Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings made directly with Makali Safaris, whether through our website, email, phone, or in person. They also apply to any inquiries, quotations, or bookings initiated via our affiliate partners and third-party platforms, including SafariBookings and other online or offline channels.
Section One
Deposit + payments
30% of the confirmed total booking value for all services other than airline reservations is payable in the form of a non-refundable deposit on the date of confirmation.
The purpose of the Deposit, other than payment to Third Party Suppliers, is to cover costs and disbursements incurred by the Company and its service fees and in the event of any cancellation as provided for herein will be forfeited by the Client.
100% of the confirmed total booking value of all airline reservations is payable on the date of confirmation.
The balance of the confirmed total booking value for all services other than airline reservations is payable 70 days prior to the date of arrival.
100% of the confirmed total booking value payable at the time of confirmation for all bookings made less than 70 days prior to the date of arrival.
Peak Season Payment and Cancellation Terms:
Payment terms may differ due to specialist product and over peak seasons.
Cancellation fees
The following cancellation fees will be payable if the booking is cancelled:
30% of the confirmed total booking value if the booking is cancelled more than 71 days prior to the date of arrival.
100% of the confirmed total booking value if the booking is cancelled 70 – 0 days prior to the date of arrival or in the case of a no show.
* Cancellation fees may differ due to specialist product and / or peak season travel. Airline reservations are 100% non-refundable.
The Company reserves the right to cancel any tour before departure, in which event the entire payment will be refunded to the Client without any further obligation on the part of the Company or right of recourse by the Client.
Clients should also refer to the cancellation provisions contained in the Third Party Supplier’s T&C or website. Third Party Suppliers may charge cancellation fees over and above those stated above:
Payment Methods
Makali Safaris accepts two payment methods:
• Wire transfer to one of our denominated accounts (USD or EUR)
• Credit card payment via a secure payment link.
* Makali Safaris accepts all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc.). Please note we do not currently accept Diners Club.
Quotes + costs
All quotations provided by Makali Safaris are based on anticipated costs at the time of quoting and are subject to change should those costs increase due to factors beyond our control, such as supplier rate changes, government taxes, or currency fluctuations.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted prices are per person based on double occupancy and include itinerary planning, booking management, and operational support. Prices reflect the prevailing rates of exchange, tariffs, and taxes at the time the quote is issued.
Makali Safaris reserves the right to adjust prices if necessary to account for:
Increases in supplier costs, park fees, or taxes
Changes in government levies or V.A.T.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations
Makali Safaris is not obligated to provide a detailed breakdown of costs for any custom itinerary. Adjustments to group sizes will not alter the published cost of a group-based experience.
Travel Insuarance
It is compulsory for all Makali Safaris clients to have comprehensive travel insurance in place prior to departure. Written proof of valid insurance must be submitted along with your signed quotation. This insurance should cover, among other things, cancellation due to illness, accident or injury, personal accident and liability, medical expenses for emergencies, repatriation, trip curtailment or delays, loss or damage to baggage, sports equipment, and field evacuation. This list is not exhaustive, and it is your responsibility to ensure that your coverage is appropriate for your specific travel plans.
Makali Safaris will not be held responsible or liable if you fail to obtain adequate insurance coverage or choose to travel without it. In the event that an insurer disputes liability for a claim, any recourse will be solely between you and the insurance provider. Once insurance has been confirmed and paid for, you will receive a policy document from your insurer. This document is often complex and must be read carefully before you travel, so that you may raise any concerns or questions with the insurer well in advance of your departure.
While Makali Safaris does not sell insurance directly, your dedicated travel expert will gladly assist you by recommending reputable providers and helping you choose the best possible coverage for your specific itinerary.
Section Two
Included services
The following information is intended to serve as a general guideline only. Makali Safaris accepts no liability for any miscalculations or pricing discrepancies in sample itineraries. All advertised prices are based on anticipated costs at the time of publication and may be subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in supplier rates, taxes, or availability.
A typical Makali Safaris sample itinerary for travel within East Africa generally includes: internal (domestic) flights and road transfers as outlined in the itinerary, accommodations as specified, meals as indicated, airport meet and greet on international arrival, arrival and departure transfers, guided sightseeing and safari activities, applicable park and conservation fees, entrance fees to attractions, local bottled water during excursions, selected non-alcoholic beverages with meals, and all local taxes and levies.
Additional services such as personal concierge support in major cities like Nairobi, Entebbe, or Arusha may also be included, depending on the nature of your journey.
Please refer to your personalized itinerary and quotation for the specific inclusions and exclusions applicable to your booking.
Excluded services
International and internal airfares unless otherwise specified in the basic itinerary; costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas; airport departure taxes, unless otherwise specified; excess baggage charges; gratuities; meals other than as specified in the basic itinerary; beverages other than noted in your final confirmed itinerary; sightseeing not included in the final confirmed itinerary; and personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges unless otherwise specified in your final confirmed itinerary; and optional activities (which are subject to availability).
Unforeseen circumstances
Accommodations — including safari lodges, camps, vessels, and any scheduled sightseeing — are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or factors beyond the control of Makali Safaris. In such cases, we will make every effort to offer comparable alternatives that maintain the quality and integrity of your East African safari experience.
Special requests
Special requests such as adjacent or connecting rooms, bedding requests, smoking rooms and special dietary needs should be advised at time of booking. Please note that while every effort will be made to secure a special request, it cannot be guaranteed in advance of travel.
Active elements
Certain safari experiences curated by Makali Safaris may include active elements such as walking safaris, hiking, or boat excursions. To fully enjoy these activities as intended, a minimum level of physical fitness is required. It is important that we are informed in advance if any guest has a physical condition, disability, or medical concern that could pose a risk to themselves or to other members of the group.
Makali Safaris reserves the right to decline participation or booking of any individual if it is deemed that their physical condition may compromise their safety or the overall group experience. If you have any questions or would like clarification about the physical demands of a particular itinerary, please consult your Makali Safaris travel specialist at the time of booking.
Section Three
Passports + visas
For all East African destinations booked through Makali Safaris, it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six (6) months after your return date and contains sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Most East African countries—such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania—require a minimum of two consecutive blank pages per entry. Failure to meet these requirements may result in denied boarding or entry.
Guests are fully responsible for securing all required visas for the countries included in their itinerary. Please consult the relevant consulates or embassies well in advance of your departure to confirm up-to-date visa requirements, especially for visas issued on arrival or electronically.
If your air travel is being arranged by Makali Safaris, you must submit a clear copy of your valid passport at the time of booking to ensure timely ticketing and documentation.
It is also your responsibility to ensure that you have received all necessary vaccinations, inoculations, and malaria prophylaxis for the countries you plan to visit. We strongly recommend that you consult a travel health specialist or medical practitioner familiar with East African health regulations well before your departure.
Should Makali Safaris assist you with travel documentation or health recommendations, such assistance is offered in good faith and without obligation or liability. You remain solely responsible for meeting all travel health and documentation requirements.
If you are pregnant during your travels, some East African service providers may require a doctor’s letter confirming your fitness to travel. Please inform your Makali Safaris consultant of your pregnancy and travel stage at the time of booking.
For guests traveling with minors, please consult your local Department of Home Affairs, East African embassies, or relevant immigration offices regarding the latest child travel documentation requirements, as regulations may vary by country and change without notice.
Malaria and other tropical diseases warning
Parts of East Africa included in your Makali Safaris itinerary may carry a high risk of malaria and other tropical diseases. We strongly recommend that all travelers consult with a qualified medical practitioner—preferably one experienced in tropical medicine—well before departure. If you have not taken appropriate health precautions prior to travel, it is essential that you do so immediately upon arrival in Africa or upon your return home.
Certain countries in East Africa, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and sometimes Kenya or Tanzania, may also require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry. A valid Yellow Fever certificate must be carried with you and produced upon request. Please ensure the vaccination is administered at least two (2) weeks before your departure, as it becomes effective only after that period. The certificate remains valid for ten (10) years.
Makali Safaris does not issue official travel advisories. However, if we are made aware of urgent travel or health notices relevant to your destination, we will make every effort to inform you or provide a trusted source for up-to-date information. That said, it is your responsibility to stay informed about the current health and safety conditions of your travel destinations by regularly checking official government or embassy websites prior to departure, as situations may change rapidly.
Air transportation
International flights are not typically included in the cost of your Makali Safaris itinerary. However, we partner with trusted regional flight specialists and are happy to provide custom air travel quotes from any international gateway to your East African destination. Please consult your Makali Safaris travel consultant for current options and recommendations.
All international and domestic flight quotes are subject to availability, changes in pricing, and may carry airline-imposed penalties, surcharges, or service fees until full payment has been received. Confirmation of flights can only be guaranteed once tickets are issued and paid in full.
Please note that all air travel is governed by international conventions and the terms and conditions of the issuing airline. These may include limitations on liability, baggage allowances, and strict conditions on ticket use. The terms printed on your airline ticket or e-ticket receipt, or listed on the airline’s website, form part of your contract of carriageand should be reviewed thoroughly before confirming your booking.
If your trip includes multiple flights or legs, you must travel in the correct sequence as booked. Skipping one flight or segment (e.g., choosing to travel by road instead) may invalidate the rest of your itinerary. Similarly, failure to board any leg of your flight—known as a no-show—could result in your ticket being canceled without refund.
Makali Safaris will assist you in understanding airline terms where possible, but any issues regarding ticket conditions, refunds for unused portions, or lost loyalty rewards must be taken up directly with the airline. Be sure to keep all boarding passes and travel receipts for any loyalty program redemptions. Refund deadlines are enforced strictly by airlines, so timely communication is essential.
Limits on liability
Makali Safaris Ltd, its subsidiaries, employees, directors, officers, agents, and affiliated partners (collectively referred to as “Makali Safaris”) do not own or directly operate the hotels, lodges, airlines, vehicles, boats, or other service providers used in the course of your safari experience. We work with a carefully vetted network of independent suppliers across East Africa—including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania—to deliver exceptional services. However, each of these service providers acts as an independent contractor, and not as an employee or agent of Makali Safaris.
As such, Makali Safaris shall not be held liable for any negligent or intentional acts or omissions by any third-party suppliers, including but not limited to hotels, airlines, lodges, transportation services, or guides. This includes, but is not limited to, delays, loss of services, overbookings, changes in accommodations, or accidents that may occur during your journey.
Furthermore, Makali Safaris shall not be responsible for any loss, injury, illness, delay, inconvenience, or damage to personal property arising from circumstances beyond our control. These may include but are not limited to: natural disasters, wildlife encounters, acts of God, force majeure, civil unrest, strikes, acts of terrorism, mechanical failures, adverse weather, or the failure of any transport provider to operate as scheduled.
By booking with Makali Safaris, the client acknowledges and accepts all inherent risks associated with travel in East Africa, particularly in remote and wilderness areas where access to immediate medical facilities may be limited. Adventure travel—such as game drives, gorilla trekking, and bush walks—may involve risks of personal injury or even death. You voluntarily accept and assume full responsibility for these risks, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Makali Safaris from any claims related to such events.
Makali Safaris shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or economic loss, unless applicable local consumer protection laws expressly provide otherwise.
Travel advisories
It is the responsibility of the traveler to become informed about the most current travel advisories and warnings by referring to the U. S. State Department’s travel website at travel.state.gov or by phone at 888 407 4747. In the event of an active State Department Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the experience, should the traveller still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the traveller assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.
Dispute resolution
Any and all disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions—including any questions regarding their existence, validity, or termination—shall be resolved as follows:
The parties shall meet within five (5) working days of the dispute arising, in a good faith effort to resolve the matter amicably.
If the dispute is not resolved amicably within five (5) working days of that meeting, the parties shall proceed to mediation. An independent mediator shall be appointed by mutual agreement. If no agreement is reached within five (5) days, a mediator shall be appointed by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (“AFSA”). The mediation shall occur within five (5) working days from the date the mediator is appointed.
Should mediation fail to resolve the dispute, the matter shall be referred to arbitration in Nairobi (or another agreed location within East Africa) within two (2) working days of the failed mediation. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of AFSA (or the relevant regional equivalent), which rules are deemed incorporated into this clause.
The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator appointed in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding on both parties, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. Application may also be made to such a court for judicial acceptance of the award or orders of enforcement.
The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English and shall not suspend the performance of the parties’ obligations in connection with the subject matter of the dispute.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party reserves the right to bring an urgent application to a court of competent jurisdiction where circumstances warrant such action.
Section Four
Travelers’ representation
The traveler affirms that neither they nor any member of their traveling party has any physical condition, disability, or other circumstance that could pose a risk to themselves or others participating in the experience. Makali Safaris reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse participation or to remove any individual from a safari or tour—at their own expense—if their condition, behavior, or circumstances are deemed to present a hazard to themselves, other travelers, staff, or the overall experience.
By making any payment to Makali Safaris, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to abide by these Terms and Conditions, including any pre-departure documentation such as personal information forms or medical declarations.
The person initiating the enquiry, requesting a quote, seeking travel advice, or making a booking is deemed to have the legal authority to act on behalf of all listed travelers (referred to collectively as “the Client(s)”), and confirms that all Clients have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
Accommodation key
The key set out below is intended only as a guide to the broad basis of the various properties we feature on our website. Your Adventurist will inform you of the exact details of the includes/excludes in the nightly rate as part of their proposal:
BB = Bed & Breakfast – breakfast is included in the price.
BBD = Bed, Breakfast + Dinner – breakfast and evening meal are included in the price.
FB = Full Board – breakfast, lunch and evening meals are included in the price.
FI = Fully Inclusive – all meals and certain drinks are included in the price (the exact details of which drinks are included in the price will vary between properties). Fully inclusive usually indicates that all game viewing or other actives are included in the price.
COVID-19
COVID – It is common knowledge that travel in particular has been affected by major challenges arising from the Covid 19/Corona Virus (‘Covid’) which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (‘WHO’). Covid can be transmitted from person to person inter alia by contact and respiratory means and that it is essential to follow guidelines and precautionary measures issued by the WHO and various governments. Each country has its own entry and exit requirements and it is the sole and exclusive duty of each traveler to familiarize themselves with such prescribed guidelines and precautionary measures AND entry and exit requirements of each country they intend visiting and/or which is reflected in their final itinerary. The Company is not liable for any consequence of non-compliance with this clause and/or the impact of Covid on your booking.
Force Majeure
DEFINITION
The parties agree that one or more of the following events, circumstances, or occurrences shall constitute prima facie force majeure for the purposes of these Terms and Conditions—provided that the event in question meets the qualifying criteria of being unforeseen, beyond the reasonable control of the affected party, and renders performance impossible or impractical:
Acts of God or casus fortuitus, including but not limited to natural phenomena that are unforeseeable and unpreventable such as earthquakes, earth tremors, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, violent winds, floods, storms, tidal waves, landslides, lightning strikes, fires, high tides, subsidence, or any other extreme weather or environmental disasters.
Industrial action, including strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, protests, or riots, whether politically motivated or not.
War, sabotage, revolution, terrorism, civil commotion, insurrection, invasion, blockades, or boycotts.
The outbreak or threat of epidemic, pandemic, or any other serious health hazard or disease—whether contagious or not—including events such as the spillage of hazardous substances or significant air, water, soil, or chemical pollution.
Any circumstance arising from an irresistible force or unavoidable, external accident that disrupts contractual performance.
The collapse, disruption, or failure of essential public services and amenities.
Closure of national, regional, or international borders, or the imposition of travel bans or transportation restrictions—whether imposed by any governmental or regulatory authority in East Africa or globally—that directly impact the Client’s travel arrangements as scheduled.
It is expressly agreed that the geographic origin or epicenter of the force majeure event is immaterial; what matters is the actual impact of the event on the performance of the contractual obligations between the parties.
Qualifying requirements
The parties agree that the aforementioned events described as prima facie force majeure (“the Event”) shall only qualify as force majeure under these Terms and Conditions if all of the following qualifying conditions are fully met: The party invoking the Event as a force majeure (“the Force Majeure Party” or “FMP”) must notify the other party (“the Force Majeure Recipient” or “FMR”) in writing immediately upon becoming aware of the Event. The Event must not have arisen due to any fault, negligence, or breach of contract by the FMP. Furthermore, the Event must destroy the subject matter of the agreement or the means of its performance to such an extent that performance is rendered permanently impossible—not merely more difficult, burdensome, or economically impractical.
The FMP must also demonstrate that it has exercised due diligence and has undertaken all commercially reasonable efforts to overcome, remove, alleviate, or mitigate the effects of the Event. It must take all reasonable steps to avoid non-performance and minimize its own losses or damages. Any governmental actions that may be cited in relation to the Event must have been directly caused by the Event itself and must also meet one or more of the qualifying criteria stated above.
Lastly, the Event must not be of a merely temporary nature; however, should the circumstances be anticipated to persist for an unreasonably extended period, the Event shall be deemed permanent for the purpose of invoking force majeure.
Remedies
In the event that the parties are in disagreement regarding the definition of Force Majeure or whether the qualifying requirements have been met, such disagreement shall be referred for resolution in accordance with the Dispute Resolution clause contained within these Terms and Conditions.
Should it be determined that one or more of the qualifying criteria for a Force Majeure event have not been met, the Force Majeure Party (“FMP”) shall have the option to either:
Mutually agree with the Force Majeure Recipient (“FMR”) on a postponement of the contract, in which case the contract will be performed on the agreed future date, or
Cancel the contract, in which case the standard cancellation provisions set forth herein shall apply.
However, if both parties are in agreement that the qualifying Force Majeure requirements have been satisfied, they shall in the first instance use their best efforts to agree on a reasonable postponement of the contract. If no agreement on postponement can be reached, the FMR shall use its best endeavours to reimburse the FMP for all monies received and disbursed to third-party service providers, to the extent that such funds can be recovered. Any such refund will be less non-recoverable costs and a reasonable management and service fee for administrative handling.
Entire Contract
The Conditions (together with all enquiries, advice, quotations or estimates addressed to, provided by or bookings made and indemnities signed and the Company’s Privacy Policy) constitute collectively the entire terms of the relationship between the parties. There exist no other terms, conditions, warranties, representations, guarantees, promises, undertaking or inducements of any nature whatsoever regulating the relationship and the Client acknowledges that he/she has not relied on any matter or thing stated or presented on behalf of the Company or otherwise that is not included herein. The contra proferentem rule will not apply to the interpretation of the Conditions. The Company reserves the right to revise these conditions from time to time – each revision will be dated and posted on its website.
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