Terms & Conditions

Discovery Journeys Terms & Conditions

Discovery Journeys Limited is Destination East Africa’s leading destination management company. We organize tailor-made safaris in the region featuring wildlife, and cultural and historical activities. Our main destinations include Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
You agree to the following Terms and Conditions when you book a safari and any related products and services with Discovery Journeys Limited.
By Booking your safari with us you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms and conditions below. In case you are a travel agent or any individual booking a safari on behalf of another you also guarantee that you have read and understood the terms on behalf of the people you are looking for. This is done to balance the relationship Discovery Journeys Limited has with the clients booking for the different services the company offers.
The Term “You” refers to the Guests and the term “US” & “WE” refers to the company.

Booking Terms

Your safari is confirmed when Discovery Journeys issues a written confirmation of a receipt and Safari Itinerary after a deposit of the tour is made by You. We require a 40% deposit of the total cost to be able to secure the necessary trekking permits and deposit on accommodation. You are required to send the necessary Identification documents with Full names. It is important to read through the safari itinerary and ensure all the details are in order. Discovery Journeys Limited is very flexible and can make necessary adjustments in case of any error on the itinerary.
When booking on behalf of other people, you are to provide all the necessary information required in the booking process. You are also responsible for all the communication and verifying of the safari Itinerary once it has been confirmed.
Discovery Journeys will under not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information Provided To Complete A Booking And Circumstances Beyond Our Control.

Travel Documents

You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to ensure you have all the necessary travel documents including and not limited to passports with a validity of 6 months, visas, Air tickets, insurance, proof of vaccinations that may be required at the different destinations. Discovery Journeys limited can advise in the booking process what may be required but you bear responsibility to full full any of these requirements and any cancellation, losses, damages and illness resulting from non compliance that not be held to the company.

Health Information

The safety of our guests is our main priority and it is advisable to provide necessary health information that is important to be noted. This includes any existing medical conditions that may affect major safari activities like hiking, safari experiences of other people on tour in case you are traveling in a group, or any travel to destinations that may not have medical facilities to attend to you. This information will be required in the booking process and is important to complete the booking process.
A Safari in Africa features destinations in remote areas that may not have medical facilities to the standards of the country or region where you come from.

Any dietary requirements and allergies are important to be noted to ensure the right food is prepared for you during your stay at the different accommodation facilities. All this information will be protected by Discovery Journeys limited’s Privacy Policy because it is personal and PRIVATE.

Discovery Journeys limited will have a right to stop you from participating in certain safari and tour activities if rendered risky and unsafe for you. We May also refuse to confirm bookings for individuals whose medical conditions can not be easily accommodated during the entire safari after accessing that there are no medical facilities at the different destinations capable of attending to them if need be.
Failure to give in the right medical information reasonably required by Discovery Journeys limited, we reserve a right to cancel the safari and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

It is important to consult your personal doctor or physician to ensure that the activities you will be engaging in are suitable for your health. There are necessary vaccinations required by different country’s but it advised to first consult your doctor before taking any of these. It is your responsibility to ask about and assess the different safari activities and make a decision based on your health conditions and fitness levels.
Insurance

You must have an appropriate insurance cover for your safari and holiday in general. We recommend comprehensive insurance to cover overall medical expenses, cancellation and any expenses that may arise from damages, losses, and injury while on safari. It is important to get sufficient insurance coverage for the entire tour and the main activities you will engage in.

Age Requirements

Some safari activities that have an age limit for example only individuals above the age of 15 are allowed to track gorillas and chimpanzees. It is important to note this before booking to avoid any inconveniences or plan accordingly incase you intend to travel with Minors. There are a number of family friendly activities suitable for those traveling with Minors. It is however important to always accompany the Minors for their own safety.

In some instances a written consent from a guardian is required when traveling with a minor. You are responsible for getting all the required documents and ensure that the legal requirements are fulfilled. Discovery Journeys limited will not be responsible for all losses incurred because of failure to meet the required consent.
The guardian accompanying a minor will be responsible for the overall well being of the Minor while on safari.
Cancelation Policy

If you intend to cancel your safari, you will notify us accordingly. Cancellation fees if any will be applied depending on when you notified the company about your tour cancellation. The fees will be a percentage of the total tour price. Mountain gorilla permits and Chimpanzee Permits are non refundable
Discovery Journeys limited policy includes a non – refundable deposit of USD 300 will be due to the company incase of cancelation. This can be used to tentatively reserve your safari and is part of the the inclusive cost of the safari. The Company shall retain this deposit but any amount paid in excess thereof will be reimbursed to the client (except gorilla permits, chimp permits, and any airfare that may be deemed non refundable).

In an event when two people or more had booked their tour together and one cancels, an additional single supplement will be incurred by the one who intends to proceed with the tour as originally planned. The best alternative to avoid losing money would be rescheduling the tour to a future date that is more convenient for your travel. With this, the non refundable deposit can be considered as credit for the future dates upon you notifying US.

For cancellations made Less than 60 days before arrival, the company shall retain the deposit plus full amount of gorillas and chimpanzee permits and a cancellation fee of 40% of the total safari cost will be payable.
For those made 30 days prior to arrival, the Company shall retain the deposit plus full amount of gorillas and chimpanzee permits and a cancellation fee of 65% will be payable equal.

For Cancelations made Less than 15 days prior to arrival, the Company shall retain the full deposit and a cancellation fee will be payable equal to 100% of all travel arrangements.
No shows and failure to join a tour and major activities will also result into 100% cancelation fees
The company is not responsible for expenses incurred as a result of cancelations for example visa fees, airfares and any other related expenses.

Cancelations Made By Us

In an event when your tour is canceled by the company resulting from reasons other than Force Majeure and the cancelation is not caused by your fault, the following terms will apply.
Provision of postponing the tour to a future date that is most convenient for you
Getting an alternative tour or person for the canceled tour
A full refund of the received money paid for the cancelled Tour.

Changes In Safari Amenities

Given that safari adventures involve many unforeseeable circumstances, You acknowledge that you will permit changes in your safari itinerary which may apply to activities and accommodations. These amenities are subject to change without notice due to events outside the control of the company including and not limited to Force Majeure, illness, mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, strikes, political events and entry or border difficulties. No refund will be issued for services that are missed due to no fault of the Tour Operator, including your removal from the safari because of your negligence or breach of these Terms.

Any changes made by us will be communicated and you may choose to accept the changes and proceed with the tour. You can alternatively choose to do other activities or stay accommodation facilities of an equivalent value or those of a less value with a refund of the difference. Incase you choose amenities and activities of a greater value then you will be responsible for the difference

Changes can be made when the safari has started if necessary and are as a result of unforeseen circumstances especially safety concerns. These are can be made at the company’s discretion. It is important for you to have resources adequate enough to cover for any expenses during your safari whether these expenses arise from changes made. Discovery Journeys will not be liable for your failure to prepare well for your safari
For changes made by you, you are required to communicate to us in advance if possible. These especially for accommodation and safari activities are subject to availability. Incase of any extra expenses and fees incurred when making these changes, they will be incurred by you.

Optional Services

The company offers a number of optional services and activities that are not included total cost of the quoted tour. These once requested, you acknowledge that you will pay for them separately. They may include and not limited to transportation, gorilla trekking, mountain hiking, boat cruises, booking extra nights at lodges and hotels. You also acknowledge that any losses and damages arising from these extras is solely the responsibility the third party offering the service.

Risks And Uncertainties

Safaris and travel in general involves some risks and uncertainties. When you book your tour with us you acknowledge that you are aware of some risks that may be involved and assume responsibility. These may include accidents, injuries, losses, death, damages resulting from general travel or any safari activities that might be included in your itinerary.
Discovery Journeys requires that you thoroughly assess the tour options and ask relevant questions regarding safety and also provide necessary medical information prior your departure. Given that many of the risks involved result from personal choices of the activities involved on safari, you acknowledge responsibility.
You must follow guidelines provided at the different destinations for the various safari activities being pursued. Failure to do so and leading to any compromises, Discovery Journeys Limited may cancel your safari with immediate effect and the company will not be liable for any expenses involved. You will also not be refunded any amount as a result of this. You will also be responsible for any costs incurred by the company resulting from any destruction and damage made by You while on safari.

It is important to take necessary precaution regarding personal safety including wearing seatbelts, helmets and any protective gears. The company and third party will not be liable for any losses and damages caused by failure to adhere to these safety precautions.
Incase of any complaints regarding the service or personnel from the company offering it, You agree to inform your contact person in the company for any of these issues to be addressed in time. The company will not be liable for complaints and any issues that are not properly communicated while on tour and after the tour. Complaints after the safari has ended must be submitted within 15 workings days after the finish date of the safari.

Liability

You acknowledge that you waive rights against Discovery Journeys Limited, Its directors, employees, representatives and any personnel attached to the company as an integral part of these terms. The company shall not be held liable in an event of loss, damage, death, injury, illness arising directly or indirectly by an act or omission by the company or any other provider including but not limited to Transportation service providers like aircrafts, vehicles and water transport vessels.
In an event of damages, losses, death and cancelations resulting from any circumstances beyond the company’s control like wars, pandemics, fires, floods, strikes, laws and regulations, quarantines, theft, terrorism, sicknesses, You acknowledge that you waive Discovery Journeys limited of any claims for any of such losses and damages.
In a situation when losses, Illnesses, death and damages are caused by negligence acts or omissions of the company or a third party for services originally agreed when booking the safari, the company limits its liability and refunds can be made. This is however only limited to only the affected person subject to submission of necessary documents like a death or medical certificates. The company however encourages comprehensive insurance to cover for all of these circumstances.

Force Majeure

You acknowledge that Discovery Journeys limited will not be liable in an event of death, losses, injury, emotional distress cancellations of services in situations beyond the company’s control. These situations include and are not limited to pandemics, Civil wars, terrorism, riots, fires, floods, mechanical breakdowns, extreme weather conditions whether the service is directly being offered by the company or any third party. In such situations the company reserves a right to cancel any of the activities and services without prior notice.

Photos & Videos Taken On Safari

You acknowledge that photos and videos may be taken while on tour by the company representatives or other tour participants that may feature you. You acknowledge and consent that these may be used by the company, its contractors or subcontractors for marketing and promotions on different platforms including social media without any further obligation or compensation payable to you.

Privacy Policy

During the booking process, the tour company requires private information including full names, nationalities, and health information that it shares with its third party for proper execution of the safari. All this is protected by the company’s private policy and by booking a safari with Discovery Journeys you acknowledge that you have accepted the Company’s Private Policy

Jurisdiction.

Discovery Journeys limited is registered in Uganda and it is the Ugandan law that regulates the relationship between the company and the clients
You also acknowledge that you will be liable for all your personal legal fees incase Discovery Journeys has to engage in any legal actions.

The above terms benefit all company directors, employees, successors, and any company representatives.
Discovery Journeys limited reserves a right to amend any of the above terms and conditions at any time and any changes shall be updated on the company’s website. It is important to read through these terms during the booking process and before your safari dates.