Terms & Conditions

AFRICA BY DESIGN – TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

1. UNDERTAKING

Africa By Design undertakes to provide all services offered subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, which terms and conditions are accepted by the traveler. 

2. DEFINITION

  1. Africa by Design means: Africa by Design (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2015/183971/07
  2. Traveller means: Individuals, groups, companies or other legal persons using the services offered by Africa by Design and includes the agents of travelers.
  3. Services means: The provision of accommodations and/or transportation and/or meals and/or any and all other travel services and activities as offered or provided by Africa by Design and accepted by the traveler.

3. DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENT

a. Upon confirmation:

  • 30% of total estimated program costs is payable upon confirmation. This deposit payment represents the purchaser and/or passenger’s acceptance of Africa By Design’s terms and conditions as detailed below.
  • Full payment of flights. Airline terms and conditions applies based on the class booked
  • Once quote has been accepted an amendment fee will be charged of R700.00 per amendment

b. 60 days prior to arrival:

  • Balance of payment of the total estimated program is required.

c. Bookings made within 60 days of commencement of services must be accompanied by full payment of the tour plus rooming list. Where circumstances do not permit the timeous receipt of funds, explicit confirmation of transfer of funds will enable us to reserve services.

d. If payments are made in negotiable foreign currency, the payer will be responsible for any short payment resulting from exchange rate fluctuations. The exchange rate applied by the official bankers of Africa by Design on receipt of moneys will be accepted as the applicable rate.

e. If the required deposit or final payment is not received by due date, Africa by Design reserves the right to withdraw services.

f. The non-issuing of an invoice or non-payment of deposit will not exempt travelers from these payment terms.

g. Payments can be made via electronic transfer (EFT) or credit card. EFT payments may be deposited directly into the bank accounts specified on invoice.

4. CANCELLATION POLICY

  • More than 61 days prior to arrival – 30% cancellation fee (i.e. lose the deposit)
  • 60 days or less prior to arrival – 100% cancellation fee
  • “No Shows” – These will be charged at 100% of contracted value.
  • We recommend that travelers take adequate personal cancellation insurance cover before departure from home.
  • The non-issuing of an invoice or non-payment of deposit will not exempt travelers from these cancellation terms.

5. AMENDMENTS

Much care has gone into the composition of programs and tours for travelers, however circumstances such as currency devaluation, fuel surcharges or price amendments by suppliers may necessitate changes in costs and tour programs. Should this occur, you would be notified as soon as possible, although Africa by Design does reserve the right to change the itinerary of the tour without prior notice. Notwithstanding that deposits or complete payments have been made, any increases up until the date of departure of arrangements resulting to the above are to be paid by the traveler. If such increases are unacceptable, the traveler may cancel his/her booking, though in so doing he/she is still liable to pay any cancellation charges imposed in the way of cancellation, administration, communication charges etc.

Africa By Design reserves the right to change the itinerary or arrangements, should conditions necessitate, without prior notice. We will offer substitutes of equal value to any scheduled/booked services. 

Africa By Design will not be liable for any loss or damage that may be incurred due to changes, omissions or delays before or during the course of the tour caused by technical difficulties, weather conditions, communication breakdowns or events beyond our control.

6. TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is strongly recommended to take out Travel Insurance against cancellation, trip interruption coverage, medical expenses, personal accident, loss or damage to personal property, loss or damage to luggage. Neither Africa By Design nor persons acting for, through or on behalf of the Company shall be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever.

7. REFUNDS

  • Once the tour has commenced, refunds will not be made for voluntarily missed tours, meals or other special activities. We regret we can make no exception to the charges and strongly recommend that insurance be taken out to cover cancellation fees.
  • Should suppliers have stricter terms and conditions to the ones mentioned above, these terms and conditions will be applied and will be communicated at the time of booking.

8. VISAS AND PASSPORT

  • Agents and guests are required to ensure that all such requirements are attended to as Africa by Design accepts no responsibility in this regard.
  • Visitors to South Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure date from South Africa and 6 months after the intended departure date for the rest of Southern Africa.
  • Passports should also have a minimum of two blank passport pages per country visited. The blank pages cannot include the “endorsement” page at the back of the book. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry into a country could be denied. If you require a visa, you must ensure that your passport has two blank facing pages – one for the visa and one for the entry stamp. Visitors who intend on travelling to South Africa’s neighboring countries and back are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.

9. HEALTH

  • Immunization requirements vary from country to country and up-to-date information should be obtained from your local health department prior to your trip.
  • We strongly suggest that clients take anti-malaria medication prior to commencing their safaris, should you be entering malaria area. Please consult your doctor for specific medical advice. Please note that if you are arriving into South Africa from a yellow fever zone (e.g. Brazil) you will need to provide proof to the South African authorities that you have had a yellow fever inoculation.
  • No other medication or inoculations are currently necessary but please check with your health department for any possible changes in health regulations. Clients with specific health problems or requirements must notify us in advance.
  • Please note that if you are arriving into South Africa from a yellow fever zone then you will need to provide proof to the South Africa authorities that you have had a yellow fever inoculation.
  • Clients with specific health problems or specific requirements must notify Africa by Design in advance.

10. BAGGAGE 

  • Depending on airlines and class travelling, typically passengers are limited to one suitcase and one piece of hand-luggage to carry on-board the aircraft. Please do not pack valuables in your checked luggage.
  • Africa By Design cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to baggage and valuables such as photographic equipment, jewelry etc.
  • In the event that there is not sufficient space in the vehicle or the aircraft for excess baggage, it will be the passenger’s responsibility to transport or store the excess baggage. Luggage storage facilities are available in Johannesburg at an additional cost.
  • NO valuables should be packed and left in stored luggage.
  • NOTE: For light/small aircraft travel within South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia each passenger is limited to one soft-sided bag, the maximum weight limit is 20kgs (44lbs) per person, plus a typical sized camera bag. Should passengers arrive with excess baggage without prior warning, their baggage could be delayed as alternative arrangements (at considerable cost to clients) will need to be made. However, should clients know in advance that their baggage will exceed the limit; an extra seat (for the bags) can usually be booked at additional cost, on the aircraft. Maximum luggage size is 25cm x 30cm x 62cm.

 11. AIRLINES:

  • Tour packages may be sold in conjunction with an airline. The passengers’ ticket shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the passenger.
  • Fares and seat availability are subject to changes and increases at any time prior to a booking created and issue of tickets.
  • Airlines require the full names of the passengers as printed on the passports and won’t accept changes once the tickets are booked. Africa by Design does not accept responsibility for incorrect spelling of names, therefore please ensure that you provide us with the accurate information.
  • Travellers are also required to provide Africa by Design with their passport number and date of birth.
  • Group bookings subject to different policy.

12. INDEMNITY

  • Africa by Design, its agents, and sponsoring organizations act only as agent for the suppliers of transportation, accommodations, food, and other goods and services provided to the traveler. All arrangements for transport, accommodations, and services are made upon the express condition that Africa by Design shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity of any kind occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, cruise line, train, hotel, restaurant, ground handler, etc., who is to or does supply any goods or services for the tour. Without limiting the foregoing, Africa by Design is not responsible for any losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, quarantine, criminal activity, or for any other cause beyond its control.
  • Safari programs may take travelers into close contact with wild animals. Rangers and guides should brief travelers accordingly, however, neither Africa by Design nor their employees can be held responsible for any injury or accident while on safari. Travellers will be expected to sign an indemnity upon check-in at the safari lodge, indemnifying lodge/ reserve or any of its employees, representatives and/ or contractors in the event of any loss or damage to my/our property, inclusive of any damaged to my/ our luggage or bodily or personal injury, whether fatal or otherwise, being sustained by me/ us which results directly or indirectly from my/our reservation, staying at the lodge/ reserve and/or participating in any activities arranged by the lodge/ reserve.
  • Certain activities included in the booked services may carry potential risk to travellers, such as but not limited to helicopter flights, paragliding, abseiling, quad biking etc. Travellers may be required to sign an indemnity with the suppliers of these “high risk” activities.   
  • We strongly recommend that travellers take adequate personal travel insurance cover before departure from home.

13. RIGHT OF REFUSAL

Africa By Design may decline to accept or retain any passenger as a participant on the tour at any time. If any passenger leaves or is removed from the tour, a refund only for refundable unused services shall be made.

14. NEW REGULATIONS FOR ADULTS TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

  1. Effective from 01 June 2015 the new regulation requires that parents travelling with children under the age of 18 years of age, arriving, transiting and/or departing from South Africa must present an unabridged birth certificate indicating the biological parents of the minor.
  2. When the regulation comes into effect, if both parents named on the unabridged birth certificate are not travelling with the child, the following additional requirements will apply:
  3. In the event of children travelling with only one parent, consent from the other parent is required.
  4. An unabridged birth certificate must be presented as well as one of the following:
    • A court order granting full parental rights and responsibilities or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child.
      1. An affidavit from the other parent granting permission for the child to leave the country.
      2. A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child.
      3. If applicable, the death certificate of the other parent registered on the birth certificate.

15. JURISDICTION

The law of the Republic of South Africa shall govern the relationship between Africa by Design and the traveller and the Courts of the Republic of South Africa shall have sole jurisdiction in respect of any claims and/or disputes which may arise between Africa by Design and the traveller, or Agent.

16. ACCEPTANCE

Deposits paid indicate acceptance of the mentioned Terms and Conditions and thereby accept that you are voluntarily participating in these services/ activities with the knowledge of the dangers/ risks involved and hereby agree to accept any risks.