| Terms and Conditions: THE CONTRACT
All persons making a booking with African Routes must complete and sign the booking form. The person or persons who have signed the booking form are hereafter referred to as the client. Upon signature the client agrees to be bound by these booking conditions. No agent, servant, representative or client of African Routes has any right to alter, vary or waive any of these conditions.
This contract, by whosoever it is made and wherever it is made, is subject to and shall be governed and construed to South African law.
PAYMENT/ACCEPTANCE OF BOOKING
safarisAA will email a booking form to the client. The signed and completed booking form must be faxed to safarisAA together with a non-refundable deposit of 15% of the tour price. The balance is payable 28 days prior to departure. Once full payment is received a tour confirmation will be issued to the client. If the balance is not paid on due date, African Routes reserves the right to cancel the booking. If a booking is made 28 days or less before departure date, the full tour price is payable.
CANCELLATION/CHANGE BY BOOKING
Any notification of cancellation must be in writing. The date on which the letter is received by African Routes or its agents will determine the cancellation charges applicable. In the event of cancellation the following charges will apply:
* 28 days or more prior to departure the deposit will be forfeited.
* 27 to 21 days before departure, African Routes will retain a cancellation fee of 30% of the total fare plus the full deposit.
* 20 to 14 days before departure, 60% total fare plus the full deposit will be forfeited.
* 13 days or less before departure, the total fare will be forfeited
Should a client fail to join a tour or join after departure or leave it prior to its completion, no refunds or liability will be accepted by African Routes.
If a client wishes to change a booking from one tour to another 28 days or more prior to departure, and if African Routes agrees, an administration fee of R100 will be charged. Normal cancellation fees apply if a client wishes to make changes within 28 days of departure.
CANCELLATION BY AFRICAN ROUTES
African Routes reserves the right to cancel any tour if a specified minimum number of passengers are not booked on the tour or for any other reason. In the event of a tour being cancelled for whatever reason, the client may choose a full refund of all monies paid, or alternatively, any other tour African Routes is in a position to offer. No further liability by African Routes to the client with regard to the cancellation will arise. In the event of a passenger selecting an alternative tour offered by African Routes, which is lower in price than the original tour, then the client will be entitled to a refund of the difference. If the alternative is more expensive, then the client will be liable for the additional cost.
UNUSED SERVICES
In the event of a client failing to join a tour, joining after departure, or leaving prior to completion, no refunds or liability will be accepted by African Routes.
INFORMATION
The information in the brochures, circulars, leaflets and other advertisements issued by African Routes or its agents is given in good faith and unless specifically stated shall not form part of any contract between the client and African Routes.
CHANGES
African Routes does not accept any liability arising out of changes to itineraries, or any other matters relating to a tour, due to factors outside its control. These factors include wars, strikes, weather, political disputes, border closures, delayed flights, etc. Any expenses incurred by the client arising out of these changes are for his/her own account.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All clients must be in possession of a valid passport, together with any necessary visas or required vaccinations, and the client accepts full responsibility for obtaining same. Any information or advice given by African Routes or its agents with regard to the above is given in good faith, but African Routes can accept no responsibility for the information given. Should a client be refused entry to any country due to incorrect or incomplete documentation, African Routes will not be held liable for any costs of such delays or repatriation costs for the client.
AUTHORITY ON TOUR
The client accepts that at all times the authority and decision of the tour leader will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and well being of the tour.
PARTICIPATION
A willingness to participate is fundamental to all our safaris. Passengers will be asked to pitch their own tent, help pack the vehicle, assist with meal preparation and wash up afterwards. (On Young Traveller safaris your crew handles meal preparation and clearing up). We expect all passengers to share the attitude that it's fun to be involved. Joining in means you'll get far more out of your tour at the end of the day. In the interest of your enjoyment and that of your fellow passengers, please ensure you decide to travel with African Routes because of the style and itinerary of the tour and not just the reasonable price that attracts you.
UNSUITABILITY
Should a client, in the sole opinion of African Routes or its duly authorised representative, be considered unsuitable for any tour, due to being in contravention of any customs or laws of the country, or by reason of causing inconvenience or annoyance to other passengers, then African Routes may decline to carry such client any further. In such circumstances, African Routes will not be liable to make any refund to the client, and no other liability by African Routes to the client will arise.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Clients' bookings are accepted on the understanding by the client that certain risks exist, which are inherently part of adventure travel in Africa, and clients undertake all safaris and associated expeditions entirely at their own risk. While African Routes takes every precaution to ensure the safety of clients, no responsibility can be accepted for any death, injury or loss, which might occur to such clients, sustained from any cause whatsoever. The clients and his/her dependants, heirs, executors or administrators hereby indemnify and hold blameless, African Routes, its member, employees, representatives, and agents from any claims of whatsoever nature and from any liability for delay, loss, damage, injury, illness, or death, arising from any cause whatsoever out of events related to or occurring during a tour.
CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS
Any complaint that the client has against African Routes, must firstly be taken up with the tour leader, in order that the leader be given an opportunity to remedy the problem. If the client has any further complaint this must be lodged in writing to South Africa safaris and Safaris with African Alternatives (safarisAA) within 21 days of the end of the tour. If these procedures are not followed, then African Routes and safarisAA will not held liable.
PRICE INCREASES
African Routes reserves the right to increase tour prices owing to increases in fuel costs, park entry fees, or fluctuations in exchange rates.
INSURANCE
It is compulsory for all clients to effect appropriate travel and cancellation insurance before commencing a tour. This insurance, which must be for the full duration of the tour must cover cancellation, curtailment, medical, emergency travel and personal accident.
All clients must be covered by Travel Insurance. We offer an insurance scheme, which is designed for safari and overland travel. Contact our office if you wish SA safaris & Safari's with African Alternatives (PTY) Ltd / safarisAA to arrange this for you.
PASSPORT & VISAS
A valid passport is required for all safaris. Depending on your tour and nationality you may require visas for certain countries you will travel through. Please check with our office when booking and ensure you possess all relevant documents before travelling.
AGE LIMIT
The safaris are designed for those aged between 18 and 35. This helps to create a young, fun group with which to share an action packed holiday. It's a social experience as well as a travel experience. Seeing so much in a relatively short space of time, often in hot and perhaps dusty conditions (as can be experienced in the Namibian Desert for example) also requires a certain amount of stamina, a sense of humour and a degree of flexibility.
DRIVING DISTANCES
All our safaris aim to show you as many highlights as possible within a relatively short time. Some safaris cover greater distances than others so be prepared for some long travelling days.
PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation can be organised for before and after your tour, at the departure and arrival points. Back-Packer and Overlander safaris generally begin and end at youth hostels, which offer dorm-bedded accommodation at +/- R80.
Pretoria Backpackers in Pretoria. There is a shuttle bus, which runs from the Airport every hour and drops you off at Pretoria Backpackers. The cost of the shuttle is R25pp. A private room at the Backpackers is R150. Booking in after your tour avoids a rush to meet flight times on your last day and most groups enjoy a meal together, even though the tour has finished. Contact the office for current accommodation rates.
To be paid direct - Cash basis only.
AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
We can arrange airport pick-ups and drop offs for a nominal fee.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE POINTS
Joining instructions, detailing the location of departure and arrival points, will be included in your "Tour Confirmation". This is issued on receipt of full payment.
CHARTERS
We can organise private expeditions/safaris for clubs, societies and student groups. Please write with details of your interest and we will be happy to send you a quote.
FELLOW PASSENGERS
Your group is likely to be a mix of several nationalities. The majority of our passengers are from the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS
There is no single supplement charge if you join a tour alone. You will simply share accommodation with another tour member. Don't worry about coming on your own, most of our passengers do.
LUGGAGE
A backpack or soft hold-all is much easier to pack than a suitcase. We request that luggage size be kept at a minimum i.e. one backpack per person.
WHAT TO BRING
Torch, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, swimming costume, hat and sunscreen, mosquito repellent, camera, music tapes, etc. are useful items.
SLEEPING BAG
A sleeping bag will be required on all safaris. We recommend you bring your own. Your bag should be a warm one for safaris, which involve camping during the winter months. Overlander passengers must supply their own sleeping bag and roll-mat.
WEATHER/CLOTHING
The winter lasts for approximately 3 months of the year - June to August. Days are pleasantly warm but nights can be cold. A warm jacket and good sleeping bag are required. Summer months are warm and shorts, T-shirts and sandals are the order of the day. A smarter set of clothes is required of the occasional evening out.
FIRST AID
All vehicles are equipped with a first aid kit. It is advisable for you to carry a personal medical kit, especially if you are travelling on an Overland journey North of Victoria Falls. As a precaution your travel insurance should include cover for medical expenses.
ANTI-MALARIAL TABLETS
You pass through possible malarial areas on a number of the safaris so prophylactics should be taken. Up-to-date advice can be sought from your doctor or local pharmacist. Mosquito repellent is a useful item.
DRINKS
Alcoholic drinks are not included in the tour price. You are welcome to purchase your own drinks en route from a bottle store or supermarket. Occasionally we may visit a pub in the evening.
SMOKING POLICY
For the comfort and safety of everyone, we do not allow smoking in the vehicles or inside our tents. However, there will be ample opportunity for those who smoke during the many stops en route. |