General Booking Terms & Conditions – Essential Information 

Travelers Link Africa Limited – Service Overview and Terms

Company Information
Travelers Link Africa Limited is a registered tour agent based in Kampala, Uganda, operating under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).  We offer destination management services and our strength is Adventure, Nature, and Community Based Tours in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. 

Services Offered
Travelers Link Africa Ltd. provides a wide range of services, including but not limited to:

• Ground Transportation
• Flight Reservations
• Primate Expeditions
• Birding Expeditions
• Active Adventure Experiences
• Wildlife Safari Adventures
• Community Based Experiences
• Photography and Filming Projects
• Ecotourism Experiences
• Voluntourism Experiences
• Walking and Hiking Tours
• Flight Reservations

Booking and Payment Agreement

Booking Process:

• Upon receiving written confirmation from the client, Travelers Link Africa will make provisional accommodation bookings.
• Once all accommodation bookings are tentatively confirmed, Travelers Link Africa will secure the requested primate permits on behalf of the client.
• After securing the tracking permits, Travelers Link Africa will reconfirm the provisional accommodation bookings.

Payment Schedule:

1. Initial Payment:
   • A 30% deposit of the confirmed safari cost, along with 100% payment for primate permits, is required. This payment is due within one week after receiving the invoice.
2. Balance Payment:
   • The remaining 70% of the safari cost is due 30 days before the safari departure date. The payment must be completed no later than 14 days before departure.

• Late Bookings:
  For bookings made within 30 days of arrival, full payment is required at the time of confirmation.
• Payment Methods:
  Payments can be made via bank transfer to our Stanbic Bank account or through the PesaPal online portal for debit or credit cards. Please note that PesaPal incurs a 3.5% surcharge, and international transaction costs or a 5% service charge for credit card payments must be covered by the agent.
• Primate Permits:
  Chimpanzee and Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda must be paid 100% upfront, as per the requirements of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board.
• Important Note:
  We advise against relying on ATMs for safari payments due to potential network issues, card rejections, and transaction limits, which may cause delays.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Safari Experience Cancellation:

• Cancellation Charges:
  • 70 days or more before departure: Loss of entire deposit.
  • 69-42 days before departure: 50% of the cost of services booked.
  • 41-28 days before departure: 60% of the cost of services booked.
  • 27-14 days before departure: 90% of the cost of services booked.
  • 14 days or less before departure: 100% of the cost of services booked.
• Rescheduling Options:
  • Free Rescheduling: Up to 27 days before the safari date.
  • Credit Notes: For cancellations close to the safari date, credit notes may be provided for future travel, valid for 12 months.

Primate Permit Cancellation Policy:

• Uganda:
  • 91 days or more before tracking date: 75% refund.
  • 46-90 days before tracking date: 50% refund.
  • 9-45 days before tracking date: 25% refund.
  • 0-8 days before tracking date: No refund.
• Rwanda:
  • 30 days or more before the tracking date: 50% refund.
  • 15-29 days before tracking date: 25% refund.
  • 14 days or less before tracking date: No refund.
• Rescheduling:
  Rescheduling is subject to availability and may incur a fee. It is generally easier to reschedule within the same financial year (July to June).
• Special Considerations:
  In cases of illness or emergencies, refunds or rescheduling may be considered on a case-by-case basis with appropriate medical documentation.

Additional Information

High Season Cancellation Charges:
Certain accommodations may impose higher cancellation charges during peak booking periods (December-February, June-September). Any such charges will be communicated during the booking process.

Non-Refundable Items:
Primate permits and air tickets are 100% non-refundable. However, Travelers Link Africa will make every effort to resell the permits on behalf of the client to other tour companies or individuals.

Minimum Age Requirements:

• Gorilla tracking: Minimum age 15 years.
• Chimpanzee tracking: Minimum age 12 years.

Health Precautions:
Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be permitted to meet with the gorillas or chimpanzees.

Legal and Jurisdictional Information

Jurisdiction:
Travelers Link Africa Ltd. is incorporated in Uganda and operates under Ugandan law. Clients are responsible for notifying us promptly of any issues affecting the performance of travel services.

Liability:
We are not liable for any failure to perform or improper performance due to:

• The client’s actions or those of a third party unconnected to the travel services.
• Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond our control.

Force Majeure:
Travelers Link Africa is not responsible for disruptions caused by events beyond our control, such as war, civil strife, government actions, natural disasters, extreme weather, or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Confidentiality and Communication

Data Protection:
Travelers Link Africa is committed to safeguarding your personal information. We may require certain personal details to process reservations, including names, contact information, payment details, and special requirements.

Photography and Media:
During safaris, our guides and suppliers may take photographs or video footage of the trip, which may be used in future marketing materials. Please inform your tour guide if you do not wish to be included in such media.

Agreement:
This document outlines the complete agreement between Travelers Link Africa and the client, superseding any previous communications related to the subject matter.