Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions govern all bookings made with Big Five Wildlife Safari Tours. By paying a deposit and confirming a booking, you agree to these terms. Please read them before confirming your safari.

Booking and Payment

A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance is due 60 days before your departure date. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, the full amount is payable at the time of booking. Gorilla trekking permits must be paid for in full at the time of booking regardless of how far in advance you are travelling, because permits cannot be held without full payment.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made more than 60 days before departure will receive a refund of the deposit less any non-refundable permit or accommodation costs already paid on your behalf. Cancellations made between 30 and 60 days before departure will forfeit 50% of the total tour cost. Cancellations made within 30 days of departure are non-refundable. Gorilla trekking permits are non-refundable once purchased — this is a government-set policy we cannot override. We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation.

Changes to Your Itinerary

We reserve the right to make minor changes to your itinerary where circumstances require it — for example, substituting accommodation of equivalent standard if a property becomes unavailable. We will inform you of any significant changes as soon as possible and offer alternatives. Changes requested by you after confirmation may incur additional costs depending on the nature of the change.

Our Responsibility

We are responsible for the services we arrange on your behalf — accommodation, guiding, ground transportation, and park permits. We are not responsible for international flights, acts of nature, political events, or decisions made by third-party service providers. Wildlife behaviour is unpredictable and we cannot guarantee specific sightings. Safety in the parks depends on following the instructions of your guide — guests who do not follow guide instructions do so at their own risk.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of booking with us. Your policy must cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and cancellation. Medical evacuation from a remote national park can cost upwards of ,000 — a standard credit card travel benefit does not cover this. We can recommend travel insurance providers if you need guidance.

Complaints

If you have a complaint during your safari, please raise it with your guide or contact us directly as soon as possible so we have the opportunity to resolve it on the ground. Complaints raised after the trip has ended are harder to address effectively. Contact us at info@bigfivewildlifesafaritours.com with any concerns.