Terms & Conditions

Payment and Booking Conditions

These conditions apply to bookings with The East African Safari and Touring Company Limited, (Referred to below as “Eastco”). In case Eastco has explicitly agreed by signed agreement to conditions that divert from the below, such explicitly agreed conditions will prevail.

General: Terms and conditions are considered agreed upon once payment is sent. We will require full names as per passports for the booking, we will also need to know if there are any special dietary requirements and if any special needs at all we should know about whilst you are on safari with us.

Deposit and Booking Conditions: To confirm the booking, we will require a deposit of 30% by telegraphic transfer into our nominated account. The balance of 70% via wire transfer minimum of 45 days before departure of the safari. (If a safari is booked within 45 days of departure date, full payment is required). If your itinerary includes gorilla permits, the fees for these permits must be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable.

Important: If paying via our online payment gateway a fee of 5%, this fee is to be paid by the client. The fee is charged by our card facility provided and not paid to Eastco. You can make a credit card payment here, the fee will be added automatically: https://bit.ly/3JLE0Et

Credit notes due to Covid-19

During the pandemic, we have introduced the issuance of credit notes. This means that if a client is unable to travel due to the virus, they can re-book the safari within the next 12 months, with the possibility of an extension depending on the pandemic. Additional charges may apply if we need to change accommodations due to the migration pattern. For instance, if we book a safari in Northern Serengeti in August 2021 and rebook for January 2022, we may need to change locations to follow the migration to southern Serengeti/Ndutu. In such a case, we would suggest accommodation within a similar price range for the benefit of the safari.

Cancellation policy is as follows:

Cancellation prior to 90 days before departure, refund of 75% of deposit paid.
Cancellation 89 to 45 days before departure, refund of 50% of deposit paid.
Cancellation 44 to 30 days before departure, refund of 25% of total paid.
Cancellations less than 30 days before departure no refund shall be granted.

Please note certain hotels don’t offer a refund once a deposit or balance has been paid, refunds as above will also vary depending on what Eastco can recover from booked hotels. The final amount will be agreed upon by both parties in conjunction with the amounts the hotels are willing to return.

Eastco does not offer refunds for lost travel time or changes made to facilities or itineraries after departure, or in the event of circumstances beyond the company’s control that require alternative arrangements to be made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of your tour. Additionally, any missed accommodation, service, activity, or tour segment without prior notice will not be refunded.

Should EASTCO deem it desirable due to overbooking of hotels and/or lodges or other valid reasons to amend or vary any itinerary it may do so by rerouting or booking alternative accommodation of a similar or better quality in which case no objection or claim for compensation will be made by the participant.

Itinerary changes

Eastco will make every effort to minimize disruptions to our itineraries caused by cancellations, changes, or delays from third-party service providers. However, any costs incurred in relation to these changes will be the responsibility of the client. Our itineraries are flexible, and we will try our best to accommodate any changes made by the client during the trip. However, any costs associated with changes or deviations will not be Eastco’s responsibility. The itineraries are designed to be cost-effective and efficient for our clients.

Weight and Luggage Restrictions

These limits are applicable when travelling on light air scheduled services on a seat rate basis:

Passengers weighing more than 100kg must advise us well in advance of travel as an extra seat will have to be costed into the package for safety purposes.
Luggage is restricted to (maximum in a soft bag/s including camera equipment and carry-on luggage) 15kg/ per person unless otherwise specified

If these limits above are exceeded, kindly note that the additional costs incurred will be for your account.

Vehicles

Eastco uses Landcruisers and Landrover 4×4 vehicles designed for safaris, with pop-top roofs, charge ports, and fridges as standard. Each vehicle is assigned to a guide who knows the vehicle well. Specific vehicle and guide requests can be accommodated with prior notice. Air conditioning is not standard due to the risk of breakdown on rough roads, but can be requested for an additional fee at the time of booking. Upgrades during the safari will also incur additional costs.

Disputes and Complaints

In the event that you have any complaints while travelling, please inform the company’s representative or agent immediately so that they can attempt to resolve the situation.

Travel documents

Eastco is not responsible for any consequences resulting from a traveller’s failure to comply with the necessary health, passport, and visa requirements for their travel with us.

Insurance

By booking with Eastco, it is mandatory for clients to have travel insurance covering cancellation, curtailments, illness, loss or theft of personal items, and default. To qualify for the Pre-existing Condition Exclusion waiver offered on some travel insurance policies, the insurance should be purchased within 15-21 days of making your initial trip deposit. The date of your trip deposit is defined by the date of the wire transfer or credit card payment. Please read your policy carefully. Please note that the terms and conditions for medical evacuation if included can be found at https://flydoc.org/ and http://arushamedivac.org/terms-and-conditions. However, it is important to remember that this is not a substitute for travel insurance.

Force majeure

In the event that Eastco is affected by Force Majeure, it will notify you as soon as possible. Eastco will not be held in breach of your booking or these conditions, nor be liable to you for any delay or non-performance of its obligations that are due to Force Majeure. If Eastco is affected by Force Majeure, it may cancel or modify any arrangements or itinerary related to your booking at its sole discretion. Eastco may choose to refund you, but payment of any refund is at its sole discretion. Eastco will make reasonable efforts to reimburse you where possible.

Force Majeure refers to any circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Eastco, which may include war or the threat of war, civil disturbance, requisition, acts of God, fire, accident, flood or explosion, sickness, quarantine, Government intervention, weather conditions, or other unexpected events.

Risk

Eastco and its owners, directors, management staff and employees shall not be held responsible for any injury or death to persons on tour, nor for loss or damage to personal property, however, they may be caused. The company draws your attention to the fact that there are certain inherent risks present when on Safari, or when engaging in any strenuous physical activity. It is your sole responsibility to obtain appropriate medical advice as to medication, immunization, and whether or not you are fit enough to undertake the trip, prior to departure. Eastco shall not be liable for illness, injury or death sustained whilst visiting the properties owned and managed by the company or any third party.

Terms & Conditions