We regret that no refunds will be given for no-shows or for any unused services, meals, or activities once your trip has commenced. In cases of exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical emergency), JOAS may, at its sole discretion, offer a travel credit for future travel (valid for 12 months) or the option to postpone your trip, subject to availability and supplier approval. This option is offered on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

8. Changes or Cancellation by JOAS

While rare, we may need to alter or cancel your itinerary for operational reasons unrelated to force majeure or your actions. In such cases, we'll provide a full refund, but we are not liable for any additional costs.

We reserve the right to make changes to or cancel your confirmed itinerary at any time for reasons unrelated to a Force Majeure Event (as defined in clause 9) or your failure to make timely payments (as governed by clauses 5 and 7). If we initiate such a change or cancellation, our liability will be limited to providing a full refund of all payments you have made directly to JOAS for the tour. We will not be responsible for any additional costs or compensation, including but not limited to international airfare, visa fees, insurance premiums, or other expenses incurred by you

9. Force Majeure and Extraordinary Events

In the rare event of a "Force Majeure" occurrence beyond our control, such as a natural disaster or border closure, we will offer a travel credit instead of a cash refund.

JOAS is not liable for any failure to perform our obligations due to a "Force Majeure Event." A Force Majeure Event is defined as any circumstance beyond our control that could not be foreseen, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of God, war, civil unrest, political strife, epidemics, pandemics, government travel advisories, or border closures.

In the event of a Force Majeure Event that significantly impacts your tour, we will, at our sole discretion, provide a travel credit for the full amount paid to JOAS. This credit will be valid for rebooking within 12 months and will be subject to a re-quote based on the rates applicable to the new travel dates. We will use our best efforts to recover non-refundable costs from our suppliers on your behalf. No cash refunds will be issued for Force Majeure events.

10. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is a mandatory condition of your booking, providing crucial protection against unforeseen events, including medical emergencies and trip cancellation.

Comprehensive travel insurance is a mandatory condition of booking your tour. The insurance policy must, at a minimum, include:

• Emergency Medical and Evacuation Coverage: This is essential due to the remote nature of many safari destinations. We strongly recommend a minimum coverage of US$200,000 for emergency medical and medical evacuation/repatriation.

• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage: The policy must cover your financial investment in the event you are forced to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, such as illness, injury, or death of a family member.

It is your responsibility to obtain this policy at the time of your first deposit. We require written proof of your insurance policy, including the policy number and a 24/7 emergency contact number, upon final payment (90 days before travel). Failure to provide proof of adequate coverage may result in the cancellation of your booking without a refund. We are not liable for any costs or losses you incur due to a failure to secure adequate insurance coverage.

11. Health, Medical Fitness, Special Needs, Age Limits, Activities & Risk Acknowledgment

You are responsible for ensuring you and your party are medically fit to travel. Some activities have specific age limits for safety reasons, and you acknowledge that safaris involve inherent risks which you voluntarily assume.

You must inform JOAS in writing at the time of booking of any pre-existing medical conditions, physical or mental disabilities, allergies, or other special needs that may affect your ability to participate in the tour or require special accommodation (e.g., wheelchair-accessible vehicles or dietary modifications where available). We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your needs, but we cannot guarantee that all special requests will be met.

By booking this tour, you represent that you and all members of your party are medically and physically fit to undertake the itinerary. You acknowledge that some activities carry inherent risks and require a certain level of physical fitness. Participation in certain activities, such as walking safaris, is at the sole discretion of the professional guide, who may refuse participation for safety reasons.

For the safety of all participants, some activities, such as gorilla trekking, have a minimum age requirement (typically 15 years, per permit rules). Children under 12 must be accompanied by a private guide for certain activities like boating or ballooning. Children under 6 are not allowed on game drives unless a private vehicle is booked. You are responsible for ensuring all members of your party meet these requirements.

You acknowledge and accept that your safari tour, including all related activities (such as game drives, walking safaris, and vehicle transfers), involves inherent risks, including but not limited to risks from wild animals, natural forces, and the remote nature of the destinations. By accepting these Terms & Conditions, you voluntarily assume all such risks and agree that JOAS and its Third-Party Suppliers are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from these risks, except in cases of gross negligence.

12. Passports, Visas, Vaccinations & Entry Requirements

You are solely responsible for obtaining and carrying all necessary travel documents for yourself and any minors traveling with you.

You are solely responsible for obtaining, and ensuring the validity of, all passports, visas, health certificates, and other travel documents for all members of your party. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date and have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. We are not liable for any costs, losses, or damage you may incur due to your failure to comply with these requirements, and no refund will be issued if you are unable to travel as a result.

Traveling with Minors: If you are traveling with a minor, you are responsible for securing any and all required documentation, including but not limited to notarized letters of consent from any non-traveling parent or guardian, as may be required by the destination country.

13. Flights & Charters; Baggage/Weight Limits

Baggage limits vary by flight type for safety and operational reasons. For scheduled charter flights (commonly known as bush planes), you're limited to one soft-sided checked bag and a backpack as carry-on, with a combined weight of 15kg (33 lbs) to 20kg (44 lbs), depending on the country. For commercial domestic and international flights within Africa, the limit is 20kg (44 lbs) checked per person plus 7kg (15.4 lbs) hand luggage.

Baggage on scheduled charter flights (bush planes) is strictly limited to one soft-sided duffel bag per person as checked luggage (no wheels, frames, or rigid sides for safety) and one backpack as carry-on. The combined weight must not exceed 15kg (33 lbs) to 20kg (44 lbs) depending on the airline and African country. Bags must not exceed the following dimensions: 35cm (13.8 inches) wide, 35cm (13.8 inches) high, and 60cm (24 inches) long. These restrictions are non-negotiable for safety reasons and apply across all African countries in our itineraries, as determined by the charter airline and the type of aircraft used.

For commercial domestic and international flights within Africa, baggage is restricted to 20kg (44 lbs) per person for checked luggage, plus 7kg (15.4 lbs) for hand luggage. This aligns with common global standards.

If you book a private charter flight, restrictions may vary—please confirm with us in advance.

We disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, or delay to your baggage, as this is the responsibility of the airline.

If you arrive with baggage that exceeds these limits, you may be required to pay an excess baggage fee or arrange for storage and transfer of the excess luggage at your own expense. We will use our best efforts to assist you in these arrangements where possible.

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14. Accommodation & Rooming; Special Requests; Accessibility

We will do our best to honor your special requests, but we cannot guarantee them.

While we will make reasonable efforts to convey and facilitate any special requests (e.g., dietary needs, room preferences, accessibility requirements such as adapted transfers) to our suppliers, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Your accommodation is subject to the check-in and check-out times of the respective lodge or hotel, and any requests for early check-in or late check-out will be at the discretion of the supplier and may incur an additional fee, often equivalent to an extra night's stay. We are not liable for any failure by a supplier to deliver on a special request.

15. Complaints & Problem Resolution On-Trip

If you have a problem on your trip, you must immediately report it to us so we can resolve it on-site. You must also submit any formal complaints in writing after your trip.

If you have a complaint or experience an issue with any part of your safari, you must bring it to the immediate attention of your local guide or JOAS representative while on the trip, using our 24/7 emergency contact number provided in your confirmation. 

This is a condition of our contract and gives us the opportunity to resolve the problem in real-time. Failure to report on-site may limit our ability to assist, and may affect the outcome of a complaint.

16. Liability & Indemnity; Limitation of Damages

We limit our liability to the maximum extent permitted by law, especially concerning the actions of our suppliers and circumstances outside our control.

JOAS is not liable for any personal injury, illness, death, loss, damage, or delay that is not caused by our own negligence. This includes, but is not limited to, any loss or damage arising from the acts, omissions, or negligence of our Third-Party Suppliers, the failure of transportation services, or acts of God. We are not responsible for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of profits or emotional distress.

You agree to indemnify and hold JOAS harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) that arise from your own actions or negligence or the actions of any member of your party. Our maximum liability for any claim against us, under any circumstances, is limited to the amount of the tour price you paid to us.

We love to showcase the beauty of our safaris. We may use your photos and videos for marketing purposes unless you explicitly tell us not to. By accepting these Terms & Conditions, you also consent to receiving marketing materials from Jewel of Africa Safaris, including newsletters and social media campaigns.

By accepting these Terms & Conditions, you agree that JOAS may use any photographs, videos, or other media captured by our guides or staff during your tour for marketing and promotional purposes, including use on our website, in brochures, or on social media. This grants us a royalty-free, worldwide license to use such media. If you prefer that your image not be used, you must notify us in writing at any time to opt out.

Additionally, by accepting these Terms & Conditions, you consent to receiving marketing materials from Jewel of Africa Safaris, including newsletters, promotional emails, and social media campaigns, which may include information about our services, special offers, and travel updates.

You may opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in the footer of our emails, replying "STOP" to any text messages, or contacting us directly at travel@joasafaris.com. We will process your opt-out request within 10 business days, and opting out will not affect your ability to receive non-marketing communications related to your booking.

18. Data Protection & Privacy

We are committed to protecting your personal information. We only collect the data we need to plan and book your trip and will never share it without a legitimate purpose.

We are committed to protecting your personal information and complying with all applicable data protection laws, including the South Africa Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We collect personal information (such as your name, contact details, passport information, and medical or dietary needs) only to the extent necessary to process your booking, fulfill your travel arrangements, and ensure your health and safety.

By booking with us, you consent to the processing of your personal information and its transfer to our Third-Party Suppliers (e.g., lodges, airlines, and ground operators) and, where necessary, to government or regulatory authorities. Your data will be stored securely and will not be retained longer than 5 years for invoicing and financial compliance purposes. You have the right to request access to your personal data, request a correction, or request that we delete it.

19. Consumer Protection & Regulator Disclosures

As a proud member of SATSA, we are held to a strict code of conduct and are independently audited for financial stability and integrity.

Jewel of Africa Safaris (JOAS) is a proud member of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA). As a SATSA member, we adhere to a strict Code of Conduct and undergo a stringent annual application process to verify that we are a legitimate, financially stable, and well-insured business. This membership provides our clients with assurance and peace of mind when booking with us.

20. Governing Law, Jurisdiction & Arbitration

Any dispute between you and JOAS will be resolved through mediation first, followed by binding arbitration if needed.

This contract is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, including its formation, validity, breach, or termination, shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith mediation. If mediation fails, it shall be resolved by mandatory, binding arbitration conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, and administered by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA). The decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

21. General Provisions

These are standard legal clauses that ensure the integrity of the Terms & Conditions and the contract.

• Amendments: JOAS may update these Terms & Conditions at any time; we will notify you of any material changes affecting your booking.

• Assignment: You may not assign your rights or obligations under this contract without our prior written consent.

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms & Conditions will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

• Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms & Conditions shall not be deemed a waiver of that provision or of our right to enforce that provision.

• Notices: All notices must be in writing and sent to the contact details provided in your booking confirmation.

• Contact Details: Our contact details for notices and general inquiries are:

284 Gouws Ave, 19 Villa Rustico,

Centurion, 0157,

South Africa

+27 12 656 1831

travel@joasafaris.com