To go along with my thread on daily rifle charges. Thoughts on road transfers?

Personally, I hate them. I kind of understand them and I am more than willing to make sure the PH or whoever hauls me to the airport is paid.

I do have issue with the amount charged. On my last safari, one outfitter charged nothing and it cost him a day of his time on the front and back end. He said it was part of the deal.

The other outfitter charged $300 per person for a 3-4 hour ride. I could understand $300 for the entire car but there were three passengers and we each got billed $300 each!

That was upon arrival to camp. Then the same thing happened going back to the airport. Another $300 per person.

So for 6-8 hours of total travel over two days the vehicle I travelled in paid $1,800.

I have since learned to specifically and without question discuss this in depth beforehand as I was not aware. I knew there would be a charge but was thinking $300 per vehicle not per person.

I'd prefer that all such costs be factored into the daily rate so I don't see the cost and have to consider it in my decision making process. Or, if it's going to be considered a separate charge let's just make it the industry standard and all outfitters do it that way. Just easier to compare apples to apples.

A similar thing is some outfitters charge extra for alcohol. I always just move on when I see that.

Everything is not always perfect on a hunt.
You could have an area and PH of your choice but these and other things are still there to tick you off.All I can say is stick to your guns as most as you can.Always shop around and have a good back up offer in your pocket should you feel unhappy with any other offers.Don't let people charge you whatever or take you wherever is best for them and not you.

quote:

Originally posted by wyattd:
I'd prefer that all such costs be factored into the daily rate so I don't see the cost and have to consider it in my decision making process. Or, if it's going to be considered a separate charge let's just make it the industry standard and all outfitters do it that way. Just easier to compare apples to apples.

A similar thing is some outfitters charge extra for alcohol. I always just move on when I see that.

I have thought this for years with all of the misc charges. Include it all and be done with it.

These charges have nothing to do with the daily rate,IMO.The daily rate should reflect the quality of the hunt alone.That way you know what you are buying.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
These charges have nothing to do with the daily rate,IMO.The daily rate should reflect the quality of the hunt alone.That way you know what you are buying.

This is an example of why we all look for different things in outfitters, costs, etc.

You don't want it included; I want it included and IMO we both have valid reasons.

quote:

Originally posted by LittleJoe:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
These charges have nothing to do with the daily rate,IMO.The daily rate should reflect the quality of the hunt alone.That way you know what you are buying.

This is an example of why we all look for different things in outfitters, costs, etc.

You don't want it included; I want it included and IMO we both have valid reasons.

If it is not included you can just add it on the daily rate.As long as you know the cost up-front, I don't see why there should be an issue.If it were not up-front and it was to be determined, that would be another story.

Folks,

If the road transfer and the gun rental is rolled into the daily fee that means that people who charter to camp and bring their own guns are paying for those that choose a road transfer and to bring their own guns. The charge for the road transfer and gun rental makes it fair for everyone. I do agree that the road transfer should be per vehicle and not per person. The example given of 3 people at $300 per trip is a rip for sure.

As for not choosing a hunting outfit because they charge for road transfers and gun rental I think your going to miss out on some super operators if that is your determining criteria.

Mark

Mark is right and again as with guns, rigs can be two, three times more expensive than here besides gas is at least twice that of here
We are lucky living in States , if we lived somewhere else, we may not be able to afford Africa at all
Compare it to your guided elk or deer here, after that , Africa is bargain, bar none
But I get your concern guys, it can be tiresome at times to be nicklle and dimed

The only way to prevent paying exorbitant fees for such sundry things as getting picked up and dropped off at the airport, rifle charges, etc, is talk to your outfitter prior to paying any deposit and if there are too many extra fees or the costs seem to expensive, shop around.

I have only been on 3 safaris; one in RSA and two in Zim, all with different outfitters, but I have never paid for a penny for airport transfers, etc.

On my last safari (2016), on the way to the hunting area, the PH stopped and bought lunch for the trackers, himself, and me. This was a travel day and not being charged at part of the 10-day hunt.

On the way back, I bought lunch for everyone as it was the right thing to do.

Shop around, there are plenty of outfitters/PHs that don't charge you for every little thing they can think of, and make sure you know what is included and what is extra before you pay a deposit or sign an agreement/contract.

I find it is also helpful if you treat all the staff as equals and not as paid labor. I try not to be demanding when I am on a hunt.

Even though I am paying a lot of money each day, I realize that the world does not revolve around me, and sometimes, stuff just happens (ants in the dessert, etc).


BH63

Mark is absolutely right. You can't roll the road transfer into the daily rate. I've got to camp in various ways, air charter, ground transfer, and a combination of local airlines/ground transfer. Costs are very different and there are pros and cons to each. I generally prefer air charter, but it's dear. Have used ground transfer when its not that far, I haven't seen the countryside before, or when my wife has gone (she's afraid of small planes). Not sure I'll do the local airline/ground transfer route again, but maybe. It wasn't bad.

But I agree, the charge should be for the trip to be divided by the number of people. I'm usually alone and mine have been under $1,000 I believe, some 7-8 hour trips.

1. Most respectable outfitters do NOT charge for meet/greet, drop & pick (in/out) as it is part & parcel of the hunt itinerary.

Any TZ outfitter who thinks can charge extra for this service should be tarred, feathered and exposed publicly and it might be wise doing business only with those who are registered with TAHOA.

2. Road transfers are not for free; vehicles do not run on fresh air and maintenance costs can be high.
However the charge is for the vehicle to go from A to B regardless the number of passengers.

If the outfitter has to hire a vehicle to cater for this service, a self-drive 4x4 will set you back at least $200/day + fuel.

The same criteria applies to an extra vehicle in camp to cart the "wife & kids" around on game drives or the infamous "baiting vehicle" that a number of hunters think should be a freebie.

Some areas in Tanzania require 1-3 hours flight, or 1-2 days drive to get to.

You pick what you want.

We have had occasions where our camp is too far to get to the same day we arrive, which meant we had a choice of spending a night in Dar, and leaving the next morning, or get a faster plane. at extra cost, and get there the same day we arrive.

We decided to pay the extra charges and get to camp the same day.

I think many people who live in the West do not appreciate the logistics of living and doing business in remote areas in Africa.

I believe you can have an outfitter who gives a good price in all departments but the hunting area could be poor and so could the PH.That is why I do not give these costs the outmost priority although I do not ignore them and that is why I feel they should be separate from daily rates.

Everyone has their own opinions for their own reasons. I won't hunt with operators who charge extra, with the lone exception being rifle and ammo rental. I want an all inclusive price. If there are special circumstances surrounding the hunt or hunter, the outfitter can and should adjust prices accordingly.

I've been fortunate that the PH I hunt with in Namibia (Jan du Plessis of Sebra Hunting Safaris) does NOT charge a "Road Transfer Fee", even though his ranch is 300 miles one way from the Windhoek Airport. Frankly, I enjoy the time we spend driving to and from his ranch, talking about prior hunts (4) and our families. We always stop along the way to refuel, buy some biltong and pop, and see his son at his boarding school in Outjo. I'll be going back in May 2019 and am counting the days.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
I've been fortunate that the PH I hunt with in Namibia (Jan du Plessis of Sebra Hunting Safaris) does NOT charge a "Road Transfer Fee", even though his ranch is 300 miles one way from the Windhoek Airport. Frankly, I enjoy the time we spend driving to and from his ranch, talking about prior hunts (4) and our families. We always stop along the way to refuel, buy some biltong and pop, and see his son at his boarding school in Outjo. I'll be going back in May 2019 and am counting the days.

I agree Bud; Jan has never charged me either, and it is a long drive to his property.

Yes, road transfer is expensive but not nearly as much as that chartered plane flight. You see a lot of interesting things on road transportation.

Paid $300 from the airport to my hotel in NY. So why should clients not pay to be transported form the airport to a hunting camp.
We charge 500.00 for the vehicle, round trip. In total it's more than 2 000 km. That does not even cover my fuel. Is it really too much?

It is the cost of doing business . Hunting as a client .. I have no problem with that at all.


It takes me a long time to drive to Kamanjab from Windhoek but if Outjo is a 1,000 km … now I know why ..

Obviously your hunting camp is much further north..

I hope that the hunting is good this year. I love Namibia!!!

Scruffy, Google says it is 515.6 km from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Kamanjab (so ~2000 km as the outfitter needs to drive both ways, twice). And I can attest to it taking ~5 hours, excluding a stop for meat pies! We did this trip w/Johann in 2016 and last month.

No prob whatsoever with transport costs passed on, when charged.

I personally enjoy the drive, especially to camp. Always interesting sites, stops and conversation (as my trip reports will attest to!). The drive from Harare, over the escarpment and into the Valley is Christmas Eve magical.

___________________________________________________________
A Few Hunt Reports:
Namibia Family Holiday Round-2 2018 - In Process!
Namibia Family Holiday with Shona Adventures 2016
Dande Tracking Safari 2015 with CMS
Bubye Valley Conservancy Father/Son PG & Lion Research 2013
Dande East Elephant Bull Hunt 2012
Dande North Tuskless Elephant & Buffalo Late Season 2011
Cameroon Lord Derby Eland Tracking Hunt 2008
Makuti Tuskless Elephant & Plainsgame Pictures 2008
Deka (Zimbabwe) Elephant Bull 2007
NWT Dall Sheep & Mtn Caribou 2006
Sapi Bull Elephant & Plainsgame w/Sons 2005
Luangua Valley with Peter Chipman 2004

Of course you are right about that Bill. The outfitter does have to drive both ways twice. Hopefully he can pick up a few items at the big stores to help offset expenses.

Next time that you are in Outjo, along with the meat pies, stop at that German bakery and grab a couple of those apple/raisin slices. I am not sure of the technical name. Fresh they rate about 15/10... So bloody good!!!

quote:

stop at that German bakery and grab a couple of those apple/raisin slices. I am not sure of the technical name.

"Apfelstrudel" - among my favorites.

To charge 3 people $300 each seems excessive when you could almost fly in for that some places...I assume a drive in would be a short haul, otherwise you should be flying with a proper safari company perhaps.

However, all costs should be up front to start with, you then have a choice to go or find another outfit to book with..

I have driven in Tanzania and Zim, but always alone with the PH. In my case there was no charge, but others were charged a flat rate for a driver and 3 passengers..Back then it was $150 per vehicle. sometimes included in the cost of safari, that way you don't know what you were charged, it was "included"//Bottom line is do you trust your PH..Do your homework.