MEERKAT MAGIC - price increase

Cape Town Central...
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MEERKAT MAGIC - price increase
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Hi all, I was informed yesterday that Grant at Meerkat Magic has put the cost of a tour per person up from R450 to R750. I have not asked him his reasoning for this, but I only imagine it would be under the 'environmental management via exclusion' header... This is a big chunk of money for some of us, so please keep this in mind when planning your trip; maybe you can budget elsewhere to allow to still do this if it stings.

Fitzroy, Australia
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1. Re: MEERKAT MAGIC - price increase
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Interesting move, with many tour operators around the world cutting costs to fit the reduced budgets of the traveller...still, if he has a monopoly, and demand outweighs supply, you can't blame him...probably helps that the Meerkats don't seem to be keen in agitating for a bigger share of the profits!

Wisbech, United...
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Hi,

This news is really disappointing. I understand inflation but this seems a little O.T.T.

This was on our itinerary but I think it's now the past tense ...

Southend-on-Sea...
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Thank you for the update. It does seem a hefty increase although I don't know when prices last went up...

We are planning on seeing the meerkats when we visit Oudtshoorn in November. I did not actually know the cost before hand (perhaps I should have looked on comparethemeerkat.com!!) so if I had just been quoted R750 would have paid it anyway.

For me the prospect of seeing the meerkats is one of those "lifetime experiences" that is worth paying for. I have already booked my accomodation but if it means booking a smaller room for a couple of nights then I know which I am going to choose!

Cape Town Central...
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Absolutely, couldn't agree with you more, it is truly a wonderful experience, and I totally recommend it, despite the price tag ;) Enjoy the meerkats!

Johannesburg
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I have been told that the Meerkat tour is not available at present because they (the meerkats) have moced into a military area that is not accessible to the general public. Can anyone confirm this?

Hampshire
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I have just asked for the price for a tour in November and have been told it will be R1500 per person. As a couple, and like most people we are on a budget, this is way out of our price range. A great shame really, but will just have to content ourselves with TV programmes. It may be environmental management via exclusion, it is also exclusion to anyone but the well heeled.

Selwyn Davidowitz...
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7. Re: MEERKAT MAGIC - price increase
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I really dont know why everbody is running to the meerkat magic experience because at the new prices that they are charging the event has become an absolute ripoff.

A great option to see meerkats is to rather go to Addo Game Park. On arrival in the game park go to the park office and ask where the meerkats were last spotted. With a little bit of effort, where you probably will see many animals along the way, you will see the meerkats as well if not better than at the meerkat magic event. The difference between Addo and MM is the signifcant difference in price as you will pay 20% of the entrance cost (R130/person) when you enter Addo versus MM's R700. Obviously it would be better to hear all that the Meerkat Man tells you about the meerkats but I am not too sure if this is worth the money spent overall. At least when you see the meerkats at Addo you will be able to photograph them at will which is a facility that MM does not allow.

As a tourguide /operator I know both experiences pretty well and even though I would normally recommend both events at the new MM price of R700/person my suggestion is to rather go to Addo and enjoy the meerkats, tons of elephants and many other animal at a much cheaper rate of R130.

Selwyn Davidowitz

Very proudly part of the wonderful rainbow nation of South Africa

Southend-on-Sea...
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We booked Meerkat Magic last week via our B&B and the cost was R750 per person which equates to about £50. It is not cheap although to put that into perspective for a UK traveller it is cheaper than many premiership football games.

We are also spending 3 nights at Addo and whilst I probably could take time to find the meerkats what appeals about this tour is being able to watch the meerkats from close quarters as the sun rises. I am not sure that Addo would offer this.

I have also quickly compared the prices of Meerkat Magic to the Aquila game reserve for which I understand the animals are imported. Costs for a half day guided drive are R1830. Compared to that the cost for the meerkats seem far from being a "rip off"

As a percentage the recent price increase is high and from a marketing perspective it would have been better to have phased in over a couple of years (I don't know how long the old price was in place for).

I regularly read the SA forums and the most common threads seem to relate to fine dining and/or wine. It seems that the increase of R300 roughly equates to the price of a very good meal. Its a matter of choice but for me it is "simples"

Wiltshire UK
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#7: although I understand your concerns re cost of Meerkat Magic (we got in 'just in time' last year at R400 each!), I'm afraid there is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON with seeing some meerkats at Addo. Compare seeing them in the distance, through your binoculars, from your car, with ACTUALLY WALKING WITH THEM for a whole morning on the personalised Meerkat Magic tour, with a running commentary (from arguably the world expert on meerkats - not just a guide) on what they are doing etc. We were only a couple of feet from them at times - they just accepted him and went around their business as if we weren't there. It was amazing - and I couldn't believe how good value it was for such a unique experience . . .

Edited: 11 years ago
Cape Town Central...
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I have it on good authority that most establishments have now stopped supporting Meerkat Magic due to extremely bad communication on Grant's part, and numerous let-downs.

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