I was surprised when I recently discovered that people would call different companies to compare prices and in most cases decide to take the cheaper option. Off course you have freedom of choice but cheapest is in most cases not the cheapest after all.
Most of the bigger companies can afford to make the price per person cheaper because of the volume of customers they enjoy by being well known over time.
Firstly there is a big difference between a “private tour” vs a normal tour in a minibus / bus with other tourists on the same tour. These scheduled tours where you travel with other tourists normally have a specific schedule and lists of places they will stop for you to explore. These places are well chosen and make for an enjoyable trip, but you do drive past many other interesting places you could have visited with a “private tour” without even knowing about it.
A private tour on the other hand offers you a trip for you alone, you and your partner or the whole family exclusively and the tour will be planned according to your interests and schedule for the day. The cars chosen are normally more luxurious and you enjoy a lot more personal attention from the tourist guide.
The price for a “private tour” will inevitably be higher but will be much better value for money. Another important aspect is to find out before you decide on a company whether the gate fees are included in the price or if you have to pay for it. By adding up the extra expenses on route may just make you decide to take a “private tour” that includes all fees.
The next thing to consider is what type of vehicle the company provides. This company for instance uses a 4×4 Jeep Cherokee which is fitted with a higher suspension kit to make for a softer ride. The running costs on this vehicle is much higher than other smaller vehicles but if space and comfort is important to you, you will consider it when making your choice.
Once you have all relevant info you are able to make a good decision and by paying a little bit more than the cheapest company, you may just have a much more enjoyable trip.