TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Tanzania Voyages Ltd provides you with two options of making payment, International bank transfer or Online Credit Card.
• International wire transfer
• Online Credit Card
NOTE: Please be acknowledged that there is a 4% bank surcharge for credit card transactions, that has to be added on top of the original cost. The 4% charge does not come from Tanzania Voyages, it is a bank surcharge for credit card transactions.
• We require 30% of the quoted package price (excluding flights) upon confirmation which is paid to the accommodations to secure your reservation and booking.
• We accept full payments from the time the booking is confirmed.
• Full payment must be made 30 days prior to the day your safari begins.
• All prices are quoted in US dollars so payments must be made in US dollars. You can make the payment through online credit card or wire transfer. Wire transfer is highly recommended.
90 days or more – 25% of the total safari cost will be charged
89 days – 31 days – 50% of the total safari cost charged
30 days – 2 days – 75% of the total safari cost will be charged
And 100% charge within 48 hours
Note: Only written (e-mail) cancellations based on the received date of the email will be considered valid and approved. You will receive written confirmation your cancellation has been received. The cancellation policy only applies only if full payment is made.
If the reason for cancellations is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges. Notwithstanding the above, if we have issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to cancel them then we will not refund you any monies for these tickets.
We reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your holiday for any reason at any time before full payment has been received. We cannot accept liability or pay compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you suffer any damage or loss as a result of force majeure. In these booking conditions force majeure means any event which we or the supplier of services in question could not even with all due care foresee or avoid.
Such events are likely to include war, the threat of war, civil strife, riot, civil disorder/unrest, industrial dispute, actual or threat of terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, break out of an epidemic or pandemic disease, technical problems with transport, cancelation or amendment to any scheduled flight, closure, congestion of airports or ports, adverse weather conditions and all similar events outside our control. In the circumstances amounting to force majeure, we will not refund any money to you although if we can recover any monies from our supplies we will refund these to you.
It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your holiday although we reserve the right to make changes at any time. Most of these changes are minor and we will advise you of these in writing at the earliest possible date. When major change is necessary such as alternation of your outward or return flights by more than 12 hours or a significant change in the standard of accommodation, provided it does not arise from conditions amounting to force majeure or as a result of an amendment to a scheduled airline timetable, you will have the choice of accepting the new arrangements, taking another holiday with us or canceling your holiday and receiving a full refund of all monies paid.
Compensation will not be payable and no liability beyond offering the above – mentioned choices can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. No compensation will be payable and the above-mentioned options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to cancel, or if the change is a minor one. Please note we cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense, or other sums of any descriptions, which
• On the basis of the information given to us by you concerning your booking prior to our accepting it, we could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if we breached our contract with you, or
• Did not result from any breach of contract or any other fault by ourselves or our employees, or where we are responsible for them our suppliers. Additionally, we cannot accept liability for any sums that relate to any business losses.
Carriage by air and sea is subject to the terms and conditions of the carriers with whom you are traveling and to international conventions. TVL accepts no liability whatsoever for cancellations, strikes, timetable change, diversions, technical issues unrelated to TVL, lost or mislaid luggage, rescheduling costs, missed accommodation, or delays that result from any operational decision of the carrier concerned. TVL accepts no liability for death, injury, or illness that derives from carriage by air or sea.
You must ensure that your travel documents, passports, visas and vaccination certificate are in order and that you ensure that you have taken the advice of your GP with regard to inoculations. We refer in particular to our pre-departure information sheet. TVL will offer general advice but cannot be held responsible if you do not comply with current requirements before your departure. TVL does not accept liability for any advice given of a general nature prior to the holiday commencing. You are responsible for a timely-check in for all flights and for presenting yourself to take up all pre-booked components of your holiday. No credit or refund will be given to you should you fail to take up any component of your holiday or if you lose any travel documents. TVL draws your attention to the fact that there are certain inherent risks involved in all of the holidays to Africa that we supply and these must be accepted by you at your own risk. If you wish to discuss any such risks with us we would more than happy to provide advice over the telephone or in writing.
TVL encourages its clients to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependents and traveling companions for the duration of their tour. We recommend that you buy travel insurance through your agent before coming to East Africa, but local evacuation coverage is available in the unlikely event of a medical emergency while out in the bush.
Clients with physical challenges or disabilities must communicate their special need requirements at the time of the booking. These needs include, but not limited to, dietary restrictions, physical, mental or psychological, medication or other needs. All necessary information must be shared clearly with TVL to understand the nature of any challenge to ensure these needs are accommodated. TVL accommodates clients with disabilities. However, there are limitations and we wish to ensure all safeguards are in place for your experience which may include stand-by medical assistance, adjusted vehicles or accommodation, altered itineraries and other.
At any time, baggage and personal effects are at the client’s responsibility and the company does not accept any liability for any loss or damage of any personal effects, howsoever arising. Clients are entitled to one bag of not more than 15 kg (backpack or soft bag –no hardtop suitcase) and a daypack. The Company reserves the right to refuse excess baggage. Please notice that on our trekking tours and on some “bush flights” other baggage regulations may apply.
All our prices are based on the current national park fees, accommodations and government taxes. Any increase in government taxes affecting costs included in the tour price will be passed through and paid for by the client. Any increase in the tour price due to a government tax rate hike shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund or fees already paid for the tour.
TVL reserves the right to use any photographs/videos taken during safari for marketing purposes. However, you retain the right to use the photographs/videos though TVL retains copyright authority. Any use of imagery will be communicated to you and appeal or objection from your part will be considered by TVL.
Please be aware that our safari may take you into close contact with wild animals. Attacks by wild animals are pretty rare, but no safari into African wilderness can guarantee that this will not happen. TVL cannot be held responsible for any injury or incident on the safari. Please note that the majority of the safari camps and lodges are inside the parks and are not fenced and that wildlife do move freely in and around the camps/lodges. Always follow the safety instructions from the camp’s staff and your guide with regards to moving to and from your tent and while on game drive activities throughout your safari.
No guarantees are given for sightings of specific species of wildlife or for what may be considered “good or poor game viewing” as the animals inhabiting the areas you will visit are wild and therefore behave as such. TVL cannot be held responsible in any way for the presence or lack thereof of wildlife numbers, not for the quality of game viewing on your safari.
We cannot be held responsible for road and airstrip conditions, which may make travel impossible at times. Any changes to the initial itinerary are subject to the conditions and rates outlined above, despite any access matters or weather conditions.
The above terms and conditions together with all correspondences form part of your contract with TVL.
This contract and any matters arising from it shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Tanzania law and the courts of Tanzania which shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any and all proceedings between us either relating to our contract or arising out of it.
Month-by-month guide for travelling in Tanzania
This is the time to witness the great wildebeest migration in the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Exact locations for the best viewing of the migration can vary with each rain season as the migration moves according to the rain patterns. Between January and March, calving happens in the Southern plains of Serengeti. This is quite a spectacle as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra drop their calves, with predators on hunting. It is also the best time to watch large herds of elephant, large predators and hundreds species of birds in Tarangire national park.
The best places to go during this time depend on the timing of the rainy season in any particular year. Some of the wildebeest migration herds will still be in parts of Southern Serengeti and some will be spread out from Southern plains to the central Serengeti areas, and slowly heading to into the western corridor of Serengeti.
The best place to witness the great migration is the western corridor of the Serengeti, along the Grumeti River, Kirawira and Nyasirori plains. This is also the good time to explore Seronera area and Eastern Serengeti for all kinds of animal especially big cats. Central Serengeti is all year round accessible for game viewing activities. Explore Tarangire National Park, one of the greatest wildlife refuges in Africa with less number of tourists.
This is the best time and one of the highest seasons for visitors. The vegetation is relatively getting dry and animals gather around permanent water’s points. The wildebeest migration at this time will be around Mara River in the Northern Serengeti. This is the best time you can witness the migration crossing with crocodiles attack. Tarangire National Park is really worth visiting during this time as large herds of elephant, zebra and wildebeest are easily seen along the Tarangire River and Silalei Swamp while predators lying in wait.
This is the short rainy season the vegetation is turning greener and beautiful landscapes in Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti. While Christmas and New Year is the highest season to do safari in Northern Tanzania, November and December other than the holidays are relatively quiet times to come, though there’s still more to see. If you want to witness the great migration herds, it is likely to see them at Eastern, some parts of Central and Southern Serengeti. This is the best time to come as it is less crowded with tourists, so you will have a quieter experience while the wildlife is abundant.
Creating tailor-made tours for over 10 years
Due to Tanzania’s close proximity to the equator, we generally only have two seasons; a rainy season and dry season. Short rainy season is from November to January and long rainy season is March through May. Dry season usually starts from July to October.
Majority of people will suggest that the best time to visit Tanzania is between July to October. This is the dry season, means that animals wandering searching for water, which makes them relatively easy to spot. You will probably see them in large concentrations as the watering points and rivers are getting limited. Most of the water’s sources dry up or get smaller during the dry season. However because most people believe that July to October is the best time to come, it is also the busiest time in the national parks. This means that majority of people miss the hidden treasures that can be found at other times of the year.
Here is a short overview of what the year looks like in our National Parks.
Ideas and travel guides for exploring Tanzania
High Season
- From June to October
- It is the dry season
- Climate: Dry and warm, although there is short rains between August and September
- Higher rates applied Great Migration Mara River crossing
Recommended Itineraries
- Great Migration River Crossing
- Kilimanjaro and Safari adventure
- Cultural and Great Migration experience
- Serengeti Migration and Zanzibar
- Kenya and Tanzania Game Safari
- Tanzania Camping Safari
Mid Season
- From November to February
- It is the short rains season
- Climate: Short rains, hot and dry in some days
- Average rates applied
- Great Migration Southern Serengeti (Calving Season)
Recommended Itineraries
- Special Green Season
- Wildebeest Migration and Cultural Safari
- Tanzania Signature Safari
- Tanzania Luxury Safari
- Tanzania Safari Adventure
Low Season
- From March to May
- Long rain season
- Climate: Rainy days, occasionally warm
- Lower rates applied
- Great Migration safari Southern to central Serengeti
Recommended Itineraries
- Special Green Season
- Tanzania Highlights Safari
- Wildebeest Migration and Cultural Safari