ecosafariafrica.com

Booking Terms

Read on for answers to common questions about booking, transfers and refunds, and included services and amenities.

 

 

1. How will I be charged?

If reserving a space on an Eco Safari 90 days or more before the safari start date, The Earth Organization requires a $500, non-refundable deposit to secure your space.  As Thula Thula can only take 30 people at a time, it is highly recommended that you secure your safari as early as possible to ensure that you are able to participate during the specific safari you wish.   If you do not wish to pay for the Safari in full at the time of booking, your Safari Coordinator will work with you to set out a series of payments to ensure that the full amount is paid before the 90 days prior to the trip. 

If reserving by credit card, we will charge your deposit to your credit card at the time you make your reservation.  We can take Visa, MasterCard and American Express, as well as US currency and checks.

As The Earth Organization is not a travel agent, we will have you work directly with one of our associated travel specialists to handle booking airfare, and any hotel, ground transport, and tours that are add ons to our designed Eco Safaris.  Cost of your Eco Safari, which includes membership/donation fees to The Earth Organization, will be collected directlly by The Earth Organization to cover all costs covered by the Eco Safari package.  All travel expenses incurred by the participant that are above and beyond the Eco Safari package will be collected by the travel specialist for payment to the appropriate suppliers and vendors.

If your reservation is made less than 90 days from your safari’s start date, full payment of your contribution is due at the time of booking unless a special payment plan has been arranged with your Safari Coordinator who will work closely with you to find a payment solution that works for you.  To hold hotel and other vendor reservations, at least 50% payment must be made.  Again, your Safari Coordinator will let you know what time and booking requirements the vendor's have to confirm and hold the reservation. Full payment for the Eco Safari must be made 20 days prior to departure.  Please note that there may be additional charges if our costs are higher because of the late booking. 

All payments must be submitted in US currency.

Note: If you fail to make your full payment 20 days before the safari start date, we reserve the right to treat your reservation as cancelled and give your space to another attendee, unless other arrangements have been made with your Safari Coordinator.
 
2.  Safari Fund

You may wish to consider starting a Safari Fund (U.S. and Canadian residents only). You can open a Safari Fund for yourself or for a friend or relative with a tax-deductible minimum contribution of $100 made by check or credit card. Contributions are tax deductible in the year that they are made (US residents only). After you open the Safari Fund, you, friends, or family can add donations of $50 or more at any time. Safari Fund contributions can be used toward the cost of a Safari for yourself or for anyone you designate for up to three years after you make the initial contribution, and can be a wonderful opportunity for birthday or other special occasion gifts.

Before your trip begins, your Safari Coordinator will ensure that you receive a written document letting you know how much of your Safari is tax deductible.

Please note: All membership/donation fees to The Earth Organization are non-refundable.  It is highly recommended that you obtain trip insurance in case of the necessity to cancel, so that you can obtain a return of travel costs, such as airfare, hotel, etc., should something unforeseen happen to prevent you from going on the trip or having to leave early.

3. Transfer, Refund, and Cancellation Policy

You may transfer from one safari to another without penalty up to 90 days before your safari begins, after which time our cancellation policy applies.

       Cancellation Policy: 

For any cancellations, the following charges will apply:

   -  The original $500, tax-deductible deposit can never be refunded.

   -   90 to 46 days prior to arrival - 20% of the total value of the reservation will be charged.

   -  45 days or less prior to arrival; 100% of the total value of the reservation will be charged. 

   -  The above cancellation charges petain to the accommodation components only.  However, should the reservation be ancelled 14 days prior to departure If you cancel more than 30 days prior to your safari's start date, all the component costs will then be charged.  

NOTE:  It is compulsory for all guests to have comprehensive cancellation, default, baggage, emergency evacuation and medical insurance for the duation of their trip. The Earth Organization can not be held liable for supplier cancellations, supplier defaults or supplier amendments, including Thula Thula Exclusive Private Game Reserve.  The Earth Organization is not a travel agent or tour guide.  Trip cancellation insurance is mandatory unless a full waiver is signed attesting that The Earth Organization will have no liability should anything unexpected occur that negatively impacts the guests' trip in any way.  Both medical insurance and trip cancellation insurance can be obtained through a travel or insurance agent. 

Note: That portion of the Safari that specifically covers the travel costs is refunded through travel cancellation insurance.  That portion of the Safari that is tax deductible and which goes towards membership in The Earth Organization cannot be refunded by either an insurance company or The Earth Organization as it is a tax-deductible donation when it is made.

In the unlikely event that The Earth Organization is forced to cancel a safari due to circumstances beyond our control, ideally we would work with you to arrange for your participation in a different future safari.  However, should you opt to not arrange for a different safari date, your safari contribution will be refunded minus the portion that was a tax-deductible membership donation to The Earth Organization. The Earth Organization does not reimburse any additional personal travel expenses incurred associated with a cancelled safari beyond just that portion of the Eco Safari package that had already been paid by the guest.  
 
4.   What does the 10-day Eco Safari contribution cover?

The cost of participation on a safari, referred to as your contribution, covers the following:
a)  Membership in The Earth Organization for one year (this portion is tax- deductible)
b)  hotel room(s), cabins, tents for the number of nights specifically laid out by your specific Eco Safari package.  This will be in writing as laid out between the guest(s) and TEO's Safari Coordinator.  
c)  Round trip ground transport to Thula Thula from Durban
d)  3 meals and one morning and afternoon snack per day at Thula Thula (exclusive of alcohol and special drinks)
e)  educational opportunities from environmental and conservation experts incorporated into the experience at Thula Thula, related to current environmental and conservation issues (such as endangered species, toxins in the environment, natural resource conservation).
f))  2 daily game drives and/or bush walks (approximately 2 hours long) while at Thula Thula with game rangers dedicated to your safety and education.
g)  Excursions to and interaction with members of the local Zulu village.
h)  Zulu entertainment at Thula Thula.
i)  Special dinners around the fire under the stars at Thula Thula.
j) Use of the amenities (lodge facilities, swimming pool, library, gift shop).
k)  When the Anthony's are in residence, at least one dinner hosted by Lawrence and his wife, Francoise.

5. What is not included in my contribution to the Eco Safari package?

Airfare, cost of obtaining passports, visas, travel and medical insurance, excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as drinks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, massage, communication (calls, faxes, emails, etc.), international airport departure tax (to be paid in U.S. dollars or acceptable foreign currencies), deviations from the tour, and gratuities to safari directors, tour leaders, drivers, rangers and trackers.

While in Durban, the cost of the hotel room is included in the Eco Safari package; however, any other expenses occurred in Durban are the responsibility of the attendee, including food, transport (except from the airport to the hotel), shopping, tourist attractions, etc.


 6. Is my Eco Safari tax-deductible?

Each country has a different set of tax rulings.
U.S.A.: In the United States, The Earth Organization is a public charity described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  It is not a private foundation.  In general, contributions of cash, securities and property donated by US citizens to support The Earth Organization’s environmental and conservation activities are tax-deductible.  That portion of your Safari which is a donation towards membership is tax deductible.  The travel costs related to the Safari [b) through k) in section 4 above] are not tax deductible as it relates to charitable giving.   

Note: Contributions of cash or securities to a charitable organization are tax deductible only upon completion of giving. As such, a portion of your payment(s) towards an Eco Safari conducted by The Earth Organization is tax deductible, but only after such payment(s) is made in full, and is non-refundable.  Your Safari Coordinator will let you know how much of your Safari is tax-deductible. HOWEVER, AS WITH ALL TAX MATTERS, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PERSONAL TAX ADVISOR ON ALL ISSUES CONCERNING TAX DEDUCTIBILITY.

The Earth Organization is not a travel agency.  Travel agents conduct all travel agency business with our Safari participants. 


6. Do I need any inoculations?

Thula Thula is in a malaria-free area and, therefore, malarial prophylactics are not required.  However, should you intend to extend your trip either before or after the Eco Safari and go to other areas, it is recommended that you ensure your health is protected by researching whether or not inoculations are recommended or required in those areas.  If you have any questions or concerns in this regard, check with your own medical professional.


7.  Does the cost of my Safari include medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, or lost and/or damaged luggage insurance?

The cost of the Safari does not include insurance and it is mandatory that you purchase travel insurance so that your trip is covered in the event that anything should happen to negatively impact your attendance in the Eco Safari.  This coudl include, but would not be limited to, something preventing you from going, as well as events such as lost or damaged luggage, plane delays or cancellation, medical insurance, forced medical evacuation, etc. 

8. Responsibility

The Earth Organization, its employees, officers and directors (collectively “The Earth Organization”) do not own or operate any entity which is to provide, or does provide goods or services for your trip; including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies, local ground or safari operators including, without limitation various entities which may utilize The Earth Organization’s name, guides, entertainment food or drink service providers, equipment suppliers, etc.  As a result, The Earth Organization is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity.  In addition, The Earth Organization is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person or entity it does not own or control, nor for any act or inaction of any other third party not under its control.

Without limitation, The Earth Organization is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract or violation of local law or regulation of any third party such as an airline, hotel, bus, taxi, van, or safari operator, local ground handler or guide, whether or not it uses The Earth Organization name, financial default or insolvency of any suppliers and/or restaurant which is to, or does supply any goods or services for this trip.  Similarly, The Earth Organization is not responsible for any loss, injury, death or inconvenience due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodation, default of any third party, attacks by animals, injury or death while on activities sponsored by lodging facilities or by other third parties, sickness, the lack of appropriate medical care, evacuation to same, if necessary, weather, strikes, acts of God or government, acts of terrorism or the threat thereof, force majeure, war, quarantine, epidemics, or the threat thereof, criminal activity, or any other cause beyond its control.

Baggage is at “owner’s risk” throughout the tour unless insured.  The right is reserved to alter or cancel the itinerary, at The Earth Organizations sole discretion as it may deem necessary or advisable.

The Earth Organization reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any attendee on any of its Eco Safaris if, in its sole discretion, it deems accepting or retaining any such attendee as being detrimental to the tour.  In the event any attendee is removed from a trip, The Earth Organization’s only obligation is to refund to that person the portion of the payment allocatable to unused services. 

Photography:  The Earth Organization may take photographs or film of its trips and trip attendees, and attendees grant The Earth Organization express permission to do so and for The Earth Organization to use such for promotional or commercial use.  This term can be waived only if The Earth Organization is notified, in writing, in advance of the safari, that the Safari participant does not want their likeness and/or name utilized by The Earth Organization for any PR or media.

Unused Services:    There is no right to a refund for any unused services.  Changes in the Responsibility clause can be made only in writing signed by an officer of The Earth Organization.

Arbitration:  Any and all disputes concerning this contract, our promotional or written materials, or your trip shall be resolved solely and exclusively by binding arbitration according to the then current commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Any such arbitration will take place in Los Angeles, California.  In any such arbitration, the substantive (but not procedural) law of California will apply.

 

PLEASE NOTE: These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of The Earth Organization.

 
You are here: Home Book a Safari Booking Terms