not out of line I don't think, I would consider it a full days wage for a full days work.. but if its just a couple of hours, then charge accordingly or include it in the package would be my take......What is reasonable is a pretty good rule of thumb on these things...

I think that I am hunting about a six hour drive north of Windhoek . This is quite a drive where the fellow has to first drive for six hours .. hang around until customs is cleared .. and depending on the time of the day ..either drive six hours back .. or wait until morning and take off .. And then do it again ten days or two weeks later .. $500 or $600 is a lot of money but gasoline ain't cheap in that country .. and somehow the outfitter has to get some of the expenses recouped... It surely helps when a person can split the costs with someone that ain't a family member ..

Terry,

No, the outfitter/PH was good in that way, we did not pay for a hunting day any days we did not actually hunt. For instance, we took a day to see the sights, no hunting fee charged that day either, basically charged observer rate (room and board) for the non-hunting days.

Its just that when you get off the plane after flying for 20 hours, your anxious to get into the bush and start hunting. At least I am.

BigBullet

if a safari owner operates within driving distance of Windheok it is not unrealistic to think he has clients coming and going from that international airport, why should I pay for him both ways when he is normally there dropping off clients at the same time I'm landing.
Just like paying for an observer it is what the market will bear.
Odd people we hunters , I for one am at fault as well. I have no problem paying for an observer per day BUT I do hang up on being asked to foot the bill for a transfer to camp. guess when it comes down to it if a company wants my business they better come get me or I'll book with someone else that is willing to go the extra mile for it. Wyn

Again there is more than one way to SKIN THE CAT ... some outfitters/PH/Companies build a fee in to their prices, some dont charge, some charge, and the charges vary

Like I said in the observer fee thread, the key is (dont hide any costs) discuss it with the client/s and include it ( clearly itemised ) within the final contract ....

That way the client will then be able to decide whether to accept the contract or not, the client is the KING and he is master of his own destiny to a degree ...

WE personally operate as follows ;

WE charge the (same rate) for the arrival day as the guest rate, being $175 per person, flat fee.

Therefore a hunter would pay $175 for the arrival day at the ranch which includes the following /

1) Meet Greet pick up from and return back to our local airports, in SA that is Pietersburg, in Zambia that is Ngoma bush airstrip

2) Settle into camp sight in rifles or check bow equipment and basically unwind for that (arrival day at the ranch) enjoy the late afternoon and evening round the campfire and prepare for an early morning start to hunting the following day

3) The departure day/morning from the ranch back to either Pietersburg or Ngoma, this is NO CHARGE

So in summary and practically the $175 covers for both the arrival and departure non hunting days, transfers travel meals drinks and accommodation as applicable @ the ranch ...

We have been operating in both SA & Zambia on this basis for many seasons now without complaint

Regards, Peter

In a couple of weeks, I'll be driving from Harare down to the "Great Zimbabwe Ruins" and back for a day trip. A total of about 600 km. I've been told that it'll cost me the drivers lunch and a soft drink. Some days later I'll be tranferring north from Harare to Mana Pools (About 350km?) for US$100.

These are kind of "special deals", but still, it shows that there are differances out there. Some squeeze out every cent possible, while others keep it at a more reasonable price and thus in the end might accumulate more "good will" from the client. I think the later will pay off more for the outfitter in the long run, with bigger tips, more likely that another hunt will be booked, and so on.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Terry,
Well as you know, my guys in RSA seldom charge a fee for pick up and return, unless its hidden somewhere in the costs?? but at a $150 per day plus trophy fees I doubt it....

Ray:

I agree with you, we just got back from African Bushveld, and must say had a wonderful time. I was sorting out pictures last night, and by the looks of the amount of pictues we took, we had a LOT of fun with them. Everything from fishing, to touring Addo Park, to hunting, plus their wives and my wife went to the Spa for the day.
If you ever need a referance for them, just have any potential clients contact me.

Terry

I just won't pay for airport pickup. The outfitter knows where (he says which airport to fly into) he has to pickup his clients and he should use this trip for other needs also to use his time effeciently (maybe not in Africa) and not inconvenience the client. I have gone to garages, supermarkets etc with the PH taking care of business. I had a package deal for 10 days of hunting in Namibia - one spent taking care of a broken vehicle (nothing in reserve) and had all species included in the package taken with a day to spare and I wanted to take a day trip it Etosha (about 1 hr from ranch) and they charged me an additional $150 for the trip. I had already paid for a hunting day and they wanted more blood (mine that is) and needless to say I would not hunt with them again either in Namabia or RSA.

you brought up a good point: we as hunters/clients pay a per day fee for hunting, shouldn't some sort of adjustment be made if thru no fault of ours a hunting day is lost? Most companys still charges us if we loose time due to luggage,missed flights,etc. why don't we charge them if their hunting car takes a crap and we don't hunt while repairs are being made?

This past trip, my PH had his Toyota bugger up, so we drove it to town the next morning. They said " we will get to it". ( Sure, I have heard that before).

At that point, he walked over and bought another truck, and we drove it home and went hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikD:
In a couple of weeks, I'll be driving from Harare down to the "Great Zimbabwe Ruins" and back for a day trip. A total of about 600 km.

600km in one day? In a Zimbabwean vehicle? Over THOSE roads? Your backside is going to be sore, my friend.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:

quote:

Originally posted by ErikD:
In a couple of weeks, I'll be driving from Harare down to the "Great Zimbabwe Ruins" and back for a day trip. A total of about 600 km.

600km in one day? In a Zimbabwean vehicle? Over THOSE roads? Your backside is going to be sore, my friend.

George

A bit of a sore bum is a small sacrifice for a taste of ancient culture.

Besides, only a short while ago we were used to often driving offroad in worse places than Zim from sunrise to sunset non-stop on some stretches. This time around, I can sit in the passenger seat and relax!

The amazing thing is that the other guy is willing to do it for a meatpie and a soda! But then as I said, I'm sure he knows that this will pay off in the longrun.