Terms and Conditions is an agreement that acts as legal contracts between the company that has the website and the user who accesses it. By using the Website, you accept and agree to be bound by this Agreement, the Privacy Policy, as well as rules, guidelines, policies………. 

Mara Expeditions is a registered tour operator in the Republic of Kenya.

The following terms and conditions of business apply to all Mara Expeditions trips booked with us directly or with an approved agent. Receipt of the deposit indicates a formal understanding and acceptance of our terms and conditions of business. 

Booking with Mara Expeditions.

(a). Mara Expeditions will provide a full quotation without any financial obligation on your part or the agent’s, prior to affirming the booking arrangement. All quotations issued by us will remain valid for a period of thirty days.

(b). The company recommends that you secure a non-refundable deposit of at least 30% of the quotation to confirm the safari, with the full balance of payment due to Mara Expeditions 60 days prior to the departure date. Some safaris (such as Mountain Gorilla and Chimpanzee itineraries) may require an additional deposit, and should this prove the case, you will be advised in good time.

(c). Changes to confirmed reservations made within sixty days of the tour departure date will be charged according to the cancellation penalties outlined below.

(d). Upon receipt of final payment, the company will issue all relevant travel documents with a fully confirmed status. Any changes thereafter are subject to availability and cancellation fees, whichever is applicable (see below).

(e). The minimum duration of any safari booked with Mara Expeditions will be 2 nights.

Managing cancellations, amendments, and refunds for tours and activities. 

In the last few months, the tourism industry has been hit hard by the outbreak of  COVID-19. Not only have conferences like ITB Berlin and Arrival been cancelled, international games and athletics put on hold, but we’ve also seen bookings sharply decline and cancellations skyrocket.

You may receive a refund of the tour price if You are prevented from taking the tour because of an unforeseeable event that is out of your control and shows up after the booking (“unforeseeable events”). The determination of what constitutes unforeseeable events is at the discretion of Mara Expeditions.

The following is a list of examples of what we consider unforeseeable events:
(a) Impersonal events that make it dangerous or impossible to safely undertake a tour, such as travel restrictions imposed by governments, epidemic disease unusual to an area, war, civil insurrection, strike, extreme weather, earthquake and natural disaster;
(b) A flight cancellation if there are no other means to travel to the destination; and
(c) A “Do Not Travel” advisory issued by the US Department of State after a booking is made.

The following do not constitute unforeseeable events:
(a) Illness or injury of a tour participant;
(b) Poor weather;
(c) Change of plans;
(d) Oversleeping.

If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the company shall not be responsible for giving any refund to you. However, at its sole discretion, the company gives the refund based on various factors like the number of participants, the cancellation policies of suppliers like hoteliers, coach operators, etc. the decision of the company on the quantum of the refund shall be final.

Clients have the option to keep their refund money in our account, collect credit certificates, and utilise the same within 24 months.

• Issue a voucher that’s valid for 1 or 2 years.
• Reschedule the tour to a different date.
• Transfer the booking to someone else who might be visiting in the future.

(a). All cancellations must be made in writing to us. Please ensure that you receive written confirmation that your cancellation has been received by us. All cancellations will be charged a cancellation penalty, depending on the number of days before tour departure that the cancellation is received.

Cancellation penalties & deposits: (excluding gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits)

(i) – Deposit to confirm – 30% of the quotation

(ii) – Cancellation outside 121 days to commencement, loss of 50% of the deposit

(iii) – Cancellation 120 – 91 days prior to commencement, loss of 100% deposit

(iv) – The final rooming list would be appreciated 60 days prior to arrival

(v) – Cancellation 90 – 61 days prior to commencement, loss of 30% of the quotation

(vi) – Final payment would be appreciated at least 60 days prior to arrival

(vii) – Cancellation 60 – 31 days prior to commencement, loss of 50% of the quotation

(viii) – Cancellation less than 30 days to commencement, loss of 100% of the quotation                                                                                                                     

(b). Some safaris may incur additional cancellation fees (especially gorilla safaris). There will be no refund for any unused portions of a safari once it has commenced. Cancellation penalties on airfares and gorilla permits are additional and may not be included in the above cancellation charges. Cancellation insurance for the total land tour cost is strongly recommended.

Gorilla Safari Permits. 

(i) – Deposit to confirm – US$ 500 per gorilla permit

(ii) – Cancellation outside 60 days prior to trekking – loss of 50% of the deposit.

(iii) – Cancellation less than 60 days prior to trekking – loss of 100% of the deposit.

(c). Some of the camps, hotels and lodges have special cancellation clauses during the year, for example, at Christmas and New Year. These will be advised at the time of booking. These will, in turn, form part of these terms and conditions of business.

Acceptance of risk

You acknowledge that the nature of the trip is adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You will be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. We use information from government foreign departments and reports from our contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is also your responsibility to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary. 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 risks associated with such travel.

Important information.

(a). All airfares quoted within Africa are current as of the date of the tour quotation. Mara Expeditions is not responsible for any changes in airline schedules, airfares, cancellations, loss or damage to baggage, or overbooking. All claims for any loss or injury suffered on any airline must be made directly with the airline involved and not with Mara Expeditions.

(b). Specific accommodations described in these itineraries may not always be available. In the event of this happening, Mara Expeditions will always recommend comparable alternative accommodations. It is then the decision of the client to accept or decline this alternative accommodation before committing to the deposits and pre-payments.

(c). Tour costs are based on all known costs at the date of quotation. Any significant changes beyond the control of Mara Expeditions will be passed onto clients. Once a final quotation has been given by Mara Expeditions and the same has been accepted on behalf of the client and the tour arrangement has been paid for as per our payment terms, then no additional charges and/or surcharges will be levied.                                                                                                             

(d). Mara Expeditions reserves the right to alter any arrangements due to local conditions. We also retain the right to refuse any person from participating in or continuing on any tour for any reason or if that person causes or is deemed to cause a hazard or inconvenience to other passengers or to Mara Expeditions.         

(e). The company will not be responsible for any lost or delayed baggage, resulting from travel with an international scheduled airline.                                   

(f). Generally, travellers in Africa using charter aircraft services to facilitate travel from one destination to another are limited to a baggage allowance of 33 pounds (15 kg) per passenger. This includes camera equipment and backpacks. It is important that this baggage is packed in lightweight duffel-type bags.

 

For private charter, and internal flights arranged by Mara Expeditions, our policy caters for 20Kgs of baggage allowance per passenger. Further guidelines and recommendations on baggage procedures and what to pack on safari are provided in our pre-departure safari information.

(g). Should guests arrive with excess baggage without prior warning to the company, their baggage may be delayed, as the company may have to fly the baggage to their safari destinations at a later stage and at a considerable cost to the client.

(h). Should guests know and inform the company in advance that they will be carrying baggage in excess of the given limit, Mara Expeditions will quote the extra costs involved.

(i). When out on safari with us, clients should be aware that at times they will be in close proximity to wild animals. A responsible attitude and vigilance are requested when in this situation. Many of the camps, lodges and hotels are not fenced. Attacks by animals are rare; however, the company cannot guarantee that this may not occur. Neither the company, its employees, nor its agents can be held responsible for any injury or incident whatsoever whilst on safari.

Inclusions and exclusions in the itinerary cost. 

(a). The prices include all details listed on your itinerary except where noted as an option or specifically noted as an exclusion.

Standard Inclusions (this may vary from itinerary to itinerary)

(i) – ALL accommodation and meals on safari, cycling, and in the mountains.

(ii) – ALL government hotel taxes and service charges.

(iii) – ALL land transport in specially built Vans or 4×4 safari vehicles or as stated otherwise in a specific itinerary.

(iv) – ALL National Park/reserve entrance fees

(v) – ALL internal air transport as specified in the itinerary.

(vi) – ALL porter-age and Airport Assistance.

(vii) – ALL bottled mineral water

(viii) – ALL Mara Expeditions administrative and operational development costs. Incredibly knowledgeable, KPSGA-certified Mara Expeditions driver/ guide.

– Optional Temporary Flying Doctor (AMREF), emergency evacuation to Nairobi,

(b). Not included: (Unless specifically requested)              

Not included in our touring costs are;

– Personal Laundry, beverages and other personal expenses.

– Tips to the bar staff for personal beverages, room service and porter-age in hotels/lodges.

– Gratuities to drivers/guides, cooks, porters, and rangers.

– Game and nature walk {in wildlife safari}.

– Visa fees.                         

NB: Any activity detailed in your itinerary as ‘optional’, will be added to your account.

Statement of Responsibility. 

(a). Mara Expeditions and its agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to services provided, including but not limited to, hotels, lodges, camps, restaurants, sightseeing, game drives, and all forms of transportation within Africa.

(b). All services that, are provided by operators who are not owned or controlled by Mara Expeditions. Mara Expeditions takes all reasonable precautions to make these safaris as safe as possible for our clients and others. Mara Expeditions and its agents shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay or inconvenience arising out of, or in connection with, any defect in any vehicle or aircraft or any act, including any acts of terrorism, industrial action, acts of governments, war, or God, omission, neglect, accident, error, or omission in the provision of any services. Any travel involves some measure of risk, of which travellers need to determine themselves.                                                       

(c). The company applies all reasonable checks to ensure that those involved in the preparation and provision of services outlined in the booked itinerary maintain appropriate standards of safety, hygiene, and customer care. 

(d). To the best of our knowledge, this brochure and the information contained within were correct at the time of printing. Mara Expeditions cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes that may occur after printing.

Transportation and guides.     

(a). The Company shall provide the services of sub-contracted transport options such as aircraft, safari vehicles, or alternatives as considered necessary, based on considerations such as suitable routes to be taken, conditions of roads, and the number of clients travelling in one party. 

(b). Mara Expeditions reserves the right to alter any such arrangements made including the proposed route to be taken. 

(c). Mara Expeditions reserves the right to employ the services of sub-contractors to affect transportation.     

(d). The Company shall provide the services of drivers and professional guides where and when requested, subject to availability. If a Mara Expeditions-appointed guide is unable to guide a safari due to illness or otherwise, the company reserves the right to substitute with another suitable guide.

Mara Expeditions cannot be held responsible for any changes that may occur and reserves the right to increase the price of any travel arrangements up to the date of departure. This includes adjustments for devaluation, fuel surcharges, airfare increases as well as international exchange rates. The air content of tours is based on airfare applicable as of the date of publication. As airline costs are constantly changing, it may be necessary to impose an air surcharge any time up to departure. Passport and visa fees, insurance, excess baggage charges, extra meals, laundry, drinks, souvenirs, items of a personal nature, including medication, departure taxes and porterage are not included in the price of your holiday. Entrance fees to venues detailed in the itinerary will generally be included unless specified in the itinerary

Flying Doctors Service.

All Mara Expeditions clients will be advised to register as members of ‘The Flying Doctor Society (AMREF) in East Africa. Applicable charges will be excluded from the cost of the tour arrangements. AMREF Emergency Air Evacuation is limited to safaris within East Africa.

Flights.

(a). In the unlikely event of flight delays, the airlines concerned are not to be held liable for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board their aircraft or conveyance.

(b). Flight delays are not considered as alterations to the holiday and as a consequence, any compensation applied from the company is not applicable. In the event of a scheduled flight delay, cancellation or overbooking, the company cannot be held liable for any costs incurred. Any denied boarding compensation (if applicable) should be sought from the airline concerned and not Mara Expeditions.         

(c). The company cannot guarantee that flight times detailed on the itinerary will not change at short notice. If in any event, they do, Mara Expeditions will make every available effort to assist in obtaining a suitable alternative flight.

Age Limits. 

In certain camps, lodges, hotels, and beach resorts, and on specific activities, minimum age limits can apply. The age limit for gorilla safaris is 15 years, which is absolutely inflexible.

Photos and marketing

You consent to Mara Expeditions using images of you taken during the trip for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose.  You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.

Copyright ©. 

All information, itineraries, text, photographs, and maps used remain the sole property of Mara Expeditions and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written consent from the company.