TERMS & CONDITIONS
CONTRACTING PARTIES
These terms and conditions are legally binding between the traveler(s) and Ubuntu Voyages Ltd,
ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS
Acceptance of a quotation from Ubuntu Voyages Ltd constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions which take effect immediately.
PAYMENT TERMS
A non-refundable 20% deposit is payable within 7 days of confirming a booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to arrival. If a booking is made 60 days or less before arrival, the full cost is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Ubuntu Voyages Ltd. Please email proof of payment to your Ubuntu Voyages Ltd travel consultant. There is a fee for payments by credit card which is advised at the time of booking or making a payment.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR BOOKING
Changes are subject to availability. Please note, an additional administration fee may be charged.
CANCELLATION TERMS
All cancellations should be made in writing. Cancellation charges (calculated on the total value of the booking):
– If cancellation is received more than 60 days prior to arrival – 20%.
– If cancellation is received from 60 days to 31 days prior to arrival – 50%.
– If cancellation is received less than 31 days prior to arrival – 100%.
CLAIMS AND REFUNDS
Refunds are not made for any missed services, except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our LIMITS ON UBUNTU VOYAGES LTD’s RESPONSIBILITY clause below. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the termination of the program. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. Ubuntu Voyages Ltd will not accept any liability for any claims that are not received within 30 days of the termination of your program. All claims for days missed while travelling should be made in writing within 30 days of the program.
LIMITS ON UBUNTU VOYAGES LTD’S RESPONSIBILITY
Ubuntu Voyages Ltd, its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents and assigns (collectively U&V), does not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip with the exception of a limited number of vehicles. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers (including from time to time other affiliated Ubuntu Voyages Ltd companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Ubuntu Voyages Ltd is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or of any third person.
In addition and without limitation, Ubuntu Voyages Ltd is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection to the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transport mechanism to arrive or depart on time.
There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury or even death. These risks are increased by the fact that these trips take place in remote locations, far from medical facilities. Passenger assumes all such risks associated with participating in this trip.
In the event of a cancellation or material alteration to the trip as a result of the circumstances as described in this clause Ubuntu Voyages Ltd may in their sole and absolute discretion:
- a) offer the traveler(s) alternative travel arrangements or products of comparable standard as may be appropriate in the circumstances; or
- b) if alternative travel arrangements or products are not offered by Ubuntu Voyages Ltd, Ubuntu Voyages Ltd will make a prompt proportional refund of monies paid by the traveler.
Ubuntu Voyages Ltd may charge a reasonable fee to cover the administration costs associated with providing alternative travel arrangements or products.
If a material alteration becomes necessary within 90 days of the departure date for any reason other than the circumstances described in this clause, Ubuntu Voyages Ltd will endeavor to offer comparable products or a full refund of all monies paid by the traveler(s).
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation, room type(s) and specification are as shown in the itinerary
MEALS
Meals are as shown in the itinerary.
TRANSFERS
Return transfers are provided on arrival and departure from airstrip to lodge/camp and only where specified in the itinerary.
ITINERARY
Accommodation and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond Ubuntu Voyages Ltd ‘s control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Ubuntu Voyages Ltd also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.
In case of any appreciable variation in the tour price due to these circumstances, Ubuntu Voyages Ltd reserves the right to make adjustments to the tour costs as necessary.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Specific requests should be advised at time of booking. Please note that every effort will be made to secure special requests, however; they cannot be guaranteed. Certain special requests may require upfront payments.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will be as specified in the itinerary.
BAGGAGE
Ubuntu Voyages Ltd provides handling of baggage only as specified in the quotation. Weight restrictions for baggage on some routes on internal/domestic flights may apply; details of which will be provided with pre-tour documentation. Baggage and personal effects are at the owner’s risk throughout the tour and Ubuntu Voyages Ltd assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Baggage insurance is strongly advised.
Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flight.
TAXES AND GRATUITIES
Hotel taxes as imposed by city and state governments are included. Airport taxes are included where specified in the itinerary.
Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, camp staff, ship crew and Tour Managers are not included and are at the discretion of the traveler.
PRICES & ARRANGEMENTS
The tour price includes planning, handling and operational charges and is quoted based on the current rates of exchange and tariffs. Entrance fees as part of scheduled sightseeing tours are also included in this price. This price is subject to revision in line with significant changes in foreign currency, tariff rates, taxes etc.
EXCLUSIONS
The cost of obtaining passports, visas, excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, fax charges and excess baggage charges unless expressly included in writing, are not included in the tour price.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ubuntu Voyages Ltd reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with Ubuntu Voyages Ltd, travelers agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Travelers who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to Ubuntu Voyages Ltd prior to final payment and they will be exempted from this photography waiver clause.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Please ensure that you consult your personal physician about anti malaria precautions and other inoculations and vaccinations before travel. Where applicable, please ensure that whilst travelling you carry a valid Yellow Fever certificate.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES/WARNINGS
It is the responsibility of travelers to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to their respective government agencies. In the event of an active State Department or government agency Travel Warning against travel to specific destination location(s) of the trip, should the traveler still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the traveler assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
TRAVELERS’ REPRESENTATIONS
Traveler(s) represent(s) that neither he nor anyone traveling with him has any physical condition or disability that could create a hazard to him/herself or other members of the tour. Ubuntu Voyages Ltd reserves the right to remove from the trip, at the sole expense of the traveler, anyone whose condition is such that he or she could create a hazard to himself or others, or otherwise impact the enjoyment of other passengers on the trip.
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event occurring while passengers are not on board their aircraft. International air carriers are also subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. These limitations of liability are explained on the e-ticket or on the reverse of the airline ticket and when issued, this constitutes the sole contract between the respective air carrier(s) and their passengers.
PASSPORT & VISAS
Please note that passport holders are responsible for obtaining the required documentation applicable for entry. Please note also that passports must be valid for six (6) months before departure and should also have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Ubuntu Voyages Ltd cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to a country due to non-compliance with these requirements.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Ubuntu Voyages Ltd strongly recommends all clients take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to date of travel. This insurance should cover cancellation and curtailment, all medical expenses including evacuation/repatriation, personal baggage, personal liability, death and permanent disability and travel document insurance. Ubuntu Voyages Ltd cannot be held responsible for any costs arising from such loss or injury.
ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
Any claim arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions, to the Limits Ubuntu Voyages Ltd’s Responsibility clause, to the brochure, to any information relating in any way to the trip, to the trip itself or to any products or services related to the trip, shall be settled in the first instance by binding arbitration in the applicable legal forum as detailed in clause 26 of these Terms and Conditions. In lieu of a personal appearance at arbitration the arbitration may be conducted by telephonic means. Arbitration is the exclusive forum in the first instance for dispute resolution and except as otherwise provided by statute, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses and an equal share of the arbitrator and administrative fees.
APPLICABLE LAW AND FORUM
This agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, and shall be governed by the laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is agreed between Ubuntu Voyages Ltd and the travelers that all lawsuits against Ubuntu Voyages Ltd arising under, in connection with, or incidental to the tour shall be filed, if at all, in the courts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the exclusion of the courts of or in any other country or jurisdiction.