Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd Booking Terms & Conditions

These Booking Terms & Conditions govern all safari, tour, trekking, and travel services provided by Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd. By confirming a booking and making a payment, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions.

 

Booking Confirmation

A booking becomes confirmed once Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd receives the required deposit and sends written confirmation.

Because many safari services require advance reservations—including accommodation, domestic flights, park permits, and transportation—bookings are only guaranteed after payment has been received.

 

Deposit Requirements

To secure your safari, the following deposits apply:

Low Season

  • A 40% deposit of the total safari cost is required to confirm the booking.

High Season (June – September)

  • A 50% deposit of the total safari cost is required due to limited availability of accommodation, permits, and flights.

For itineraries that include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, or domestic flights, early payment is highly recommended because these services are subject to availability.

The remaining balance must be paid no later than 21 days before arrival, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Bookings made within 21 days of departure require full payment immediately.

 

How Your Deposit Is Used

Your deposit allows Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd to immediately begin securing the services included in your itinerary.

Depending on your safari, the deposit may be used for:

Where applicable, copies of confirmed domestic flight tickets will be shared with the client after ticket issuance.

 

Tour Price Includes

Unless otherwise stated in your quotation, the safari price includes:

  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
  • Fuel throughout the safari
  • Accommodation specified in the itinerary
  • Meals as indicated
  • Gorilla permits (where included)
  • Chimpanzee permits (where included)
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Game drives
  • Boat cruises
  • Community visits
  • Cultural activities

All activities specifically mentioned in the itinerary

 

Tour Price Excludes

Unless specifically included, the safari price does not include:

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal medical expenses
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Soft drinks
  • Laundry services
  • Telephone charges
  • Souvenirs
  • Personal shopping
  • Tips and gratuities

Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

 

Payment Methods

Payments may be made through:

  • International Bank Transfer
  • Secure Credit Card Payment Link
  • Cash payment upon arrival (where previously agreed)

Bank Transfers

All international transfer charges are the responsibility of the client.

Credit Cards

Credit card payments are accepted through our secure online payment system.

A 5% processing fee applies to all credit card payments.

Cash payments within Uganda may be made in:

  • US Dollars
  • Euros
  • British Pounds
  • Uganda Shillings

 

Changes Requested by the Client

If you wish to amend your itinerary after confirmation, Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd will make every reasonable effort to accommodate the request.

However, itinerary changes remain subject to:

  • Availability
  • Supplier approval
  • Additional costs
  • Government regulations

Certain changes may incur amendment fees or price differences.

 

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Changes

Government permits are subject to strict regulations.

Permit dates may only be changed if:

  • Space is available.
  • The request is made at least 9 working days before the trekking date.
  • The relevant wildlife authority approves the change.

Permit changes are never guaranteed.

 

Changes Made by Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd

While every effort is made to operate your safari exactly as planned, circumstances beyond our control may require changes.

These may include:

  • Road closures
  • Flooding
  • Severe weather
  • Political or security situations
  • Airline schedule changes
  • Lodge overbookings
  • Mechanical breakdowns
  • Government directives

Where necessary, we reserve the right to substitute:

  • Accommodation
  • Routes
  • Activities
  • Vehicles
  • Guides

with alternatives of similar standard whenever reasonably possible.

Clients will be informed as soon as practicable.

 

During Your Safari

Africa’s wildlife is completely wild and free-ranging.

Although our experienced guides and park rangers work hard to maximize wildlife sightings, no specific animal sightings can ever be guaranteed.

Clients are expected to:

  • Respect wildlife regulations.
  • Follow guide instructions.
  • Respect local communities.
  • Respect conservation rules.

Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd reserves the right to terminate a client’s participation without refund if their behaviour:

  • Endangers themselves or others
  • Damages property
  • Violates Park regulations
  • Harasses wildlife

Causes serious disruption to other travelers

 

Safari Vehicles

Our safari vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained to high safety standards.

However, due to the nature of travel in Africa, delays may occasionally occur because of:

  • Poor road conditions
  • Flat tires
  • Mechanical failures
  • Floods
  • Weather
  • Traffic
  • Road accidents

Such delays are beyond our reasonable control and do not constitute grounds for compensation.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

Cancellation charges are based on the total safari price.

Cancellation PeriodCancellation Fee
More than 30 days before arrival5% (bank and administrative charges)
15–30 days before arrival10%
1–14 days before arrival20%
Less than 24 hours before arrival or No Show100%

Please note that separate cancellation charges imposed by:

  • Lodges
  • Airlines
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Authorities
  • Other suppliers

may also apply.

 

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Refund Policy

Wildlife permits are governed by the policies of the relevant wildlife authorities.

Generally:

  • Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are non-refundable.
  • Where permitted by the wildlife authority, permits may be rescheduled subject to availability.
  • Government policies may allow limited rescheduling, usually up to two occasions.
  • Where Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd successfully resells a cancelled permit, the permit cost will be refunded after deducting any applicable administrative or government charges.
  • Permit refunds may take approximately 60–90 days, depending on wildlife authority procedures.

 

Children Policy

Children are welcome on our safaris.

The following rates generally apply unless otherwise specified:

  • Children under 3 years – Free
  • Children aged 4–11 years – 50% of the adult rate
  • Children aged 12 years and above – Adult rate

Please note:

Children under 15 years are not permitted to participate in gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking under the regulations of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board.

 

Complaints

Should any issue arise during your safari, it must immediately be reported to your safari guide or our office.

This gives us the opportunity to resolve the matter while your safari is in progress.

If you remain dissatisfied, a written complaint must be submitted within 30 days after completion of your safari.

Complaints received after this period may not be considered.

 

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Your insurance should cover:

  • Medical expenses
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Trip cancellation
  • Personal accident
  • Baggage loss
  • Delayed travel
  • COVID-19 or epidemic-related disruptions (where available)

Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd accepts no responsibility for losses that would ordinarily be covered by travel insurance.

 

Health Requirements

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they meet all health and vaccination requirements for the countries they intend to visit.

Clients should consult their healthcare provider regarding:

  • Yellow Fever vaccination
  • Malaria prevention
  • Required medications
  • Physical fitness for trekking

Clients must disclose any medical condition that may affect their participation before travel.

 

Limitation of Liability

Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd acts as an intermediary between clients and independent service providers including airlines, hotels, lodges, wildlife authorities, and transportation companies.

While we exercise reasonable care in selecting our suppliers, we cannot accept liability for acts, omissions, delays, or failures caused by third-party providers.

Our liability shall, in any event, be limited to the total amount paid directly to Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd for the affected services.

 

Force Majeure

Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd shall not be liable for failure to perform any obligation where such failure results from events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

  • Natural disasters
  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Fires
  • Epidemics or pandemics
  • Government restrictions
  • Border closures
  • War
  • Civil unrest
  • Terrorism
  • Strikes
  • Political instability
  • Airline cancellations
  • Road closures
  • Severe weather

Mechanical failures beyond reasonable control

 

Exchange Rate and Price Changes

Safari prices are based on exchange rates, park fees, taxes, fuel costs, and supplier rates applicable at the time the quotation is prepared.

Should significant increases occur before final payment due to factors beyond our control, Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd reserves the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. Clients will be notified promptly of any material changes.

 

Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Uganda.

 

Contact Information for Deks Africa Safaris & Tours Ltd

Uganda Office