Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd Booking Terms
These Booking Terms & Conditions govern all safari and tour bookings made with Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd. Please read them carefully, as they form the basis of the contract between you and us.
In these terms, “you” refers to all persons named on the booking (including those added or substituted later), and “we”, “our”, or “us” refers to Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd.
1. General Information
Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd organises safaris and holidays in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
These terms are subject to change; however, the terms valid at the time of booking shall apply. Travel conditions in Africa may differ from those in developed countries, including standards of medical facilities, infrastructure, safety, and security. All services are governed by the laws and regulations of the country where the services are provided, not those of your home country.
2. Reservations and Confirmation
All bookings are subject to availability and are confirmed upon receipt of a completed booking form and the required deposit. Written confirmation will be issued once all services are secured.
3. Payments
Upon booking your safari, you confirm that you are in agreement with our terms and conditions and pay the deposit of a percentage determined by our tour consultant of the total price, including the fees for the permits and necessary bookings, which is usually:
- A deposit of 40% of the total safari cost is normally required to confirm a booking.
- During peak or high seasons, a 50% deposit may be required to secure gorilla and chimpanzee permits and accommodations.
- The balance payment must be made before the safari commences.
- Bookings made within a few weeks of departure require full payment at confirmation.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits must be paid in full in advance and are subject to the authority’s regulations.
4. Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permits
Once payment is received, trekking permits are purchased immediately. While gorilla sightings are highly likely (approximately 99%), sightings are not guaranteed, as wildlife exists in natural habitats.
Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, except where a refund is granted by the issuing authority. In the event of park closures, security concerns, border closures, or unforeseen circumstances, Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd shall not be held liable but will make every effort to assist in seeking refunds where possible.
5. Accommodation
We use carefully selected hotels, lodges, and safari camps offering comfort, cleanliness, and friendly service. Clients are requested to inform us of any special dietary or medical requirements in advance.
We reserve the right to substitute accommodations with equivalent or superior alternatives if necessary.
6. Safari Activities and Risk
Some activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to:
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking
- White-water rafting
- Walking safaris
- Canoe and boat rides
- Hiking and mountaineering
Participation in such activities is entirely at the client’s own risk, and Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd assumes no liability for injury, illness, or loss arising from participation.
7. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for all clients. Insurance should cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, personal injury, theft, and high-risk activities where applicable.
Clients with serious medical conditions, physical limitations, or advanced pregnancy should seek medical clearance before booking.
8. Baggage and Personal Property
All baggage and personal belongings are carried at the client’s own risk. We are not liable for loss, theft, or damage to personal property.
9. National Parks and Conservation
We strongly discourage the collection or disturbance of any natural specimens. Our safaris are designed for wildlife viewing and photography only, in accordance with conservation laws and ethical tourism practices.
10. Photography and Marketing
We reserve the right to use photographs or videos taken during tours for promotional purposes. Clients who do not wish to appear in marketing materials must notify their guide at the start of the safari.
11. Accuracy of Information
All information regarding itineraries, accommodations, permits, wildlife, and security is provided in good faith and based on the most current information available. We cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions beyond our control.
12. Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for failure to perform our obligations due to events beyond our control, including but not limited to war, civil unrest, terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics, government actions, extreme weather, road closures, or border restrictions.
Depending on the itinerary you have selected, some activities carry with them the intrinsic risk of personal injury. These activities include gorilla trekking, whitewater rafting, chimpanzee tracking, walking tours, canoe/boat rides and mountaineering. However, you must understand that such involvement in the above activities will be at your own risk and that we assume no responsibility for your safety.
13. Amendments to Itineraries
We reserve the right to alter itineraries due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, road conditions, or security concerns. Suitable alternatives will be offered where possible.
What Is Included in Our Safari Prices
Please note: Any activities added by the client that are not included in the initial itinerary issued by Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd will be charged as an extra cost to be covered by the client.
Our safari prices include in the quotation the cost of the gorilla permit at $500 each, the chimpanzee tracking permit at $150 each, All accommodation, All ground transportation in private 4 x 4 Safari Vehicles, Full-time experienced safari guide (English-speaking) and his associated expenses, All meals (except where B&B is denoted), Water and snacks in the vehicle, Entrances fees in National Parks, ranger guide fee, Chimpanzee tracking, boat/canoe rides, All applicable taxes and administration. BUT it EXCLUDES international flights and any items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone, souvenirs, visa fees, porters at the gorilla trek, travel/medical insurance, gratuities for the guide/driver/hotel staff, and any extras not mentioned in the itinerary. Our safari prices are full board.
The company reserves the right to vary the safari services agreed with the client in the event of unpredictable conditions, such as bad weather, road closures, and security issues. In such cases, optional arrangements will be made as situations permit.
14. Cancellations by the Client
Should you be forced to call off the safari, you must inform us in writing. All cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellation charges apply as follows:
| Period Before Arrival | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more | 25% |
| 59–32 days | 50% |
| 31–8 days | 75% |
| 7 days or less | 100% |
No refunds will be issued for unused services or early termination of a safari once it has commenced.
15. Cancellations by the Company
Irregularly, we have to cancel confirmed bookings. We always try to avoid cancelling, but we must reserve the right to do so. We shall not cancel your confirmed holiday less than 60 days before departure unless we are forced to do so as a result of unusual and unforeseeable conditions beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. If we cancel your holiday (except where you have failed to make payment or as a result of force majeure), we shall offer you the choice of purchasing an alternative holiday from us of a similar standard to that originally booked if available.
If the chosen alternative is less expensive than your original holiday, we shall refund the difference, but if it is more expensive, we shall ask you to pay the difference. Alternatively, you are entitled to a full refund of all monies you have paid to us, save that paid for gorilla permits, which can only be refunded if the refund has been made available to us. Except where we cancel for reasons other than those mentioned in this section, we shall have no additional charge to you. We are sorry we cannot pay any expenses and losses incurred as a result of any cancellation.
Please note that cancellation fees are based on the date your written notification is received at Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd.
16. Complaints Procedure
Any complaints must be reported immediately to the safari guide or manager to allow prompt resolution. Written complaints must be submitted within 30 days of tour completion. Complaints not reported in accordance with this procedure cannot be accepted.
17. Acceptance of Terms
Payment of a deposit confirms that you have read, understood, and accepted these Booking Terms and Conditions, including policies on cancellation, liability, and responsibility during the safari.
Note: Should you find discontent with either your vehicle or guide while on safari, we require that you allow us 24 hours to rectify the issue.
Thank you for choosing Chopper Tour and Travel Uganda Ltd.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you explore East Africa with confidence.
