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Booking Terms and Conditions

Before you book a trip with Skymate Tours and Travel, please take the time to read and understand what terms and conditions apply to your booking. If you have any question, don’t hesitate to contact us.

1. Booking

  • We offer accommodation bookings, transportation, restaurant meals, gorilla permits, excursions and other services in collaboration with independent suppliers.
  • To reserve your gorilla permits and flights we need your full names as they appear in your nationality, passport, and passport number.
  • We use elegant and unique hotels, lodges, guest houses and camps which are attractive with good facilities, friendly staffs and reasonable prices. Many of the accommodation offered or recommended by Skymate Tours and Travel have limited capacity so is very important to book well in advance.
  • After confirming your safari or holiday with us, you must inform us if you have any special requests such as medical needs, diet, requirements relating to disabilities and any other requirements. We will meet the requests if possible and if unable we shall let you know in advance.
  • In case you wish to amend your reservation in any way, we will verify the level of realization of the preferred adjustment and confirm to you accordingly. We reserves the right to charge an amendment fee conform to the actual costs, which will be added to the total invoice.
  • Skymate Tours and Travel reserves the right to change and re-adjust the tour schedule, transportation, accommodation and services indicated in the itinerary in the event of unforeseen circumstances before arrival and this shall be told to you as soon as possible.
  • Skymate Tours and Travel enters into agreements on your behalf with service providers of your safari requirements such as lodges, hotels, guest houses, gorilla permits and other permits, park entrances etc and their terms and conditions shall be applicable to you once you deposit and booking your tour (services) since their terms and conditions are beyond our control.

2. Prices

  • Every effort will be made to avoid any price increases.
  • But, we reserve the right to change the prices quoted for you if external factors beyond our control, such as changes in exchange rates or government action, occur.
  • Except for bookings made during that period, where additional charges may be made up to and including the date on which the invoice is issued, no additional charges will be made less than 30 clear days before the date of commencement of your tour.
  • Please note that all our safari and holiday price inclusions are indicated in the itinerary and the price quotation. Any optional/activities added by the client that is not included in the initial safari or holiday itinerary price issued by us will be charged as an extra cost to be covered by the client.

3. Deposit requirement

  • Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the safari cost.
  • If a booking is made less than 45 days prior to arrival, payment in full must be given at the time of confirmation and booking.
  • In case of Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking permits a full advance payment of the permit fee is required as determined by the relevant Authorities on top of the 30% deposit mentioned above which caters for the booking of other safari/holiday requirements.

4. final payments

  • You will be invoiced for the remaining cost, which is due no later than 4 weeks before the start of your safari. If your balance is not paid by the time specified above, we will not start the safari until full payment is received.
  • Before the safari or vacation begins, payment can be paid in any form, including cash, VISA credit card, or bank transfer. 
  • Please note that payments by VISA credit card involve a 3.9% service charge and transactions have to be made at least one month prior to the start of your safari.
  • Any costs of international transactions (or 3.9% service charge in case of credit card payment) are to be fully paid by the client.

5. Execution of a Tour

  • No guarantees can be given for wildlife viewing as it is a privilege to see animals in their natural environment. You must take caution when watching the animals and follow up all the regulations as well as instructions given by either the wildlife rangers or tour guide.
  • Your accommodation on a safari is based on; triple, a twin or double bedded room, tent or banda, with private bathroom where possible. Single rooms can be available with the payment of a Single Room Supplement (SRS) but cannot always be guaranteed.
  • We reserve the right to alternate equivalent or superior hotels/lodges/camps in regard to your booking. If a hotel or lodge of equivalent standard is not available we may substitute the next best quality hotel/lodge or suggest a superior at an extra charge.
  • The mode of transport used will be dependent upon the number of clients and the route chosen, based on the specifications of the selected safari/holiday itinerary. We ensure that safari vehicles are offered in a roadworthy condition but no liability can be accepted for a breakdown, puncture, damage, or any delay as a result of the poor road conditions.
  • We provide experienced English speaking driver guides. The decision of your driver on all matters, such as the route taken, is final. Other language speaking guides can be availed on request at an extra cost.

  • Skymate Tours and Travel reserves the right to change any route or arrangement, to cancel the operation of any scheduled activity or vary the safari services in any way in the event of unforeseen circumstances, such as road closures, bad weather, problems with national parks or hotels and security considerations. In such cases, alternative arrangements will be made as circumstances shall permit.

Authority on a tour

Our trips are generally run by tour leaders or local ground operator who represents Skymate Tours and Travel. The decision of the Leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. 

If you fail to comply with a decision made by a tour leader, interfere with the well-being of the group or our ability to run a trip as planned, the tour leader may direct you to leave the tour immediately, with no right of refund. We may also decide not to carry you on any future trips or holidays booked. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, and foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited.

6. Cancellation by you

If you cancel your reservation before the final payment is due, your deposit will not be refunded. 

However, if you notify us of your cancellation prior to maturity of your final payment due; your deposit may be applied to another safari booked with us. 

If you cancel your reservation after full payment for the trip, the following fees will apply (calculated on the day written notification is received by us and expressed as a percentage of the total safari cost):

  • 8-12 weeks and longer………………… 95% refundable, you are charged only 5% operational charge.
  • 6-8 weeks before the safari begins………….50% Charge
  • 4-6 weeks before the safari begins………….75% Charge
  • 1-4 weeks before the safari begins………….100% Charge

7. Cancellation by Us

We always try to avoid cancelling, but we must reserve the right to do so. In the event that we cancel your trip, your deposit and any other payments will be fully refunded, unless your trip is cancelled due to a Force Majeure Event (as defined below). 

8. Cancellation by US Due to Force Majeure

In addition to the cancellation rights set out above, we may be required to cancel your trip or holiday, due to a Force Majeure Event occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the holiday or significantly affecting the transport arrangements to the destination.

A “Force Majeure Event” includes but is not limited to: war, civil or political unrest, unexpected government acts, natural disaster, border closures, road closures, epidemics, pandemics, quarantines, extreme weather conditions, earthquake; or other similar incidents beyond the reasonable control of us, whether or not foreseeable, which would make it dangerous or not viable for a trip to commence or continue.

If we cancel your safari or holiday due to ‘force majeure,’ any reasonable expenses we have incurred will be deducted from your reimbursement. Please note that we also not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, and travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

9. Claims and complaints

If you have any complaints about the safari, tour or holiday please inform the tour leader, ground operators, or hotelier as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken. 

If you believe that your complaint has not been resolved through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to us within 30 days of the end of the trip. This will allow us to investigate fully. 

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any complaint not notified in accordance with this procedure. 

10. Travel Documents

You must ensure that all of your travel documents are in order; many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after entry. We are not responsible for the safety and custody of your international travel documents such as Passports, Visas, Vaccination certificate and more of this kind!

11. Insurance

On organized tours, safaris and holidays, you are looking for the best experiences, not unwelcome surprises! 

Travel insurance is your safety net, costing only pennies a day but saving you thousands in case of an accident or other misfortune. Imagine your flight gets cancelled, an emergency requires you to return home, or you need to visit the hospital at your destination. 

Those are just a few examples of where a travel insurance company would step in to help you. So we strongly recommend that when booking your holiday that you arrange personal travel insurance which is relevant and effective. 

12. liability

  • Under no circumstances shall Skymate Tours and Travel ltd or any of our ground operators be held liable for any wildlife mentioned in our safari itineraries but not actually present during the tour safari due to factors beyond our control; or the accessibility of the wildlife mentioned.
  • Skymate Tours and Travel will make every measure to ensure that all arrangements and services connected to the safari will be carried out as specified in the most efficient and effective way possible. However, we do not have direct control of services offered by suppliers and, while every supplier is selected with the utmost care, we don’t accept liability for errors or omissions of such suppliers such as lodges, airlines, gorilla permit or other tracking permits etc.
  • We shall not be liable for any damage, loss or injury of any nature whatsoever whether to person or property.
  • While every care is taken, we cannot be held responsible for the direct or indirect costs of loss or damage to baggage or personal possessions.
  • Skymate Tours and Travel cannot accept liability or pay compensation/refund for unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the company or its staff, including flight delays/cancellations or force majeure such as war or threat of war, extreme weather conditions, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist acts, border closure, natural disaster, thefts, epidemics, road closures, fire, technical and/or mechanical problems to transport and all similar events beyond the company’s control.
  • In case of referred / retail business, it is the responsibility of the travel agency/wholesaler to ensure that all members of the tour have the appropriate passports, visas, travel permits, health certificates and other documentation required for the safari.
  • It is the responsibility of the clients to take proper medical and practical precautions in regard to health and safety. Medical advice should be sought well before travelling.
  • Our clients are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive travel insurance before coming to Uganda. Local evacuation coverage is available in the unlikely event of a medical emergency while out on safari with us.
  • The respective laws of the destination country govern Skymate Tours and Travel’s liability to passengers carried in its own vehicles. All claims/disputes what so ever arising from the dealings between us and our clients are subject to the Laws & jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the cause of action arises.

13. Accuracy of Information

The information, descriptions, and opinions given by us in respect of itineraries, national parks, gorilla permits, animal sightings, accommodation, and security are given in good faith, based on the most current information existing. Care has been taken to ensure the truthfulness of the information offered. 

We cannot accept any responsibility for any mistakes or omissions caused by issues past our control. To the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, the facts given are correct and the tours and safaris offered are described fully and honestly. Any modifications will be communicated as soon as possible.

Please Note

The booking conditions above may only be waived in writing by the director of the company; these conditions are subject to and shall be construed in accordance with Ugandan law. By making your first safari/trip deposit, you are indicating your willingness to accept our terms and conditions. We agree to fulfill our obligations to you as an authentic safari company by accepting your booking.

We are so grateful for you to have taken your time to read our terms and condition. Please examine them and contact us in case of any clarity about them.

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