Terms and Conditions

1. Booking Confirmation & Deposit Requirements

• Initial Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking to secure safari vehicle reservations, professional guide allocations, and park permits.

• Accommodation Securing: High-demand lodges, luxury tented camps, and gorilla/permit-dependent itineraries may require higher upfront deposits as dictated by third-party suppliers.

• Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance of 70% must be settled at least 30 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.

• Late Bookings: Reservations made within 30 days of the departure date require 100% full payment immediately upon confirmation.

2. Payment Methods & Currency

• Accepted Currencies: All official quotes, invoices, and transactions are issued in US Dollars (USD).

• Payment Channels: Payments can be made via direct International Bank Wire Transfer (SWIFT) or authorized Online Credit/Debit Card payment gateways.

• Bank Charges: Any bank transfer fees, currency exchange differences, or online payment gateway processing fees are the responsibility of the client.

• USD Banknote Policy: In accordance with Tanzanian banking standards, USD bills printed before 2009 are not accepted by banks, lodges, or national park gates.

3. Cancellation Policy & Refund Terms

Cancellations must be submitted in writing via email. The following cancellation fee scale applies based on when written notice is received prior to tour commencement:

Note on Third-Party Non-Refundables: Tanzanian National Park permits (TANAPA / NCAA), internal domestic flights (e.g., Air Tanzania, Flightlink), and non-refundable lodge bookings cannot be refunded regardless of cancellation timing.

4. Itinerary Alterations & Route Adjustments

• Adjustments by Client: Any voluntary changes requested by the client after booking confirmation are subject to availability and any extra costs incurred.

• Operational Alterations: African Alive Safaris reserves the right to modify routes, accommodations, or transport modes in the event of unforeseen weather conditions, road closures, national park regulatory changes, or safety concerns. Equivalent alternative arrangements of equal value will be provided.

5. Travel Insurance & Medical Protection

• Mandatory Coverage: Travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients. Your policy must include coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, personal injury, and lost luggage.

• Flying Doctors Evacuation: We strongly advise adding AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation cover to your safari itinerary.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Clients must inform African Alive Safaris in advance of any pre-existing medical conditions, mobility restrictions, or severe dietary allergies.

6. Passport, Visa & Health Regulations

• Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of departure from Tanzania, with at least two blank pages.

• Visas: Obtaining a Tanzanian Tourist Visa (via the official e-Visa portal or upon arrival at entry ports) is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

• Health Declarations: Travelers are responsible for adhering to all entry health requirements, including Yellow Fever vaccination certificates (where applicable depending on country of transit/origin).

7. Vehicle Capacity, Baggage & Photography

• Baggage Restrictions: Due to space constraints inside 4×4 safari Land Cruisers and baggage limits on domestic regional flights, baggage is strictly limited to 15 kg (33 lbs) per person in soft-sided bags.

• Safari Vehicles: Custom 4×4 Land Cruisers are maintained for off-road game viewing. In the rare event of a mechanical breakdown on rough bush roads, repairs or replacement vehicles will be dispatched as swiftly as possible.

• Photography Etiquette: Clients must observe local laws and guide instructions—photographing military zones, border posts, airport security, or local citizens without prior consent is strictly prohibited.

8. Limitation of Liability & Force Majeure

• Independent Service Suppliers: African Alive Safaris acts as an agent for lodges, camps, airlines, and third-party activity operators and assumes no direct liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity caused by these suppliers.

• Force Majeure: African Alive Safaris shall not be held liable or responsible for failure to execute obligations due to events beyond reasonable control, including acts of God, civil unrest, war, strikes, government restrictions, severe weather disasters, or epidemic outbreaks.

9. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Any disputes arising from or related to services provided by African Alive Safaris shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts located in Arusha, Tanzania.