HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR YOU

Picking a tour company that fits ‘just right’ is hard. Really hard. For the most part, because it’s impossible to run a tour that pleases all of the people all of the time.

But in the interests of an open discussion, here are some of the things you should consider when choosing a tour company.

1. Group size

The first big decision. When you envision a ‘group tour’, how many people do you see touring alongside you? Five? Ten? Twelve? The phrase ‘small group tour’ can be (and is) used to describe all of the above.

A small group is, on average, about 10 people. But it can range up to 12 or 16 depending on the destination, and go as low as 1 (when the departure has been guaranteed), but 10 is the norm.  There are plenty of big tour operators like Contiki and Trafalgar that prefer the en mass approach. For most, 8-16 is the perfect number to fit into a local bistro, or catch a safari ride, or visit Kruger National Park. To get that local edge.

2. Price

Price is often the first thing people compare when looking at different tour companies, but it can be a little misleading. Because some companies send people on huge tours of 30 or 40 travelers at a time, they can secure bulk rates for their rooms and activities. So you might save some money or so, but it could mean you’re getting a much less bespoke and personal experience. Choosing a ‘cheap’ trip also increases the chance that your experience may not be pleasing or pleasurable.

The thing to look for is value, not just price. Are there lots of included meals? Does the company list the hotel for each night? If so, check it on TripAdvisor. Are there heaps of included activities? Do you get a local guide? If the tour is ticking a lot of those boxes, it’s usually worth paying a bit extra. Like anything else in life, you get what you pay for.

3. Itinerary

A lot of small group tours will share similar itineraries, but there are companies out there that really make an effort to go that extra step.

Generally speaking, you should look for an itinerary that hits all the major highlights but that then includes a couple of left-of-centre stops along the way. Ask anyone that’s done a bunch of small group tours: it’s often the unexpected places, the ones you’d never even heard of before, that end up being the most memorable. It’s just one of those things. Make sure to read the online trip notes thoroughly to help you make an informed decision, and if you have questions…ask! Give the company a call and check about the activities on certain days.

4. Local leaders

The approach of having local leaders has a few advantages. One, you get cool local knowledge on-tap. Two, it keeps money in local pockets and contributes to local employment. Three, the whole experience of travel becomes so much richer.

If local leaders are important to you, do your research. Brands like Inkosi Tours and Transfers use local leaders on all their tours, and they’re specifically trained in first aid and vehicle maintenance. Not all of the industry can say the same. Try to find companies that don’t just employ local leaders, but look after them too. There are too many examples in the industry of local guides being paid poorly and receiving no training, just so a company can slap the word ‘local’ on their marketing material. Not cool.

5. Online reviews

Always a great way to check the value of anything. Read what people are saying as much as possible. A website includes a bunch of reviews on every trip, but if you want to check an external source, try TripAdvisor, to mention a few. You can compare brands, see what people are saying, and make up your own mind. Another excellent source of reviews is social media. 

Check a brand’s hashtag on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter and see what travelers are saying on the ground, in real time. You can get a feel for the style of the trip, the number of people, the standard of accommodation. There’s nothing better than public validation to put your mind at ease.

6. General 'feeling'

Some people like cruise ships and big bus tours. Some travelers prefer seven swimming pools, marble bench tops, and a fully stocked minibar.  You’ve got to find a company that you gel with. 

Whose vibe feels right? The quickest way to work this out? Go on the website. Read the blog. See how the tour company speaks and how they act. Do they have a good responsible travel policy? Is that something you care about? Do they look fun, or a bit boring? Do their itineraries feel generic, or are they pushing boundaries? And you know what, it may take a few tries before you find a small group tour company that fits you ‘just right’. But when you do, it’s a good feeling, and you’ll know the search was worth it.

5 basic steps to stay ahead of the competition

The hospitality industry is a dynamic business that runs double speed just to stay firmly in place. It is forever under the influence of forces that urge it to embrace change more frequently than most other industries. The customer base demands change or update continually as well as other hotels in the region and elsewhere that push you to look within.

The bottom line is almost always the plank from which business strategies spring up and from where the company vision gets its focus. To keep a healthy bottom line, hospitality companies must always endeavour to retain their leading position (if they are market leaders; otherwise aspire to be one), increase their market share and always stay ahead of their competition.

Here are five ideas for you to employ to remain successful in the growing hospitality industry.

1. Monitor your competitors

According to online surveys, more than 47% of accommodation industry players actually watch their competitors closely, while 49% were less vigilant, and 3% were not concerned at all. While it’s great to trust your own business plan, part of it must be based on the activity of your competitors.

This means you need to pay attention to their prices and promotions so you can respond in a timely and appropriate manner. For example, if you set a room rate at the same price as your competitors and one at a slightly higher rate, you can still attract deal seekers without completely sacrificing your opportunity for larger revenue.

Similarly, if you study their promotions you may find you can afford to offer better deals or extras and draw more guests to your property in the lead up to an event or busy time of year. You can also use your analysis to add value and increase midweek bookings.

Think about how you can give your guests that little bit extra. Note that constant promotion or discounting could devalue your property in the eyes of travelers so make sure to be strategic with your timing.

Here’s how you can keep abreast of what your competitors are doing:

Set up alerts and notifications for their rates with a pricing intelligence tool

Sign up for their emails

Follow them on social media

Analyse their SEO and improve your own

2. Listen to your guests

The feedback you receive from your guests is extremely important. You need to work hard to secure fantastic online reviews because if you do, you have a justifiable bargaining chip with which to increase your rates.

In addition, your guests will usually explicitly list your property’s strengths and weaknesses so you know where you can make an improvement. They might even give you a good indication of how you compare to the local competition.

Ensure your front line staff is constantly taking feedback on board and reporting it back. Satisfied customers become free brand ambassadors so get as many onside as possible.

3. Expand your knowledge and management skills

The more you know about your profession, industry, and local market the easier it will be for you to make successful strategic decisions. There are multiple ways you can become better informed including:

Catch up regularly with other industry professionals

Educate yourself on any knowledge gaps

Subscribe to industry newsletters

Follow relevant and prominent figures on social media

4. Be introspective about your business

While it’s important to monitor competitors, copying them won’t get you anywhere. Focus on what makes your property special and emphasise this in your marketing to create a point of difference for potential guests.

Maximise your level of service to ensure the travelers you do attract become long-term customers. This will keep your direct bookings high, giving you more revenue and thus flexibility for your rates. Increasing your direct bookings will lower the cost of your distribution and boost your brand awareness.

If a new competitor arrives, resist the urge to immediately match their prices. Their offering may not necessarily be more attractive and if they do bring more travelers to the area you can work on developing plans to capture a slice of their pie.

5. Capture data in real-time

When the market and your competitor’s rates can change at a moment’s notice, you need to need to be receiving the information you need instantly. With pricing intelligence tools available, this data is immediately available to you.

It also enables you to track competitors and be alerted whenever they make a change to your previously created rules.

With such tools like you can also perform your own forecasts and predict demand for the local hotel market, meaning the rates you set are more accurate and you won’t lose revenue.

10 Effective ways to boost your business’ low occupancy and revenue

It is no secret that as people love cheaper... or rather discounted things. This including clothing items, gadgets or even holiday accommodation.

But as for accommodation owners, the lower price the more bookings, right? Wrong!

It can be easy, and very tempting, to think that slashing rates to virtually nothing will sell more rooms and increase room revenue during the week.

While it may sell a few rooms, the discounting strategy rarely sells enough to offset the reduced revenue.

It’s important to keep in mind that lower rates don’t create demand; they can set the wrong expectations for guests and erode your price integrity. Instead, think of adding value to beat the midweek blues.

Here are 10 effective ways to boost your business’ low occupancy and revenue:

1 Up-sell at every opportunity

Persuade your guests to spend a little more through your online booking engine by adding carefully thought-out extras such as a romantic package or champagne breakfast. You could also consider asking a guest during check-in if they would like to get a better room for a slightly higher rate.

This is simply about letting your guests know what options are available to them. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind! Use your front desk or other designated area to take advantage of point-of-sale opportunities such as car rental or tickets to events and tours. Adding this extra value to guests not only brings in revenue but also provides a better traveler experience.

2. Offer a few select ‘holiday’ products

We all know travel customers often want to help themselves to some of the added extras provided, such as soaps or shampoo, and you should want them to. According to Forbes, when guests take their toiletries home with them, it’s a sign you have done a good job picking the right products. You should also be hoping those guests will think of their stay when they use that soap or shampoo later on. Whatever the product may be, give guests something to remember their time with you and add a new revenue stream by making some of your products available for purchase.

For example, sunscreens, shampoos or even towels for the beach. (This might even prevent them from ‘accidentally’ packing your bathroom towels in their bags before check-out!)

3. Switch from halogen lighting to LED

LED lighting lasts almost 10 times longer than halogen lighting and could save you enormous costs in the long run. Investigate all of your LED options and see which ones work best for you and your property.

4. Offer guests a bit of festive cheer during the festive season

During the festive season, many guests want to feel more at home by celebrating with a small holiday tree in their room. For that special touch, consider offering a fully decorated in-room Christmas tree for a small price.

5. Do a booking channel audit

Draw reports on all of your booking channels using your all-in-one booking management solution. Booking channels such as your website and OTAs should be regularly monitored to see where the best performance lies. If one booking site is performing better than another, see what it is that could be attributing to that performance (such as great images, or better descriptions), and adjust your other channels accordingly.

6. Do an energy assessment

Doing an energy audit can identify areas where you are overspending and will allow you to either find a better provider, or keep spend to a minimum. Check everything that consumes electricity, gas or fuel. You will soon see where you are spending the most money and can make adjustments to lower your overall expenses.

7. A customer referral scheme

Satisfied customers should be encouraged to refer their friends and family to stay at your property. Offer your potential guests incentives such as a promotion code, which you can easily set up in your all-in-one booking management solution to be redeemed at the time of booking on your website. A post-stay email can also be set up to automatically send to your guests after they leave, with a specific promotion code and discount. Remember: Word of mouth is often the most powerful marketing tool.

8. Welcome pets

You may not warm to pets, but many travelers would love to travel with their furry companions. If possible, make your small hotel pet-friendly so you not only attract a different segment of travel customers, but can be in a position to charge a little extra for your rooms.

9. Discounts for extended stays

Some guests are quite flexible with their travel schedule and might want to stay an extra night or two. Offering a 50% discount off an additional night, when paying the regular rate for the first few nights, could ensure a higher occupancy and incremental revenue.

10. Network with others in the hospitality and tourism industry

Networking with other businesses in your area that attract tourists and travelers could increase revenue and add more value to your guests. For example, you could offer a discounted ticket to your guests for local attractions, which could increase their revenue and, in turn, provide a better guest experience. This can work both ways as businesses can drive their customers to your property if you offer a special rate.

If you remember to ensure you provide the best guest experience you can, be a savvy spender, and jump on opportunities where you can maximise your booking revenue, you will be well on your way to running a successful hotel and enjoying that holiday at the end of the year.

7 tips to securing accommodation last minute

You're feeling spontaneous and need to go away — preferably next weekend. A last-minute vacation is more feasible than you think, don't be resigned to the fact that you will have to pay a high rate for your accommodation.

There are tricks you can use as long as you are willing to put a little bit of effort into your research. Using the Internet and the telephone can save you significant money instead of just accepting what an accommodation quotes you as its standard rate. Sometimes just being polite when asking for a lower rate can save you a significant amount per night.

Here's how to fulfill vacation wanderlust on demand.

1. Be flexible — with dates and destination.

Sunday can be one of the more expensive days to fly, but moving your return to a Monday or Tuesday can make a big difference in price — or, plug in dates for two weeks later and do a side-by-side comparison.
Also, play around with your length of stay. Some accommodations offer a fifth night free, which gives you an extra day at no additional cost.

2. Get On The Phone

Do not rely on the Internet alone when searching for cheap, last-minute deals on lodging. Call the accommodation directly and ask if there are any last-minute deals available on a room. The rate listed on an accommodation's website is not always the lowest rate that it will offer. If an accommodation has a large number of rooms open for a night and it's less than 48 hours before that date, a manager at the accommodation may be willing to reduce the rates further than what the website advertises. Do not be afraid to ask for a lower rate. The worst the manager can do is say no.

3. Outsource the planning.

Not all accommodations are created equal and, even with limited lead time, a travel pro can help match you with the right fit — often at an unadvertised rate. Some may add a small fee to expedite last-minute plans (and make a few urgent phone calls on your behalf), but an accredited organization will give you peace of mind that your vacation has been vetted. They also may be able to pull some strings so that accommodations know who you are before you get there.

4. Search for discounts.

Combing through pages of discount codes and vouchers won’t always be fruitful but it’s worth a go. Keep an eye on offers and discount code websites. Both Voucher Codes and Voucher Cloud have a long list of offers that are available but sometimes aren’t clearly advertised on travel websites themselves. Worst case scenario, your voucher code will be declined. There’s no harm in trying, right?

5. Note what’s non-refundable.

Most accommodations have a cancellation policy of anywhere from 24 hours to 7 to 21 days in advance. For last-minute jaunts, your reservation may have to be paid in full up front. If there's a still a chance you might come down with the flu in the week before you leave, or if your boss may not approve those last-minute vacation days, consider travel protection insurance.

6. Beware of a deal that’s too good.

Scrolling through pages of user reviews may cut into your packing time, but be sure to do your due diligence to make sure you're getting what you paid for. Last-minute deals are not always what they're cracked up to be.

7. Get on the waitlist.

Flexibility is key when you're on a short time frame, but if that dreamy resort you fell in love with on Instagram is fully booked, call and ask to be put on a wait list for any last-minute cancellations. Same goes for dinner reservations, spa appointments and the like.

11 Things Not to Do When Booking For Accommodation

Byline: Unathi Nkanjeni

When it comes to preparing for your end year holiday, finding accommodation in your destination city is likely to be one of the most challenging aspects of the process.

Let’s be honest, finding accommodation in your own city can be tough, not to mention a completely unfamiliar city that you are yet to actually step foot in. With various rules and regulations that you’ll need to wrap your head around, it’s undoubtedly daunting. To help ease some of those stresses, here are a few important things to consider when looking for your accommodation this festive season. 

Then you can get back to what really matters – making plans and looking forward to your holiday adventure!

Follow these accommodation booking tips to get the best room in the best location at the best price.

1. Don’t forget to check the exact accommodation location.

There are great places that seemed to be in an ideal location, except that they are surrounded by busy roads, including an on-ramp and off-ramp to a highway on either side of the place. It will feel like you are staying in an interstate rest stop. You won't really be able to walk anywhere, and stepping outside will not just be annoying but borderline dangerous.

In some places, fine restaurants are a block away, and a running trail a half-mile away, and a great river walk another half-mile from there. When you book for accommodation, you'll think it is close to all those cool things, but always check closely enough to realize where exactly it’s located and that you can get to any of them without risking life and limb.

The easiest way to prevent this sort of problem is to see the site for yourself. Most booking websites include a map view of some kind, and you might also take a look at Google Street View or Bing’s Bird’s Eye view to get a good look at the lay of the land.

2. Don’t skip the review sites.

Knowing as much as possible about any given property is your best strategy for getting accommodation and a room that you actually enjoy staying in.  Switch your preferred accommodation after a bit of research, as there is always something you would never know without the help of folks who have already stayed at a property. 

These might include noise, lousy food, Wi-Fi, dated rooms and more — even the fact that the place is pretty much on a highway median. And you might find out a lot of good things as well.

3. Don’t forget to check if the accommodation has an airport shuttle.

If you a big fan of using public transportation when zooming around at your destination, as it puts you among the locals in a simple, straightforward way.

If you not a huge fan of public transportation to and from the airport, however. Starting and (especially) ending a trip by hauling massive bags through an unfamiliar subway system can be a grueling experience, especially when you are trying to get some rare R&R.

But getting to and from your accommodation in a taxi (or even an Uber) can be expensive, especially since most airports are quite a distance from the nearest city center. When considering the cost of one place vs. another, you will want to know whether the airport offers a complimentary shuttle.

4. Don’t fail to check parking availability and cost.

If you will have your own car, check both availability and pricing on parking at the place. Even if the place has parking available, it often comes with a price tag. If the place doesn’t have its own parking, the cost can be even higher in some places where you are forced to use private lots, and you have to worry about the car getting dinged or broken into — not to mention the hassle of having to find a spot every day.

5. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of breakfast.

The actual per-night difference between an accommodation that offers a solid continental (or even full) breakfast included in the rate compared to one that offers a R23 buffet can be significant, to say the least.

You can usually find out this information on the accommodation website or by calling the front desk directly. Since most folks prefer to breakfast at their accommodation, this is an important question if you are concerned about your budget. Sure, you can always try to find an affordable cafe nearby, but you can’t beat a free breakfast for convenience.

6. Don’t take internet access for granted.

As with breakfast, parking and a shuttle, if you absolutely need internet access, you also need to consider it part of your nightly accommodation budget when comparing prices. A place where you save R100/night but then pay R200 a day for internet is no savings at all.

This is a tricky one, though, so make sure you check this closely; internet access may be free for loyalty members but not to other guests, for instance.

Additionally, some places have started charging for access per device, or sometimes allowing only two devices per paying customer. If more than one person is staying in the room, this can become a problem very quickly, as most folks connect with at least two devices these days (e.g., a laptop and a smartphone). Check the fine print.

7. Program members, don’t book anywhere but directly through the accommodation.

This applies mainly if you belong to a loyalty club and hope to have points awarded to your account — because if you book through pretty much any third party, places won’t pony up the points. This includes well-known booking sites, group bookings, bookings by your travel agent, bookings by the accommodation’s own vacation club and even bookings at conference rates.

8. Don’t forget to sign up for the rewards program

It is often free to sign up for a place’s loyalty program, and in some cases, significant rewards kick in almost immediately. These can include complimentary Wi-Fi, as mentioned above, but also many “soft” benefits that you might not even be aware of; front desk agents might give you a slightly better room, for example.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better rate.

One of the simplest but most effective tactics for getting a better rate is to ask for one. An open-ended approach is usually recommended - something like “are there any better special rates available?” This usually prompts the reservations person to ask if you are a member of a travel or other association, a member of a loyalty program, etc. From there they will often offer a better rate one way or another, simply for the asking.

10. Don’t be afraid to call the place directly.

If you have an accommodation place that is showing no rooms available, or really high rates, or lack of availability of certain special needs rooms (pet-friendly, accessible, kid-friendly, etc.), you should call the place and ask directly. The front desk often has information about cancellations, additional rooms and more that may not immediately show up on accommodation or booking sites.

Even if you have a simple question, such as “How much does internet access cost?” or “Is breakfast included?” a quick call to the place can settle pretty much any doubts you might have.

11. Don’t forget to ask.

You would be surprised what a place can and will do for you if you simply ask politely. Many front desk folks will lend common toiletries, make restaurant recommendations and reservations, call for taxis, give directions, help with public transportation and handle other logistical items without even flinching.

Additionally, you can often request a room on a certain side of the place, on an upper floor, away from the main road, closer to the elevator if you are disabled and more. Simply ask, and you may receive.

How to avoid holiday accommodation scams

 Byline: Unathi Nkanjeni

Whether it's a cosy festive staycation that appeals or a sunny villa to look forward to in the New Year, the promise of a relaxing trip with family and friends is sure to perk you up as the days turn colder.

Unfortunately, thanks to the abundance of holiday accommodation scammers out there, some travellers may well find their dream holiday turns into a nightmare.

According to reports, more than a thousand cases of holiday booking fraud are reported every year.

The most common complaint by far is that of the fraudulent booking: when groups arrive at their accommodation only to find that no record of their booking exists – and other residents are already settled in place.

Unscrupulous scammers also pretend to be property owners on holiday rental sites, often choosing random property images from other websites to entice those looking for a great deal: a deal which doesn't exist. Once travellers have parted with their cash, they are left high, dry and having to fork out additional funds to book last-minute holiday accommodation.

Another popular scam, often accomplished through similar holiday booking websites, involves the hijacking of a genuine listing with intercepted emails – meaning that you are communicating with the scammer whilst the real owners have no idea what is going on.

But with multiple platforms all promising you the best prices to book your accommodations, how do you make sure that you avoid such unwanted scenarios?

Finding that the establishment does not exist. You have not only lost the money you’ve paid but there is no other accommodation available. Read on to find out how you can avoid falling victim to holiday accommodation scams.

Use the internet to your advantage

In this digital era, many legitimate owners and rental agents of holiday properties advertise online. 

Because it’s such an easy way of finding potential victims, many scammers also use the internet to great effect. The trick is to be able to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent accommodation listings.

The simplest way to do this is to use reputable sites when searching for accommodation and verify as much of the information given as possible before making any payments.

Once you have found a suitable property, do an online search of the rental agent or owner to get confirmation of their contact details and address as well as check for complaints from other customers. Use Google Maps to make sure that the address exists and compare images of the surroundings with those used to advertise the property.

Remember, if a facility has hundreds of rave reviews online but it has only been listed for a short period of time, you should be suspicious as those reviews are probably fake.

Phone a friend

A good way of finding reputable holiday accommodation is through word of mouth. Ask friends and family for recommendations and referrals.

Furthermore, if the accommodation listing is in a resort, complex or estate, phone the caretaker or manager to confirm the establishment exists and verify the details of the owner. If the area you plan to visit has a tourist information centre, they should also be able to verify the existence of such listings and perhaps even the owner or rental agency too.

Ask away

Don’t be embarrassed to ask as many questions as it takes for you to be satisfied that the information is credible.

Reputable agents and owners won’t mind providing the information you require as they will have nothing to hide. In fact, if someone is hesitant to answer your questions or gives vague and incomplete information, it should raise a red flag and you would do better to walk away.

Ensure that you have the advertiser’s full name, e-mail address and contact number. And insist on written confirmation of your booking and any payment made.

Trust your gut

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

If the accommodation you are renting is much cheaper than the norm in that area, it could be fake. If a prime location is still available, days before peak season arrives, it is probably bogus. If you feel uneasy in any way, rather search for alternative accommodation.

Don’t be bullied into making a hasty booking or payment and don’t fall for an insistence that urgent payment is required to secure your booking. If the party you are dealing with seems way too eager to get their hands on your money, you might be dealing with a scammer.

5 things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect lodge

Byline: Unathi Nkanjeni

It is no secret, Mpumalanga in South Africa boast a number of lodges in stunning settings. However, choosing which one to visit can be stressful.

Think of choosing a lodge in the same way you would choose someone to be your friend or partner. There's more to it than just looks – though they sure do help for that first spark of attraction. There’s appearance, personality, financial status, reputation, and, most important of all compatibility.

Here’s a breakdown of how to pick the right lodge for you:

1. How it looks:

Certain styles will naturally resonate with you, and the Internet is a visual medium - this depending on whether or not the lodge is being honest and truthful.

Are you into prints, animal skins, opulence or simplicity?  Beware of photographs depicting arrangements of fresh flowers, few if any lodges use fresh flowers outside of advertising shots.  Also, if it’s the extra things that they have showed on their site that draws you, then be sure when booking to ask whether these will be available, they are often done either only for publicity shots or for honeymooners.

2. Does it have personality:

Look at the guest reviews on the lodge’s own website or social media platforms. What is it that people praise most about this lodge? The lodge owners/managers are choosing which reviews to post, so you will get an idea of what is important to them.

Is it food, friendliness, pampering or luxury?  What are your three most important criteria and in what order?  Would you prefer self-catering or a lodge where you get served a 4-star cuisine?

The lodge isn’t everything, the other important factor to consider is the activities and excursion.  Are you focusing on seeing the activities and attraction sites and not that concerned about other smaller things; or wanting a bush experience with time to absorb everything, but it would be nice to see the bigger animals too?  Look at how much emphasis the lodge website puts on ‘big five’, if they’re any good, their guides should be aware of the marketing and working in accordance with it.

3. Check for their price:

Is value for money important, or do you want the best that money can buy?  There are some beautiful lodges that cater to everyone and their budget. However, remember that lodges in remote areas are expensive to run, much of the budget goes to providing basic services which are available for next to nothing in town, so you cannot compare the price and level of luxury between a city hotel and a game lodge.

You can do a self-catering fairly cheaply, but for a fully catered lodge, if the price is too low you run the risk of meals, quality of vehicles, staff and room amenities being skimped on.  That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take advantage of some of the great specials that even the best quality lodges run during the traditionally quiet months but look at the average rate of a lodge for comparison to get a general idea of standards.  Do a little extra homework if the average rate is less than R 500 per person sharing per night.

4. Check for lodge’s reputation:

There are many independent sites such as TripAdvisor and other rating/reviewing website where travelers and holiday seekers give candid reviews. What are people saying, and did the lodge care enough to respond to negative reviews – did they do so politely?

Look at the number of Excellent reviews, Good reviews and Poor reviews.  Don’t be fooled by the number of reviews, but rather look at the ratio it should be well stacked in favour of ‘excellent’– a lodge may only have a few reviews because it is new.

5. Check for compatibility:

You need to consider why you are going to the lodge, and whether this lodge is going to give you what you want.  Are you wanting to impress clients or someone special? Then consider famous names, and places frequented by the stars, look at rates per person sharing and upwards.  Do you want an authentic bush experience? Then consider a smaller unfenced lodge which can provide options.

Do you want to see the big 5 in the shortest time possible – perhaps you only have one night available for safari?  Consider a bigger lodge in a private reserve where many vehicles traverse a limited area and guides can call sightings into each other to get you quickly from one sighting to another.

With all of the above in mind, consider marrying your needs with good principles and ethics.  There are a few gems that manage outstanding environmental ethics, great game viewing, style and comfort as well as a reasonable price range.