Terms and Conditions

1 Booking Your Safari

Your contract in respect of your safari is made with Serengeti Trails Safaris ("the Company"). All bookings are subject to these terms and conditions.

All communications by the Company in relation to your safari will be sent to the address or contact details stated on your booking form or enquiry.

All bookings must be made through an authorised representative of the Company. At the time of booking, the Company booking form must be completed and submitted together with a deposit of 50% of the total cost of the booking.

Receipt of the deposit and booking form by the Company does neither guarantee nor imply confirmation of the booking. No booking shall be confirmed until the Company issues a written notice. The Company reserves the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason and shall in that event return any deposit received.

Your safari must be paid in full at least 30 days before the departure date. If payment is not received by the due date, the Company reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit. No reminders will be sent.

If you book within 30 days of your departure date, payment must be made in full at the time of booking.

All special requests, such as dietary requirements, should be noted on the booking form.

The Company will provide the service as set out and confirmed in writing.

2 Price Policy

The Company is under no obligation to furnish a breakdown of the costs involved in a safari.

The Company reserves the right to notify you of any increase in price before accepting your booking.

After a Confirmation Invoice has been issued, the price of your safari may be subject to surcharges in limited circumstances — including variations in transport costs, fuel, park and conservation fees, published airfares, taxes, landing fees, or exchange rate movements. The Company will absorb an amount equal to 2% of your safari price before passing on any surcharge. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be charged.

If a surcharge would increase the total safari price shown on your original Confirmation Invoice by 10% or more, you may cancel your booking within 14 days of the revised Invoice and obtain a full refund of all payments made.

Optionally, you may pay for your safari in full at the time of booking, in which case your safari price will be fixed at the cost quoted. Full payment must reach the Company within 7 days of the date on the Confirmation Invoice to qualify.

The Company is not able to reduce safari prices should currency exchange rates move in the client's favour after a quotation has been issued.

3 Cancellation and Changes by the Company

Occasionally it may be necessary to make changes to your safari. The Company reserves the right to do so at any time and you will be notified at the earliest possible opportunity. If a major change is necessary, you may (i) accept the change, (ii) purchase another safari from us, or (iii) cancel your safari.

Minor changes

Including minimal changes to departure and arrival times, vehicle type, or accommodation changes to a comparable or superior standard, carry no compensation.

Major changes

Including cancellation, park closures, delays of more than 12 hours, or accommodation changes to an inferior standard, may carry compensation.

No compensation will be paid for changes caused by Force Majeure events: Acts of God, war, civil unrest, terrorist activity, natural disaster, fire, technical transport issues, airport closure, adverse weather, wildlife-related park closures, or any other event beyond the Company's control. Adequate travel insurance is essential.

The Company reserves the right to cancel your safari at any time before departure. If cancelled, the Company will refund in full any money already paid. No further compensation is payable.

The Company also has the right to refuse any person as a member of the tour if, in their opinion, that person could endanger the health, safety, or enjoyment of others. In such cases, the Company's sole liability is a refund of monies paid less the amount for services already utilised plus administrative fees.

4 Cancellation and Changes by You

You may cancel your safari at any time by notifying the Company in writing. The following charges apply:

Amendments: after the itinerary is confirmed, one set of amendments is permitted free of administration charges, though the client remains liable for any added costs (park fees, airline charges, accommodation, etc.). Any further modifications instigated by the client will incur an administration charge of USD $25 due to communication and administration expenses incurred.

5 Our Responsibilities

The Company does not own or manage the aircraft, accommodation, restaurants, and other facilities used in conjunction with the tours arranged. While care has been exercised in selecting providers, the Company does not represent that such facilities have been formally inspected.

The Company is not responsible if any member of your party suffers death, illness, or injury as a result of any failure attributable to: (i) acts and/or omissions of any member of the party; (ii) acts of a third party not connected with the provision of your safari; or (iii) an event which neither the Company nor the service provider could have foreseen or prevented with due care.

Should any member of your party suffer illness, injury, or death through misadventure arising from an activity not forming part of the arranged safari, the Company cannot accept liability. General assistance will be offered where appropriate.

No refund will be made on unused tickets or activities — flights, park entry, sporting event, or otherwise — unless a refund can be obtained from the carrier or provider.

6 Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance. Details of all insurance policies must be provided on the booking form. No booking form can be accepted without sufficient proof that personal policies have been arranged. Ensure your cover applies to the specific activities confirmed on your Confirmation Invoice, including any trekking, walking safari, boat safari or chimpanzee tracking activities.

Each member of the party must have a valid passport, visas, and all necessary documentation for Tanzania and any other countries being toured. The Company accepts no responsibility for any delay or expense resulting from documents not being in order.

You are responsible for checking in for flights at the correct time and presenting yourself for all pre-booked components of your safari. No credit or refunds will be given if you fail to take up any component of your safari or for lost, mislaid, or destroyed travel documents.

By booking a safari with the Company, you undertake to behave in an orderly manner and not to disrupt the enjoyment of others or bring the reputation of the Company into disrepute. Breach of this clause may result in immediate termination of your safari.

The person who signs the Booking Form is responsible for disclosing any pre-existing medical conditions for all members of their party.

All equipment and personal effects are at the owner's risk at all times. The Company cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage, or delay to luggage or effects unless directly caused by the negligence of a Company representative.

7 Smoking Policy

The Company forbids smoking in any vehicle operated by the Company. Frequent stops can be arranged for those who wish to smoke. All accommodation will be reserved with non-smoking rooms unless the client specifically requests otherwise, subject to availability.

8 Waiver

The Company will undertake to ensure the safety of the client throughout the tour. However, aspects of each particular safari — including game drives, walking safaris, boat safaris and chimpanzee trekking — may involve an element of danger. Clients may be required to sign a Waiver of Responsibility form before beginning their tour. This form is an acknowledgement that all clients need to exercise judgement and care at all times to ensure their own safety and that of their fellow travellers.

9 Disclaimer

The Company has made all reasonable efforts to check the accuracy of the information contained on our website, including destination guides, wildlife information, seasonal timing and park fees. The Company cannot, however, accept responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear, or for changes made by third parties such as TANAPA and other park authorities after publication.

10 Complaints

If you have a problem during your safari, please inform the relevant guide, lodge, camp, airline, or other supplier immediately so that remedial action can be taken. If unresolved, contact the Company office directly. The Company will not hold itself responsible for non-performance where it was not notified at the point where remedial action could have been taken.

In the unlikely event that a complaint cannot be resolved at the time, you should write to the Company within 28 days of returning home, providing your booking reference number and all relevant information. Failure to do so will hinder the Company's ability to investigate and may reduce or invalidate any compensation entitlement.

All information given by the Company, whether in writing or orally, is to the best of the Company's knowledge and believed correct at the time given. The booking conditions shall take precedence over any other warranty or condition.

11 Data Protection

It may be necessary for the Company to ask you for certain personal information, including dietary requirements, disability or medical information, and religious requirements. This information will be kept confidential by the Company and is available for you to inspect during normal working hours. It will only be passed to suppliers where necessary for the Company to fulfil its contract with you.

See our Privacy Policy for full details on how we collect, use and protect your personal information.