Terms & Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The published prices are based on costs at the publications. We reserve the right to change published prices at any time before booking is made. This is usually due to increase of taxes by government or rise in fuel, change in the exchange rates etc.  We inform before the booking is made.

Refine Safaris will inform you of any increases. Car hire rates may slightly increase in case there is increase in fuel prices by over 4%. The package price for the safari does not include international transport service.

Payments

A non-refundable deposit of 20%, of the safari package price, must be made and a confirmation issued by Refine Safaris Limited before any binding contract exists. Once we receive your deposit Refine Safaris Limited will invoice you for the remainder of the safari cost.

50% of the full safari fee should be settled 90 days before the commencement of the safari and the remaining 50% must be paid not less than 30 days before the start of the safari (or by an alternative date agreed between the client and Refine Safaris Limited. If you book less than 30 days before departure of the safari, you must pay for the safari in full (100%) as soon as you book, unless you make alternative arrangements with Refine Safaris Limited. This allows Refine Safaris enough time to finalize with the bookings for your safari services. If the client does not pay the balance by the agreed time, Refine Safaris Limited reserves the right to cancel the client’s booking or pursue any unpaid monies.

Cancellation Policy

Payment for the Safari is a fundamental part of the Safari financing and contributes to the overall cost of equipment, running costs, staffing, administration, etc. As Refine Safaris Limited will have incurred the majority of its costs before the start of the safari, we need to impose cancellation charges to cover these costs. Deposit of 20% is non-refundable. If you cancel your booking, we wills impose cancellation charges as follows:

• 30 days or more prior to departure of the safari– loss of the 20% initial deposit
• 3-weeks before departure of the safari – loss of 25% of the safari package cost
• 1-2 weeks before departure of the safari – 50% of the safari package cost
• 6 or less days before departure of the safari – 80% of the safari package cost.

Tailor-made tours may be subject to alternative cancellation terms, which will be communicated to applicable Clients at the time of booking. All cancellations must be in writing and be made by the person who submitted the booking form. Please send an email to your contact at the Company, with a copy to info@refinesafaris.com . Once the Safari has started no refund for any unused portion or part of the tour or services to be provided will be given. If the client wants to make any changes to the safari program, or depart the safari early, such alteration or departure will be entirely at the client’s own expense and liability. You will also need to communicate in writing to Refine Safaris Limited your reason for leaving the Safari.

Cancellation by Refine Safaris Limited

Refine Safaris Limited reserves the right to cancel the contract with the client for any reason prior to your payment of the full price of the trip. In this case, Refine Safaris Limited will refund in full any amount that you have already paid for the Safari. After you have paid in full, Refine Safaris Limited will only cancel the contract if circumstances beyond our control make it unavoidable. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, civil or political unrest, terrorism, natural disaster, or other force majeure circumstance. In the unlikely event that such circumstances arise, we will contact you immediately and offer you the choice of equivalent services in future or a full refund of all monies paid. No additional compensation will be paid over and above the total sum received by Refine Safaris Limited from the client.

Alteration of the Safari Itineraries

It is unlikely that Refine Safaris Limited will have to make changes to your program. However, we may occasionally have to make changes either before or after you have made your reservation for the safari. Most changes will be minor, and Refine Safaris Limited will advise you of such changes as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Refine Safaris will not pay compensation if it is forced to cancel or in any way change the tour due to force majeure, such as war, riots, civil strike, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, or other material external circumstances beyond the Reine Safaris Limited control.

Travel Insurances

Refine Safaris Limited is not responsible for unforeseen circumstances such as transport delays or cancellations; the failure of embassies or consulates to issue travel documents; the inaccessibility of certain tourist attractions due to the actions of government bodies; the actions or services of accommodation and other facilities visited during the safari; or incidents such as injury, illness, or loss of personal belongings. Therefore, travel insurance is advisable for all Clients (Please contact your insurance company for advice).

Each tourist is advised to arrange his or her own insurance with a reputable insurer, with protection for the full duration of the tour, to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, loss of luggage, and the expenses associated with cancellation or curtailment of the safari.

If you become ill, all hospital expenses, doctor fees, and repatriation costs are your responsibility and Refine Safaris shall not be liable for any refund of the safari cost. If you do not have travel insurance at the beginning of the safari, please inform us and we will arrange coverage with an insurance company in Uganda for an additional fee.

Other Terms and Conditions

• The Traveler will be responsible for securing a visa to Uganda. Visas can also be obtained on arrival.
• Booking your safari 3 month or more in advance is advisable for guarantee of products and services of choice. This is because some products and services are quite on high demand especially in peak seasons. Off-peak season is usually April and November.
• Gorilla permits will change from USD700 to USD800 by 1st July 2024
• Chimpanzee Permit is at USD250
• Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits are usually on high demand, hence purchasing them 3 or more months before the commencement of the safari is highly recommended.
• The minimum age for Gorilla tracking is 15 years old and 12 years for chimpanzee. A person with any of air borne diseases will not be allowed to track either Gorillas or Chimpanzees.
• Rwenzori Mountain Climbing expedition may not take place if one does not buy Medical Evacuation Insurance cover.
• Mountain climbing expedition requires one to be in good health condition.
• It is advisable for everyone to have a medical evacuation covering before embarking on a safari.
• Please carry your personal medication in case of some illnesses
• Refine Safaris Cars come with an English-speaking driver
• Getting a German speaking; French speaking; Spanish speaking driver / guide among others will require an additional USD80 per driver / guide, per day
• Using the car for a day means that the car is used between 07:00am and 06:00pm (this applies for the daily charge for car hire.
• In Uganda cars are driven on the left-hand side of the road.
• Credit and Debit cards are not widely used especially in small restaurants, small hotels and small shopping facilities; therefore, tourists are advised to have enough cash on them for personal transactions throughout the Safari.
• Refine Safaris will send a replacement car in case a car breaks down during the safari.
• The meals offered as psart of the Safari Package will include: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
• On some days of some Itineraries guests will have to be served with packed lunch.
• We do not make appointments with nature; therefore, it is not always a guarantee that one has to see a certain animal or bird during the safari. Some animals and birds may be sighted out of luck.
• The animals in Uganda’s National Parks are wild animals; hence it is better to always keep at a safe distance from the animals. Abide by the instructions of your safari guide.
• Tourists are not allowed to sit on top of the Safari cars during game drives.

• Fine is USD100 per incident, to be paid by the driver to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
  • Speed limit in the National Park is 40km/h or 25ml/h. Over speeding in the park is charged USD30 per incident.