Service Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions
Echo Africa Activities
Contract:
This contract is between the client and the company (Echo Africa). The contract will come into effect once a booking has been confirmed in writing by the company to the client. By booking a activity, you bind yourself to enter into a Travel Agreement/Contract with us. The Agreement will take effect upon our acceptance. You will receive from us a written confirmation of booking, thereby rendering it binding.
By virtue of your booking, you expressly accept as binding the Travel Conditions imposed by the company.
Definitions:
Booking: A reservation which is done by the client.
Client:
(A) The person who places or accepts the booking, on behalf of himself/herself. which means that all are bound by the booking conditions.
Payment & bank charges:
A non-refundable deposit of 100% of the total activity price is due once the booking has been made. Documents will be released only upon receipt of the full payment. All charges are on a depositor's/sender's account including any bank charges, interbank charges, a possible difference in exchange rates, etc. The amount due should reach the company free of any charges no matter by which institution it has been levied. Credit card details will not be accepted over the phone.
Lapsed Bookings & Cancellations by Client or the Company:
a) All cancellations must be done in writing. The below cancellation policy is applicable to all services booked through The Company.
b) Cancellations by the Company: A full refund payment will be made within 15 working days of the cancellation. A refund is subject to the deduction of cash deposit fees if a cash deposit has been made.
c) In the case of a lapsed provisional booking/ confirmed booking the client will forfeit all deposits made.
Cancellation fees:
0 - 13 days prior to arrival: 100% of the total cost of services reserved
14 - 30 days prior to arrival: 70% of the total cost of services reserved
31 - 41 days prior to arrival: 40% of the total cost of services reserved
All refunds (if granted) will incur a ZAR R 175.00 handling charge if canceled for ANY reason whatsoever. Bank fees for credit card payments/bank transfers are strictly non-refundable.
Tour prices:
Any current tour prices that are listed by the Company are subject to alteration without prior notice. The prices quoted by the Company includes all costs and only where stipulated and by full disclosure exclude local taxes, fees, entrance fees and government fees.
Services rendered:
The scope and nature of the contractual services offered will be limited to the Description of Services submitted with the relevant quotation, as well as to the details contained in the Tour Operator's brochures/website and the tour confirmation.
Delays and changes by:
The Company shall reserve the right to change the itinerary subject to prevailing conditions and due to any unforeseen circumstances. (e.g. political instability, public and religious holidays, road & weather conditions or any reason beyond the control of the Company. The Company will endeavor to provide an adequate alternative but will accept no liability whatsoever. Any resultant expenses will be borne by the client and any savings will be refunded to the client.
Client:
In case the client changes his / her itinerary at their own request, the company shall try to accommodate him/her, but may charge up to the abovementioned cancellation fees. This is subject to a new quotation, which will be given by the company to the client in writing via e-mail or text message. If the client requests a service to be added to the program or a program to be amended/deviated he/she does it at their own risk and at extra cost.
Authority on tour:
At all times, the decision of the safari guide will be final on all matters likely to endanger the safety and wellbeing of the group. The client must at all times strictly comply with the laws, foreign exchange regulations and customs of the country visited. Should the client be detected in any contravention of the law, foreign exchange regulations or customs, or should the client be a nuisance to the group, the guide may order the client to leave the safari without the right to refund. The client shall be obliged to make his / her own way home at his / her expense and responsibility. The Company cannot be held responsible whatsoever.
Waiver and indemnity:
While every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of all persons participating in the tour, the client, his/her heirs, dependants, agents, executors or their assignees hereby irrevocably waive any claims which they may have against the Company for any form of compensation for damages which they may suffer due to injury and/or loss of any nature whatsoever, which includes accidents caused by the client's own actions, injuries or death while on the safari, in transportation vehicles or at any place during the safari, or sickness or the death at any time after the safari.
Under no circumstances will The Company accept responsibility for any injury, death or loss of any nature whatsoever which might occur to such persons sustained from any cause, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, consequential loss, arising for any reason whatever, directly or indirectly out of any aspect of any tour, excursion or safari including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any form of transport or air travel used for the purpose of the safari.
The Company acts solely in the capacity of Agents for the passengers in all matters, and as such hold themselves free of responsibility for any delays, loss or damages from any cause whatsoever including losses/delays/damages/dissatisfaction caused by hotel services, car rental companies' services, transportation services, transfer services, airlines, taxi services, train services, agent services, tour guides’ services, adventures activities, tours and safaris. All tours are arranged subject to the conditions imposed by the airline, hotel, restaurant and other companies, firms, other agents. The Company shall not be responsible for and shall be exempt from all liability in respect of any claim whatsoever.
The Company shall not be liable for any accidents which may occur either in air-traffic or when making use of usual local transport of any kind whether on land or on water and or by means of our own safari vehicles. The same applies to any other kind of hiking or other sporting activities and/or assaults or attacks by persons or animals; nor do we accept liability for any damages suffered as a result of defects to our own vehicles, entailing possible re-routing and itinerary changes, nor for any arbitrary measures taken by local authorities, nor for any other circumstances or Acts of God which lie without the realm of our responsibilities. Should any service interruptions occur in connection with outside services for which we merely act as agents and which have been thus referred to in our travel documents, The Company cannot be held liable thereof.
We do not assume liability either for any damage or loss incurred to any personal belongings, whether through theft or extreme environmental conditions, such as sand, dust, humidity, lengthy distances covered on difficult roads and tough tracks, and the like. The Company shall not be liable for any reservations made by the client directly with any establishment/operator/service/transportation and/or its proper/timeous execution.
Health:
It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure that his / her inoculations are in order prior to departure. It is the client's obligation to ensure that he/she is medically fit and able to embark upon the safari. The Company's opinion on health issues is not final and must be reconfirmed and verified by/with a medical practitioner authorized to advise on health issues/questions. The Company cannot be held liable if the client (s) follow unprofessional advice on any health issues/questions.
Passport and visas:
It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure that his/her travel documents, passports and visas are valid and are in order prior to departure. The Company cannot be held liable for any visa or documentation not held by the client, nor will they be held liable should a passenger be refused entry into any country for any reason.
The official opinion/advice/requirement (s) of the High Commission and/or Embassy of the country in question is final. The Company's advice and/or opinion on visa/passport issues must be verified by contacting High Commission and/or Embassy of the country in question for the latest updated information on visa/passport requirements of the country in question.
Baggage:
All baggage and personal effects are at all times at the client's risk and The Company cannot accept any liability for any loss or damage of baggage or any personal effects.
Insurance:
A comprehensive travel cancellation, curtailment and medical insurance is compulsory on all tours organized by The Company and must be arranged by the client prior to commencement of the tour/service/rental, etc.
Guides:
If one of our guides is unable to take a safari due to illness etc. we reserve the right to substitute him/her with another guide. While all precautions have been taken when selecting the guide the Company will accept no responsibility for the guide’s actions or failure to act which may lead to accident/damage/loss, etc.
Dietary requirements:
Guests with special dietary problems must warn/inform us in advance of any special dietary requirements.
Consent:
The payment of the deposit or any other partial payment for a reservation on a safari constitutes consent by all guests covered by that payment to all provisions of the conditions and general information contained in this brochure. The terms, under which they agree to take these safaris, cannot be changed or amended except in writing signed by an authorized director of The Company.
Wild animals:
Please be aware that safaris may take guests into close contact with wild animals. Attacks by wild animals are rare, but no safari into the African wilderness can guarantee that this will not occur. Neither the Company, nor their employees, nor agents can be held responsible for any injury or incident on the safari.
Reservations:
All reservations belong to The Company until full payment is received. A provisional reservation and/or reservation can be cancelled/released at any time without prior notice if the terms of the invoice are not fulfilled.
Photography, films, images, letters & testimonials:
The Company reserves the right without giving further notice, to make use of any films or photographs/images/pictures produced by the client or any related person (s) during or after any of their safaris for general public purpose without permission or payment. The Company also reserves the right to use testimonials of the clients on their web site without permission from the Company or payment.
Confirmation:
A reservation/booking can only be confirmed on receipt of the deposit/full payment. All confirmations are system generated.
Response/response time:
While all efforts are made to provide all with a speedy reply a considerable response time may be needed. The Company reserves the right to reply to all responders at its discretion.