EDUCATE | INSPIRE | TRAVEL | AFRICA | AUSTRALIA

Tour Packages - General Terms & Conditions

General terms and conditions. Detailed terms and conditions available on request or at the time of confirming booking.  

 

These terms and conditions apply to all bookings made with 4xTouring.

1. Booking and Payment:

 1.1. Deposit and Confirmation: Bookings are considered provisional until a deposit payment is received. A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total package price is required within 14 days of booking to confirm the reservation.

1.2. Balance Payment: The remaining balance of the package price is due no later than 90 days before the start date of the tour. Failure to pay the balance by this date may result in cancellation of the booking, and the deposit will be forfeited.

1.3. Payment Methods: Payments can be made via bank transfer or credit card. 4xTouring reserves the right to charge a processing fee for credit card payments.

 

2. Cancellation and Refunds:

2.1. Cancellation by the Customer: If the booking is cancelled more than 90 days before the tour start date, the deposit will be forfeited. If the booking is cancelled within 90 days of the tour start date, no refund will be provided on all monies paid.

Refunds for cancellations will only be considered if the cancellation is due to valid reasons, such as illness or circumstances beyond the customer's control, which must be supported by appropriate documentation. Any refund will be calculated after deducting any non-recoverable costs, including but not limited to deposits and payments made to suppliers and service providers, which we are contractually obligated to pay and cannot be recovered. The remaining balance, if any, will be refunded to the customer within 90 days from the date of cancellation confirmation.

All reservation amendments or cancellations are valid only if advised and accepted by 4xTouring, in writing, by e-mail.

2.2. Cancellation by 4xTouring: If 4xTouring cancels your travel arrangements for reasons other than Force Majeure you will be given the following options: (1) a full refund of all payments made, or (2) the offer of alternative travel arrangements of substantially equal or higher quality, where appropriate and available, at no additional cost.

2.3. Tour Capacity Cancellation Policy:

  1. Minimum and Maximum Participants:
    • Each tour has a specified minimum and maximum number of participants.
    • The minimum number represents the economically viable group size for the tour.
  2. Tour Cancellation:
    • We reserve the right to cancel any tour that does not meet the minimum number of participants.
    • In the event of cancellation due to insufficient participants, all paid amounts will be fully refunded or an alternative tour date provided.
  3. Tour Continuation with Reduced Numbers:
    • If the minimum number is not met, but registered participants wish to proceed: a. We reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. b. Price adjustments will reflect the economic impact of operating below the minimum group size. c. Registered participants will be informed of any price changes and given the option to accept or receive a full refund.
  4. Notification and Decision Timeline:
    • Decisions regarding tour cancellation or price adjustments will be communicated to registered participants no later than 90 days before the scheduled departure date.
  5. Refund Process:
    • In case of tour cancellation, all refunds will be processed within 90 business days of the cancellation notice.

We strive to provide exceptional safari experiences while maintaining economic viability. These terms ensure transparency and fairness for all parties involved.

3. Force Majeure - Prior to Travel

If, in our reasonable opinion, we (either directly or through our employees, contractors, suppliers, or agents) determine that your travel arrangements cannot safely or lawfully proceed due to a Force Majeure event, or you notify us no more than 14 days before the commencement of your booked travel arrangements that you cannot reasonably make use of them due to a Force Majeure event (such as border closures), we may:

  • Reschedule your travel arrangements, provided you agree to the new arrangements; and/or
  • Cancel your travel arrangements, in which case our contract with you will terminate.

If we cancel your travel arrangements, neither party will have any claim for damages against the other regarding the cancelled arrangements. However, we will either:

  • Issue you a credit equal to the payments received for the cancelled travel arrangements, redeemable within 24 months against any future travel services we offer; or
  • Provide a refund of payments attributable to the cancelled travel arrangements, less: (a) unrecoverable third-party costs and other expenses incurred or payable by us for the cancelled arrangements; (b) reasonable overhead costs relative to the price of the cancelled arrangements; (c) fair compensation for work undertaken by us concerning the cancelled arrangements and the processing of any refund.

Our ability to issue you a credit may depend on whether our suppliers issue corresponding credits to us. We cannot guarantee that they will do so, and in such cases, we may opt to provide you with a limited cash refund as outlined above.

4. Force Majeure - During Travel

If your travel arrangements are cancelled after your trip has commenced due to a Force Majeure event, we will provide a refund of any recovered third-party costs, along with any costs we do not incur for the cancelled travel arrangements.

5. Force Majeure - General

Where a limited cash refund is paid, we will use reasonable efforts to recover payments from third parties related to your booking. However, we cannot guarantee that we will recover these payments, in whole or in part. If we recover payments after issuing a cash refund (or determining that no cash refund is payable), we will pass on any recovered amount to you.

We will not be liable for any other losses or costs you incur due to the cancellation of your trip (such as airfare, insurance, or visa expenses) resulting from a Force Majeure event.

If we provide you with alternative services or assistance due to the cancellation or rescheduling of travel arrangements caused by a Force Majeure event, and you accept these alternatives, any refund amount due to you will be reduced by the value of those services and assistance.

You acknowledge that the terms outlined in this section are necessary to protect our legitimate business interests. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover cancellation and rescheduling risks related to Force Majeure events as soon as you pay your deposit.

 

6. Tour Itinerary and Changes:

6.1. Itinerary Changes: 4xTouring reserves the right to alter the tour itinerary due to factors beyond its control, such as weather, wildlife sightings, or road conditions. Every effort will be made to provide a similar alternative experience.

6.2. Flights: Flights to and from the tour destination are not included in the package price unless explicitly stated otherwise. Any additional flights required, beyond those included in the package, are at the customer's expense.

 

 7. Participant Requirements and Liability:

7.1. Participant Requirements: Customers are responsible for ensuring they meet any health, fitness, or visa requirements for the tour. The Company is not liable for any expenses incurred due to a customer's failure to meet these requirements.

7.2. Travel Insurance: Customers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations, medical expenses, and personal belongings.

4xTouring and our partner service providers are committed to ensuring that our guests always receive the best attention during their stay within our portfolio of camps and lodges. Included in the guest’s stay is a guarantee that should a guest fall ill or get injured we will ensure that they receive medical attention as soon as is humanly possible.

 7.3. Limitation of Liability: 4xTouring is not liable for any loss, injury, or damage sustained during the tour, including but not limited to accidents, illnesses, or theft.

 

8.General:

8.1. Tour Conduct: Customers are expected to follow the instructions of the tour guide and adhere to local laws and customs.