General information
Elephant Whispers Safaris organises holidays and excursions in Uganda. Our safaris stretch to all Uganda National parks and other Uganda tours destinations. Please take note of our booking terms and condition as they stipulate our responsibilities and set a platform for our clients and our company.
Given the changing seasons for the Uganda tourism sector, our booking terms are revised from period to period. The conditions and standards of Uganda as a developing country are quite different from Western countries in terms of service delivery, health facilities, safety and security and infrastructural development. Noting that as a local tour operator, we are governed by the laws of Uganda governing service delivery under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
The information provided by Elephant Whispers Safaris in terms of description and opinions on our website about the different products are provided with the utmost assurance basing on the present existing information about the services. For example, gorilla permits, accommodations, security to mention but a few. Elephant Whispers Safaris will not be liable for any faults that are beyond our abilities and control.
Accommodations/Lodges
For any destination you wish to visit, Elephant Whispers Safaris will provide suitable accommodation facilities that fit your budget. We partner with lodge, hotels and camps that provide utmost customer service and bedding facilities to our clients no matter what type of accommodations they choose. For any safari special requirements from clients, Elephant Whispers Safaris advise that you inform us of your special requirement in advance. We arrange accommodation booking on request and also on best recommendations from different platforms.
Insurance Cover
Please be advised that Elephant Whispers Safaris is not liable for a client insurance cover during the trip. Therefore; it is a requirement while booking a vacation tour to Uganda that you arrange your own travel insurance cover that is valid and effective. The insurance cover includes; injury and medical care, death, theft of property. This is a must have service to visitors especially who travel for activities like mountaineering tours, white water rafting, bungee jumping and boat trips. Old aged and sickly travellers must have an insurance cover.
Safari Complaints
Travellers with any sort of complain must report to their Safari planner as soon as possible. All the necessary help within our capacity will be provided. Ensure that you report not later than 30 days after the incident took place in a formal letter to allow proper investigation of the complaint. Any kind of complaint that does not comply to our procedures will not be responded to.
Compensation/Force Majeure
Elephant Whispers Safaris regrets compensation of poor performance of certain duties affected by our company or any service provider. Such incidents may include; natural disasters like disease outbreak and weather conditions, Terror attacks, Riots, unexpected government acts, road and border closures, fire outbreaks to mention but a few. Please not that your involvement in active tourism is at your own risk. These activities may include; trekking activities, water activities and mountaineering.
Baggage
In regards to your personal properties and luggage, Elephant Whispers Safaris is not responsible and liable for any baggage loss. Travellers are fully responsible for their baggage.
Child policy
Children are welcome to travel with our company. Children of 4 years and below will not be charged for any fees. Children from 5 to 15 years are welcome to travel with our company however a letter for consent must be signed by parents or guardian. While children from 16 to 20 are considered to be adults so they pay as their elders.
National parks
As a local tour operator, we strongly believe in environment conservation especially for wildlife and we accept the rules and regulations provided by Uganda Wildlife Authority for national parks. Travellers must respect the park regulations and we criticize illegal practises done by visitors. Elephant Whispers Safari will not be responsible for disobedience caused while in the park for example collecting wild species. Our tours only provide the visitors opportunities to take pictures and only watch wildlife without disturbing their habitat.
Marketing and Photography
Elephant Whispers Safaris has a right to use pictures of the safari as a way of marketing or use for any advertisement of the company however if any client is not willing to use their pictures, they must declare it to the company before the start of the trip. The clients must also agree that the company retains copyright for the photographs and videos taken during the trip.
Trekking Permits
As soon as a trip has been confirmed by the client, you must send through payment to purchase your permits that is chimpanzee in Kibale national park and gorilla permits for either Bwindi Impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Please it is advised that you purchase your permits 5 months before your actual date of trekking because permits are highly competitively especially in the peak season. Meeting the primates is 99% guaranteed as long as instructions are well followed. Once permits are already purchased, no refund is made until the permits have been resold to other intending clients, however we will try our best to sell off your permits for a refund. Elephant Whispers Safaris is not responsible for cancellation of gorilla viewing in cases of some unexpected conditions by Uganda Wildlife Authority and cancellation by the client themselves.
What our quotations include
While a client is booking, whatever is on the price package is stipulated clearly on inclusives. Common items included Ground transportation in a 4X4 Safari Vehicle (Van/land cruiser), English speaking and well knowledgeable safari guide, main park activities, applicable taxes, Accommodations and meals and bottled water during the trip. Any added activities by a client that is not on the provided itinerary from Elephant Whispers Safari will be an extra cost to be paid by the client.
Excluded items on the quote;
Commonly excluded items on a package include; person expenses like telephone calls and internet, laundry, Uganda visa fees, flight fares, travel insurance, tipping, beverages of the client choose like beer and soft drinks, Porter fees and optional activities listed on the itinerary.
Safari payment
After confirmation of the trip with Elephant Whispers Safaris and your affirming to our terms of booking, you are required to make a percentage payment towards the trip on agreement with your tour consultant. Payments can be made in 2 phases that is 50% then 100%. The 50% is paid immediately after confirmation to purchase permits and deposit on accommodations whilst the 100% is paid 3 weeks to arrival for the tour to run the trip. If a trip is confirmed a month before arrival, 100% payment is required. Our company has 100% right not to confirm the booking until payment has been made.
When we cancel a trip
As a truthful tour operator, we rarely cancel a confirmed booking but only do due to circumstances beyond our measure for example; when you fail to deposit for the tour or as a result of force majeure, we offer you an optional tour you can participate in similar to the originally confirmed tour. We are obligated to inform you about the cancellation 90 days before your trip unless otherwise if the cancellation is beyond our control. Due to our cancellation of the trip, you are entitled to full settlement of a refund. Please be advised that cancellation fees charged basing on the date of written notification.
When you as a client cancel
In a situation where you have to cancel your safari with Elephant Whispers Safaris, you must write to us about the changes. Usually chances are very low that we may get a replacement for your trip, so cancellation fees will be charged according to time the cancellation is done, this is terms of percentages of the total price of the tour.
Period before departure – Cancellation charge
More than 50 days – full refund
49 to 35 days – 25% refund
34 to 25 days – 50% refund
24 to 15 days – 75% refund
14 to day of arrival – No refund
Also note that if you cancel your trip when its ongoing, totally no refund will be made. In conclusion, all our terms and conditions will apply to all confirmed bookings concluded between Elephant Whispers Safaris (Tour consultant) and the clients in relation to the tour provided in the itinerary.