Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Please read the following Terms and Conditions carefully. They form the basis of your contract with African Pishon Safaris, a registered tour operator in the United Republic of Tanzania. By booking a tour with us and paying the required deposit, you, the client, acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

In this document, “The Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to African Pishon Safaris. “The Client,” “you,” and “your” refer to all persons named on the booking.

1. Booking and Payment

1.1. Confirmation of Booking: A booking is considered confirmed only upon our receipt of a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour cost. We will then issue a written booking confirmation. The contract between The Company and The Client comes into existence upon the issuance of this confirmation.

1.2. Final Payment: The final balance of the tour cost is due 60 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. If the final payment is not received by the due date, The Company reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you and apply the cancellation charges outlined in Section 2.

1.3. Bookings Made Within 60 Days: For bookings made within 60 days of the arrival date, the full tour cost (100%) is due at the time of booking to secure the reservation.

1.4. Payment Methods: Payments can be made via international bank transfer. All bank charges associated with the transfer are the responsibility of The Client.

2. Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be made in writing (via email) and will be effective from the date we receive the written notification.

2.1. Cancellation by The Client:
The following cancellation fees apply, calculated as a percentage of the total tour cost:

Cancellation 90 days or more before arrival: Loss of the 30% non-refundable deposit.
Cancellation between 89 and 60 days before arrival: 50% of the total tour cost.
Cancellation less than 60 days before arrival: 100% of the total tour cost.

Please Note: Certain third-party costs, such as gorilla/chimpanzee permits or specific non-refundable lodge bookings, may be 100% non-refundable from the time of booking. We highly recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover potential cancellation fees. No refunds will be given for unused services, late arrivals, or no-shows.

2.2. Cancellation by The Company:
We reserve the right to cancel any tour for any reason. However, we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before departure except for reasons of Force Majeure (see Section 10) or failure by you to pay the final balance. In the event of a cancellation by The Company (not due to Force Majeure), we will offer you the choice of:

A full refund of all monies paid to us; or
An alternative tour of a comparable standard, if available.

3. Itinerary Changes & Flexibility

3.1. Changes by The Client: If you wish to make changes to your confirmed itinerary, you must notify us in writing. We will do our utmost to accommodate the changes, but they are not guaranteed. Any additional costs incurred due to the requested changes will be your responsibility.

3.2. Changes by The Company: Due to the nature of travel in Africa, The Company reserves the right to make minor changes to the itinerary (e.g., accommodation, route) without prior notice. We will only make significant changes for reasons of safety, road conditions, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. We will inform you of any major changes as soon as possible and offer a suitable alternative. The Company is not liable for any additional costs incurred by such changes.

4. Pricing, Inclusions, and Exclusions

4.1. Pricing: Prices are quoted in US Dollars (USD). We reserve the right to adjust prices at any time before your booking is confirmed. Once your booking is confirmed, the price is guaranteed, except in the case of new government taxes or significant park fee increases.

4.2. Inclusions: The price typically includes services as specified in your confirmed itinerary, such as accommodation, meals on safari, park fees, private safari vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and airport transfers.

4.3. Exclusions: The price does not include international flights, Tanzanian visa fees, mandatory travel insurance, tips, alcoholic beverages, optional activities, or any items of a personal nature.

5. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for all clients. It is a condition of booking that you are adequately insured for the full duration of your tour. Your insurance policy must cover, at a minimum:

Medical expenses and emergency repatriation (including air ambulance)
Trip cancellation and interruption
Lost or damaged luggage and personal effects
Accidental death and disability

You must provide us with your insurance policy number and the 24-hour emergency contact number before your arrival. The Company will not be liable for any costs or losses incurred as a result of your failure to obtain adequate insurance.

6. Travel Documents and Health

6.1. Passports & Visas: It is The Client’s sole responsibility to ensure that their passport is valid for at least six months from their date of entry into Tanzania and has sufficient blank pages. You are also responsible for obtaining the correct visa for entry into Tanzania. We can offer advice, but we are not responsible for any denial of entry.

6.2. Health: You are responsible for consulting a doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date information on required vaccinations and health precautions. You must ensure you are medically and physically fit for your chosen tour. Please inform us in writing at the time of booking of any medical conditions, physical disabilities, or dietary requirements.

7. Luggage

7.1. Luggage Allowance: Luggage on safari should be packed in soft-sided duffel bags. If your itinerary includes any internal flights, there is a strict luggage limit of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, including hand luggage.

7.2. Liability: The Company does not accept liability for the loss of or damage to any luggage or personal belongings. This should be covered by your travel insurance.

8. Authority on Safari

The decisions of your safari guide on all matters, particularly those affecting the safety and well-being of the group, are final. If you fail to comply with a decision made by the guide or interfere with the well-being of the group, the guide may order you to leave the tour immediately, with no right to a refund.

9. Limitation of Liability

The Client acknowledges and accepts that adventure travel in Africa involves inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, death, loss or damage to property, discomfort, and inconvenience. These risks may be a result of wild animals, disease, accidents, political unrest, or the remote nature of the destinations.

By booking a tour with us, you agree to assume all such risks. African Pishon Safaris, its employees, agents, and suppliers shall not be held liable for any injury, death, loss, or damage to person or property that may occur during the tour, except where it arises from the proven negligence of The Company. Our liability in all cases will be limited to the total amount paid by you for the tour in question.

10. Force Majeure

The Company will not be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performance of its obligations if such failure or delay is caused by a “Force Majeure” event. This includes any event beyond our reasonable control, such as war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, pandemic, epidemic, or governmental action. In such circumstances, no refunds will be issued, but we will endeavor to offer alternative arrangements or a travel credit for a future tour.

11. Marketing

The Company reserves the right to use any photographs or videos taken during the tour for marketing or promotional purposes without obtaining further consent. Clients who do not wish to have their images used must inform The Company in writing before the start of their tour.

12. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

Should you have a complaint during your tour, please inform your guide immediately so that they can attempt to resolve the issue on the spot. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, you must submit a formal written complaint to our office within 28 days of the completion of your tour.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions and any contract to which they apply are governed in all respects by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.

By confirming your booking with African Pishon Safaris, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.