1. Reservations - We require a 50% deposit of the total tour cost upon confirmation; Gorilla permit payments will be required in full. The balance is due 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour.  BenefacTours reserves the right to cancel a reservation if payment is not received on schedule.  In this event, cancellation fees will apply.
 
2. Cancellations - Cancellation penalties depend on the number of days written cancellation notice is received by BenefacTours before tour departure:
- Before 60 days:  full deposit amount
- Between 59 days and 42 days: 70% of the full amount
- Between 41 days and 28 days: 90% of the full amount
- Less than 28 days: No refund
- There is no refund of any unused portion of your tour
- Gorilla Permits are not refundable when already booked, as this is the policy of Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife Authorities.

3. Passport and Visa requirements – It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a valid passport and appropriate tourist visas for countries visited.  Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months past the termination date of the trip.  Contact your country’s High Commission or Consulate for the countries to be visited. Canadians see http://w01.international.gc.ca/protocol/main-en.asp for visa requirements, or for a fee, we can assist you. Note that if you are visiting gorillas in Rwanda, you will need a multi-entry visa to return to Uganda. Or purchase a new one at the border; the current price is $30 USD.

4. Health and Fitness – You should be in excellent health to travel with BenefacTours.  While many trips are not physically demanding, you may be subjected to riding over rough terrain, extreme heat, and other discomforts.  You will be expected to carry your own bags.  If you have a physical or mental disability, please inform us ahead of time; a medical certificate may be required prior to joining.  You must carry insurance in order to travel with us.  It is strongly suggested that you visit a travel clinic in your area so that you can obtain malaria prophylaxis as well as vaccinations that will help to protect you while traveling.  Be aware that some inoculations require several visits to the clinic.  You must produce proof of yellow fever vaccination in order to enter East African countries. Uganda is now requesting immunization against cholera.

5. Insurance – All participants must carry travel and medical insurance. It is the client’s responsibility to arrange suitable adventure travel insurance with benefits that include cover for any hazardous activities they intend to pursue, as well as personal accident, medical expenses, repatriation and loss and damage to personal effects. The policy must include minimum cover of £500,000 ($1,000,000 USD or CAD) for emergency medical and repatriation expenses. A copy of the client’s travel insurance must be shown to the tour leader at the start of the trip. In the event that a client does not have suitable travel insurance, they may not be allowed to join the trip.  To convert currency check www.oanda.com/convert/classic.

6. Inherent Dangers – Most adventures take place in countries where the accommodation, medical facilities, hygiene, transport and other factors are not of the same standard that you are used to at home.  While we will see to ensuring the utmost safety, we accept no responsibility for civil wars, accidents, or illnesses.  Uganda experiences relative peace, with the civil unrest taking place mostly in Northern Uganda, in the region around and north of Gulu.  In August 2006, the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army signed a ceasefire aimed at ending their twenty-year armed conflict.  By booking with BenefacTours you are accepting these conditions.  You will be asked to sign a waiver form at time of booking. The Canadian Government provides additional and up-to-date information in their travel reports at http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp or telephone 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.).  Non-Canadians please refer to your own consulates or Department of Foreign Affairs for advice.

7. Tariffs - Tour tariffs are based on all known costs and rates of exchange at the time of the transfer.  Any significant changes will be immediately communicated to our clients.

8. Altered itineraries - BenefacTours retains the right to alter any arrangements due to local conditions.  We also reserve the right to deviate from the advertised tour if such deviation is necessary for the safety or well being of any or all members of the tour. This includes the right to alter accommodations, substitute tour leaders, or change means of conveyance, and in extreme circumstances, where costs are increased, the liability for increased costs will be borne by the trip members.

9. Right of Refusal - We retain the right to refuse any person from participating or continuing any tour if that person causes or is deemed to cause hazard or inconvenience to other clients and to our environment and ecosystems.

10. Bookings - BenefacTours reserves the right to decline any booking at its discretion.

11. Unexpected expenses - Clients must reimburse BenefacTours for any expenses incurred on behalf of the client.

12. Group Activities – Adventures include group activities.  You will be expected to participate.  If you decide to leave the group, we will make every effort to assist you; however, we may not be able to provide additional services.  If meals or activities are unused, no refund will be given.

13. Complaints - If a client has a complaint they should first inform the tour leader.  If, at that time, the tour leader is unable to satisfy the client’s complaint, the client must contact the BenefacTour’s Vancouver office, by email info@benefactours.com or telephone 1-604-685-0555, immediately so that a resolution can be expedited. If satisfaction is still not reached, a written complaint must be received by BenefacTours within 10 days.

14. Liability - No agent or authorized representative of BenefacTours has authority to commit BenefacTours to any liability whatsoever and BenefacTours will not be bound by any statement or representation unless it is in writing and signed by one of the directors.

15. Double Occupancy - Prices quoted are for double occupancy, in some cases multi-share.  Single supplement pricing may apply, depending on package chosen.

16. Gorilla Permits - Note that a gorilla tracking permit does not guarantee your sighting gorillas.  If you fail to view the gorillas for one reason or another, you will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee by the Wildlife Authority.  All refund transactions shall be handled through the UWA Reservation Office at Headquarters in Kampala or Rwanda Authorities in Kigali.

Read What You Should Know. For further information, please Contact Us.