Refund and Cancellation Policy – Discover Wild Africa
Effective Date: April 26, 2025
At Discover Wild Africa, we are committed to delivering exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. To ensure operational integrity and fairness, and due to the substantial upfront costs we incur to secure accommodations, permits, transportation, and third-party services, the following Refund and Cancellation Policy applies without exception.
By confirming a booking with Discover Wild Africa, you unconditionally agree to all terms outlined below.
1. Booking Confirmation & Payment Terms
- A booking is deemed confirmed only upon receipt of full payment or a specified deposit, as stipulated at the time of booking.
- Payment constitutes a binding agreement to this Refund and Cancellation Policy.
- Certain services (e.g., hotels, permits) may require immediate full payment. Such payments are non-refundable under all circumstances.
2. Customer-Initiated Cancellations
- All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to bookings@discoverwildafrica.com. The effective date of cancellation is the date written notice is received.
- Refunds, where applicable, are calculated on the following scale excluding all non-refundable costs:
| Notice Period Before Departure | Refund Entitlement |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 80% refund |
| 31–60 days | 50% refund |
| 15–30 days | 25% refund |
| 14 days or fewer | No refund |
Important: Cancellations made within 14 days of departure are 100% non-refundable, regardless of reason.
3. Non-Refundable Costs (Strictly Non-Recoverable)
These costs will not be refunded under any circumstances:
- Accommodation and hotel bookings
- Park entry fees and conservation levies
- Special permits (e.g., gorilla or chimpanzee trekking)
- Domestic and international flights or transfers booked through us
- Service, processing, and banking/transaction fees
Refunds, if applicable, will always be net of these costs.
4. No-Show & Early Departures
- No refunds will be provided for no-shows or early departures.
- Missed portions of tours (e.g., activities, meals, nights, or transfers) will not be reimbursed under any condition.
5. Customer-Initiated Amendments
- Amendments (e.g., change of tour dates) requested more than 60 days before departure may be considered, subject to availability, written approval, and administrative fees.
- Change requests received within 30 days of departure will be treated as cancellations and are subject to cancellation fees outlined in Section 2.
6. Cancellations or Modifications by Discover Wild Africa
- We reserve the right to cancel or modify any tour due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g., natural disasters, political unrest, minimum group size not met).
- If Discover Wild Africa cancels your tour:
- You are entitled to a full refund of payments made minus any third-party, non-refundable expenses already incurred.
- Alternatively, we may offer a rescheduled date or credit voucher.
- We are not liable for indirect or incidental costs you may incur (e.g., visa fees, vaccinations, insurance, airfare).
7. Force Majeure & Unforeseen Events
Discover Wild Africa shall not be held liable for cancellations, delays, or modifications due to force majeure, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters
- Acts of war or terrorism
- Civil unrest, strikes, or labor disputes
- Pandemics, epidemics, or government-imposed restrictions
- Travel bans or border closures
In such events, cash refunds are not guaranteed. We will endeavor to offer alternative dates or credit for future travel at our discretion.
8. Mandatory Travel Insurance
- Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all travelers and is the sole responsibility of the customer.
- Insurance should cover trip cancellation, delays, medical emergencies, evacuation, and all risks associated with non-refundable bookings.
9. Refund Processing Timeline
- Approved refunds will be processed within 45 business days from the date of confirmed cancellation.
- Refunds will be issued via the original payment method, net of:
- Transaction/bank fees
- Credit card processing charges
- Currency exchange losses
- We are not responsible for differences caused by exchange rates or international banking policies.
10. Legal Binding and Acceptance
- This Refund and Cancellation Policy forms a legally binding agreement between you and Discover Wild Africa upon booking.
- No verbal or informal agreement shall override the terms herein.
- Any modification must be made in writing by an authorized Discover Wild Africa representative.
Contact
Discover Wild Africa
📧 Email: bookings@discoverwildafrica.com
🌐 Website: www.discoverwildafrica.com