Firstly, I’d just like to say, if you’re reading this then it’s great you are looking into this type of travel. The positive impact your efforts will have on the local communities and wildlife is truly overwhelming. Spending time in Africa allows you to take time away from modern life and see things in a different way.
Through our projects you will improve the lives of rural communities, whist making new friends and learning new skills. You may even pick up some Swahili!
DEFINITIONS:
In these terms and conditions:
“Booking Form” – Means the form on which you book with us, and which showsdeposit, flight information, and also states the methods of payments that we accept.
“Camps International Limited” – Means Us, Otherwise known as Our or We.
“Contract” – Means an agreement binding in law between Camps International Limited and You, incorporating the Terms and Conditions, Booking Form and information contained in the Expedition Confirmation. It comes into force as in Paragraph. 1.3.
“Deposit” – Normally means £250. For late booking (within 56 days of departure) full payment is required. If you have elected to pay by instalments, we will still require an initial deposit of £250.
“Expedition Confirmation” – Means a confirmation of the key details of your Expedition and sets out the balance due and the date(s) by which further payment(s) must be made to meet that balance. We state clearly in this the items included in the price of your Expedition.
“Expedition” – Means all travel arrangements provided by Us.
“Force Majeure” – Means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which, neither we nor our suppliers and associates can avoid. For example, war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, government military or terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural or man made disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, level of water in rivers or similar events beyond our control.
“Terms and Conditions” – Means the information contained in this document.
“You” – Means the subject of the contract and all persons named in your Booking Form.
1. HOW TO BOOK
1.1 Having completed all sections, sign the Booking Form and send it to us with your Deposit. If you choose to book online we will need a signed paper copy of the Booking Form and payment of your Deposit within 7 days. The Deposit is nonrefundable in all circumstances, once we have issued the Expedition Confirmation (see paragraph 1.3).
1.2 You are to provide accurate and correct information on the Booking Form, for example full name and address as it appears on your passport, as this information will be passed to third parties such as flight providers. You will be liable for any costs incurred as a result of inaccurate or false information supplied.
1.3 When we are satisfied that we are able to provide the Expedition that we will have developed with you, we will send you the Expedition Confirmation. Full and final payment will be required at least 56 days before departure. Please check these details carefully and inform us immediately if you feel they are incorrect. We do not send reminders of payment dates (see paragraph 2.3).
1.4 The contract between You and Us is affirmed on the date the Deposit is received by us, subject to satisfactory medical condition, suitability for placement and in the case of ‘Team’ bookings, sufficient team members becoming available.
2. YOUR LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT
2.1 If you are over 18 and have signed the Booking Form, then you are responsible for the Total Expedition Cost.
2.2 Where any payment is made by us on your behalf (whether for you alone or for the Expedition generally), in foreign currency or in sterling drawn on a foreign bank, we reserve the right to pass on to you any resulting bank charges.
2.3 If we do not receive any payments by their due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and to levy cancellation charges (see clause 7).
3. PAYMENT OPTIONS
Payment can be made by cheque, debit card or credit card. There is no charge for paying by debit card. Payments made by credit card will incur an additional 1.5% charge. Cheques should be made payable to Camps International Limited.
4. EXPEDITION COST AND GUARANTEE
We reserve the right to increase the price of the Expedition in extreme circumstances only, between the date of issue of your booking form and departure. For example, the relevant currency exchange rate alters more than 5%; a government or official authority substantially levies or increases a tax, or transportation costs increase substantially.
5. ACCURACY OF INFORMATION
We take every care to ensure the accuracy of the information we provide on your Expedition and that it is as detailed as possible. All information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of going to press. We undertake to advise you of changes which affect you and become known to us after we have provided the Expedition Confirmation. Flights and other modes of transport are particularly outside our control. We cannot guarantee that departures and connections will leave/be made at the times stated or even at the times shown on your tickets. We will not be liable for delays but please note that compensation for delays may be included in the terms of your insurance. Please check the policy summary, once issued.
6. CHANGES BY YOU TO YOUR BOOKING
The criteria under which you may transfer your booking to another person are as follows:
6.1 The person wishing to take over your booking must meet any conditions which did apply to your Expedition and must agree to be bound by the Terms & Conditions in force at the time of change.
6.2 You, or the person taking over your booking, must pay any final balance due before the personnel change is made, together with any administration charges applicable and levied by us.
6.3 Any request to Transfer your booking must be received in writing on or before the date of final payment. It must be signed by the person(s) who signed the Booking Form and must enclose full details of the proposed new expedition member, all monies (in accordance with paragraph 6.2) and any travel documentation already issued to you by us.
6.4 We reserve the right to refuse any such change of personnel where it is deemed (in our sole opinion) prejudicial to the safe and efficient conduct of the Expedition and/or where the proposed new Expedition member is not (in our sole opinion) a fit and proper person for participation in the Expedition. In the event of any such refusal, or if we are unable to implement the requested change for reasons beyond our control, our normal cancellation charges will be applied and the contract will come to an end (see clause 8).
7. AMENDEMENT BY YOU
7.1 There is an administration fee of £35 per person, per change for all amendments affecting the Expedition requested at any stage, excluding personnel changes (see clause 6) and subject to payment by you of any costs we incur (see also clause 10).
7.2 In the event that you have made any of your travel or insurance arrangements independently then you are responsible for making any necessary amendments that may arise.
8. CANCELLATION BY YOU
8.1 If you wish to cancel a booking you must do so in writing by special delivery post, preceded by a fax, email or phone call if within 2 weeks of departure. The following cancellation charges will apply, the days in question being calculated to include the date on which we receive your written cancellation. If you have purchased our recommended insurance cover you will also forfeit your premium, as this is nonrefundable
in any event.
On and after receipt of Deposit £250 (non-refundable); Balance payment date 100% of total expedition cost; Late bookings (within 56 days of departure) 100% of total expedition cost.
8.2 The above charges cover cancellation charges to suppliers such as hotels, ferry companies and airlines, and also include our own administration charges. Once these charges are paid, the contract comes to an end.
8.3 If the reason for cancellation is covered by the insurance policy and you have taken the cover, the cancellation charge may be refunded by the insurance company in accordance with the details on the policy. Please check your policy, once received.
9. FLIGHTS AND AIRLINE CHANGES
Air Travel Arrangements are protected by ATOL and the Agent’s booking conditions apply. These are available on request. Your flight cost may be included in the total cost of your expedition. In this case a proportion of your payments will act as a deposit towards the cost of your flights. We will use our best endeavours to provide the best information available on the airlines that are likely to be used and the type of aircraft or any other form of transport on which you will travel.
10. AMENDMENT BY US
10.1 We try never to change your proposed Expedition but we must reserve the right to do so where (in our sole opinion) circumstances require it. This is necessary because of the nature both of our services and expedition travel, having particular regard to the safe and efficient conduct of the Expedition and its members.
10.2 We may also be required to amend your expedition by reason of Force Majeure. If this happens, or if we otherwise become unable to provide significant parts of the Expedition, we will make alternative Expedition arrangements for you, wherever possible, of an equivalent nature and standard (see paragraph 10.4).
10.3 If we need to amend your booking due to Force Majeure within 55 days of departure, we reserve the right to defer your departure date should we require additional time to secure the reserve expedition (see paragraph 10.4).
10.4 For each of our Expeditions we will identify wherever possible a reserve Expedition in the Expedition Confirmation which you will be obliged to accept should it become necessary (see paragraph 13.4).
11. CANCELLATION BY US
11.1 We reserve the right to treat your Expedition and booking as cancelled and levy cancellation charges (see clause 8):
(a) if you fail to make any payment when it becomes due; or
(b) if you behave in what we deem as an improper manner at any time prior to or after the departure date, (please see clause 13); or
(c) in any other circumstances specified in these terms and conditions entitling us to cancel your booking or the Expedition itself.
11.2 Wherever possible, we will only amend your booking in conjunction with the terms in Clause 10. We expect only to ever cancel clients' bookings in highly exceptional circumstances. However, due to the nature of our services and expedition/adventure travel generally, we must reserve the right to do so. We will not cancel it less than 56 days before departure unless the cancellation is due to 'Force Majeure.
11.3 If we are forced to cancel your Expedition due to Force Majeure within 55 days from departure we will offer you a full and prompt refund on all monies paid, less your deposit and a deduction in respect of basic administration charges; monies already paid, for example flight monies, and insurance. We will alternatively offer the opportunity to defer your Expedition until a later date.
11.4 If we cancel due to Force Majeure within 7 days of departure, you may be able to reclaim your money through your insurance policy. Please check this policy, once received.
11.5 We reserve the right to cancel your booking or exclude you at any time prior to or during the Expedition, if in our sole opinion you are not compatible with the general enjoyment, well being and safety of the Expedition. We also reserve the right for ourselves, our representatives, employees and agents to refuse further participation to you at any time if, in our or in their opinion, you are not fit for whatever reason to
participate in the Expedition (see clause 16).
11.6 In the case of ‘Team’ bookings, we reserve the right to cancel the expedition if for whatever reason, sufficient team members cannot be obtained.
12. OUR LIABILITY
12.1 Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you appreciate the possible risks inherent in adventure travel and you undertake the Expedition at your own risk and volition.
12.2 We undertake to use all reasonable skill and care in the preparation of your Expedition and in the choice of providers of services and equipment where we are not ourselves providing such services and/or equipment. We cannot and do not accept any liability for the actions or omissions of any third party providers of services and/or equipment.
12.3 Please note that if your Expedition involves transportation, (e.g. a flight or ferry crossing) the relevant transport company's conditions of carriage will apply directly and do not form part of the contract between you and us. Their conditions may exclude or limit liability. In cases of lost or damaged baggage, or cases of death or personal injury arising in the course of international air or sea travel or in connection with hotel accommodation, the amount of compensation you will receive is limited by certain international Conventions, namely the Warsaw Convention, the Athens Convention and the Paris Convention. Copies of these Conventions should be available at your local reference library. We accept no liability for your personal effects.
12.4 Except in cases of personal injury or death caused by our negligence, the amount of compensation we will pay you for any default by us will be limited to a reasonable amount having regard to the price of the Expedition and will in no event exceed such price. Our assessment of the reasonable compensation to which you are entitled will depend upon the circumstances of your particular case.
12.5 We cannot accept any responsibility if you suffer death or personal injury from an activity that is not part of the Expedition arrangements we make for you. We also cannot be held responsible for the consequences of your actions should you choose to ignore the advice given to you by Us, your Expedition Leader or any of our employees, representatives, agents or contractors.
12.6 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
13. YOUR LIABILITY TO US
13.1 On receipt of your Expedition Confirmation, you must check it carefully to ensure that we have interpreted your instructions correctly and you must also ensure that you have notified us, in writing, of any special requirements upon which you intend to rely.
13.2 While on the Expedition and during preparation in the UK, you must behave in an appropriate manner and avoid causing damage, distress, danger or annoyance to other Expedition members or to third parties. You must not damage any property with which you come into contact during your Expedition and if you do, you will be liable for the cost of repair or replacement at the time and any costs incurred should we have to terminate your expedition prematurely.
13.3 You must also comply with all local laws and instructions of our staff and authorised representatives, and this includes the entry requirements of the country to be entered, for example, compulsory vaccinations and immunisations (see paragraph 11.5).
13.4 In the event of an amendment to your Expedition, (see clause 10) you are obliged to accept that change so long as it is one providing for an expedition which, in our opinion, is of an equivalent nature and quality.
14. COMPLAINTS
Any deficiency in your Expedition should be reported immediately to Us to allow an opportunity for immediate remedial action to be taken. Failure to do this may reduce or even completely extinguish your legal right to claim compensation. In the unlikely event that, having taken the action outlined above, any problem cannot be resolved to your satisfaction while you are on the Expedition and you wish to take the matter up
with us after your return, you should write to us within 28 days of the end of your Expedition giving full details of your complaint. After this time we regret that we are unable to guarantee any further investigation or action.
15. PASSPORT &VISA REQUIREMENTS
15.1 A full, current and valid passport (with necessary visas) is required for all periods, countries and territories within your Expedition. This is your responsibility although advice only, may be available from us (see paragraph 15.3).
15.2 Applications for a ten year passport may take more than one month to process - check with your regional office. Please check the expiry date of any passport you currently hold. If you do not hold a current British or EU passport, you should check the Visa regulations for your intended travel itinerary, with the relevant embassies.
15.3 We will not be responsible if you fail to travel with a proper valid passport and/or visas and you will be liable to reimburse us if we incur any expense in assisting you in such circumstances. We will offer you appropriate advice and assistance in respect of visa requirements for British or EU passport holders and also in respect of principal health requirements. (e.g. vaccinations).
16. HEALTH AND FITNESS
16.1 We draw your attention to the fact that our Expeditions can be physically strenuous; we can advise you how to train effectively prior to the Expedition, so as to gain maximum enjoyment from the Expedition. Please inform us on the booking form if you have health conditions that could affect your participation in the Expedition or any of the activities contemplated.
16.2 Whilst we offer relevant advice and guidance, it is your responsibility to verify your health and vaccination requirements for the Expedition and for obtaining all necessary prescriptions, medicines and vaccinations that you need - please consult your G.P. or other suitably qualified physician.
16.3 If you are suffering from any of the conditions set out on the Booking Form, or others, we reserve the right not to accept your booking. We may however, request further information and if provided with a suitable certificate from a doctor, accept you as an Expedition member. Please seek specialist advice.
16.4 Where your health is being adversely affected by the Expedition, for example suffering from altitude sickness, we reserve the right to require you to cease to or not to participate on some or all of the activities planned for your Expedition.
16.5 You should be aware that for some, Home Sickness may become a symptom of expedition travel to unfamiliar environments. Every effort will be made by Us to assist you acclimatise to your new surroundings. In the event that you choose to prematurely cancel your Expedition due to Home Sickness, We will levy any charges we incur as a result of repatriating you and our normal cancellation terms apply.
17. INSURANCE
17.1 Due to the nature of our Expeditions, we require you to take out comprehensive travel insurance. You must provide us with evidence of your insurance policy that it is in force prior to your departure.
17.2 We reserve the right to refuse to accept you on the Expedition if you do not have insurance cover which we consider adequate for your Expedition. We accept no liability for any deficiencies in any insurance policy.
18. INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Whilst we make every effort to ensure that your expedition is safeguarded from terrorism by relying upon the best available advice at that time, due to the unpredictable nature of global terrorism we can make no guarantees. By signing the Booking Form you agree to travel at your own risk and that you have made your own enquiries as you consider necessary. We expressly exclude all liability (direct and indirect) for any losses or damages whatsoever that you may suffer or incur as a result of or in connection with an act of terrorism. Please check the insurance policy, once received, for their position.
19. LAW AND JURISDICTION
The contract between you and us and any matters arising from it will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and are subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.
