HOW
TO BOOK
First complete our Safari
Planner providing us with as much detail as possible,
to assist us in planning the perfect helicopter safari for you.
After you have decided to book the safari we have planned for
you, fill out the booking form (provided at the time of booking)
and send it to Distinctive Africa together with a deposit
of 20% of the applicable fare. On receipt of the signed
booking form and deposit, we will, subject to availability, reserve
the required services. The booking is confirmed and accepted by
us when we forward the confirmation invoice to you. The deposit
will be refunded if Distinctive Africa cannot offer alternative
services. Please note that reservations cannot be made without
a deposit. Final payment is due eight weeks prior
to the date of departure. On receipt of payment we will send vouchers,
safari information, clothing and packing lists, etc. Please ensure
that you receive this information before you leave on safari.
1.
THE CONTRACT: In this
Contract the following words shall have the corresponding meanings
unless the context otherwise indicates and the same meanings shall
be applicable mutatis mutandis to the booking conditions:
The Company
means Distinctive Africa.
The Client
means The person who accepts the booking by signature.
Persons Under His Authority
means All persons accepted for a safari on the application
of a client.
2.
The client who signifies the acceptance of a booking does so on
behalf of himself/ herself and persons under his/her authority,
and warrant that he/she has authority to enter into a contract
on behalf of the other person included in such a booking and in
event of the failure of any or all the other persons so included
to make payment, the person making the booking shall by his/her
signature thereof assume personal liability for the total price
of all bookings made by him/her. All bookings are made with Distinctive
Africa and no person has any authority on its behalf to vary any
of the terms and conditions which are applicable.
3.
A non-refundable deposit of 20% for each person is required when
submitting the booking application form, which shall be returned
to the Company on completion. The booking fee is accepted as part
of the inclusive fare and will only be refunded if the applicant
cannot be accommodated.
4.
The full amount due by the client to the Company, shall be payable
not less than eight weeks prior to the date of departure. If the
full amount is not paid in due time, The Company reserves the
right to treat the booking as cancelled. Late applicants however
may join the tour on an “accommodation available” basis.
5.
CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations
are only effective on receipt of written notification. If a booking
is cancelled prior to 8 weeks before departure, you forfeit your
deposit. If the booking is cancelled less than 12 weeks before
departure, Distinctive Africa shall retain the full deposit and
a cancellation fee will be payable by the client as follows:
90 - 46 days prior to arrival deposit plus 25% of total fare
45 - 22 days prior to arrival 50% of total fare
21 - 0 days prior to arrival 100% of total fare
Cancellation insurance is compulsory for all
Distinctive Africa services. It is the client’s responsibility
to arrange cancellation insurance. Should a client fail to arrive
on the day of departure or leave prior to its completion, no refund
or liability will be accepted by Distinctive Africa.
6.
CHANGE OF BOOKING: After the booking has been
confirmed, should you wish to change to an earlier departure date,
you may do so subject to availability by paying a transfer fee
of US$50. Normal cancellation fees apply if you wish to postpone
your departure and are subject to availability.
7.
CHANGES TO SCHEDULES: The client is aware that the
itineraries are flexible and will depend on local conditions.
The Company will not accept any claims of any nature including
consequentional damages as a result of any accommodation or other
facilities, made or becoming unavailable on tour. The client hereby
indemnifies and holds the Company harmless in respect of any such
claim. The Company reserves the right to cancel any tours without
prior notification, in such events, all monies paid will be refunded
in full which shall constitute the full extent of the Company
liability to the client and persons under his authority.
8.
REFUNDS: The Company
uses its best endeavours to ensure that all anticipated accommodation
is available as planned, there shall be no claim of any nature
whatsoever against the Company for a refund either in whole or
part, if any accommodation or excursion is unavailable and a reasonable
alternative is not found. If the guest is unable to use any service
provided in the itinerary, then there are no refunds due. The
Company will not entertain complaints due to Loss of Enjoyment
where the full land arrangements have been provided.
9.
BAGGAGE: The client
is aware that the baggage is restricted to 12kgs in a soft bag
(this includes camera equipment and carry-on bag) due to safety
and limited space. The Company will arrange for extra luggage
to be taken to the camps, lodges or hotels at an additional cost
(cost will be included in final quote). All baggage and personal
effects are at all times the clients risk and the Company cannot
accept liability for any loss of baggage or personal effects.
10.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
a) The client acknowledges
that it is his responsibility to ensure that he/she is in possession
of the necessary valid travel documents, passport, visas, vaccination
certificates, etc.
b)
Even though The Safari Company will endeavour to assist the passenger
in this regard, such assistance should be at the Company’s sole
discretion, the client acknowledges that in so doing, the Company
is not assuming any obligation or liability, and that nevertheless
the responsibility to ensure that the aforesaid documentation
is in order and complies with such lawful and other requirements
to enable the client to enjoy the benefits of the tour, remains
the client’s.
c)
The client acknowledges that the Company will not be held liable
to a refund of the tour fare or compensation, should the client
be refused entry into a country for any reason.
11.
INSURANCE: Comprehensive
travel and medical insurance is compulsory for guests booking
with Distinctive Africa. The client acknowledges that it is his
responsibility to take insurance. The client undertakes to take
comprehensive travel insurance to cover his/her personal requirements.
This insurance should include cover in the respect of, but not
limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation and curtailment
of the safari and services booked, emergency evacuation expenses,
medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of
[personal baggage, money and goods. Distinctive Africa, including
their representatives, employees and agents will take no responsibility
for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guests, or guest’s
dependants or traveling companions, with regards to, but not limited
to, any of the above mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged
directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services
they may require. Please note that credit card travel insurance
is inadequate for a safari.
12.
INDEMNITY
a) Neither Distinctive Africa (the Company) nor any person or agent acting for, through
or on behalf of the Company shall be liable for any loss or damage
whatsoever arising from any cause whatsoever and without restricting
the generality of the aforegoing shall particularly not be responsible
for loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions contained
in its website, literature or information sources, loss or damage
caused by delays, sickness, theft, injury or death. In addition
the Company shall have the right at any time at its discretion
to cancel any safari and services or the remainder thereof or
make alterations in route, accommodation, price or other details
and, in the event of any safari and services being rendered impossible,
illegal or inadvisable by weather, strike, war, government or
interference or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses
incurred as a result thereof shall be the responsibility of passenger.
The Company may at its discretion and without liability or cost
to itself at any time cancel or terminate the guest’s booking
and in particular without limiting the generality of the aforegoing
it shall be entitled to do so in the event of the illness or the
illegal or incompatible behaviour of the guest, who shall in such
circumstances not be entitled to any refund. The client undertakes
and agrees that he/she will, at all times, comply to a reasonable
code of conduct during the safari and will not in any way constitute
a nuisance to the other parsons on tour.
b) The
client acknowledges that the services arranged by the Company,
whether in civilized or remote areas by plane, vehicle, train,
dug out canoe, canoe, boat, horse back, other conveyance or by
foot, contains inherent risks of injury, illness, death, or loss
and damage to property, which may be caused by forces of nature,
accidents, wild animals, negligence of others, and other causes
known or unknown.
c) The
client acknowledges that such risks may be present at any
time before, during or after the tour arranged by the Company
and that medical services and facilities may not be readily available
during the tour.
d) The
client expressly assumes any and all risks with respect to the
activities and circumstances described herein and agrees not to
sue Distinctive Africa on account of any losses, claims, costs,
liabilities or damages.
e) The
client agrees not to allege the unenforceability of this Agreement
or part thereof. In the event of any competent authority finding
that any portion of this Agreement is unenforceable, the remaining
portion shall remain in full force and effect. The client agrees
that the aforegoing obligation shall be binding.
13.
FACTORS OUTSIDE DISTINCTIVE AFRICA’S CONTROL: The client is aware that unforeseen circumstances due
to road conditions, weather, mechanical breakdown, accident, border
closure, political situations etc are beyond the control of the
Company and can delay and change the performance of the safari.
The cost of flying back home, alternative accommodation, food,
personal expenses and all resulting costs are to be borne by the
client. The client is aware that insurance is compulsory to participate
on all tours and acknowledges that it is responsibility to take
comprehensive travel insurance. Distinctive Africa will accept
no liability whatsoever.
14.
HEALTH: The client acknowledges
being aware of the proposed itinerary and it is the client’s obligation
to ensure that he/she is medically fit and able to embark upon
such a tour. A medical certificate is required for passengers
over 65 years.
15.
This booking and eventual
contract between the client and Distinctive Africa shall be deemed
to be concluded in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Republic of South Africa;
and shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Republic
of South Africa. In the event of any action hereunder, the Supreme
Court of South Africa (Durban Local Division) shall have jurisdiction
in regard thereto, notwithstanding that the amount of the claim
may be within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court.
16. Distinctive Africa believes that the contents of this
website are correct at the time of printing, but all prices and
services are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.
17. AIRLINE RESPONSIBILITY: The airlines or other
carriers concerned, are not held responsible for any accident
omission or event during the time that passengers are not on board
their aircraft or conveyance. The passengers’ contract in use
by the airlines concerned, or by other carriers concerned when
issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines
and/or carriers and the purchaser of these tours and/or passengers.
18. PRICE INCREASE: Distinctive Africa reserves the
right to increase their tour fares due to any increase in airline
tariffs, fuel costs, game reserve entry fees, fluctuation of exchange
rates, etc.
19. CONSENT: The payment of the deposit OR any other partial payment
for a reservation on a safari constitutes consent by all guests
covered by that payment to all provisions of the conditions and
general information contained on this website, literature or information
sources whether the guest has signed the booking form or not.
The terms under which you agree to take these safaris, cannot
be changed or amended except in writing signed by an authorised
member of the Company.
20. AGE LIMITS ON SAFARIS: Please consult us regarding age policies at the time
of booking. If a guest lies about their age, we reserve the right
to terminate the safari without compensation.
