MOST people who travel on safari are happy and have the trip of their lives. However, there are things that might happen that upset you along the way, many of which are out of anyone’s control.
But there is a way to handle things and a way not to handle things, so let’s look at what to do if you are unhappy on your safari.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the reactions different types of people will have to the same situation.
Which one are you?
What Could Make Possibly Make You Unhappy on your Safari?
From my experience, the types of things that make people unhappy on their safari is usually when reality doesn’t meet with their expectations.
But this is true of travelling anywhere in the world – not just to Africa.
Only ONCE have I ever heard someone say that a safari trip just wasn’t for them, and that was someone on YouTube. And I have been doing this for nearly three decades, so I do think that says something.
Scenario 1: international flight delay
Your international flight into Kilimanjaro Interntional Airport, Tanzania is delayed, causing you to miss your small lodge hop flight into the Serengeti. You need to overnight in a hotel in Kilimanjaro and fly out the following day (if there are seats available).
Besides missing your first night in the Serengeti, you have also (through no fault of your own), incurred additional costs. You will need to pay for:
- A road transfer from the airport to the hotel
- 1 night’s accommodation at the hotel and all meals and anything else required
- Road transfer back to the airport
- Possible amendment fees, or the purchase of a new ticket, for the flight into the Serengeti
- Possible cancellation fees for the missed original flight into the Serengeti
- Cancellation fees for your missed night in the Serengeti
(And this is why I strongly, strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance, as this is completely out of your control and can happen to anyone).
* The cancellation fees/ amendment fees/ purchase of the new ticket would depend on that airline’s terms & conditions.
The above costs are unexpected, you do need to pay for them upfront and then later claim them back from your travel insurance.
It’s also a good reason why I believe, your first night in Africa, should be in the city that you arrive in.
The question is though, how do you react? Who do you complain to? Should you complain?
I have found there are three main types of responses that people give in this situation.
The Complainer
It doesn’t matter what anyone does, this person is still going to complain and complain and complain, and they are likely to do so right until they are home again. Ironically, this usually becomes ‘one of those trips’ where if something can go wrong, it probably will.
The Demander
This person gets angry and starts to demand all sorts of things like upgrades and refusing to pay for new tickets. They are difficult to assist as they only see the problem and are not happy with the solution.
The Adventurer
Quite frankly, these are the best people to work with. They see it for what it is – an unexpected flight delay that has had a knock-on effect; it’s not great and has cost them money, but it’s no reason to take it out on the people locally who are trying to help them. They take advantage of the forced overnight in Kilimanjaro and use this time to go out for a dinner and try the local foods or possibly take a coffee plantation tour the following morning before their new flight.
What should the traveller do?
Firstly, stay calm and stop complaining. It doesn’t help.
If you booked through an agent, there could be a phone number of the local office who they booked through, which you can contact during office hours, and an emergency after hours contact number listed somewhere on their documents (usually at the beginning).
And by local, I mean someone in Africa.
You call the number, tell them the situation, and ask for help.
Stay calm, be polite and the situation will be sorted out for you. It might cost extra money (which you could later claim back from your travel insurance, but it is better than spending 24 hours in an airport.
If you didn’t book through an agent and you booked everything on your own, then it’s a bit different.
Scenario 2: a situation in camp
I’ll give you a variety of real examples from the past, where people have been unhappy for various reasons.
- They don’t get along with the other people in the safari vehicle
- It’s summer and there’s too many bugs
- It’s summer and it’s too hot
- It’s winter and it’s too cold
- The camp doesn’t have enough vegetarian options at dinner
- The camp doesn’t have Grey Goose Vodka
- The room is too far from the main area
- The room is too close to the main area
- They aren’t happy with their guide
- There aren’t any steps to get on and off the safari vehicle
What should the traveller do?
Now, I can give you an answer for every one of those listed above because, over the years, I have had these complaints.
If you are interested in this, you can read more about the most common complaints people have on safari but if this is you, the best thing to do to start working on a solution is to…
SPEAK TO YOUR CAMP MANAGER!
If you did book through an agent, don’t call them straight away. Give the camp a chance to sort it out. And don’t pretend you’re happy and then leave a poor review. Just go and speak to your camp manager.
They are right there with you, and they will help you.
If you’re not satisfied, tell them. If you’re still not satisfied, speak to them again. Most of the time, the situation can be sorted out in-house.
Camp managers have most likely dealt with your issue previously and know what to do.
Just have a conversation, relax and enjoy your time in the bush!
Questions?
What should you do if you are unhappy on your safari?
If you have a question that you’d like me to try and answer, feel free to post it in the comments below.
