Normal/safe to pay for African Safari via money transfer?

So I’ve made my choice and will be going on a 15 day safari to Tanzania/Kenya in February 2020. There are a couple of different payment choices and I’ve chosen to pay 30% now and the remaining 70% 45 days before the safari.

I will be traveling with Gofan Safaris. The owner, Meena Tegemea, has a facebook page and everything seems to check out. I have been asked to pay via money transfer from my bank to their account at Barclays Bank in Tanzania. All of the research I’ve done indicates that this is the normal way to pay for a safari rather than credit card because the bank takes 10%.

Still, sending thousands of dollars to a bank account in Africa is scary, to say the least! :eek:

For anyone else who has gone on a safari, is this how you paid?

Yes, safe. The safari owners (and hotels) depend 100% on reputation. They are legit- particularly if they have been for a while. Just look at the competition they have with other companies. And I get the impression that they all want to move up into the high-end exclusive tours with the multiple $1000s per day- to do that they need to be stable and complaint free. Dealing with safari companies and anyone doing business in Africa it is the best service imaginable!

(Modern?) Nigerian scammers aren’t really from Africa. Credit cards are also difficult due to lack of phone and power reliability- so bank transfers are the way it is commonly done.

Thank you!

I am doing a private tour so it is a bit expensive. Still hoping to find someone to go with me. I have 3 people who are still trying to decide. If one or all of them decide to go it will be a bit less expensive but I decided that if I have to go alone - I will!