About 70% of tour operators booking safari trips in Southern and East Africa are asking their clients to still reschedule for the last quarter of this year.
This is according to the ongoing survey by safari-planning and safari review site, Your African Safari (YAS), which has also been highlighting the benefits of postponing a safari trip rather than cancelling it.
According to YAS Co-founder, Jennifer Goetz, around 200tour operators have participated in the survey to date. They highlight that the deposit paid on a safari is used to help cover staffing and operating expenses, but it goes beyond that.
“Many tour operators use funds to assist their local communities with food, education and shelter. Other tour operators help protect wildlife by supporting rangers, or by volunteering their time and/or vehicles. Pulling that deposit has a domino effect on an African community,” said Goetz.
"The most important thing is to communicate clearly and proactively. Outline all the options and their cost implications. We have been negotiating with suppliers to ensure clients can postpone without penalty, even if they don't have new travel dates yet,” said Onne Vegter, MD of Wild Wings Safaris.
