Name of your website?Berngo Safaris and Tours, Africa Safaris, Kenya Holidays
Your name?
Bernie Waruru
Your Location (city, etc)
Rockford
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Africa safaris and tours operator to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi with hotel,car rental,airfares and travel insurance specializing in family,single,groups,business and private travellers that are looking for that unique love-hate African experience.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I wanted my children and friends to know and experience the African rich and diverse culture and landscape that I have had a chance to have. I wanted to give back to the community by sending visitors back to Africa who would enrich the economy but also would learn from the local people and their resources.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
Berngo Safaris and Tours was first started as the Kenyan-American Club (http://kenyanamericanclub.multiply.com/)based in Delaware, USA. Initially we had 10 members in 1999 who were from around the world but had a soft heart for Africa. After our membership grew to over 700 members I thought of doing something better like sending our visitors to Africa. Berngo Safaris and Tours was born and in 2007 we opened our first office in Nairobi, Kenya. We have 3 locations in Delaware,North Carolina and Michigan.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
The name Berngo Safaris and Tours came from my first name, Bernie. I did not want to have my full name and I decided to take off the last two letters,'i''e'. I came up with the name Bernie Go Safaris and Tours but thought that was too long. I decided on Bern-Go and finally I came up with Berngo Safaris and Tours. I like to travel and thats where Bernie Go or Berngo came about....
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Many African Safaris websites have including mine have almost the same format. However, my webiste and my business is based on my African and American experience. When I come up with a safari itinerary, I can visualize what a first time visitor to Africa would want to see or be concerned about but I can also forsee the places that are great to visit. Meaning, I'm able to guide a visitor to Kenya with my actual knowledge of the destinations.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My goal has always been to give back to Africa. I work with a few charities in Kenya but I would love to set up my own where I can directly influence a child through education . I want to also start a Kenyan volunteer organization where young people can help in cleaning streets and residences which will impact their environment positively.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
To make money you have to invest alot of time in what you do. Money is the reward for hard work but you have to be always conscious of the time you put in to be successful. Knowing that , you are able to invest wisely.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would go into specialization and expand the business to other markets. I would also put money aside for more charities and community based projects that would go along way in helping local people have a higher standard of living.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
The bigger you get the more responsibilities you have. More business means more manpower . I would have to train good and responsible people to manage while I continue with marketing and customer service and satisfaction.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Most of the unexpected costs are from political influences in Africa. When there is instability, there is a negative impact on business. When my clients are concerned with political instability, it makes it harder to assure them. The global economic melt down has dramatically slowed down tourism . We have lowered our tour packages to keep going. After I opened my first Berngo Safaris and Tours office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007, I got caught up by the elections violence in Kenya. Fighting started in Nairobi and I was caught up on the streets. The curfew that was imposed and the violence pretty much killed tourism in Kenya. Its painful after you invest in an office then everything falls apart.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Biggest challenge is trying to convince politicians in Africa to divorce politics from business. As a business person I'm discouraged when i hear politicians fighting in public. That scares all of us and our clients.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of mouth is the most effective promotion method.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
Its a lot of work because you have to constantly update and maintain your site.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
Berngo Safaris and Tours has been running for over two years. I will run the site till my son takes over....
Replace this with a question of your own
I would like to know if the new African generations are willing to make Africa more democratic and stop corruption. I believe that would make Africa more competitive and would uplift the people.
What is your website address?
Berngo Safaris and Tours, Africa Safaris, Kenya Holidays
