I can't imagine that in this day and age and that finding and booking a local operator from abroad is that big of an issue. I mean 20-30 years ago you might have to get your hands on an outdated travel guidebook, contact a company over the phone and then Western Union them a large sum of money and hope for the best.A somewhat delicate off branch to the general topic:
I am reluctant to engage an agency based anywhere outside of Tanzania. I consider it more than likely such would add its own profit margin to a negotiated base "going rate" in Arusha. If I get gouged I prefer it be done there where people will appreciate it.
This is likely a deal-breaker for me.
As to being gouged it is really probably less gouging than paying Western rates for some additional Western services and creature comforts. The amount of money going to the locals is probably about the same either way. At least on Kili as they are still going to have to incorporate a local guide and the local porters. So the more expensive trips normally have additional amenities and you will have to pay for these. For instance, in addition to the local guide you might also be paying for a foreign certified mountain guide who leads the overall group. Do you need one...no. As mountaineering goes Kili is just a big hill that you walk up. It's a tourists mountain and not a mountaineers mountain. You don't need a foreign overqualified guide that ensures ones safety through rope work, ice axe/crampon techniques, crevasse rescue, navigation in a white out, accessing avalanche conditions, mitigating rockfall potential, etc.
Statistics: Posted by halfnine — Wed Jun 12, 2024 5:36 am — Replies 44 — Views 4311