These Booking Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) govern the contractual relationship between the Guest (you, client, or payee) and Big Bull Safaris (the company, or DMC). By making a booking and confirming with payment, the Guest unconditionally accepts all T&Cs outlined below.

I. DEFINITIONS AND BOOKING PROCEDURE

Term	Definition
The Company	Big Bull Safaris, the Destination Management Company.
Guest / Client	You, the person making the booking and/or traveling.
Payee	The person or entity making the payment.
Tour / Safari	The specific travel package booked, as defined in the Itinerary.

Booking Confirmation: A booking is only confirmed in writing via email once agreed upon by the Guest and a Big Bull Safaris agent.

II. FINANCIAL TERMS AND PAYMENT

A. Pricing and Currency

1. Cost Agreement: You accept the final quotation and cost provided in the written confirmation.
2. Local Tours (South Africa): Rates are quoted in SOUTH AFRICAN RANDS (ZAR).
3. Cross-Border Tours: Tariffs may be in a different currency (e.g., USD or EURO). Payment may be accepted in ZAR, and an exchange rate will be agreed upon.
4. Exchange Rate Fluctuation: The final amount charged in your home currency is subject to exchange rate variations.
5. Indicative Prices: Prices quoted on the website and marketing material are indicative only and subject to change without notice. Only the price in the final written confirmation is binding.
6. Banking Fees: The total amount received by Big Bull Safaris must equal the quoted ZAR amount. Banking fees and foreign exchange rates incurred during EFT or SWIFT payments are the sole responsibility of the Payee.

B. Deposit and Final Payment

1. Deposit to Secure Booking (Original Policy): To secure a booking, a deposit or the full amount is required, depending on the time-line. The deposit amount can vary from 30% to 50% of the total booking cost, depending on the tour.
2. Balance Payment: If a deposit is paid, the remaining balance is required at a specified date before departure, which will be communicated to you. Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking and the forfeiture of the deposit.

C. Accepted Payment Channels

Payments can be made via: Secure online credit card payment (supports 3D secure), EFT for domestic payments, International Bank Wire, PayPal (includes credit and debit cards), or Cash (in certain cases).

III. ITINERARY, INCLUSIONS, AND AMENDMENTS

1. Itinerary Acceptance: You have read, understand, and agree to the Tour Itinerary.
2. Inclusions/Exclusions: Services are strictly as specified in the chosen Itinerary.
3. Company’s Right to Deviate: The Company reserves the right to deviate from the itinerary should circumstances or conditions (e.g., safety, weather, operational necessity) necessitate such a change.
4. Client-Requested Changes (Prior to Departure): Any changes the Guest wishes to make must be discussed, agreed upon with the Company agent, and confirmed in writing. The Company reserves the right to adjust the final tour price for such changes.
5. Client-Requested Changes (On Tour): Any changes you personally make to the itinerary while on tour (e.g., forfeiting a paid activity or requesting a change of route) must be confirmed in writing. The Guest is liable for all associated costs, and no refund will be provided for forfeited activities.
6. Accommodation Changes: The Company reserves the right to change a specified accommodation if deemed unsuitable or unsafe (e.g., change of ownership, declining standards). Alternative accommodation of a similar or higher standard will be provided.

IV. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

A. Standard Cancellation Policy (Forfeiture of Total Booking Cost)

Should the Guest be unable to proceed with the Tour, the following standard policies apply:

Tour Type	Cancellation Timeframe	Forfeiture of Total Booking Cost
Day tours & short tours (< 7 days, excluding luxury/cross-border)	More than 35 days prior to departure	20%
	More than 21 days prior to departure	50%
	21 days or fewer prior to departure	100%
Long, Cross-Border, & Luxury Tours	More than 35 days prior to departure	50%
	35 days or less prior to departure	100%
Group Tours (15+ people)	More than 90 days prior to departure	20%
	More than 60 days prior to departure	60%
	60 days or less prior to departure	100%

• No Show: In case of a NO SHOW on the date of tour departure, the client forfeits 100% of the total payment.
• Lodge/Supplier Specific Policies: Certain safaris are also subject to specific lodge or supplier cancellation policies which may be stricter. You must check these with your agent.

B. Company and External Circumstance Refunds

1. Company Failure: Should the Company not provide the services booked, you will be entitled to a partial or full refund, depending on the services not provided.
2. External Circumstance: Should the Company not be able to provide services due to external circumstances beyond the Company’s control (Force Majeure), the client must claim from their travel insurance.
3. Liquidation: In the event of Company liquidation, your claim will be against our insurance bond as well as your own insurance.

V. INDEMNIFICATION, LIABILITY, AND INSURANCE

A. Travel and Medical Insurance (Mandatory Recommendation)

1. Requirement: It is your sole responsibility to obtain adequate and appropriate insurance against: trip cancellation, loss of baggage, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and the unforeseen misfortune of the Company being deemed insolvent.
2. Financial Loss: You are responsible for taking out appropriate insurance to cover your financial losses in the event you have to cancel your booking.

B. Accidents and Liability

1. Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Big Bull Safaris, its owner, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all liability, damages, losses, claims, and expenses directly or indirectly related to (1) the tour, and (2) your breach of these T&Cs.
2. Indemnity Form: An indemnity form for each person in the travel group must be completed, signed, and returned prior to the tour departure. Failure to return the signed form(s) grants the Company the right to cancel the booking with no obligation to refund the client.
3. Company Liability: Big Bull Safaris does carry passenger liability insurance that covers guests for injuries sustained in an accident involving one of our vehicles. Our liability will be limited to what we can recover from our insurance company.
4. Personal Injury/Loss of Life: The Company, its owner, directors, and affiliates will be exempt from any liability, claims, or expenses incurred due to personal injury or loss of life while participating in any tour activity, staying in accommodation, or in transit, whether with the Company or a third-party supplier.

VI. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

A. Force Majeure

The Company, its employees, and affiliates will be excused for circumstances beyond their reasonable control that result in a tour being delayed, curtailed, or cancelled. This includes, but is not limited to: Acts of God, war, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, extreme weather, natural disasters, epidemics, fire, and government acts (including travel bans or border closures). In such cases, the cancellation or postponement policies apply, and the client must seek recovery through their insurance.

B. COVID-19 Policy

Government-imposed travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic (and/or related variants) are a valid reason to postpone your trip.

1. Postponement: Guests can postpone without penalty, and the deposit will be allocated to a future booking of the same tour.
2. Refund: COVID-19 is no longer an automatic reason for a full refund. Normal cancellation policies apply.

VII. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, HEALTH, AND SAFETY

1. Travel Documents and Visas: It is the sole responsibility of the client to ensure they possess a valid passport (with at least two blank pages and six months validity beyond departure), valid visas, vaccination certificates (if required), and, for children, the necessary unabridged birth certificates and supporting documents for entry into South Africa and/or other African countries. The Company is not liable to refund the cost of the tour if the client or a member of their group is denied entry for any reason due to incorrect or missing documents.
2. Health Warnings: It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with health warnings, especially concerning malaria areas. You are strongly recommended to consult a doctor for anti-malaria tablets and required travel vaccinations.
3. Safety: The Company prioritizes client safety, but it is your responsibility to adhere to the rules and regulations of the country and specific tour areas. This includes adherence to safety rules on safari (e.g., seatbelts, following guide instructions, staying with the group).
4. Stolen/Lost Luggage: The safekeeping of luggage and personal belongings is entirely your responsibility. The Company will assist but cannot be held liable for stolen or lost luggage.

VIII. CHILD POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS

1. Age Disclosure: It is your responsibility to disclose the age of every child in the travel group to the agent.
2. Accommodation: The Company cannot be held liable if an accommodation establishment refuses entry to an under-aged child due to a strictly enforced child policy.
3. Safari Restrictions: You must notify the agent if a child will be participating in safari activities. You acknowledge strict rules govern children on open safari vehicles (generally 6 years and younger not permitted) and guided bush walks (minimum age generally 16 years and older) as informed by guides’ associations.
4. Legal Documents: It is your responsibility to have the correct legal documents for children (18 and younger) to comply with the South African Department of Home Affairs entry requirements.

IX. LOGISTICS AND FLIGHTS

1. Departure Times: The Company is not liable for delayed flights or transfers that negatively affect a tour. Suppliers adhere to strict departure times and may leave without delayed client(s). The client is liable for any additional costs (e.g., private transfer) incurred due to a missed departure.
2. Missed Connecting Flights: It is strongly recommended that you book connecting flights for the day after the tour ends to account for unforeseen delays (traffic, roadworks, breakdowns) on the final transfer.

X. GENERAL AND LEGAL

1. Client Conduct: The Company reserves the right to immediately terminate the tour participation of any Guest whose conduct, in the reasonable opinion of the Company or its representatives, is disruptive, offensive, or compromises the safety or well-being of themselves, other clients, staff, or wildlife (e.g., drunkenness, lewd behaviour, aggression). In the event of such termination, the client will not be entitled to any refund.
2. Image Rights: The Client consents to the Company taking photographs or video recordings during the tour. The Client agrees that the Company may use such images or recordings for marketing, promotional, and commercial purposes without obligation to provide compensation.
3. Modification to T&Cs: Big Bull Safaris reserves the right to make changes to these T&Cs from time to time at its sole discretion. Changes become effective immediately upon update of this webpage.
4. Law Governing T&Cs: These T&Cs are exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of South Africa, whose Courts will have exclusive jurisdiction in any dispute.