The Berg 4x4 Odyssey #1

[Trolly Fan]

Nice post, and I do not care if we are off topic.

People like the outdoor lifestyle, and will continue to do so. Outdoor lifestyle is the broad church with a range of tastes, from overlanding by driving no more than dirt roads and glamping, to near impossible boulders in river beds and camping wild. Southern Africa has the full range on offer.
Therefore, I do not believe there is a decline in 4x4'ing as such.

But it may seem that way because of:
The cliques / Whatsapp (closed) groups, and
General short sightedness of commercial outdoor world is a bad combination.

I am arranging Carnage and Baboons this year.
I am doing it, because if I do not arrange it, it won't happen.
I will incur some costs which will end up as a modest fee by the few that will be attending.

But if those in the business of making money out of the Outdoor lifestyle was serious about what they do,
advertise, sponsor, televise/'youtubise' it (and really do a professional job of it), it could be a very different story...

[Bugger]

No have not

[BushWacker]

Ive been on a few 'Guided Trips'
and I tend to recognize 3 distinct categories:

1. Self-Drive groups guided for Free
( ie all attendees cover their own costs)

2. The Guide travels completely for free & the guided
are also charged a premium to cover his costs - little more.

3. As for 2. above but Guide charges an additional premium
for profit ... often targeting tourists , Yanks etc
These Guides need be deemed exceptionally good,
organized, knowledgeable, experienced, planners etc
... many would need recognise them as 'professionals'.

[Mad Manny]

I recently invited a prominent, professional Tour Guide, one of the few good ones, to join this Forum.
I said he could advertise his trips for free, all I wanted was a pro on the Forum.
But he declined as, to him, all you need to do it post your trips on various FB groups repeatedly.
Well, he didn't decline - he just didn't bother to respond.

[BushWacker]

...

[BushWacker]

... just to get some perspective:
In August I'll be doing a Kruger Wilderness trail of sorts
4 days , 3 nights, wild camping , gen self catering etc
with a long morning walk 10-15km (incl a 'brkfast'... !)
and a short afternoon walk of +-5km
There will be a Ranger & a Tracker ( 'Pro's...)
guiding us on the walks and probably
a guard back at camp keeping an eye on things
when we're out or asleep.

Cost apprx R1500ppn ... pretty good deal IMO.

[Mad Manny]

....with a long morning walk 10-15km (incl a 'brkfast'... !)

Mornings aren't long enough for you to eat breakfast & then still walk 10 - 15km...

[Rechardt]

I recently invited a prominent, professional Tour Guide, one of the few good ones, to join this Forum.
I said he could advertise his trips for free, all I wanted was a pro on the Forum.
But he declined as, to him, all you need to do it post your trips on various FB groups repeatedly.
Well, he didn't decline - he just didn't bother to respond.

So in other words, there a f ....all prominent or professional about him, just another tour guide exploiting people for money.

[Zondagh]

I agree with you Manny, the marketing for this event isn't what it should be. With all the different places one can actually talk about events, it gets tricky covering all bases.

I do have an update for you (do what you must with this info) The organisers asked us whether we rather want to join the second Odessey, seems like they are pushing people to rather join the one in April. The one in April is also cheaper, with the new price being R3950 for one vehicle and two passengers.

We have not yet confirmed whether we would be able to do this trip as we have a prior commitment for that weekend (we would've joined the one this coming weekend). We might move some things around as this is a trip we are very interested in.

Let me know what you guys think of the price update though.