Terms & Conditions

"We", "us", "our" and "the Company" refer to Fondness Africa Safaris, a tour operator registered in Arusha, Tanzania, trading under Fondness Vacations. "You", "the client" or "the guest" refers to the person making the booking and every traveller named on it. "Services" means the safari, accommodation, transport, flights, permits and activities described in your confirmed itinerary.

By paying a deposit you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all travellers in your party.

All quotations are prepared individually and remain valid for 14 days unless stated otherwise. Prices are subject to availability at the time of booking and may change if park fees, concession fees, government taxes, fuel prices or lodge rates increase before your booking is confirmed.

A booking is only confirmed once we have received your deposit and issued a written confirmation with your itinerary reference. Verbal quotes, holds and provisional reservations do not constitute a confirmed booking.

• A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total safari cost is required to confirm your booking.
• The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before arrival.
• Bookings made within 60 days of arrival must be paid in full at the time of confirmation.
• Certain camps, peak-season dates and domestic flights require full, non-refundable prepayment; we will tell you in writing before you pay if this applies.

Payments may be made by international bank transfer or secure card link. All bank charges, card processing fees and currency conversion costs are borne by the client. Failure to pay the balance by the due date may be treated as a cancellation.

Your itinerary states precisely what is included. Unless expressly listed, the following are excluded: international flights, visa and passport fees, travel and medical insurance, tips and gratuities, laundry, telephone and internet charges, alcoholic and premium drinks, optional activities (balloon safaris, spa treatments, private guiding upgrades), items of a personal nature, and any costs arising from delays or changes outside our control.

Requests to amend a confirmed booking must be made in writing. We will do our best to accommodate them, but changes are subject to availability and may attract supplier charges plus an administration fee of USD 75 per change. Changes made within 30 days of arrival are usually treated as a cancellation and rebooking.

Cancellations take effect on the day we receive written notice. The following charges apply as a percentage of the total booking value:

• More than 90 days before arrival — deposit forfeited (30%).
• 90 to 61 days before arrival — 50% of the total cost.
• 60 to 31 days before arrival — 75% of the total cost.
• 30 days or fewer before arrival, no-show or early departure — 100% of the total cost.

Some lodges, mobile camps and domestic flights carry stricter, non-refundable terms which override the scale above; these are disclosed at the time of booking. Unused services, missed flights and voluntary early departures are not refundable.

Safaris operate in wild, remote environments. We reserve the right to alter routing, accommodation or activities where necessary for your safety, or because of weather, road and airstrip conditions, park closures, wildlife movement, or supplier failure. Where a change is material we will offer a comparable alternative of equal or higher standard, and refund any genuine difference in cost.

If we must cancel your safari for reasons within our control, you will receive a full refund of monies paid to us. That refund is the limit of our liability in such cases.

We are not liable for failure to perform where this is caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to war, civil unrest, terrorism, epidemic or pandemic, government action, border or airspace closure, strike, fire, flood, drought, extreme weather or natural disaster. In such circumstances we will pass on any refunds we are able to recover from suppliers, less unrecoverable costs.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travel with us. Your policy must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation (including air evacuation from remote areas), repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of baggage. You must be able to provide your policy number and emergency assistance contact before departure.

You are responsible for holding a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, with sufficient blank pages, and for obtaining all necessary visas and health certificates. Yellow fever certificates may be required depending on your route. Please consult a travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis and recommended vaccinations well before departure. We accept no liability where entry is refused.

You must follow the instructions of your guide, pilot, camp management and park authorities at all times. Wildlife is unpredictable; guests must remain in vehicles unless the guide confirms it is safe to exit, and must respect all park rules. We reserve the right to remove from a safari, without refund, any guest whose behaviour endangers themselves, other guests, staff or wildlife.

Standard luggage allowance on light-aircraft transfers is 15 kg per person in a soft bag, including hand luggage. Excess baggage may be refused or charged by the airline.

Fondness Africa Safaris acts as an agent for hotels, camps, airlines, and other independent suppliers. While we select our partners carefully, we are not liable for injury, illness, death, loss, damage, delay or additional expense arising from the acts, omissions or default of those suppliers, or from causes beyond our reasonable control. Our total liability, where established, is limited to the amount you paid us for the affected services.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

If something is not right, please tell your guide or camp management immediately so we can resolve it while you are still on safari. Any unresolved complaint must be submitted to us in writing within 30 days of the end of your trip. We aim to acknowledge complaints within 5 working days and respond fully within 30 days.

We collect only the personal information required to plan, book and operate your safari — including names, contact details, passport data, dietary and medical notes — and share it with the suppliers delivering your trip. We do not sell your data. You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your data at any time by emailing us.

We may use photographs or video taken during your safari for marketing purposes. If you prefer that images of you and your party are not used, please tell us in writing before departure and we will respect that request.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Any dispute that cannot be resolved amicably shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Arusha, Tanzania.