The New York-based company takes into account more than 20 factors and gives the operator’s tours a point total. Location of the safari, quality of the tours, hotels, their vans, food, hospitality and the cost are some of the items that the agency considers. The service also puts operator’s safaris into different categories according to whether they visit Kenya or Tanzania,  or both; whether they use a bus or a plane from one site to another; whether they are deluxe tent tours or treks. In addition, the service grades the vans by the number of passengers that have a window seat and the number of passengers that have access to a roof  hatch.  

The agency, which also books safari tours, was started six years ago when its co-founder, Deborah Doelker, found herself on the rug of her living room with piles of brochures. She said that when she finally chose a safari based on what the brochures told her, she didn't always get what she had read about.  

Information for the ratings is gathered by Ms. Doelker on visits to East Africa...."  

The Safari Rating Report, now in its  seventeenth year and rates specific properties and game locations deemed by Ms. Doelker to being "The Best of The Best".  This service is now available only to those clients who book their safaris though Doelker, Inc..