SA Adventure 4x4 Tour, Terms and Conditions
The Legal Stuff… Terms and Conditions and Indemnity…
Authority on tour
The trip is run by the tour leader, including guest or celebrity leaders when applicable.
The decisions of the tour leader will be final on all matters regarding the safety and wellbeing of the participant including the off-road driving abilities of the participant and any change in itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances be that due to weather, local conditions, politics or various other reasons. No refund will be considered in the event of any such changes.
The tour leader retains the right to remove a participant from the tour. If the participant fails to comply with the decision made by the tour leader or interferes with the wellbeing of the group in any material way, the tour leader may order the participant to leave the tour immediately. In those circumstances, the participant will receive no right of refund. Furthermore, in circumstances where the participant is removed from the tour, SA Adventure accepts no responsibility for the ongoing travel expenses or any other incidental costs incurred by the participant.
Acceptance of Risk
You acknowledge that the nature of the trip is adventurous, and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You acknowledge your journey will have the usual risks of travel, and the additional risks that are associated with adventure travel and off-roading. You accept these risks and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss which may result from your decision to participate in the tour or expedition.
You will be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater that those present in our daily lives. We use information from government foreign departments and reports from our own contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is also your own responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary.
Off-roading can be dangerous and traffic conditions, roads, weather and other conditions in the countries you will be travelling, as well as the actions of other members of the trip, can influence those risks.
You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risk attendant upon such travel.
Changes to Routes/Schedules
Every effort is made to adhere to scheduled and planned routes. The SA Adventure reserves the right to occasionally alter the itinerary accordingly, due to changing conditions or to make up any lost time due to any unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event of a vehicle breakdown that is beyond anyone’s control and immediate repair, SA Adventure will not be responsible for the cost of any accommodation and will not be liable for any airfares or any other compensation to the client. Tour itineraries are sent out approximately 1-2 weeks before the departure date of the tour.
What to bring along
A full list of items will be issued on receipt and confirmation of your reservation. We suggest you travel light. Please pack warm clothes for the winter months of June to September. Further items should include a torch, water bottle, camera, binoculars, suntan lotion, comfortable walking shoes and any prescription medication.
What is not included
All Fuel and oil for your vehicle, Border fees, 3rd party insurances, fishing rod hire, personal visas, international flights, visas, departure taxes, airport taxes, sleeping bags, personal and medical insurance, personal expenses, drinks, gratuities, portages, optional excursions, restaurant meals except where specified on non-camping trips, unscheduled game park visits. Your lunch meals.
Vehicle Insurance
In the event of your vehicle having trouble or breaking down, every effort will be made to get it back on the road again, however, if it is a terminal problem we will make sure you are towed to a place of safety and have contact to a family member, tour funds are non-refundable in this case, we recommend insuring your vehicle through First for Africa Brokers, who will assist you if something like this should happen!
Special Dietary Requirements
Anyone with special dietary requirements is requested to advise us in writing at least one week prior to departure. Every effort will be made to supply the required diet, given that some of the areas travelled through are quite remote and supplies are sometimes scarce.
Fuel and Water
On the tour, we will be travelling in remote areas where fuel and water are sometimes not always readily available. It is therefore imperative that we are self-sufficient and carry our own; your vehicle must have a fuel range of at least 350km. If it does not have this range available please let us know.
Medical Aid
It is strongly advised that you take out your own travel insurance to cover medical, personal and photographic equipment. Please notify your Medical Aid Company of your departure and return date of the tour as well as the various countries you will be visiting. Please bring your medical aid card with you on the tour.
Health & Fitness
You are responsible for ensuring that you are fit and healthy enough to participate in your selected tour or expedition and to disclose any relevant medical conditions at the time of booking. We reserve the right to insist on a medical certificate from your doctor stating that you have a suitable level of health and fitness. You must ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation. Please check with your local doctor or specialist travel vaccination clinic. You agree that should you be affected by any sickness, serious injury or other unforeseen circumstances SA Adventure, and our tour leaders, can arrange any urgent medical treatment or emergency evacuation as deemed necessary for your safety and that you and your travel insurer will bear all such costs.
Cancellation
In the event that the client should cancel their booking 30 days or more in writing to SA Adventure Tours and Training (PTY) LTD, the client will receive a credit for the amount paid less 20% of the tour fee as a cancellation fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations made within 30 days of the tour commencement date. Please note that any refunds on cancelled bookings will be paid out 7 days before the commencement date of the tour cancelled.
Cancellation or postponement by SA Adventure: We may cancel or postpone any tour at any time prior to departure if:
- The number of clients booked does not meet the minimum requirement to operate the trip. This number is usually 6 people.
- Due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability, weather or other external events it is not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary or force majeure. A credit will be passed and no refunds will be entertained in these instances. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including, but not limited to, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights or accommodation.
Drinking and Driving:
Drunk Driving is one of the biggest threats to Road Safety in South Africa. Research indicates that 50% of people who die on the roads have a blood alcohol concentration above 0.05 gram per 100 millilitres. No reckless driving will be tolerated and a strict NO DRINKING & DRIVING policy exists. We have an 8-hour bottle to throttle rule! If you are caught drinking and driving you WILL be asked to leave the tour! No refund will be given in this instant.
Privacy
In order to be able to supply services to you, SA Adventure will need to collect certain information from you, some of which may be of a personal nature. The information may be disclosed to our service providers to enable the services to be provided but will not be used for any other purpose.
Image & Likeness
You grant SA Adventure the right to take photographs and videos of you in connections to your participation on a tour or expedition. You authorise SA Adventure to copyright, use and publish your image and likeness in print and/or electronically for marketing purposes and the like.
Tips and guidelines for responsible eco-travel
Leave all negotiations to the tour leader/guide. In certain situations, it is best to leave all discussions and negotiations to your leader/guide e.g. at borders, ferry crossings etc. Keep away from the discussions unless called, and remain patient and calm – remember, things can be slower and more deliberate in Africa.
Adhere to safety advice:
As in many other countries worldwide, it is best to adhere to the safety advice and precautions as provided in the tour documentation, to make the expedition as pleasant and safe as possible. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, and obvious displays of cameras and other valuables in towns and markets. In the bush, always be alert whilst looking around - don’t wander too far from the vehicles or camp, particularly after dark.
Keep an open mind:
During the tour, you will meet people from all walks of life, where customs, cultures and value-systems may be different from what you are used to. Be open to any differences and embrace the life of another culture.
Respect local cultures, traditions and sacred places:
Your tour documentation should cover most things to be aware of, otherwise, ask your guide about acceptable behaviour.
Dress appropriately:
Particularly in towns and cities, and cover your arms and legs when visiting churches and sacred sites.
Ask permission before taking photographs of people or their property:
Remember that we are the visitors. Never insult, degrade or patronise our hosts. We each have a different way of reacting to situations, thinking about things, and even a different concept of time. Be patient, and look for the lighter side in potentially-frustrating situations.
Support local communities:
Purchasing locally-made jewellery and curios benefit the local communities, rather than shopping at retail outlets in towns and cities.
Bargain fairly:
In many African cultures, it is acceptable to ‘negotiate’ the price of an item, for example at a local market. However, be aware of the economic realities of the area that we're visiting and bargain fairly for goods and services.
Don’t litter:
In areas where there are no refuse bins, we will need to keep all rubbish until it can be disposed of in an established campsite or town.
Conserve water:
On the expedition, we will travel to areas where water is a precious resource and in short supply. Safeguard water supplies. Use small amounts of water for cleaning dishes, washing hands, shaving or brushing teeth. When bush-camping (no facilities), try and make do without a shower until we reach our next established campsite.
Respect the environment:
Respect Africa’s pristine natural areas and resources. Don’t damage plants, trees and animal life or their dwellings - as a rule, don’t collect anything from the wild.
Respect others:
Respect the right of others to enjoy the peace and solitude of our natural surroundings by avoiding all forms of unnecessary noise pollution.
Knowledge and awareness:
Your tour leader will usually carry a good selection of informative books pertaining to the fauna and flora of the areas visited, tracks and signs, birds, trees and plants, snakes, scorpions, etc.
WAIVER, INDEMNITY AND LIABILITY
The Client acknowledges that prices quoted on the customer booking form do not include any items or services not specified on same.
All vouchers, receipts and tickets issued by the Company to the Client, are issued subject to the supplier’s terms and conditions. Acceptance of the vouchers and/or receipts and/or tickets amounts to an acceptance of the Company's terms and conditions which supersede those of the relevant supplier.
Whilst every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of all persons participating in the tour or travel package, participation in any tour or travel package offered by the Company or any of its suppliers (including but not limited to transportation to or from any venue) is undertaken at the Client’s own risk.
The Company, any of its directors, employees, assignees and/or agents are accordingly indemnified by the Client and/or his/her estate, dependents, agents or their assignees against any claim of any nature whatsoever and howsoever arising for any damages or loss which might be instituted against it arising from or connection with the services contemplated in these Terms and Conditions.
The Client, his/her heirs, dependants, agents, executors or their assignees hereby irrevocably waive any claims which they may have against the Company for any form of compensation for damages which they may suffer due to injury and/or loss of any nature whatsoever, which includes accidents caused by the Client’s own actions, injuries or death while on the tour, in a transportation vehicle or at any place during the tour or illness or death at any time after the tour.
The Company acts solely in the capacity of an agent for third parties and as such the Company holds themselves free of responsibility or liability for any delays, loss or damages from any cause whatsoever including loss/ delay/ damages/ dissatisfaction caused by third party services. The Company shall be exempt from all liability in respect of any claim whatsoever as aforesaid.