Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions govern all safari bookings made with Kingse Safaris ("we", "us", "our"). By submitting an enquiry or confirming a booking, you ("the client", "you") agree to these terms.

1. About Kingse Safaris

Kingse Safaris is a privately owned safari planning and operations company specialising in tailored travel experiences across East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar, and Victoria Falls. We design your trip and coordinate every part of it for you. Our on-the-ground safari services in Tanzania are delivered by our own licensed Tanzanian operation, Kingse Guides Ltd (Class A Tour Operator, Tourism Licence 036650). Accommodation, internal flights, activities, and other services are provided by carefully selected partners whom we book on your behalf.

2. Booking & Confirmation

A booking is confirmed once we have received your signed itinerary confirmation and the required deposit payment. Until both are received, all arrangements remain provisional and subject to availability.

We will send you a detailed itinerary proposal for your review. You are welcome to request amendments before confirming. Once confirmed, your itinerary forms part of these terms.

3. Payment Terms

Deposit

A deposit of 50% of the total trip cost is required to confirm your booking. Subject to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, the deposit is non-refundable in the event of client-initiated cancellation. Certain components, including gorilla trekking permits, peak-season lodge reservations, and internal flights, may require immediate full payment at the time of booking.

Final Balance

The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before your arrival date. For bookings made within 60 days of travel, full payment is required at the time of confirmation.

Payment Methods

We accept bank transfer (wire transfer) and credit card payments. Payment instructions will be provided on your invoice. Prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated.

4. Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be communicated in writing to [email protected]. The following cancellation fees apply from the date we receive your written notice:

• More than 90 days before travel: Deposit forfeited; no further charges.
• 60 to 90 days before travel: 50% of total trip cost.
• 30 to 59 days before travel: 75% of total trip cost.
• Less than 30 days before travel: 100% of total trip cost (no refund).

Non-recoverable supplier costs

Safari travel involves bookings with third-party suppliers that operate on strict no-refund terms. Once paid out to suppliers on your behalf, the following costs become non-refundable regardless of cancellation timing:

• Lodge and camp deposits and balance payments (typically released to lodges between 90 and 30 days prior to arrival)
• Internal East African flights (Auric Air, Coastal Aviation, Precision Air, Safarilink, Air Kenya, Regional, ZanTas), non-refundable from the moment they are ticketed
• International flights, where booked through us
• Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
• Peak-season hotel reservations
• Ground transfer deposits and bundled ground operations payments to local operators

By the time we have placed bookings with our suppliers (which begins immediately after your deposit is received), the majority of your trip cost may already be disbursed and unrecoverable. We will use reasonable efforts to recover any refundable portion from suppliers on your behalf but cannot guarantee any return.

Your actual refund in the event of cancellation will be the lesser of: (a) the standard cancellation fee schedule above, or (b) your total amount paid less all non-recoverable supplier costs already disbursed and a $500 administration fee. In practice, cancellations made after deposit may result in zero refund regardless of timing.

Comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation cover (including Cancel For Any Reason cover where available) is mandatory and the only reliable means of recovering your trip cost in the event of cancellation. See Section 5.

5. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all guests travelling with Kingse Safaris. Your policy must cover trip cancellation, medical expenses (including emergency evacuation by air ambulance), personal liability, and loss of baggage. We strongly recommend coverage of at least USD 200,000 for medical and evacuation expenses.

We reserve the right to request proof of adequate insurance before your departure.

6. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for failure or delay in performing obligations under this agreement where such failure or delay results from events beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, including but not limited to: pandemic or epidemic, government-imposed travel bans or restrictions, natural disaster, volcanic activity affecting flight operations, civil unrest, war, terrorism, airline or transport operator failure or insolvency, sanctions, or government-directed park or border closures.

If Kingse Safaris is unable to deliver your safari due to a force majeure event, we will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable and offer you a choice of: (a) a credit for future travel, valid for 24 months from the date of notification; or (b) a refund of all amounts paid, minus any costs already incurred with third-party suppliers that cannot be recovered. The non-recoverable supplier costs described in Section 4 apply equally in force majeure events, most lodge, flight, and permit payments are non-refundable from the supplier even where the cause of cancellation is outside everyone's control. In practice, force majeure refunds may be limited to the unspent portion of your deposit and any balance not yet disbursed at the time of the event. We will use reasonable efforts to recover costs from suppliers on your behalf but cannot guarantee any return.

If you are unable to travel due to a force majeure event but Kingse Safaris is able to deliver the safari as planned, standard cancellation terms (Section 4) will apply. Comprehensive travel insurance, including Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) cover where available, is the only reliable means of recovering your trip cost in these scenarios. We strongly recommend purchasing CFAR cover at the time of booking.

7. Itinerary Changes

While we make every effort to deliver your confirmed itinerary, safari travel in East Africa is subject to factors beyond our control, including weather, road conditions, wildlife movements, park authority decisions, flight schedule changes, and lodge availability. In such cases, we will arrange the best available alternative and communicate any changes promptly.

No refund will be given for itinerary changes caused by circumstances outside our control, though we will always work to ensure you receive equivalent or improved arrangements.

8. Health & Safety

Safari travel involves inherent risks including proximity to wild animals, remote locations, unpaved roads, and varying medical infrastructure. By confirming your booking, you acknowledge these risks and accept responsibility for your own health and fitness to travel.

We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health clinic regarding vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, and any health precautions relevant to your destinations.

9. Passports, Visas & Entry Requirements

You are responsible for ensuring you hold a valid passport (with at least six months' validity from your date of entry) and all required visas for your destinations. We'll point you to the official government site for each country you enter, but we don't advise on visa requirements, and securing the correct documentation is your responsibility.

10. Liability

For accommodation, flights, activities, and other services provided by third parties, Kingse Safaris acts as a booking agent and coordinator between you and those providers. Our on-the-ground safari services in Tanzania are operated by our own licensed Tanzanian operation, Kingse Guides Ltd (Tourism Licence 036650). While we carefully select and monitor our partners, to the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or expense arising from the acts or omissions of third-party providers where we have exercised due care in their selection.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising from or related to your safari shall not exceed the total amount paid by you for the trip in question.

Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any right or remedy, or any guarantee, condition, or warranty, implied or imposed by the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable legislation, which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

11. Photography & Marketing

We may occasionally request permission to use photographs or testimonials from your safari for our website and marketing materials. We will always seek your consent before using any identifiable images. You may decline without affecting your booking in any way.

12. Complaints

If you have a concern during your safari, please raise it with your guide or contact us immediately so we can resolve it on the ground. Any formal complaints must be submitted in writing to [email protected] within 30 days of your return.

13. Consumer Rights

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled to cancel your contract with us and receive a refund for the unused portion, or to receive compensation for the reduction in value of the service. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. If the failure does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have problems with the service rectified in a reasonable time.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland. Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any right or remedy, or any guarantee, condition, or warranty, implied or imposed by the Australian Consumer Law which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

15. Contact

Kingse Safaris
ABN: 37 698 821 886
Email: [email protected]
Website: kingsesafaris.com