Detour Africa Tours and Safaris CC, hereinafter referred to as the “Detour Africa ” includes any of its affiliated, tour operators. The person or persons who have accepted our terms is hereinafter referred to as the “Client”. Upon acceptance, the Client agrees to be bound by these booking conditions and any contract between the client and Detour Africa is subject to and shall be governed and construed according to South African law.
Flexible Booking
Deposit from as little as 10% — terms tailored to your tour.
Booking requirements vary across Southern and East Africa depending on the destination, tour type, and travel dates. Most tours can be secured with a deposit of 10%, with the balance due closer to departure.
Some tours may require a higher deposit but your consultant will confirm the exact terms for your tour in writing before you commit to anything.
Making a Booking
To confirm a booking, a completed booking form must be submitted to Detour Africa together with the required deposit. Deposit requirements vary by tour and destination — your consultant will confirm the applicable amount when discussing your itinerary. As a general guide, a deposit of 10% secures most group departures. For private, premier and tailored itineraries, deposit requirements and payment deadlines may differ from our standard terms. Full details will always be confirmed in writing by your consultant before you commit to anything.
All deposits are non-refundable.
The balance of the tour cost is due prior to departure. Payment deadlines vary depending on your tour and destination and will be confirmed in writing at the time of booking. As a general guide, most balances are due between 30 and 60 days before departure.
Detour Africa will not process a booking until a completed booking form has been received, the required deposit has been paid, and these Terms and Conditions have been accepted. A written confirmation will be issued once all three have been received — at this point the booking is considered confirmed. Detour Africa reserves the right to decline any booking.
All prices and itineraries are correct at the time of publication. Detour Africa reserves the right to adjust prices, services, or departure dates without prior notice, including where costs are affected by changes in regional tariffs, park and conservation fees, or currency fluctuations. Any such adjustments will be made at Detour Africa’s discretion.
Cancellation by the Client
All cancellations must be submitted in writing and will only take effect once acknowledged in writing by Detour Africa.
Cancellation terms vary depending on the destination and type of tour. In some cases — particularly for private itineraries, peak season travel, or certain destinations — stricter conditions may apply. Your consultant will confirm any variations at the time of booking.
The following standard cancellation fees may apply:
For tours only in South Africa
For multiple cross country overland tours
If a client fails to join a tour, joins after the departure date, or leaves before its completion for any reason, no refund will be issued.
We strongly recommend that all clients take out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, including cover for cancellation and curtailment.
Changes by the Client
If you need to amend your travel dates or booking details, contact your consultant as early as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate the change. Amendments are subject to availability and must be confirmed in writing by Detour Africa. An amendment fee of USD 50 applies to any changes made after confirmation. If the original travel dates are no longer available, standard cancellation fees will apply based on the original departure date.
Cancellation by Detour Africa
Detour Africa reserves the right to cancel or amend any tour, though every effort is made to operate itineraries as confirmed. In the unlikely event that we cancel a tour, clients will be offered either a full refund or an alternative tour of equivalent value. If the alternative is priced lower, the difference will be refunded. If it is priced higher, the additional cost will be payable by the client.
All tours are conducted in English unless otherwise specified.
The Client accepts that it is his/her responsibility to arrange insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, curtailment, medical, emergency travel and personal accident is compulsory on all tours. Insurance for the loss of baggage, money or personal items is strongly recommended.
Detour Africa cannot be held responsible for any costs, losses or expenses incurred as a result of a client’s failure to arrange adequate travel insurance prior to departure.
If your tour includes a local payment, the amount will be advised at the time of booking confirmation. This is to be paid to the guide on the day of departure in cash only. No traveller’s cheques or other currencies will be accepted.
The Client is responsible for ensuring that all documents, passports, visas and health certificates are valid and meet the entry requirements of each country on their itinerary.
Visa requirements and entry conditions are subject to change. It is the Client’s responsibility to verify current requirements with the relevant embassies or authorities prior to travel. Detour Africa provides general guidance where possible but cannot be held responsible for changes to entry requirements that occur after the time of booking.
Should a Client be refused entry to any country due to incorrect or inadequate documentation, Detour Africa will not be liable for any costs, delays or repatriation expenses incurred.
All personal effects and luggage are at all times the Clients’ responsibility and Detour Africa will not accept liability for any loss or damage to luggage or personal effect.
Clients are entitled to one bag of not more than 20 kg and a small daypack. Detour Africa reserves the right to refuse excess luggage and large suitcases.
It is the responsibility of the Client to consult a health professional with respect to recommended and compulsory vaccinations and health precautions. Any pre-existing medical condition must be declared at the time of booking and the Client must make arrangements for the provision of drugs or other treatment that may be required during the tour.
The Client is aware of the proposed itinerary and that the tour requires a measure of physical fitness and health and that they are medically fit to embark on the tour. Detour Africa reserves the right to request a medical certificate and/or client indemnity form on selected overland tours for clients over the age of 55.
Anti-malaria precautions are recommended for all tours entering a Malaria zone and the Client is advised to bring insect repellent.
Onward travel arrangements should commence on the day after the tour ends. Onward arrangements made on the day the tour ends could result in failure to meet those arrangements and Detour Africa will not be held responsible for any resulting delays.
Unforeseen circumstances including weather, road conditions, war, mechanical breakdowns, riots and other reasons beyond the control of Detour Africa may cause delays or alterations to the tour. In the event of any of the aforementioned occurring, Detour Africa shall not be held liable in any way for any resulting costs of these delays or alterations.
The Client booking is accepted on the understanding by the Client that all tours are of an adventurous nature and involve an element of personal risk that is an inherent part of travel in Africa. The Client undertakes all tours entirely at his/her own risk and while Detour Africa take every precaution to ensure the safety of the Client, no responsibility can be accepted for any death, injury or loss that might occur to such Client, sustained from any cause what so ever.
The Client and his/her dependants, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, hereby indemnify and hold blameless Detour Africa, it’s members employees, representatives and agents from any claims of whatsoever nature and from any liability for delay, loss, damage, injury, illness or death arising from any cause whatsoever out of events related to or occurring during a tour. The client agrees to strictly abide by the laws and regulations of each country we visit.
The Client is responsible for checking in on time and is responsible for reconfirming flight times. Detour Africa is not responsible for delays caused by airline flight alterations, cancellations or delays.
If the Client books excursions not operated by Detour Africa (whether recommended by Detour Africa or not), Detour Africa will have no legal liability for problems arising from the excursion and any claim will be against the relevant local operator (e.g. white water rafting, bungee jumping, Delta etc)
If the Client has a complaint whilst being on tour, the Client must bring this to the guide’s attention so that it can be dealt with. If the matter isn’t resolved whilst on tour, the Client must write to Detour Africa within 30 days of completion of the tour. Detour Africa will not entertain complaints of loss of enjoyment where full land arrangements have been provided.
We know booking a trip involves a lot of trust and we don’t take that lightly. If anything in these terms is unclear or you have questions about the specific conditions that apply to your tour, just get in touch. Our consultants are happy to walk you through everything before you commit to anything.
Contact us on +27 21 424 1115 or email us at info@detourafrica.com