Africa Travel Designers – Booking Terms and Conditions
1. Introduction & Legal Framework
1.1 These Terms and Conditions form the basis of your contract with Africa Travel Designers FZ-LLC (“Africa Travel Designers”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), a company incorporated under the laws of the United Arab Emirates with its registered office at Cosmopolitan Hotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
1.2 Jurisdiction & Governing Law
- This Agreement is governed by the laws of the United Arab Emirates.
- Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts.
- All transactions with Africa Travel Designers shall be conducted electronically where applicable.
1.3 By booking a trip with us, you confirm that:
- You are at least 18 years old and authorized to accept these terms on behalf of all travelers listed in your booking.
- You have read and understood these legally binding Terms and Conditions.
2. Booking & Payment Terms
2.1 Deposit & Final Payment
- A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total trip cost is required at the time of booking.
- For High-season bookings, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required.
- For international flights, 100% payment is required upfront at the time of booking.
- If a booking is made less than 60 days before departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
2.2 Final Payment
- The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before departure.
- If the final balance is not received by the due date, Africa Travel Designers reserves the right to cancel the booking, and cancellation fees will apply as per Clause 3.
2.3 Pricing & Exchange Rates
- Quotes are valid for 7 days only due to fluctuations in supplier costs and exchange rates.
- Africa Travel Designers reserves the right to adjust pricing until full payment is received.
- Once full payment is made, the price is locked and will not be subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
3. Cancellations & Refunds
3.1 Cancellation by the Traveler
- All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email and acknowledged by Africa Travel Designers.
- The following cancellation fees apply:
| Time Before Departure | Cancellation Fee |
| 91+ days | 30% of the total booking cost (Deposit non-refundable) |
| 61-90 days | 50% of the total booking cost |
| 0-60 days | 100% of the total booking cost (No refund) |
3.2 Non-Refundable Items
- International flights, gorilla permits, and high-season bookings are always non-refundable.
- Any refunds will be processed only after Africa Travel Designers receives funds from suppliers.
3.3 No Refunds for Unused Services
- If you fail to use any pre-booked services (including but not limited to hotel stays, excursions, or transportation), Africa Travel Designers will not provide refunds, credits, or compensation.
3.4 Cancellation by Africa Travel Designers
- We reserve the right to cancel your booking due to force majeure events(e.g., war, political instability, natural disasters, pandemics, or supplier failures).
- In such cases, we will offer:
- A full refund of the affected portion of the trip, OR
- A credit towards a future booking, at our discretion.
- No additional compensation will be provided in the event of cancellation due to force majeure.
4. Changes to Bookings
4.1 Changes Requested by You
- All change requests must be made in writing.
- A minimum amendment fee of USD 500 per person applies, in addition to any supplier-imposed charges.
- Changes requested within 90 days of departure may be treated as cancellations and charged accordingly.
4.2 Changes Made by Us
- We reserve the right to make minor changes to your itinerary (e.g., flight time adjustments, hotel changes of equal or higher standard).
- In the case of major changes (e.g., trip rescheduling due to supplier failures), we will offer an alternative or refund.
5. Liability & Travel Insurance
5.1 Liability Disclaimer
- Africa Travel Designers acts solely as an agent for third-party service providers (airlines, hotels, lodges, transport companies, etc.).
- We are not liable for supplier failures, service disruptions, delays, or force majeure events.
5.2 Mandatory Travel Insurance
- All travelers must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers:
- Trip cancellations & interruptions (covering the full cost of the trip).
- Medical emergencies & evacuation (minimum coverage of $100,000 per person).
- Baggage loss, theft, or damage.
- Proof of insurance must be provided before departure.
5.3 Traveler Liability for Damages
- If a traveler causes damage to hotels, lodges, vehicles, or equipment, they are fully responsible for covering the repair or replacement costs.
6. Force Majeure & Unforeseen Events
6.1 Africa Travel Designers is not responsible for disruptions caused by:
- Natural disasters, pandemics, or government-imposed travel restrictions.
- Supplier failures (e.g., airline strikes, lodge overbookings).
- Political unrest, war, or acts of terrorism.
6.2 Relocation & Additional Costs
- If a force majeure event requires travelers to relocate to another hotel or destination, any additional costs (transportation, new accommodations, meals, etc.) are the traveler’s responsibility.
7. Customer Responsibilities & Safety
7.1 Awareness of Risks
- Travel to remote areas in Africa involves risks, including wildlife encounters, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather.
- You accept all inherent risks and agree to follow all safety instructions provided by guides, lodges, or transport providers.
7.2 Compliance with Laws & Customs
- You must comply with all local laws, park regulations, and cultural customs of your travel destinations.
8. Data Privacy & Communication
8.1 Use of Personal Information
- By booking with Africa Travel Designers, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information for the purpose of arranging your trip.
8.2 Marketing & Communications
- You may receive promotional emails about future trips unless you opt out.
- Africa Travel Designers does not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes.
9. Acceptance of Terms & Conditions
9.1 Automatic Agreement
- By making a booking, paying a deposit, or engaging with Africa Travel Designers in any capacity, you automatically accept and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.
- It is the responsibility of each traveler to read and understand these Terms & Conditions before proceeding with a booking.
9.2 Binding Contract
- A contract is formed between you and Africa Travel Designers once a deposit is paid, a booking confirmation is issued, or any written agreement is established.
- Verbal agreements or informal communications do not override these Terms & Conditions.
9.3 No Exceptions
- Africa Travel Designers will not be held responsible for any claims of unawareness of these Terms & Conditions.
- If you do not agree to these Terms & Conditions, you must notify us in writing before making any payment or finalizing any booking.
For inquiries, contact Info@africatraveldesigners.com
