Questions to ask a safari operator before you pay
Quick answer
Ask for the registered company name and licence number, the bank account name, the named guide and vehicle, itemised park fees, the cancellation ladder and the insurance position. Send them in one message and judge the reply by its speed and specificity.
Last reviewed by the SafariVerify team.
The identity questions
What is your registered company name, and which entity will receive my payment? What is your tour operator licence number and when does it expire? Who am I speaking to, and what is your role?
The delivery questions
Which specific lodges or camps, by name, on which nights? Which vehicle type, and is a window seat guaranteed? Who is my guide, and what languages and certifications do they hold?
Which park, concession and conservancy fees are included, itemised per person per day?
The what-if questions
What is your cancellation and refund ladder? What happens if a named lodge becomes unavailable? What insurance do you carry, and what do you require from me?
Can we do a two-minute video call before I pay the deposit?
Your checklist
- Send all twelve questions in a single message and keep the reply
- Compare the answers against the written itinerary and invoice
- Confirm the payee name matches the registered company
- Note any question that is skipped, and ask it again
- Run a free trust check on the company name before paying
Sources
- Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) — member directory
- Tanzania Tourist Board — tour operator licensing (TALA)
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) — member directory
Licensing rules, fees and directories change. Always confirm details with the issuing body on the day you pay. See our methodology for what we can and cannot know.
Check the operator before you pay
Free, no account, about 60 seconds. One verdict — safe, caution or stop — with the sources shown.
Check an operator