Terms & Conditions

1. Booking & Confirmation

1.1 How to Book

You may book a safari by submitting an enquiry through our website contact form, by email to book@apesandwildlife.com, or by telephone/WhatsApp at +256 709 960 384. We will respond with a personalised itinerary and quote within 24–48 hours.

1.2 Booking Confirmation

A booking is only confirmed when all of the following conditions are met:

1. You have received and approved your written itinerary and quotation;
2. You have paid the required deposit (see Section 2.1); and
3. We have issued a written booking confirmation to your email address.

Verbal agreements or informal messages do not constitute a confirmed booking. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion.

1.3 Accuracy of Booking Information

You are responsible for ensuring all booking information is accurate — including passport details and names that must match your travel documents exactly for gorilla and chimpanzee permit applications submitted to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Errors in name or date details may result in permit forfeiture without refund, as permits are strictly non-transferable.

2. Pricing & Payments

2.1 Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total safari cost is required to confirm your booking. This deposit secures gorilla trekking permits (UWA/RDB), accommodation, and other advance bookings. Permits must be purchased far in advance due to very limited daily availability.

2.2 Final Payment

The remaining balance (70%) is due no later than 60 days before your confirmed arrival date. For bookings made within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Failure to pay by the due date may result in cancellation and forfeiture of your deposit.

2.3 Currency & Pricing

All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise stated. Prices are based on group size, accommodation category, activities selected, and prevailing permit fees at the time of quoting. We reserve the right to adjust prices in the event of significant changes in permit fees imposed by UWA, RDB, Kenya Wildlife Service, Tanzania National Parks, or other government authorities, fuel surcharges, or exchange rate fluctuations exceeding 10%. You will always be notified before final confirmation.

2.4 Inclusions & Exclusions

Your quotation clearly itemises what is included and excluded. As a general guide:

Typically Included: Accommodation per itinerary, all meals as specified, gorilla/chimpanzee/activity permits as specified, 4×4 safari vehicle with driver-guide, national park entry fees, airport transfers, and bottled water in vehicle.

Typically Excluded: International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal items, alcoholic beverages, tips and gratuities, laundry, medical expenses, and optional activities not in the itinerary.

2.5 Payment Methods

We accept international bank transfer (preferred for large amounts), Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card, PayPal, and mobile money for East Africa clients. Card payments may attract a 2–3% processing fee, which will be disclosed before payment.

3. Cancellations & Refunds

3.1 Cancellation by the Client

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to book@apesandwildlife.com. Charges are calculated from the date we receive your written notification:

3.2 Cancellation by Apes & Wildlife Safaris

We reserve the right to cancel or significantly amend a safari in exceptional circumstances including natural disasters, political instability, government-declared emergencies, park closures, or force majeure events (see Section 10). In such cases, we will:

1. Notify you as soon as practicable;
2. Offer an alternative itinerary or travel dates of equivalent value; or
3. Provide a refund of all recoverable amounts, excluding permits and non-refundable supplier costs.

We are not liable for costs such as international flights, visas, or travel insurance that you may have arranged independently.

3.3 Amendments by the Client

We will make every effort to accommodate changes requested after booking. Amendment fees may apply depending on the nature of the change. Changes to permit dates are subject to availability and fees charged by UWA or RDB. Changes to group size may result in price adjustments.

4. Travel Insurance (Mandatory)

Comprehensive travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all clients booking with Apes & Wildlife Safaris. Your policy must, at a minimum, cover:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation
• Medical evacuation and repatriation (minimum USD $200,000 coverage)
• Trip cancellation and curtailment
• Loss of gorilla trekking or other permits due to illness or injury
• Personal liability (minimum USD $1,000,000)
• Loss or theft of personal belongings

5. Health, Fitness & Medical Requirements

5.1 Fitness for Safari

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) or Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) can involve strenuous hiking for several hours through dense mountain rainforest. You must be in reasonable physical health and capable of moderate to strenuous exercise. We reserve the right to exclude any client from any activity if their health or fitness poses a risk to themselves or others.

5.2 Medical Conditions

You must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, physical limitations, or special dietary requirements at the time of booking. This information is treated confidentially and used solely to tailor your experience. We cannot accept liability for health events arising from undisclosed conditions. See our Health & Safety FAQ →

5.3 Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Health Rules

To protect the critically endangered mountain gorilla population, national park regulations strictly prohibit anyone with a cold, flu, fever, diarrhoea, or any contagious illness from participating in gorilla or chimpanzee trekking. If you are found unwell at the park gate, you will be excluded from the trek without refund of the permit fee. This rule is enforced without exception by Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board.

5.4 Vaccinations & Health Precautions

A valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Uganda and is checked at the border. Recommended vaccinations include typhoid, hepatitis A & B, meningitis, and tetanus. Malaria prophylaxis is essential for all East African destinations. Consult a qualified travel health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure.

6. Visas, Passports & Travel Documents

You are solely responsible for ensuring you hold a valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond your return date, and for obtaining all required entry visas and permits for your destination countries.

• Uganda: Visa on arrival or online at evisa.go.ug (USD $50 single-entry)
• East Africa Tourist Visa: Valid for Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya — USD $100 (recommended for multi-country trips)
• Rwanda: Visa-free for 90+ nationalities; e-visa available online
• Kenya: e-visa via Kenya eCitizen portal (USD $50)
• Tanzania: Visa on arrival or e-visa online (USD $50)
• Botswana: Visa-free for many nationalities; check your country’s requirements
• Burundi, South Sudan, DR Congo: Visa required — contact us for current guidance

Apes & Wildlife Safaris provides general visa guidance but is not responsible for the outcome of visa applications or denial of entry to any country. Always verify requirements with the relevant embassy.

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 Our Responsibility

Apes & Wildlife Safaris acts as a principal tour operator and is responsible for services we directly provide, including safari vehicles, driver-guides, and in-house logistics. We carefully select all partner lodges, camps, domestic airlines, and activity providers, but these are operated by independent third parties.

7.2 Exclusions of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Ugandan law, Apes & Wildlife Safaris shall not be liable for:

• Acts, omissions, or negligence of third-party service providers (lodges, airlines, park authorities);
• Death, personal injury, illness, or property damage unless caused by our proven negligence;
• Losses arising from force majeure events (see Section 10);
• Failure to secure gorilla or chimpanzee permits due to limited availability or permit authority restrictions;
• Wildlife encounters — all interactions with wild animals carry inherent risk;
• Road conditions, weather, or natural environment factors affecting the safari;
• Loss of or damage to personal belongings, money, documents, or equipment;
• Costs of international flights, visas, or other independently arranged travel;
• Any consequential, indirect, or punitive losses.

7.3 Maximum Liability

Where liability cannot be excluded, our maximum liability to any client is limited to the total amount paid by that client to Apes & Wildlife Safaris for the specific safari booking giving rise to the claim.

8. Client Conduct & Code of Behaviour

We expect all clients to behave responsibly and respectfully toward fellow travellers, local communities, wildlife, and the natural environment. By booking with Apes & Wildlife Safaris, you agree to:

• Follow all instructions given by your guide, driver, or park ranger at all times;
• Maintain the minimum 7-metre distance rule when viewing gorillas and chimpanzees;
• Not touch, feed, or disturb any wild animal;
• Not drop litter or damage vegetation in national parks or reserves;
• Respect local customs, dress codes, and cultural sensitivities in all destinations including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana;
• Not engage in illegal activities, including the purchase of illegal wildlife products;
• Not use flash photography around primates or nocturnal animals;
• Not participate in activities that exploit local people or communities.

Apes & Wildlife Safaris reserves the right to terminate the safari of any client whose behaviour is deemed dangerous, abusive, or in violation of these standards. No refund will be issued, and the client bears all costs of their return home.

9. Self-Drive Safaris & Car Hire Partners

For clients who wish to explore Uganda and East Africa independently, we recommend the use of a reputable 4×4 car hire agency. Uganda’s national parks — including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park — require reliable 4-wheel drive vehicles due to remote, mountainous, and unpaved road conditions.

When using any third-party car hire service, please note that the vehicle hire agreement is between you and the car hire company directly. Apes & Wildlife Safaris does not accept liability for any incidents arising from self-drive arrangements made independently. Always ensure your hired vehicle is comprehensively insured and that you carry all required cross-border documentation.

10. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be in breach of these Terms or liable for delay or failure in performance if such delay results from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters — earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, pandemics, or epidemics;
• Acts of terrorism, war, civil unrest, or government-imposed travel restrictions;
• Strikes, industrial action, or infrastructure failures;
• National park closures ordered by the Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, Kenya Wildlife Service, or any government authority;
• Extreme weather events rendering travel unsafe.

In the event of force majeure, Apes & Wildlife Safaris will endeavour to offer alternative travel dates or credits. Refunds will be limited to amounts recoverable from our suppliers. This is why comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory — see Section 4.

11. Photography & Intellectual Property

You may take personal photographs and videos during your safari for non-commercial purposes. You agree not to photograph local people, particularly children, without their consent. Commercial use of photographs taken during an Apes & Wildlife Safaris-organised tour requires our prior written permission.

Apes & Wildlife Safaris may feature client photographs and testimonials shared with us on our website or social media channels for promotional purposes. You may opt out at any time by emailing book@apesandwildlife.com.

12. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your safari, please raise the issue with your guide or driver in the first instance. If unresolved, submit a written complaint to book@apesandwildlife.com within 28 days of your return from safari.

We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and provide a formal response within 28 days. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Disputes that cannot be resolved amicably will be subject to the jurisdiction of Ugandan courts.

13. General Provisions

• Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with your confirmed itinerary and quotation, constitute the entire agreement between you and Apes & Wildlife Safaris.
• Severability: If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
• No Waiver: Failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver of that right.
• Updates: We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation applies to your booking.
• Language: These Terms are written in English. In the event of any translation, the English version shall prevail.

14. Contact Information

For any questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, or any aspect of your safari booking:

• Company: Apes & Wildlife Safaris
• Address: Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa
• Email: book@apesandwildlife.com
• Phone / WhatsApp: +256 709 960 384
• Website: www.apesandwildlife.com
• Social Media: Facebook  |  X (Twitter)  |  Instagram