These Booking Terms & Conditions set out the terms that apply when booking a safari, tour, day trip, transfer, activity or other travel service with us.
By submitting a booking and making payment, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these terms.
1. BOOKING & RESERVATION
A completed reservation form must be submitted to African Journey Trails by email or through our online booking platform.
Once the availability of the selected itinerary has been confirmed, a 30% non-refundable deposit of the total safari/itinerary cost is required to secure the booking.
A booking is only considered confirmed once the required deposit has been received. African Journey Trails will then issue a booking confirmation and reservation number.
Any activities, excursions, meals, transfers or other services not specifically included in the confirmed itinerary will be charged separately.
2. PAYMENT POLICY
For all safari itineraries, excluding day trips, full payment must be received at least 2 months before the scheduled departure date.
For day trips, full payment must be received at least 3 weeks before departure.
Once full payment has been received, guests will receive a Safari Travel Pack containing important information about their trip, including relevant itinerary and travel details.
Guests are responsible for reading the Safari Travel Pack carefully before departure and ensuring that they understand the information provided.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- International Bank Transfer/Wire
- Cash
Any applicable bank charges, transfer fees or currency-conversion costs are the responsibility of the guest unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3. CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to African Journey Trails.
The 30% booking deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation charges are calculated according to the total safari/tour price as follows:
Cancellation Notice| Cancellation Charge
2 months or more before departure| 30% deposit forfeited
Less than 2 months before departure| 30% deposit + 10% of total tour price
Less than 1 month before departure| 50% of total tour price
Less than 3 weeks before departure| 75% of total tour price
Less than 2 weeks before departure| 100% of total tour price
Additional charges may apply where African Journey Trails or its suppliers have already incurred non-refundable costs relating to the booking.
Any applicable refund will be processed after deduction of the relevant cancellation charges and non-refundable third-party costs.
4. TRAVEL INSURANCE
Guests are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling with African Journey Trails.
Travel insurance should provide appropriate cover for, where applicable:
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Travel delays and missed connections
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
- Personal accident and other travel-related risks
African Journey Trails is not responsible for costs or losses that could reasonably have been covered by appropriate travel insurance.
5. ITINERARY CHANGES
African Journey Trails makes every reasonable effort to operate itineraries as confirmed.
However, changes may occasionally be necessary due to weather, road conditions, wildlife movements, park or reserve regulations, accommodation availability, safety considerations, operational requirements or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Where reasonably possible, guests will be informed of significant changes in advance.
African Journey Trails reserves the right to substitute accommodation, campsites, activities, routes, vehicles or other services with suitable alternatives of a similar standard where necessary.
6. WEATHER & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Safari operations take place in natural environments and may be affected by prevailing weather and environmental conditions.
Heavy rainfall, flooding, extreme temperatures, strong winds, fires, poor road conditions or other environmental factors may affect routes, activities, transportation, accommodation or access to certain areas.
Where necessary for safety or operational reasons, African Journey Trails may modify, postpone, replace or cancel affected activities.
Where an alternative service can reasonably be provided, such changes will not automatically entitle guests to a refund.
7. WILDLIFE & SAFARI CONDITIONS
Our safaris take place in natural wildlife environments where conditions are beyond human control.
Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Animals move freely within their natural habitats, and sightings depend on factors such as season, weather, animal movements and environmental conditions.
African Journey Trails does not guarantee sightings of any particular species, including the Big Five.
Safari routes, timings and activities may be adjusted in response to wildlife movements, environmental conditions, park regulations or safety considerations.
Guests must follow all instructions provided by their guides and staff, particularly regarding wildlife encounters and camp safety.
8. PASSPORTS, VISAS & TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they possess valid travel documents and meet all entry requirements applicable to Botswana and any other destination included in their itinerary.
Guests should ensure that they have:
- A valid passport
- Any required visa or entry permit
- Required health or vaccination documentation
- Any other documents required by relevant authorities
African Journey Trails may provide general travel information, but guests remain responsible for confirming the current requirements applicable to their nationality and circumstances with the relevant authorities.
African Journey Trails is not responsible for losses, delays, denied entry or additional costs resulting from incomplete, invalid or incorrect travel documentation.
9. HEALTH, DIETARY & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Guests should inform African Journey Trails of any relevant dietary requirements, allergies, mobility considerations or other special requirements at the time of booking.
Guests are responsible for seeking appropriate medical and travel-health advice before travelling, particularly when participating in activities in remote areas.
While reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate declared requirements, certain remote safari environments may have limited facilities and services.
10. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS
Certain services included in an itinerary may be provided by independent third parties, including:
- Accommodation providers
- Airlines and transport operators
- Restaurants
- Activity providers
- Parks and reserves
- Other tourism service providers
African Journey Trails will make reasonable efforts to work with reputable service providers. However, we cannot be held responsible for circumstances caused by third-party providers that are beyond our reasonable control.
11. GUEST RESPONSIBILITY & CONDUCT
Guests are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully towards:
- Other guests
- African Journey Trails staff and guides
- Local communities
- Wildlife
- The environment
- Botswana's laws and regulations
Guests must follow reasonable safety instructions given by guides and staff.
African Journey Trails reserves the right to take appropriate action, including terminating participation in an activity or itinerary, where a guest's behaviour creates a safety risk, causes significant disruption or violates applicable laws or regulations.
No refund will necessarily be provided where services are terminated due to a guest's misconduct or failure to follow reasonable instructions.
12. FORCE MAJEURE
African Journey Trails shall not be held responsible for any failure, delay, interruption, alteration or cancellation of services resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- Severe weather or natural disasters
- Floods, fires or other environmental events
- Epidemics or pandemics
- Government restrictions or regulatory changes
- Political unrest or civil disturbances
- Road closures or infrastructure failures
- Wildlife-related safety concerns
- Acts of terrorism or security threats
- Strikes or industrial action
- Airline or transport disruptions
- Other unforeseen circumstances beyond our reasonable control
Where a force majeure event occurs, African Journey Trails will make reasonable efforts to assist affected guests and, where possible, provide suitable alternatives.
Any refunds or additional costs will be considered based on the circumstances of the event and the terms applicable to services provided by relevant third-party suppliers.
13. BOOKING ACCEPTANCE
By submitting a reservation request, making a deposit or making full payment, the guest confirms that they have:
1. Read and understood these Booking Terms & Conditions;
2. Accepted the Booking, Payment and Cancellation terms;
3. Provided accurate information required for the booking; and
4. Agreed to comply with reasonable instructions provided by African Journey Trails during their trip.
These terms apply to all bookings unless otherwise agreed by African Journey Trails in writing.
African Journey Trails reserves the right to update these Booking Terms & Conditions from time to time. The terms applicable to a booking will generally be those in effect when the booking is confirmed, subject to applicable law.