Article 1: Introduction

These terms apply to all travel agreements with Wildlife Explorers Africa (U). By booking, paying, or confirming in writing, travelers accept these terms as binding. The company operates solely under these conditions, which define the rights, responsibilities, and expectations of both parties. The goal is to ensure transparency, safety, and mutual understanding throughout the travel experience.

Article 2: Payment & Travel Information

Advance Payment:

• • 30% of the total travel cost.
  • 100% of gorilla permit fees.
  • Must be paid as soon as possible.

Balance Payment will be due 8 weeks before the trip starts. Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) will provide essential trip information.

Travelers are responsible for, Obtaining passport and visa details from relevant authorities. Ensuring that information is current and hasn’t changed before departure.

Article 3: Traveler Information Responsibilities.

Travelers must provide all relevant personal details—for themselves and any others they are booking for—before the agreement is finalized.

This includes, at minimum:

• • Mobile phone number(s)
  • Email address(es)
  • Any physical or mental health conditions that may affect the trip
  • Information about the group composition or special needs

Consequences of non-disclosure by the clients. Failure to provide accurate or complete information may result in exclusion from part or all of the travel package, Full financial liability for any resulting costs

Change Requests

Travelers may request changes to the travel package for medical or other personal reasons. Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) is not obligated to honor such requests. If changes are accepted, the traveler bears all associated costs.

Age Restrictions

Certain activities—such as gorilla and chimpanzee trekking—have minimum age requirements. Participants must be at least 15 years old on the day of the activity. If age is incorrectly or unclearly stated, Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) or the authorities may cancel the activity without refund.

Article 4: Contract Confirmation & Withdrawal Rights

Contract Confirmation

A travel contract is established once the traveler accepts the offer from Wildlife Explorers Africa (U), including its terms and conditions.

Upon confirmation, the traveler will receive a written acknowledgment and/or invoice as soon as possible.

Right to Withdraw

Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) may terminate the agreement in writing if the minimum number of participants—as stated in the offer—is not met.

The offer is non-binding and may be withdrawn even after acceptance and confirmation, provided:

• • Withdrawal occurs within 48 hours of acceptance.
  • A reason is provided for the withdrawal.
  • If acceptance occurs over a weekend, the 48-hour window begins at midnight on Sunday.

Refunds

If Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) withdraws the offer within the allowed timeframe, the traveler is entitled to a prompt refund of any payments made.

Errors & Mistakes

Obvious errors or mistakes in the offer—those that a reasonable traveler would recognize immediately—are not binding on Wildlife Explorers Africa (U).

Article 5: Changes by Wildlife Explorers Africa (U)

Changes Due to Serious Circumstances

Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) may alter the travel agreement only in the event of serious circumstances. Travelers must be notified immediately of such changes. A traveler may reject the change only if it causes a significant disadvantage.

Changes to Essential Elements

If an essential part of the agreement must be changed due to serious circumstances:

• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) must notify the traveler without delay.
• An equivalent alternative will be offered, if possible.
• Equivalence (e.g., for accommodation) is judged using objective standards.

 Price Adjustments

Up to 20 days before the trip, Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) may increase the travel cost due to:

• Rising transportation costs (e.g., fuel)
• Increased taxes or levies (e.g., National Park fees)
• Any increase must be clearly explained, including how it was calculated.

 Departure & Return Notifications

• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) must inform travelers of any changes to departure times.
• For travelers who booked transport only or whose accommodation is unknown, the company will make reasonable efforts to communicate return time changes.

 Article 6: Help and Assistance from Wildlife Explorers Africa (U)’s travel terms:

Obligation to Assist

• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) must provide help and support if the travel experience does not meet reasonable expectations based on the contract.

Who Bears the Costs?

• If the issue is caused by Wildlife Explorers Africa (U), The company covers all related costs.
• If the issue is caused by the traveler-The company will assist only to a reasonable extent. The traveler bears the costs.
• If the issue is due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond either party’s control, each party bears their own losses,
• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U): e.g., extra staffing costs and
• Traveler: e.g., additional accommodation or repatriation expenses

Article 7: Liability of Wildlife Explorers Africa (U):

General Exclusions of Liability

Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) and its local operators are not liable for:

• Personal harm or loss: death, injury, illness, theft, or property damage/loss.
• External events: natural disasters, wildfires, government actions, terrorism, strikes, epidemics, wildlife incidents, or accidents on land, sea, or air.
• Travel disruptions: missed or delayed flights/transfers causing trip changes or cancellations.

 Itinerary Changes

• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) reserves the right to cancel or modify tours due to local circumstances.
• The company will make every effort to avoid disruptions, but is not liable if the traveller’s insurance covers the loss.

 Wildlife Safety

• Safari trips involve close proximity to wild animals.
• While attacks are rare, travelers must follow all safety rules and never approach animals independently.

Compensation Limitations

No compensation is owed if:

• The issue is not attributable to Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) or its partners.
• The issue is caused by the traveler.
• The issue stems from a third party not involved in the trip.
• The issue is due to force majeure—unforeseeable events beyond control despite precautions.

 Legal Boundaries

• If laws or treaties limit or exclude liability, Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) adheres to those limits.
• Maximum liability for damages is limited to one time the travel sum.

 Loss of Travel Enjoyment

• If Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) is responsible for a shortcoming that affects travel enjoyment, compensation may be provided.
• This compensation is also capped at one time the travel sum.

Article 9: Termination by the Traveler

 Cancellation Policy

• Travelers may terminate the travel agreement at any time.
• Upon cancellation, the traveler must reimburse Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) for losses incurred—up to a maximum of the full travel sum

 Cancellation Fees

The following percentage-based fees apply based on the timing of cancellation:

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits

• No refunds are issued for gorilla or chimpanzee permits.
• This is due to wildlife authority policies.
• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) will attempt to resell the permits to minimize the traveller’s loss, but cannot guarantee success

Article 10: Payment Terms & Consequences

 Booking Authority

• The traveler who makes the booking confirms they have authority to enter into the contract on behalf of themselves and any fellow travelers.

 Payment Obligations

• If a traveler fails to meet payment deadlines, they are considered legally in default.
• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) will issue a payment demand, granting a 14-day grace period to fulfill obligations.
• If payment is still not made:

• The agreement is automatically cancelled.
• Any applicable cancellation fees will be deducted from payments already made. Additional Charges may be incurred.

Article 11: Obligations of the Traveler from Wildlife Explorers Africa (U)’s travel terms:

 Conduct & Compliance

• Travelers must follow all instructions issued by or on behalf of Wildlife Explorers Africa (U).
• They are liable for any damage or loss caused by their actions, judged by the standard of a well-behaved traveler.

 Disruptive Behavior

• If a traveler causes or risks causing significant disruption or nuisance, Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) may:
  • Exclude them from part or all of the travel package.
  • The traveler bears all resulting costs.

 Loss Prevention

• Travelers must avoid or minimize any potential losses during the trip.

 Return Travel

• Each traveler must confirm the exact return departure time no later than 24 hours before the scheduled time.

 Insurance Requirement

• Travelers are required to have travel insurance that includes medical coverage valid in all countries being visited

Article 12: Complaints Procedure

 During the Travel Package

• Complaints must be reported immediately on site to allow for resolution.
• The traveler should follow this reporting sequence:
  1. Service provider
  2. Holiday representative (if available)
  3. Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) directly
• If the issue remains unresolved and affects the quality of the trip:

• • It must be reported without delay to Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) in Uganda.
  • A formal complaint report will be created.
  • Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) will provide clear instructions and contact details for submitting complaints.

Failure to Report

• If the traveler does not follow the complaint procedure, and Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) is not given a chance to resolve the issue, the right to compensation may be limited or denied.

 After the Travel Package

• Unresolved complaints must be submitted:
  • Within two months of the trip’s end or original departure date.
  • Include a copy of the complaint report, if available.
• Complaints about contract formation must be submitted; As soon as possible, and within two months of discovering the issue.
• Late complaints will not be processed, unless the delay was reasonably unavoidable.
• Wildlife Explorers Africa (U) will respond within one month of receiving the complaint. 

Article 13: Dispute Resolution

If a complaint remains unresolved, the traveler may take the matter to the competent court in Uganda. All contracts are governed by Ugandan law.

Claims expire one year after the end of the travel package or the original departure date (if the trip didn’t occur).