I spoke to the three agents I do business with and respect. Each has told me that they are seeing a large number of cancelations in the last two weeks. One told me he has handling 2 to 1 cancelations to bookings right now and that he is very concerned.

Anyone else seeing or hearing this?

Well, I know my dad recently canceled his scheduled hunt for 2009 in Namibia based on economic concerns.

A PH friend of mine in Pretoria is selling off all his equipment Bakkie, trailers etc just trying to keep his head above water due to the number of cancellations for both last year and this year.

I wonder if this isn't more serious, than is made out to be on several of the forums, that have african hunting sections. You know, the guys that don't attend SCI or DSC, etc. They also don't post much[if any] on the net. I think there are a lot of "average joes" out there that have completely put off any thoughts of going to Africa, for the foreseeable future, because of the economy. Sure glad I went last year.

Mad Dog

Unfortunately, it is bad and will get worse before it gets better. As bookings dry up there will be outfitters that fold (and with them go hunters' deposits). Remember, trip insurance does not cover the outfitter's bankruptcy. Try recovering your deposit from a defunct outfitter in Zimbabwe. As word of this gets around people will be more hesitant to book safaris for fear of losing a lot of money.

I am sure that after DSC and SCI we will hear rosy reports on bookings. It isn't in any business' interests to foster lack of confidence. We went through that locally in Florida with the realtors claiming things were good while the market has gone to the devil.

From the above, it may appear like I want this to happen. Far from it. An unhealthy safari industry doesn't do any of us any good.

quote:

From the above, it may appear like I want this to happen. Far from it. An unhealthy safari industry doesn't do any of us any good.

Agreed. The phenomenon that usually occurs as an industry begins to be stressed is that the sellers have to attempt to make up for the lack of buyers by making more off of the buyers that do remain. Just as too many buyers can push prices upward, too few can do the same thing. A healthy industry is one in which there is enough volume for the sellers to deliver the commodity/service to the buyers efficiently. If too few hunters are in the market for purchased hunts, then the infrastructure to serve hunters contracts, thus tending to make hunting more expensive.

Are there going to be crazy good deals out there for this year if a guy holds on and see what comes in the early summer timeframe?

Iam going at the end of March-but I got to admit that I am concerned about the economy like everyone else.

the heck with it-I am going anyway and my sons & I are going to have great time!!

The best time to go is when you can. You never know if you'll still be here for 'next time'.

We are going to have our up's and down's in our economy. I have my trip to Namibia paid for and will be going in August. If that money had been in the market I would have lost 50% of it by now. Part of the problem is that most people still have their jobs and are not in danger of losing it. Instead of spending they are acting as if the sky is falling in. If it goes we will all suffer the same. Live your dream.