The Advantage of Booking with Bushtracks
The choice in safari companies can seem bewildering. Here we offer some very tangible benefits of using Bushtracks as your safari planning and operating partner.
THE BEST VALUE IN THE SAFARI BUSINESS
As leaders in the safari business we have earned competitive rates across Africa which we can pass on to you. If you were to book your own transport and accommodations in Africa (at “rack rates” or published prices), it would cost you more than booking with Bushtracks.
This means booking with Bushtracks gets you a better price, you save time, and you benefit from our years of accumulated professional expertise.
ENJOY FINANCIAL SECURITY AND SAVE ON FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES
At fixed US dollar rates we absorb currency fluctuations and deposit travelers’ monies into a secure Traveler Trust Account. This means your financial transactions are processed in the United States under jurisdiction of US courts, so you retain all the rights and protections to which you are accustomed. Note: When you pay a foreign company in the UK or Africa for example, you can incur foreign transaction fees e.g. many major credit card companies charge you 3% for a foreign transaction.
YOUR FIRST SAFARI PROPOSAL IS “ON US”
We understand you need to have a confirmed itinerary and a firm price in hand before making a significant travel investment, so we have waived our initial trip development fee of $1,000, and given you this first proposal gratis and in good faith. This proposal has required our American and African trip specialists to make reservations at these exclusive lodges, camps, and hotels you requested so we can guarantee you this safari, on your specific dates, and at the price quoted.
Per the lodge and camp booking terms, we can hold your confirmed space until XXXXXXXX, at which time a deposit is due to re-confirm your trip. If you wish to make minor changes to this first proposal we will be very glad to do so. However major changes will require rebooking various components and incurring further set up cost, and thus a second itinerary, proposal, and quote will require a $1,000 trip development fee to proceed.
WE OPERATE OUR OWN TOURS
Bushtracks is not a travel agent or an internet discounter. In industry terms we are an “African inbound tour operator,” which means we actually operate the tour we are proposing to you. By contrast a travel agent resells tours created by tour operators like Bushtracks.
We also do not own any safari camps or lodges. This means we can give you impartial advice, supported by ongoing feedback from our own travelers, and ensure the best possible mix of accommodations to suit your style and budget.
YOU ARE PLANNING AN AFRICAN TRIP WITH PEOPLE FROM AFRICA
Our trip planners are from Africa or they have traveled to Africa on multiple research expeditions. We have longstanding relationships with selected key providers, and we are really proud of our track record of flawless arrangements. Our team continuously evaluates hundreds of quality properties and transport systems throughout 32 African countries, and our expertise with complex logistics minimizes your travel time and overnights, and maximizes your time on safari.
In short your proposal attached includes the culmination of years of research and development and hard won African experience, and it contains proprietary information that ensures you receive a well thought out itinerary at the very best price.
WE ARE A TEAM THAT SPANS AFRICA AND AMERICA
Bushtracks is family owned and managed by David and Carolyn Tett. David was born and raised in Zimbabwe with a BSc. from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Carolyn was raised in California and has a BA from the University of California at Berkley.
With reservation offices in Johannesburg and California, as well as field offices in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, our Bushtracks team gives you the best of both world’s - service and security on both sides of the globe. We have over 40 field staff in four African countries, 3 reservations specialists strategically based in South Africa's commercial capital Johannesburg, and 8 dedicated trip developers in the US who are available to answer detailed questions every day, and who make sure you depart well prepared and well informed.
WE HAVE INVESTED IN AFRICA FOR SIX GENERATIONS
Bushtracks is run by the Tett family that has invested in Africa since 1822, when they chartered a ship called the “Duke of Gloucester” to transport grain from Cape Town to the Overberg. Today the investment continues including a fleet of over 25 safari vehicles, 3 river boats, and a 90 passenger luxury steam train: the “Royal Livingstone Express” (www.royal-livingstone-express.com). This transport fleet is based in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana and operates a wide range of safari tours and excursions.
WE HAVE 20 YEARS OF EXPERTISE IN AVIATION AND FLYING SAFARIS
In keeping with our expertise in transport and moving travelers comfortably and efficiently around this rugged continent, we have accumulated over 20 years of hands on aviation experience in Africa. We have flown more American travelers on a wide range of chartered aircraft to more countries and exotic locations in Africa than anyone else in the world, and as a result we know the continent very well. We also have long-standing relationships with ground partners throughout Africa, completing our service offerings in 32 countries in North, West, East and Southern Africa.
WHAT’S THE HIGHEST COMPLIMENT?
Sixty percent of our travelers travel with us again or refer their friends, the highest compliment of all. For 20 years we have also planned custom expeditions and educational journeys for National Geographic, the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lindblad Expeditions.
YOU ARE PROTECTED AND SECURE WITH BUSHTRACKS
Starting when you first contact us, Bushtracks will continuously look out for your best interest. We adhere to the California Seller of Travel practices, and deposit your monies in a Traveler Trust Account. We carry a $5 million U.S. Travel Agents and Tour Operators Professional Liability Insurance policy and adhere to comprehensive risk management procedures that help keep you safe while abroad. We automatically include medical evacuation on all trips, and our staff in the US and on the ground in Africa monitor a 24-hour emergency contact number.
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