Terms & Conditions

Bookings

Orika Africa Tours arranges transportation, accommodation, meals, guided excursions, and other services in partnership with carefully selected providers across East Africa.

All itineraries and tour packages are subject to availability and are only confirmed once a written confirmation has been issued. Many of our accommodations and activities have limited capacity, so we recommend booking well in advance.

If you wish to adjust your confirmed itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate changes where possible. Any additional costs resulting from amendments remain the responsibility of the client.

We reserve the right to modify any part of an itinerary when unforeseen circumstances require it. All changes will be communicated promptly and agreed with the client before being applied.

Pricing

All prices are quoted for the specified itinerary with inclusions and exclusions clearly stated. Prices are not guaranteed until a booking has been confirmed in writing.

Tour prices may be subject to change due to:

• Currency fluctuations
• Fuel price fluctuations
• Supplier rate adjustments
• Changes in park fees or permit costs

Once your booking is confirmed, the quoted price is fixed, subject to any exceptions explicitly agreed in writing at the time of confirmation.

Payment

A booking is confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit of the total programme cost, plus 100% of all wildlife permit fees (gorilla, chimpanzee, and golden monkey permits), unless otherwise agreed in writing. The remaining 70% balance is due no later than 60 days before the safari begins.

Bookings made within 60 days of the start date must be paid in full at the time of confirmation. Failure to make payments as agreed may result in the booking being cancelled.

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits require full payment at the time of booking. They cannot be held or reserved until payment has been received. Please see the Permits section for full details.

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits

Wildlife permits for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are in very limited supply and must be paid in full at the time of booking. Permits cannot be held, secured, or reserved in any way until payment has cleared.

Cancellation & Refunds

All cancellations must be submitted in writing and take effect on the date received by Orika Africa Tours. The following charges apply:

We understand that plans change. Please contact us as early as possible if you need to cancel. We will always try to find a practical solution such as rescheduling or transferring your booking to another date.

Amendments

If you need to change your booking after confirmation, such as adjusting travel dates, adding guests, or modifying the itinerary, please contact us as early as possible. All amendments are subject to availability and may carry additional costs.

We reserve the right to substitute accommodations with options of equivalent or superior standard where availability requires it. Any price difference will be communicated and agreed before any substitution is made.

Only Orika-authorised driver guides are permitted to operate our vehicles. Route decisions rest with the guide and are considered final for reasons of safety and logistics.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that all clients take out comprehensive travel insurance before arriving in East Africa. This is not optional. It is an essential part of responsible travel.

Your policy should cover, at a minimum:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Personal accident, injury, and death
• Loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings
• Trip cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances
• Flight cancellations or significant delays

Many parts of East Africa where we operate are remote, with limited access to medical facilities. Insurance is your primary safety net. Orika Africa Tours cannot be held responsible for costs arising from inadequate coverage.

Wildlife and Experience

We do everything we can to deliver exceptional wildlife encounters, but sightings can never be guaranteed. Nature is unpredictable and we operate respectfully within its terms. Our guides have deep knowledge of animal behaviour and will work hard to give you the best possible experience.

Orika Africa Tours may photograph or film during your trip for promotional use. By booking with us, you consent to the use of such images unless you notify us otherwise in writing before your trip begins.

Our vehicles are maintained to high standards, but we are not liable for delays or disruption caused by road conditions or mechanical issues beyond our control.

Liability

Orika Africa Tours is not liable for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property. We cannot be held responsible for delays, cancellations, or disruptions caused by events outside our control, including:

• Natural disasters, war, civil unrest, or political instability
• Flight delays or cancellations
• Government actions or border closures
• Public health emergencies or disease outbreaks
• Technical failures with third-party providers
• Adverse weather conditions

Clients are responsible for ensuring they hold all necessary travel documents including valid passports, visas, permits, and health certificates. We strongly recommend obtaining comprehensive travel and medical insurance before departure.

Health and Safety

Clients are responsible for seeking medical advice before travel and for taking appropriate precautions. We recommend visiting a travel health clinic at least six to eight weeks before your safari to discuss vaccinations, malaria prevention, and any destination-specific health requirements.

Safaris in East Africa may involve varied terrain, wildlife, and extended time outdoors. Please ensure you are physically prepared and properly equipped for the activities you have booked.

Any health conditions, dietary requirements, or mobility considerations should be shared with us at the time of booking so we can make the right arrangements.

For gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, participants must be at least 15 years of age and fit enough to hike through forest terrain for several hours. Please disclose any health concerns that could affect your ability to participate.

Force Majeure

Orika Africa Tours reserves the right to modify or cancel any tour where circumstances beyond our reasonable control make it necessary. This includes natural disasters, epidemics, political instability, strikes, and similar events.

Where this occurs, we will work closely with affected clients to find the best available alternatives, including rescheduling, itinerary changes, or a refund of costs that can be recovered. Costs that cannot be recovered, including wildlife permits, cannot be refunded regardless of the cause.

We are always open to honest conversation when things go wrong. If you are facing genuine difficulty, please reach out and we will do our best to find a fair solution together.

Travel Documents

Clients are solely responsible for ensuring they hold all valid travel documentation required for their journey, including:

• A valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your return date
• Visas for all countries to be visited, including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania as applicable
• A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate, required for entry into Uganda
• Any other health or entry documents required by destination countries
• Proof of travel insurance

Orika Africa Tours cannot be held responsible for costs, disruptions, or denied entry resulting from missing or invalid documentation. We are happy to advise on visa requirements at the time of booking.

Questions & Contact

Thank you for choosing Orika Africa Tours. We are committed to giving you a safe, enriching, and unforgettable experience in East Africa. If anything in these terms is unclear, please get in touch before confirming your booking. You can find our contact details in the sidebar.