A quick update of progress on Roar 3 (I like that better than the Roman Numerals)

Ker & Downey
Just for your information Ker & Downey was named by National Geographic as the number one tour operator and was rated third by Travel and Leisure. Ker & Downey are much smaller, not as well known and a far better value than the big operators like Abercrombie and Kent and Tauck so this is quite an achievement. Kudos to the original ROAR planners who picked Ker &
Downey out as one of the operators for me to check out for the group.

Pricing and negotiation
Since I returned from the Voyager I have been in direct negotiation with the properties we will be using. It has not been as easy this time as everyone in South Africa is convinced that after the world cup in 2010 that South Africa will be flooded with tourists. That remains to be seen.

Accommodation Costs
Nonetheless I am glad to report that ALL the properties have now committed to holding prices at the 2010 level so our accommodation, the major part of the expense, will be confirmed now. Prices are bound to increase in 2011. They have gone up every year since we started doing safaris. So this should represent a good savings for us. A similar commitment on Roar 2 holding prices to the 2006 level for 2008 resulted in a really value priced safari.

Where we are now
This negotiation is now being turned over to Ker & Downey for pricing of the safari. Hopefully I will have this back sometime next week. The rand will have a significant impact on what we eventually pay. Once I get the figures from Ker & Downey in rand I will price the safari for you in US dollars at an 8.5 exchange rate. It has fluctuated in the last few years approximately between 6.5 and 11.00 to the US $. I estimate our safari will come in around R70,000 per person you can see below the significance of the rand exchange rate.

Difference in R70000 @ 6.5 = $10,769 @ 8.5 = $8235 @ 11 = $6363

Air and Transfer Costs
The charter air cannot be confirmed. As with any air ticket until you actually purchase the ticket the pricing can fluctuate. So this part of the safari will be priced at current 09 pricing. These air costs are bound to increase before we actually purchase the air. For Roar 2 I did recommend purchasing the charter air earlier and that saved us quite an increase. As it gets closer if that seems to be appropriate I will advise those booked accordingly. Transfers are the same these cannot be locked in but will be priced at the 2011 prices in effect when we make final payment.

The dates are set for the safari
04/30/11 Arrival in Johannesburg and overnight at the Sun Intercontinental Hotel
05/01/11: Transfer to the Federal Air Terminal and fly to either Chitwa Chitwa or Leopard Hills.
05/03/11: ONLY Susan and Ngaire switch camps
05/05/11: Everyone but Susan and Ngaire switch camps – short 15 minute flight
05/07/11: ONLY Susan and Ngaire switch camps
05/09/11: Main safari group fly from the game parks to JNB to fly home
05/09/11: Those doing a post Lion Sands extension travel to Lion Sands
05/11/11: Those with 2 nights at Lion Sands fly home
05/12/11: Those with 3 nights at Lions Sands fly home

Pre trip to Birkenhead House and La Residence
Pick up at the airport on arrival and transfer directly to Birkenhead House
04/25/11: Optional additional night at Birkenhead House
04/26/11: Birkenhead House FI
04/27/11: Birkenhead House FI
04/28/11: Transfer from Birkenhead House to La Residence (1 hour)
04/28/11: La Residence BB
04/29/11: La Residence BB
04/30/11: Fly from CPT to Johannesburg and overnight at the Sun Intercontinental Hotel

Next Step
Once I get the final figures I will send these to all those on the list, with details on the deposit required, cancel penalties and paperwork necessary. Since everyone is a past ROARER most of the paperwork can just transfer over to the new safari. If anyone decides not to move forward then I will contact the next person on the waitlist.

Be back “hopefully” next week.