I'm on safari with Bayete right now. I was not a member of this forum until this week. I had checked for comments months ago and all looked good. After we saw some "red flags" here on the trip I started digging some more including this forum.
I'll write more when I get back but the summary is:
-I'm having a great time. We are being taken care of and I am very happy that we came. We have an excellent PH.
HOWEVER. there are several examples of disorganization and at least 2 examples of the red flags that made us wonder about their financial condition, even before we came online and found out about their payment problems. The first was the somewhat disorganized communication became more confusing about 3 weeks ago as the concierge name changed again. Then, 2 weeks ago we received an email that Bayete is using a temporary camp "while they build their new luxury camp". Finally, we were ready to hunt early one morning and waiting. We overheard that we could not go to the game farm we were scheduled at because Bayete owed the farmer money. One of their employees had to go get cash from an ATM and pay the farmer before we could go in. There is also not much hunting ground Bayete currently has contracted, although it has been enough to keep us happy.
On the positive side, the experience they provided at the airport was excellent. A porter met us with a sign, and she took us to "Mr X" (the guy who handles rifle imports). From there we met our drivers, who were very friendly and immediately brought us in a reasonably comfortable van back to the "camp". The camp is an adequate facility. 2 people per cottage-style building, food in a central lodge. There is a swimming pool. It's not the luxury facility they advertise, but it's not that important to us. The reason it was a "red flag" is that I just don't buy that you move your clients to a temporary, downgraded place while you build some imaginary new place.
I saw a semi-reliable source say that the NRA ceased offering the Bayete safaris at auction. If they have not stopped, I would certainly not recommend that anyone buy one right now.
If you have already bought one I would seriously consider whether you want to go ahead with deposit and airline ticket. Maybe wait until a few weeks before your schedule and get information from locals?
In the end an auction item is a donation. We somewhat trusted the NRA "vetting" of this safari company but I also went to an NRA banquet as I do to other charity events with the intent to donate money. What is most concerning/upsetting about the situation though is that it appears Craig (former NRA employee) had to be aware of the problems with Bayete for months while he was still employed there. I just heard that Bayete is now offering a safari with the elk foundation, where Craig now works. Craig's wife was working for Bayete as of a few weeks ago, so it doesn't seem possible to me that he is ignorant of the problems.
It is possible another safari company will step up and offer something also; the safari providers still make money as people tend to buy the opportunity to hunt more animals once they get here.
