Overland Tour bookings
Category: Absolute Africa, Acacia, Africa Expedition Support, Africa Overland Addiction, Africa Travel Co, Africa in Focus, African Trails, AmeriCan Adventures & Roadrunner, Anzac Overland, Bukima, Butterflybus, Dragoman, Drifters, EoE, Exodus, Explore!, GAP Adventures, Gecko's Adventure, Green Tortoise, Himalayan Kingdoms, Imaginative Traveller, Intrepid-Guerba, Kumuka, Nomad, Nomadic Expeditions, Oasis Overland, Odyssey Overland, On the Go Tours, Overland Club, OverlandingAfrica.com, Ozbus, Peregrine Adventures, Seek Advice, The Imaginative Traveller, Top Deck Tours, Treck America, Tucan Travel, Wagon Trails | November 7, 2008 By adminLet us know your experience when booking so far we have had fuel surcharges and exchange rate fluctuation.
This is sound advise from the community.
“PS Do please make sure you only travel with a fully bonded overland company otherwise you could stand to loose all your money. It’s a legal requirement for all travel companies to be properly bonded and to provide a 100% financial guarantee, so please check before you buy.” overland advice.
Unfortunately 2009 may be a year where the potential for tour operators to go bust is high. If your operator has an ATOL bond, you’ll be flown home if it goes bust, but you won’t get a refund. ABTA bonding means that in most cases your holiday will be protected, but this is not the case for all members. Tour operators that are members of AITO offer 100% financial protection.
If you book with a credit card you will normally be refunded in the event of a bankruptcy, but the credit card company will not get you back home.
Please check with your operator and clarify with them if you have any doubts on their level of protection.
What else has cropped up we would love to hear your experiences.
You should read the small print and always ask questions. - Here is an extract from a previous post.
” General notes: There is a half week break in Nairobi which is not covered by kitty.
Now the notes about the kitty say “By including campsite fees, hotels, ….. in the kitty ……”
Which means that accommodation is not covered in Nairobi. It is not stated like that, but that is what it means.
Our travel agent thought we were joking when we asked for clarification on that, but then were shocked when Dragoman did confirm that is exactly what it means! ”
http://www.overlandingcommunity.com/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-overlanding/
On pre Pay options - Here is an extract from a previous post
“Not sure in Africa but in South America at least it was possible to arrange hostels and pre trip accommodation at significantly cheaper prices than those quoted by the overland companies. Sometimes in the same hotel they use!
http://www.overlandingcommunity.com/pre-pay-optional-extraspre-pay-optional-extras/