Please ensure that you are aware of our booking conditions. Confirming a booking with Africa Unveiled Safaris automatically implies your acceptance of these terms.

1.Your travel Contract

This contract is entered into between Africa Unveiled Safaris Pty Ltd and any person travelling or intending to travel (hereafter referred to as the Guest(s)) through Africa Unveiled Safaris. The Guest, who hereby signifies his acceptance of these terms, does so on behalf of him/herself and their entire travelling party, which means that all are bound by these terms as if they had individually made the booking.

 

2.Securing your booking

A booking is deemed confirmed upon issuance of an invoice to the Guest by Africa Unveiled Safaris. A written confirmation is required, followed by either the first payment or full pre-payment as outlined in Section 3. It is at this point that the contract between Africa Unveiled Safaris and the Guest comes into force.

Guests who have confirmed a booking with Africa Unveiled Safaris will have deemed to accept our Terms and Conditions and agree to the following:

• They understand the risks involved in travelling to the remote areas in which Africa Unveiled Safaris operates.
• They or anyone else in their traveling party will inform Africa Unveiled Safaris of any pre-existing medical condition which may hinder their experience, and to inform Africa Unveiled Safaris of any special dietary requirements or allergies at the time of booking.
• The person signing or being deemed to sign our Guest Information Form, warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon and confirms that all persons traveling in the party are fully aware of and accept these terms and conditions.

 

3.Payment Structure

1. Once a booking has been confirmed with us, we will change the booking’s status from “provisional” to “confirmed” on condition that the specified non-refundable deposit has been paid. The standard amount is 30% of the total land arrangement costs but this amount can vary depending on certain terms and conditions or party size and also flights that need to be secured.
2. Some suppliers require up to 50% to secure space in the peak seasons. This will be communicated.
3. Flights need to be paid in full to secure the service.
4. Full balance payment is due eight weeks/90 days prior to commencement of travel, after which cancellation fees escalate in accordance with our cancellation policy.
5. Some suppliers require full payment by 100 days before travel. This will be communicated.
6. Confirmation will be in writing upon receipt of any payments. Africa Unveiled Safaris reserves the right to cancel any reservations for which the booking costs have not been paid by the stipulated due dates, in which event the full first payment will be forfeited to Africa Unveiled Safaris.
7. Upon confirmation of an itinerary, the cancellation policy will be effective immediately.

 

Please note: 

1. Itineraries are quoted making use of available rates and special offers. If the number of nights or dates of travel should change, this will have an effect on the overall cost.
2. The price quoted is subject to change in the event of any unforeseen increases in fuel costs including currency fluctuations (relevant to aircraft or transfer services) and/or government levies/taxes.
3. Due to such currency fluctuations please note that all prices quoted are valid only at the time of quoting and are subject to change as stipulated after the allowed period. Once payment has been received, Africa Unveiled Safaris will issue the relevant documentation which will guarantee prices. We regret any inconvenience this may cause; however, Africa Unveiled Safaris cannot be held responsible for currency fluctuations.
4. If you pay in a currency other than the invoiced currency, the currency conversion must be contracted at a rate of exchange as determined by Africa Unveiled Safaris. Please ensure that you contact us to establish this exchange rate in advance of payment.
5. When making payments all fees are for the Guest’s account. Please consider currency fluctuations and bank delays in transmitting funds to Africa Unveiled Safaris’ bank account. All bank commissions when transmitting by draft, wire transfer, telegraphic or electronic transfers are for the sender’s account. Africa Unveiled Safaris does not extend credit accounts.
6. Payments can be made via the following ways:

• Africa Unveiled Safaris does not accept credit cards for payment. Due to the increase in credit card fraud and the exorbitant costs associated with credit card payments Africa Unveiled Safaris has deemed the risk of processing credit card payments too high
• Direct bank transfers – Africa Unveiled Safaris holds South African Rand, US Dollar, British Pound and Euro bank accounts for direct payments.

 

4.Cancellations

• For all land arrangements, a 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking.
• Standard cancellation policy is 100% at <45 days before travel. There are however variations in some providers’ policies and we will at all times endeavour to secure refunds in line with these different policies.
• Flights must be paid in full;
• International and domestic airlines are as a standard non-refundable.
• Most charter companies that provide private and scheduled charters to the various safari destinations have different sliding scale cancellation policies according to the aircraft type and season of booking. Africa Unveiled Safaris adheres to each specific company’s policies separately. Africa Unveiled Safaris will always endeavour to get refunds from our partners, but this can only be guaranteed in line with their policies. Enquire with your Safari Specialist for more detail.
• Should the Guest(s) be unable to complete the journey, or leave prior to the completion of the journey, Africa Unveiled Safaris cannot refund you the cost of the portion of the package not completed. In the eventuality of this happening, your mandatory travel insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation or curtailment.

5.Refunds

No refund can be made for tours, meals, sightseeing, transfers, accommodation or any other services included in your booking, which for any reason including illness, weather or otherwise were not utilized.

 

6.Complaints

Should the Guest at any time have a complaint while traveling with Africa Unveiled Safaris, the responsibility lies with the Guest to inform Africa Unveiled Safaris immediately as well as the relevant supplier. It is only if Africa Unveiled Safaris is made aware of a complaint that action can be taken to rectify the issue. Failure to inform Africa Unveiled Safaris at the time of the incident will result in the Guest being unable to claim compensation from Africa Unveiled Safaris or any other principals involved. Africa Unveiled Safaris endeavours to rectify any complaint while the Guest is on the ground travelling if we are made aware timeously of such a complaint.

Africa Unveiled Safaris does not hold itself responsible, nor can it be held responsible for any delayed, cancelled or rescheduled flights for any event beyond the control of Africa Unveiled Safaris, prior to and/or during the course of your travels, whether it be brought about by technical difficulties, strikes, weather conditions, global pandemics, or any other circumstance whatsoever, whether foreseen or unforeseen. Africa Unveiled Safaris will in no way be liable for any expenses incurred as a result of cancellations or delays. All additional expenses incurred by the Guest due to unscheduled extensions, including but not limited to hotels, meals, telephones calls, transfers, additional PCR tests etc. will all be for the Guest’s own account.

 

7.Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Africa Unveiled Safaris that you have the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependants/travelling companions for the duration of your trip to Africa.

This is the sole responsibility of you, the traveller.

Africa Unveiled Safaris and any person or agent acting for, through or on its behalf, will not take responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the Guest, or Guest’s dependents or travelling companions.

Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in a position of being unable to access such services should they not be carrying the relevant insurance cover.

This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

• Health Insurance: It is compulsory to have full medical, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover for the full period of time that you are travelling.
• Cancellation & Curtailment: If for any reason you cancel your trip close to departure date, you could forfeit the entire cost. Should you have to leave prior to completion of your journey, we cannot refund you the cost of the portion of the package you do not complete. In the eventuality of this happening, insurance may cover you, depending on the reason for cancellation and curtailment. It is recommended that the insurance be taken out upon booking to curtailment losses.
• Luggage & Money Insurance: It is advisable to take out luggage and money insurance especially if you are carrying a substantial amount of cash or expensive camera/electronic equipment. You should always carry such equipment as carry-on items as there is an inherent risk of items of value being stolen from checked-in luggage, or said luggage being delayed or lost.
• Some suggested providers to consider if you do not already have a provider
  • 1earthtravelprotection.com
  • tic.co.za

Claims: If you anticipate an insurance claim upon your return, be sure to document as accurately as possible any accident, injury or loss. Police reports and any notes from a medical practitioner will aid any claim.

 

8.Guest Responsibility

The Guest undertakes to have in their possession during travel all required travel and health documents, including but not limited to – a valid Passport, visas, vaccination certificates and insurance documentation. The Guest also undertakes to research and equip themselves with all necessary personal health medications and equipment.

Should Africa Unveiled Safaris provide advice in these regards, such advice is purely for information purposes, has no legal or contractual value, and does not constitute the assumption by Africa Unveiled Safaris of any Guest obligation or liability in these regards. No correspondence or other communication between any Africa Unveiled Safaris representative and the Guest shall alter the terms of this paragraph.

 

9.Company Responsibility

Africa Unveiled Safaris or any person and/or agent acting for, through or its behalf, will not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from any cause whatsoever and, without restricting the generality of the aforegoing, shall particularly not be responsible for loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions contained in its brochure or other literature, loss or damage caused by delays, sickness, theft, injury or death.

In addition, Africa Unveiled Safaris shall have the right at any time at its discretion to cancel any safari or the remainder thereof or make any alteration in route, accommodation, price or other details and, in the event of any safari being rendered impossible, illegal or inadvisable by weather, strike, war, government or interference or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses incurred as a result thereof shall be the responsibility of the Guest.

Africa Unveiled Safaris may at its discretion and without liability or cost to itself at any time cancel or terminate the Guest’s booking and in particular, without limiting the generality of the aforegoing, it shall be entitled to do so in the event of the illness or the illegal or incompatible behaviour of the Guest, who shall in such circumstances not be entitled to any refund.

The person making any booking will, by the making of such booking, warrant that he or she has authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the other person(s) included in such a booking and in the event of the failure of any or all the other persons so included to make payment, the person making the booking shall by his/her signature thereof assume personal liability for the total price of all bookings made by him/her.

 

10. Travel Regulations

Please be aware that the below is based on current information sourced from relevant authorities and is therefore serving as a guideline only. Africa Unveiled Safaris adopts a cautious approach in order to minimize possible disruptions with regards to entry into African countries and onward arrangements.

All travel requirements (any and all applicable Visa costs, and/or relevant required certified documentation) remain the responsibility of the Guest and is to be verified directly with the applicable visa and immigration authorities, consulates, embassies etc prior to commencement of travel.

Visitors to Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 (six) months beyond your intended departure dates, together with onward travel documents, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. In addition, each country you may be visiting generally requires two consecutive/side by side blank pages on entry for both visas and stamps. Should your itinerary include more than 1 (one) country, excluding the country of departure and return, please ensure that you have a sufficient number of blank visa pages (not endorsement pages) in your passport. i.e., if visiting three countries, a total of six blank visa pages may be required. Should there be insufficient blank pages in your passport then entry into or exit from a country could be denied by the authorities.

It is vital that you verify with your relevant Consulate concerning visa entry requirements, and if extending your journey to other countries, visa entry requirements for those countries need to be established prior to travel. It is the responsibility of the Guest to ensure that all necessary visas are obtained prior to departure from your home country, as Africa Unveiled Safaris, its staff, agents, operators and principals cannot be held liable should entry be denied.

In addition, it is the Guest’s responsibility to ensure that the duration of stay in each of the countries visited on the journey is correctly noted on any and all visas/arrival paperwork or communicated to the Immigration Official so that the appropriate number of days is stamped in your passport. If this is not done, there is a risk of being detained or charged for the number of days that you have “overstayed” in the relevant countries.

NB: As of 01 June 2015, all passengers under 18 years of age will need to present an unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport when entering, departing or transiting South Africa. Abbreviated versions or baptismal certificates are not accepted. This requirement applies to minors of all nationalities – whether travelling unaccompanied, with both parents, with one parent or with a guardian(s) or another adult(s). A sworn translation (certified/authenticated) in English should accompany all documentation that is in a language other than English.

An “Unabridged Birth Certificate” contains the following details:

• Particulars of the child(ren): date & place of birth, gender and name in full.
• Particulars of the parents: full names, date & place of birth and their citizenship at time of birth.
• For single parents, or those travelling alone with their child(ren), the following must be provided:

An affidavit (no more than 3 months old on the date of travel) in which the absent parent gives consent for the child to travel, or a court order granting full responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child, or the death certificate of the absent parent.

 

11. General inclusions in quotes

• All accommodation on a shared basis; unless specified as single accommodation;
• All meals as specified;
• Excursions and transfers as included in the quote;
• Most safari camps/lodges include two game activities per day in their rate – one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. (Private activities and guide may be booked, at an additional cost, for sole use or special interest activities. Please advise if you would like additional information on this service);
• Services of the camp/lodge guides and staff;
• Relevant park fees, conservation levies and entrance fees as specified in the quote;
• Drinks as specified – drink inclusions may differ between camps/lodges;
• Laundry can be done at most camps/lodges and hotels. In some cases this is included in the rate as quoted;
• Air transfers as specified, including relevant Departure Taxes;
• Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST).

 

12. General exclusions in quotes

• Meals not specified in the quote such as lunch and dinner in city hotels, B&B establishments;
• Any drinks, park fees, entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified in the quote;
• Any scheduled commercial flights and related taxes (unless specifically quoted on)
• Cancellation, baggage and medical insurance;
• Staff gratuities (guidelines provided in trip info upon confirming booking);
• Any new Government Taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control;
• Visa fees where relevant. Should a visa payment be required, this will need to be made in US Dollar cash. Change is often not provided and thus the exact amounts payable are essential. Travellers Cheques and credit cards are not accepted for this purpose;
• Departure Taxes are excluded on all light aircraft transfers in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Applicable at manned airports only, these taxes are to be paid direct in cash on departure, unless included in your air ticket cost;
• All taxes are subject to change;
• Zimbabwe Airport Departure Taxes: paid in US Dollars only and in cash. Currently, and subject to change, these taxes are as follows:
• On International flights: Departure Tax – US$ 35.00 per person; Aviation Infrastructural Development Fund – US$ 15.00 per person.
• On Domestic flights: Departure Tax – US$ 10.00 per person; Aviation Infrastructural Development Fund – US$ 5.00 per person.
• Any items of a personal nature such as shop purchases, telephone calls, spa services.

 

13. Hotel/Lodge – Check-in/Check out

Hotels will endeavour to accommodate guests for an earlier check in time if required but it is dependent on the availability of rooms. Check-in times vary between countries and the following should be used as general guidelines

• Check in: 14:00
• Check out :10:00

Should you wish to guarantee an early check in or late check out this is possible at an additional cost. Please speak to your travel consultant timeously should you require this service.

 

14. Flights

• All airlines require full first names and surnames as per the passengers’ passport to make a reservation.
• All airlines DO NOT allow name changes – after the reservation has been made, nor after the ticket has been issued.
• Fares and taxes on flights are quoted per person and at current rates. These are subject to airline increase or rate of exchange fluctuations at any time prior to date of issue.
• Airfares are subject to seat availability and rules, including discounted fares (if applicable), and pertaining to advance purchases, cancellation and amendment penalties.
• Africa Unveiled Safaris cannot be held responsible should airlines discontinue flights or change scheduled times resulting in missed connections etc. Should an amendment in a routing or itinerary be necessary, we will re-quote accordingly.
• Some scheduled regional and inter-lodge flights may involve multiple stops before reaching final destination. This is beyond our control and confirmation of exact timing and routing is done by the lodges the night before.

 

PLEASE NOTE: In line with airline and government regulations around the world, we are required to supply the following information before air tickets may be issued for reservations made on scheduled flights (commercial air) – passport, name, passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, country of issue, date of birth, gender and nationality.

 

• Cancellation fees will be charged if applying for a refund on an issued ticket.
• Africa Unveiled Safaris and their partners cannot be held responsible for any re-routings, delays or cancellations imposed by the airlines. Guests should carry adequate travel insurance to cover such eventualities.

 

15. General information about safaris

Whilst there is a lot of information to note with regards going on safari in Africa, Africa Unveiled Safaris stresses the following, in no particular order, at the time of booking;

• Park entry times, international flight schedules and domestic scheduled charter times in the various countries will impact the planning of your itinerary. It is imperative that you confirm with your Safari Specialist before booking your flights to avoid additional overnight time and expenses.
• With semi-permanent camps that follow the wildebeest migration or move seasonally in other areas, there is a possibility that the airstrip specified in the itinerary might change and additional transfer costs might be incurred.
• Other travellers on safari: When travelling to and whilst at camps/lodges on your safari, you will meet up with other guests who are from different parts of the world and who are of various ages. To get the most out of your safari experience, cooperation and harmony between you and your fellow guests is essential. Should any guest behave in such a manner that it affects either the enjoyment or safety of other guests, that guest will be warned and if need be, taken off the safari.
• You can consider booking private transfers and private safari vehicles should you so choose and where these services are available.
• Off-road driving is not permitted in many parks. If off-road driving is a specific requirement then this should be mentioned before confirming your booking.
• Similarly activities such as bush walks, canoeing, hot air ballooning and others may not be available at all camps or at certain times of the year. Whilst Africa Unveiled Safaris will endeavour to appraise you of this information at booking, it is the responsibility of the Guest to make such enquiries about these services.
• The use of drones/unmanned aerial craft is generally not permitted in most African countries and not in most wildlife areas. Please enquire in advance if you have intentions to use them.
• Africa Unveiled Safaris supports and promotes ethical and sustainable safaris that are conducted with respect and sensitivity to the wilderness.