Terms and Conditions

Explore Africa reserves the right to revise these terms and conditions at any time. Updated terms will be posted on the Explore Africa website. By enquiring or booking with Explore Africa, clients acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

1.         Rates displayed on the website and other media

Rates displayed on the website and all other media are provided for informational purposes and are subject to change based on seasonality and availability. We recommend contacting our team for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing tailored to your planned journey. Please be aware that rates are subject to change without prior notice.

2.         Booking and payment

a. All bookings made with Explore Africa are subject to availability and confirmation.

Payments and Deposits

1. Provisional bookings will be held for 5 calendar days.
2. Bookings will only be confirmed upon payment of a 25% non-refundable deposit (Cancellation after Deposit – Loss of deposit).
3. All bookings are to be accompanied by a signed and dated quotation and terms & conditions contract.
4. The balance of payment is due 70 days before the date of travel.
5. Bookings confirmed 70 days or less before the date of travel require payment to be made in full.

b. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking, with the remaining balance due before the commencement of your trip as outlined above. Explore Africa will advise you of the final payment date when booking.

c. Payment methods accepted include credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and other agreed-upon procedures.

d. Booking Availability and Exchange Rate:

All bookings are subject to availability and the prevailing exchange rate. Availability of services and quoted prices may vary depending on factors beyond our control, including fluctuations in exchange rates. Explore Africa will make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding availability and pricing, but we cannot guarantee constant availability or fixed prices due to currency fluctuations.

If circumstances beyond our control, such as currency fluctuations, airfare surcharges, or fuel surcharges, result in a tour price increase after a deposit has been received, passengers are responsible for paying any additional costs up to the date of departure. If these increases are unacceptable, passengers can cancel their booking, but they remain liable for any cancellation charges incurred.

e. Amendment and Changes

Please notify us in writing if you intend to change your booking or transfer it to a different departure date (booking terms permitted). An automatic change fee and any applicable cancellation charges will be applied.

3.         Cancellation and refunds

a. In the event of cancellation by the Client, the deposit is non-refundable.

b. Cancellation fees may apply based on the proximity of the cancellation to the departure date.

Explore Africa – General Schedule of Fees

Should any confirmed booking be cancelled, the following cancellation fees will apply:

1. More than 90 days before departure: A 25% non-refundable deposit is forfeited
2. 60 to 90 days before departure: 50% of the price is forfeited
3. 0 to 59 days before departure: 100% of the price is forfeited
4. After commencement of service – 100% Non-Refundable.

Please note:

• Amendments to bookings made within the cancellation period will incur fees as outlined in the above General Schedule of Fees.
• Any amendments made after documents have been issued, regardless of the timing, will be subject to a 25% charge of the booking’s value.
• Explore Africa reserves the right to cancel any bookings, in which case a full refund of the total invoice amount will be issued as the final settlement.
• We strongly recommend that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances.

c. Refunds, if applicable, will be processed within a reasonable timeframe.

d. Explore Africa retains the authority to terminate any contract should fulfilment be hindered or rendered impossible due to circumstances beyond its control. These circumstances may include strikes, lockouts, civil unrest, acts of war, force majeure, shortage of materials, legal regulations, or orders issued by statutory or duly constituted authorities. Such events may result in delays, interruptions, or modifications to the supplier’s services or render their execution impractical.

e. Clients must submit requests for cancellations and refunds in writing to [email protected]

4.         Travel documents

a. The Client is responsible for ensuring that all travel documents, including passports, visas, and health certificates, are valid and obtained before travel.

b. The Traveller is responsible for staying informed about the latest travel advisories and warnings by consulting Australia’s travel website at www.smartraveller.gov.au. Suppose there is an active Do Not Travel Warning advising against travel to the destination(s) of the experience, and the Traveller decides to proceed with the trip despite the advisory. In that case, the Traveller acknowledges and accepts all risks of personal injury, death, or property damage that may occur due to events like those warned against.

c. Explore Africa is not liable for any issues from inadequate travel documentation.

d. All necessary vouchers, tickets, and related documents required by the Traveller will be provided to the Client promptly upon receipt of full payment and a signed booking form. Explore Africa aims to release finalised travel documents approximately three weeks before the scheduled travel date to ensure ample time for review and preparation.

5.         Health and safety

a. Clients are advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen circumstances.

b. Explore Africa is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients during their travels, but we cannot be held liable for accidents, injuries, or illnesses incurred during the trip.

6.         Changes to itinerary

a. Explore Africa reserves the right to change the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, or activities due to unforeseen circumstances or operational reasons.

b. Explore Africa will notify clients of any significant changes to their itinerary as soon as possible.

7.         Liability

a. Explore Africa is a liaison between clients and third-party service providers, including hotels, airlines, and tour operators. While we diligently strive to ensure the quality and reliability of our partners, Explore Africa cannot be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from the actions or negligence of these third-party providers.

b. Exclusion & Limitation of Liability: Explore Africa, its subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, shareholders, consultants, or employees shall not be held responsible for any losses, damages, injury, illness, death, loss of or damage to property, delay, inconvenience, or poor performance incurred by the Client and the Traveller. This encompasses instances of innocence, negligence, or intentionality, whether from Explore Africa or its affiliates, relating to travel, accommodation, or any other cause.

8.         Consumer claims

If there are any issues during your holiday, we encourage you first to attempt to resolve them directly with the supplier in Africa. If direct resolution is not feasible and you intend to file a complaint, please submit it in writing within 14 days of completing your arrangements with Explore Africa. Please refer to our Complaints Handling Policy and Procedures document found on the website at https://exploreafrica.com.au/complaints-handling-policy-and-procedures/

Explore Africa is proud to hold ATAS Accreditation, ATAS is an industry accreditation scheme that sets the benchmark of quality for the travel industry. ATAS is also responsible for monitoring our compliance with the ATAS Code of Conduct (the Code) and assisting in the resolution of complaints.   If you would like to know more about the Code, you can visit the ATAS website www.atas.com.au.

10.       Governing law

a. These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Australia.

b. Any disputes arising from these terms and conditions will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the relevant jurisdiction.

Explore Africa reserves the right to revise these terms and conditions at any time. Updated terms will be posted on the Explore Africa website.

This Policy was last updated 3 Oct 2024