Booking Terms and Conditions by East African Safari Experts.

Booking Terms and Conditions — Rift & Ridge Safaris

Last Updated: August 2026

Welcome to Rift & Ridge Safaris. These Booking Terms and Conditions establish the basis on which we arrange and provide safari and tour services across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and other East African destinations. They are intended to make our booking process transparent and ensure that both our clients and our company understand their respective responsibilities.

By making a booking, paying a deposit, or confirming an itinerary with Rift & Ridge Safaris, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions. The final invoice, confirmed itinerary, and any written amendments issued by Rift & Ridge Safaris form part of the booking agreement.

These terms have been informed by common East African safari booking practices, including deposit requirements, supplier cancellation charges, permit conditions, travel insurance requirements, and provisions for itinerary changes caused by circumstances beyond the operator’s control.

1. Booking and Confirmation

A safari enquiry or quotation does not constitute a confirmed reservation. Your safari becomes confirmed once:

We have received the required deposit or full payment stated on your invoice.
The booking has been accepted by Rift & Ridge Safaris.
You have received written confirmation of the reservation from us.

The person making the booking confirms that they have the authority to make the reservation on behalf of all travellers included in the booking and accepts these Terms and Conditions on their behalf.

Bookings are subject to availability of accommodation, permits, transportation, flights, activities, and other services at the time of confirmation.

2. Safari Deposit and Payment

Our standard deposit requirement will be stated clearly on your quotation or invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a 50% deposit may be required to secure a safari, particularly where substantial advance payments are necessary for accommodation, permits, transportation, or other suppliers.

The remaining balance must be paid by the deadline shown on your booking invoice.

For bookings made close to the departure date, Rift & Ridge Safaris may require full payment at the time of confirmation.

Certain services, including gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, flights, special accommodation, and other supplier services, may require payment in full before the general safari balance is due.

Different deposit structures are common within the East African tourism industry, so the specific payment schedule on your invoice takes precedence for your individual booking.

3. Prices and Price Changes

Safari prices are based on the itinerary, accommodation, transportation, park fees, permits, activities, taxes, and other services included in your quotation.

Prices are subject to availability and may change before confirmation because of supplier price increases, government fees, park charges, accommodation rates, fuel costs, currency fluctuations, taxes, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Once a booking has been confirmed and paid according to the agreed terms, we will make reasonable efforts to maintain the quoted arrangements. Where unavoidable supplier or government increases affect confirmed services, we will communicate the changes to the client as soon as reasonably possible.

4. What Is Included

Your confirmed itinerary and invoice will specify exactly what is included in the safari price.

Depending on the package, inclusions may include:

Accommodation as specified.
Safari transportation.
Professional driver-guide services.
National park and conservation fees where stated.
Gorilla, chimpanzee, or other activity permits where specifically stated.
Meals specified in the itinerary.
Airport transfers where included.
Selected activities and excursions.
Cross-border arrangements where specifically included.

5. What Is Not Included

Unless expressly stated in your itinerary, the following are generally excluded:

International flights.
Visas and immigration charges.
Travel and medical insurance.
Personal expenses.
Laundry and telephone charges.
Alcoholic and other personal beverages.
Tips and gratuities.
Optional activities.
Excess baggage charges.
Private expenses arising from flight delays or missed connections.
Any service not specifically identified as included in the quotation.

Clients should carefully review their final itinerary and invoice before making payment.

6. Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Other Special Permits

Permits for gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation, chimpanzee trekking, and other regulated activities are subject to the policies of the relevant wildlife authorities.

Once a permit has been purchased and issued, it may be non-refundable or subject to strict cancellation and rescheduling conditions imposed by the relevant authority. Refunds can therefore depend on whether the issuing authority makes funds available to the operator.

Rift & Ridge Safaris will communicate the applicable permit conditions before or at the time of booking.

A permit does not necessarily guarantee wildlife sightings. Wildlife is free-ranging, and sightings can never be guaranteed.

7. Cancellation by the Client

If you need to cancel your safari, cancellation must be submitted in writing to Rift & Ridge Safaris.

Cancellation charges will depend on:

The date we receive your written cancellation.
The number of days remaining before departure.
Accommodation and transport commitments already paid.
Permit and activity fees.
Airline or other supplier cancellation conditions.
Whether suppliers have refunded amounts already paid.

Because safari suppliers often impose their own cancellation penalties, the amount refundable to a client may be less than the amount originally paid. East African operators commonly apply escalating cancellation charges as the departure date approaches.

Your quotation or invoice may contain a specific cancellation schedule, which will apply to your booking where one has been provided.

8. Refunds

Where a refund is due, Rift & Ridge Safaris will process the refundable amount after determining the amounts retained by accommodation providers, airlines, parks, permit authorities, transport providers, and other suppliers.

Amounts already paid to third-party suppliers are refundable only to the extent that those suppliers return the funds to Rift & Ridge Safaris.

Bank charges, payment-processing charges, currency-conversion losses, and other non-recoverable transaction costs may be deducted where applicable.

9. Changes Requested by the Client

We understand that travel plans sometimes change. Requests to modify your:

Travel dates.
Accommodation.
Number of travellers.
Safari duration.
Activities.
Transportation.
Destinations.
Room arrangements.

should be made as early as possible.

We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested changes, subject to availability and any additional charges imposed by suppliers. Date changes involving permits, flights or accommodation may be subject to particularly strict conditions.

10. Changes to the Itinerary by Rift & Ridge Safaris

Safari travel involves operating in remote environments where weather, road conditions, wildlife movements, park regulations, border procedures, flight schedules, accommodation availability, security conditions, and other circumstances can change.

Where reasonably necessary, Rift & Ridge Safaris reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to an itinerary to protect the interests and safety of travelers or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control.

Where possible, we will provide an alternative arrangement of a similar standard and will inform the client of significant changes.

Comparable accommodation may occasionally be substituted when the originally booked property becomes unavailable. Such changes may be necessary because of circumstances outside the operator’s control. This type of flexibility is standard within adventure and safari travel.

11. Force Majeure

Rift & Ridge Safaris shall not be responsible for failure or delay in providing services where this results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include:

Severe weather.
Flooding.
Natural disasters.
Epidemics or pandemics.
Government restrictions.
Border closures.
Civil unrest.
Strikes.
Political disturbances.
War or security threats.
Road closures.
Major vehicle or infrastructure failures.
Flight cancellations.
Changes in wildlife or park regulations.
Other extraordinary events beyond our reasonable control.

Where such circumstances occur, we will make reasonable efforts to assist travelers and arrange suitable alternatives where possible.

12. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and may be required as a condition of booking.

Your policy should provide appropriate cover for medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cancellation, curtailment, baggage and personal belongings, travel delays, and activities included in your itinerary.

Safari destinations can be remote, and some activities may involve long road journeys or limited access to medical facilities. Clients should ensure that their insurance is suitable for the nature of their planned trip.

Travel-insurance requirements are also commonly included in East African safari booking conditions.

13. Health and Fitness

Clients are responsible for informing Rift & Ridge Safaris about any relevant mobility, dietary, medical, or accessibility requirements that may affect their trip.

Some safari activities involve walking, hiking, uneven terrain, altitude, long drives, early departures, and changing weather conditions.

Clients participating in gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, mountain hiking, or other physically demanding activities should ensure that they are appropriately prepared and able to participate safely.

14. Wildlife and Safari Safety

Wildlife encounters are conducted according to applicable park regulations and the instructions of our professional guides.

Clients must:

Follow their guide’s instructions.
Maintain appropriate distances from wildlife.
Remain in designated areas or vehicles where required.
Respect park rules.
Avoid feeding or provoking animals.
Follow accommodation safety procedures.

Wild animals are unpredictable, and Rift & Ridge Safaris cannot guarantee specific animal sightings or wildlife behavior.

15. Passports, Visas and Travel Documents

Clients are responsible for ensuring that their passports are valid and that they obtain all necessary visas, permits, vaccinations, entry documents, and other travel documentation required for their nationality and itinerary.

For multi-country safaris, travelers should ensure that their documentation permits entry into each country included in their itinerary.

Rift & Ridge Safaris may provide general guidance, but immigration and entry requirements remain the responsibility of the traveler.

16. Border Crossings

Cross-border itineraries involving Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, or other countries may be affected by immigration requirements, border operating procedures, security conditions, vehicle documentation, or government regulations.

Where a planned border crossing becomes unavailable or impractical, Rift & Ridge Safaris may need to modify the route or transportation arrangements.

Any additional costs arising from a client failing to meet immigration or documentation requirements may be the client’s responsibility.

17. Transportation

Safari vehicles are selected according to the itinerary and destination. Vehicles may include 4×4 safari vehicles, safari vans, or other appropriate transportation.

Travelers should expect that some East African roads can be rough, unpaved, remote, or affected by seasonal weather.

Vehicle substitutions may occasionally be necessary because of mechanical problems, availability, safety requirements, or other operational circumstances.

18. Accommodation

Accommodation is subject to availability and will be provided according to the category specified in the confirmed itinerary.

If the booked property becomes unavailable because of circumstances beyond our reasonable control, Rift & Ridge Safaris will seek suitable alternative accommodation, preferably of the same or comparable standard.

Requests for specific rooms, views, beds, adjoining rooms, or other special arrangements are subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed.

19. Flights and Missed Connections

Where domestic or regional flights are included in a safari package, they remain subject to the airline’s terms and operating schedules.

Clients are responsible for providing accurate flight information and allowing sufficient connection time.

Rift & Ridge Safaris is not responsible for additional costs arising from missed flights or connections caused by circumstances attributable to the traveler.

20. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

Provide accurate booking and passport information.
Pay all amounts by the stated deadlines.
Follow applicable laws and park regulations.
Follow reasonable instructions from guides and local representatives.
Respect local communities and cultures.
Respect wildlife and the environment.
Maintain appropriate travel documentation.
Inform us promptly about changes that may affect the safari.

Failure to comply with these responsibilities may result in additional costs or, in serious circumstances, termination of safari services without entitlement to a refund.

21. Complaints During the Safari

If you experience a problem during your safari, please notify your driver-guide or Rift & Ridge Safaris representative as soon as possible.

We will make reasonable efforts to correct problems while you are still traveling. Raising an issue promptly gives us the best opportunity to investigate and resolve it.

Where a client waits until after departure to report an issue that could reasonably have been resolved during the safari, our ability to remedy the matter may be limited.

22. Photographs and Marketing

Rift & Ridge Safaris may use photographs supplied by clients for marketing purposes only where the client has provided appropriate permission.

We will not knowingly use identifiable client photographs for promotional purposes without the necessary consent.

23. Responsible and Sustainable Tourism

Rift & Ridge Safaris supports responsible tourism that respects wildlife, local communities, cultural heritage, and conservation efforts.

Clients are expected to behave responsibly and avoid activities that damage the environment, disturb wildlife, or disrespect local communities.

24. Limitation of Responsibility

Rift & Ridge Safaris will exercise reasonable care in arranging the services included in your confirmed itinerary.

However, we cannot accept responsibility for circumstances that are genuinely outside our reasonable control, including independent actions of airlines, hotels, government authorities, wildlife authorities, border officials, or other third-party service providers.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to exclude or limit liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

25. Third-Party Suppliers

Accommodation providers, airlines, park authorities, transport companies, activity providers, and other suppliers operate under their own terms and conditions.

Where appropriate, supplier-specific terms may apply in addition to these Booking Terms and Conditions.

26. Data and Client Information

Rift & Ridge Safaris may collect information necessary to arrange your safari, including names, passport details, contact information, dietary requirements, accommodation preferences, and travel details.

Such information will be used for legitimate travel-planning and operational purposes and handled in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.

27. Acceptance of These Terms

Payment of a deposit or full balance constitutes acceptance of these Booking Terms and Conditions by the person making the booking and, where applicable, on behalf of all travellers named in the reservation.

Clients are encouraged to read the terms carefully and raise any questions before making payment.

28. Contact Rift & Ridge Safaris

If you have questions about your quotation, payment schedule, cancellation conditions, itinerary, permits, insurance, or any other aspect of your safari, please contact Rift & Ridge Safaris – The East African Safari Experts – before confirming your booking.