BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

OVERVIEW

Welcome to Lauwo Adventures, a local family-owned adventure travel company based in Moshi, Tanzania. We specialize in creating unforgettable experiences for travelers seeking adventure and exploration. These Terms and Conditions apply to any tours booked with us. By booking a tour, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them. If you are booking for a group, you represent and warrant that all clients named in the booking accept these Terms and Conditions. Please take the time to read through these terms carefully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience with us.

1. DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENT

Deposit Requirements

Upon booking a tour with Lauwo Adventures, a 30% deposit is required to secure your tour and begin the necessary booking processes and ground preparations. This deposit ensures that we can allocate resources and make arrangements for your adventure. An invoice with detailed payment instructions will be sent to you promptly after your booking request is received.

Final Balance Payment

The remaining balance of your tour must be paid no later than 21 days before the tour starts. This allows us sufficient time to finalize all arrangements and ensure everything is in place for your departure. For bookings made within 21 days of the tour start date, full payment is required at the time of booking to confirm your reservation.

Payment Charges

All payments made to Lauwo Adventures should be free of bank charges and credit card transaction surcharges. We are not responsible for any charges levied or charged by third parties and/or financial institutions and payable by the client as a result of credit card or other payment transactions in connection with the purchase of a tour. We will not refund or return any fees charged by such third parties in connection with payments made by clients to Lauwo Adventures.

2. BOOKING AGREEMENT

Confirmation Process

Your booking is confirmed and these Terms and Conditions shall apply when Lauwo Adventures has received the applicable deposit from you and you have received written confirmation from us of such booking. This confirmation serves as a formal agreement between us and ensures that both parties are aware of the terms and conditions under which the tour is booked.

Age Requirement

The client confirming the booking must be at least 18 years old. This requirement ensures that the person responsible for the booking is legally capable of entering into a contractual agreement and can provide the necessary information and consents on behalf of all clients named in the booking.

Information Accuracy

You must provide full, complete, and accurate information as requested by Lauwo Adventures to confirm the booking. This includes personal details, contact information, and any other relevant data required for the tour. Any client confirming a booking on any tours with more than one client named and booked on such booking represents and warrants to Lauwo Adventures that:

They have all requisite consents and authority to make such a booking on behalf of all other clients named on the booking, and have communicated all necessary information to the other clients in order for them to give free and fully informed authorization to do so.
The information that they have provided regarding all clients is complete and accurate, and they have obtained all necessary consents and permissions to share such information with Lauwo Adventures for the purposes of completing the booking.

3. CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation Fees

We understand that plans can change, but due to the nature of our business and the commitments we make on your behalf, certain cancellation fees apply. The applicable cancellation fees shall be determined with reference to the date on which the request to cancel is received by Lauwo Adventures and are expressed hereinafter as a percentage of the total price paid for the cancelled tour:

Cancellation received 35 days or more before the tour starts: No Cancellation Fees will be charged.
Cancellation received 11 – 34 days before the tour starts: 30% Cancellation Fee will be charged.
Cancellation received 3 – 10 days before the tour starts: 50% Cancellation Fee will be charged.
Cancellation received within 48 hours before the tour starts: 100% Cancellation Fee will be charged.

Tailor-made Tours

Tailor-made tours may be subject to alternative cancellation terms, which will be communicated to applicable clients at the time of booking. These terms are designed to ensure that both parties are aware of the specific conditions and potential costs associated with the cancellation of a customized tour.

4. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Requirement

Travel insurance is mandatory for all clients booking a tour with Lauwo Adventures. It is essential to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that may arise during your travels. The insurance must cover medical, evacuation, and repatriation expenses, as well as personal injury and emergency medical expenses. This ensures that you are adequately protected in case of any medical emergencies or other unforeseen events.

Recommendation

We strongly recommend that clients extend their coverage to include cancellation and other expenses that may arise due to loss, damage, injury, delay, or inconvenience. This additional coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection in the event that your travel plans need to be altered or canceled. The cost of the tour does not include any insurance coverage for the client, and it is your responsibility to obtain separate coverage at an additional cost to the tour price. When obtaining travel insurance, please ensure that the insurer is aware of the type of travel you will be undertaking so that the insurer may properly cover travel on the applicable tour.

5. MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Disclosure

All clients are obligated to truthfully provide requested relevant medical information to Lauwo Adventures upon booking their tour. This information is crucial for us to ensure that we can accommodate any special needs or requirements you may have during the tour. Clients are responsible for assessing their own suitability and capability to participate in a tour with us. It is important to be honest about any pre-existing conditions or health concerns to ensure your safety and well-being.

Fitness Assessment

We recommend that all clients consult their physician regarding their fitness for taking part in the booked tour. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and guidance on whether you are physically capable of undertaking the activities involved in the tour. Additionally, we encourage clients to seek their physician’s advice regarding necessary or advisable vaccinations, medical precautions, or other medical concerns regarding the entirety of the client’s travel with Lauwo Adventures. Please note that Lauwo Adventures does not provide medical advice.

Medical Facilities

Adventure tours provided by Lauwo Adventures involve visiting remote or less developed regions of Tanzania, where medical facilities may not meet the standards of those found in a client’s home country. The condition of medical facilities in these areas varies, and we make no representations and give no warranties in relation to the standard of such facilities or medical treatment in those regions. It is important to be aware of this and to take necessary precautions to ensure your health and safety during the tour.

6. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Accommodation

Lauwo Adventures will strive to accommodate the special requests of clients, including (without limitation) dietary and accommodation requests. We understand that each client has unique needs and preferences, and we will do our best to meet these requests to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience. However, please note that such requests do not form part of these Terms and Conditions or the contract between the client and Lauwo Adventures. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that all special requests will be accommodated, and we are not liable for any failure to accommodate or fulfill such requests.

7. PRICES, SURCHARGES, AND TAXES

Price Changes

Due to the nature of the tourism industry in Tanzania and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any tour product is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 30 days before the departure of such a tour. We reserve the right to impose surcharges on any tour products, but only for reasons arising from increases in accommodation costs, transportation costs, fuel costs, dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as third-party supplier costs, currency and exchange fluctuations, park fees, increases in taxes, or government action which impacts the price of the applicable tours. However, we will only impose these surcharges where the increase in question is substantial enough to warrant the right to do so. We shall provide notice to the affected client as soon as reasonably possible upon learning of the necessity to impose a surcharge in accordance with this section.

Client Options

Upon receiving notification from Lauwo Adventures of a price increase, the affected client(s) may elect to either:

Cancel the applicable tour booking without incurring any penalty: If you choose to cancel your booking due to a price increase, you will not be charged any additional fees.
Accept the change of price: If you decide to proceed with the tour despite the price increase, you will be responsible for paying the new price.

The client must notify Lauwo Adventures of their election within 14 days of receipt of notice of the increase, or they shall have been deemed to have accepted the price change and have accepted liability for payment of the increase.

Discounted Pricing

From time to time, Lauwo Adventures may offer reduced pricing on selected tours. The reduced pricing applies strictly to new bookings. Bookings that have already been confirmed (which for these purposes shall mean bookings in respect of which payment of at least a deposit has been received by Lauwo Adventures) are not entitled to the reduced pricing.

8. GUARANTEED DEPARTURES & CANCELLATION OF A TOUR BY LAUWO ADVENTURES

Guaranteed Departures

Lauwo Adventures guarantees all scheduled group tour departures that have been booked by a client shall depart as scheduled (subject to reasonable itinerary changes). Our brochures and other printed materials displaying tour information and departure dates are subject to change, and such dates are excluded from this guarantee. A departure shall become guaranteed once at least one client has a confirmed booking. This guarantee is not applicable in Force Majeure situations.

Cancellation by Lauwo Adventures

If a tour is cancelled by Lauwo Adventures before the agreed date of departure for reasons not arising from Force Majeure or the fault or negligence of or within the reasonable control of the client, the client shall have the choice of:

Accepting from Lauwo Adventures a substitute tour product of equivalent or superior value, where such substitute is reasonably available: If we are able to offer a tour of equal or greater value, you may choose to accept this alternative.
Accepting from Lauwo Adventures a substitute tour of lower value if no tour of equivalent or superior value is reasonably available, and to recover from Lauwo Adventures the difference in price between the price of the tour originally purchased and that of the substitute tour: If a suitable alternative tour is not available, you may choose a lower-value tour and receive a refund for the difference in price.
Accepting from Lauwo Adventures a full refund of all monies paid for the cancelled tour: If neither of the above options is acceptable, you may choose to receive a full refund of all payments made for the cancelled tour.

Lauwo Adventures is not responsible for any incidental expenses or consequential losses that the client may have incurred as a result of the cancelled booking such as visas, vaccinations, non-refundable flights or rail, nonrefundable car parking or other fees, loss of earnings, or loss of enjoyment, etc. Lauwo Adventures reserves the right to issue a full refund in lieu of the choices above, in its sole discretion. Where after departure a significant element of the tours as described cannot be provided, Lauwo Adventures will make suitable alternative arrangements for the continuation of the tours. If it is not possible to provide a suitable alternative or the client reasonably rejects any suitable alternatives, Lauwo Adventures will provide the client a refund of unused tour products or tour product portions.

9. CANCELLATION OF A TOUR BY THE CLIENT

Transfer of Booking

If the client is prevented through reasons completely beyond such client’s control from proceeding with a tour as booked, the client may, if possible, transfer his/her tour booking to a person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the tour, provided that the client gives notice to Lauwo Adventures of the client’s intention to transfer no less than 14 days before the date when the tour departure is due to take place. Where such a transfer is made, the transferring client and the transferee client shall be jointly and severally liable to Lauwo Adventures for payment of the price of the tour (or, if part of the price has been paid, for payment of the balance) and for any additional costs arising from such transfer.

Postponement of Private Tours

For private tours, Lauwo Adventures can also reserve the tour for a client should they decide to postpone the tour to a later date. The client, however, will be responsible for paying cancellation fees as per the cancellation policy and also for any unforeseen extra costs which arise until the client does the tour at a later date (i.e., accommodation costs, transportation costs, fuel costs, dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as third-party supplier costs, currency and exchange fluctuations, park fees, increases in taxes, or government action which impacts the price of the applicable tours).

10. CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES

Flexibility and Alterations

The client acknowledges by booking a tour with Lauwo Adventures that the nature of adventure travel, especially in Africa, requires considerable flexibility and acknowledges that they will permit reasonable alterations to the tour and/or itinerary by Lauwo Adventures. The client acknowledges their understanding that the route, schedules, timings, accommodations, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to change without prior notice due to circumstances or events, which may include sickness or mechanical breakdown, incidents in the location where the tour will be operated, flight cancellations, strikes, events emanating from political disputes, entry or border difficulties, extreme weather and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances which are beyond the reasonable control of Lauwo Adventures and that Lauwo Adventures is not liable to any client for such changes or amendments.

Liability for Missed Services

Lauwo Adventures shall not be liable to pay any discounts or refunds for missed or unused services which were missed or unused by the client due to no fault of Lauwo Adventures, its suppliers, or representatives, which shall include any termination of the client’s participation in the tour due to the client’s own fault, negligence or breach of these Terms and Conditions.

Itinerary Amendments

Although Lauwo Adventures will strive to ensure that the tour you have booked goes as planned, we do not guarantee that we will abide by the agreed tour itinerary and we therefore reserve the right to amend the tour itinerary where doing so may be necessary or advantageous. We will strive to notify you of any changes prior to the tour departure. However, Lauwo Adventures is not obligated to do so, nor shall not be liable to pay any refunds that may be claimed to result from such changes. Lauwo Adventures is not in control of the management of the accommodation providers we use on our tours. Therefore, in some circumstances we may be notified by our accommodation providers that our reserved accommodation is no longer available, due to reasons that are beyond our control, and not the fault or negligence of Lauwo Adventures. In such circumstances we will provide alternative accommodation of at least the same standard or higher standard.

On-Tour Amendments

Where it may be absolutely necessary to amend the tour itinerary during the tour, the tour guide will arrange the best available alternative. The decision to do so will rest on the tour guide and his/her decision is final. This is mainly applicable but not limited to mountain climbing products where the guide believes the client is not able to continue with the climb due to illness, injury, extreme weather, or other factors beyond the guide’s control.

11. RISK

Acknowledgment of Risks

The client acknowledges that the nature of our tour products is adventurous and may involve a significant amount of risk to clients’ health and/or safety. There are dangers inherent to adventure travel generally and the client acknowledges they have considered such risks to health and safety and are willing to assume it to the full extent legally possible, by confirming their booking of this tour. The client hereby assumes all such risk and does hereby release Lauwo Adventures from all claims and causes of action arising from any losses, damages or injuries or death resulting from these risks inherent in travel, including adventure travel specifically, visiting wild and remote areas, and participating in adventurous activities such as those included in the tour itineraries. Standards of hygiene, accommodation and transport in some areas where the tours take place are often lower than comparable standards than what the client may reasonably expect in their home country or region.

Personal Risk Assessment

The client acknowledges that the degree and nature of personal risk involved depends on the nature of the tour booked, or the location(s) in which such a tour is to operate, and that there may be a significant degree of personal risk involved in travel on the tour, particularly if such a tour involves physical activities, travel to remote locations, high altitude activities or other high-risk activities, or travel areas of Tanzania with under-developed infrastructure. The client acknowledges they have considered the potential risks, dangers and challenges in light of their own personal capabilities and needs, and expressly assumes the risks attendant to travel under such conditions.

Safety Instructions

The client acknowledges and agrees that Lauwo Adventures will provide, to the best of its ability, information or guidance to the client with respect to local customs, weather conditions, specific safety concerns, physical challenges or laws in effect in any locations where tours are operated, but will not be liable if the client does not act according to the information provided. The client must at all times strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulations of Tanzania and regions visited on the applicable tour. Should the client fail to comply with the above or commit any illegal act when on the tour or, if in the opinion of the Lauwo Adventures (acting reasonably), the client’s behavior is causing or is likely to cause danger, distress or material annoyance to others, Lauwo Adventures may terminate that client’s travel arrangements on any tour immediately without any liability on Lauwo Adventures part and the client will not be entitled to any refund for unused or missed services or costs incurred resulting from the termination of the travel arrangements, including, without limitation, return travel, accommodations, meals, and/or incidentals.

Client Responsibility

Clients agree that they are responsible for any costs incurred by Lauwo Adventures, as a result of damage, destruction, theft, or excess cleaning fees caused or occasioned by the client while on tour. Clients agree to immediately report any pre-existing damage of this kind to staff of the accommodation, transportation service, or facility (as appropriate) and/or an Lauwo Adventures representative as soon as possible upon discovery by the client.

Safety Measures

Client agrees to take all prudent measures in relation to their own safety while on any Lauwo Adventures tour, including, but not limited to, the proper use of safety devices such as seatbelts, harnesses, and helmets, and obeying all posted signs and warnings in relation to client health and safety. Lauwo Adventures, nor its Third Party Suppliers shall not be liable for any failure on the client’s part to comply safety instructions or recommendations of Lauwo Adventures or its Third Party Suppliers.

12. COMPLAINTS

Reporting Complaints

Client agrees to bring any complaints regarding a tour to Lauwo Adventures as soon as possible in order to provide Lauwo Adventures with the opportunity to address such complaint properly. Client agrees to inform the head guide or other designated Lauwo Adventures representative at the earliest opportunity. Lauwo Adventures assumes no liability for complaints that are not properly brought to the attention of Lauwo Adventures with sufficient notice for Lauwo Adventures to resolve or attempt to resolve any client complaints. Any complaint made after the completion of a tour must be received in writing by Lauwo Adventures within 30 days of the end of the tour in question.

13. THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS

Arrangements with Suppliers

Lauwo Adventures makes arrangements with accommodation providers, activity providers, airlines, coach companies, transfer operators, shore excursion operators, tour and local guides, and other independent parties (“Third Party Suppliers”) to provide you with the travel services and other services you purchase or which form the component parts of your product Tour. Third Party Suppliers may also engage the services of local operators and/or sub-contractors for the provision of travel services that form part of the tour(s). Although Lauwo Adventures takes all reasonable care in selecting Third Party Suppliers, Lauwo Adventures is unable to control Third Party Suppliers and do not supervise Third Party Suppliers and therefore cannot be responsible for their acts or omissions. The travel services and other services provided are subject to the conditions imposed by these suppliers and their liability is limited by their tariffs, conditions of carriage, tickets and vouchers and international conventions and agreements that govern the provision of their services. These may limit or exclude liability of the supplier. Client acknowledges that Third Party Suppliers operate in compliance with the applicable laws of Tanzania and Lauwo Adventures does not warrant that any Third Party Supplier is in compliance with the laws of the client’s country of residence, or any other jurisdiction.

Liability Limitation

To the fullest extent permissible by law, Lauwo Adventures is not liable and will not assume responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs or expenses arising out of inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, upset, disappointment, distress or frustration, whether physical or mental, resulting from the act or omission of any party other than Lauwo Adventures and its employees. For clarity, neither Lauwo Adventures nor any carrier is liable for the acts or omissions, whether negligent or otherwise, of Third Party Suppliers or any independent contractors.

14. LIABILITY

Client Fault and Third-Party Actions

Lauwo Adventures are not responsible for any damages, expenses, losses, or claims which are attributable to the fault of any client, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services that form any part of the tours, or a force majeure event.

Personal Belongings

Lauwo Adventures shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects of Clients while participating in a tour. Clients should not leave personal belongings unattended in any public areas, on board any mode of transportation, or elsewhere, and are responsible at all times for their own effects and belongings. Lauwo Adventures cannot accept responsibility for and in no event shall be liable for loss or damage of valuables or other articles left in or on facilities used by Lauwo Adventures such as hotels, homestays, vessels, expedition vehicles, or any other mode of transportation.

Negligence and Liability

In the event that any loss, death, injury or illness is caused by the negligent acts and/or omissions of Lauwo Adventures or of the third-party suppliers of any services which form part of the Contract then Lauwo Adventures limits its liability, where applicable by all applicable International Conventions.

15. FORCE MAJEURE

Exemption from Liability

Lauwo Adventures shall not be liable in any way to the client for death, bodily injury, illness, damage, delay or other loss or detriment to person or property, or financial costs both direct and indirect incurred, or for Lauwo Adventures failure to commence, perform and/ or complete any duty owed to the client if such death, delay, bodily injury (including emotional distress or injury), illness, damage or other loss or detriment to person or property is caused by Act of God, war or war like operations, mechanical breakdowns, terrorist activities or threat thereof, civil commotions, labor difficulties, interference by authorities, political disturbance, howsoever and where so ever any of the same may arise or be caused, riot, insurrection and government restraint, fire, extreme weather or any other cause whatsoever beyond the reasonable control of Lauwo Adventures; or an event which Lauwo Adventures or the supplier of services, even with all due care, could not foresee.

16. IMAGES AND MARKETING

Consent for Use of Images

The client agrees that while participating in any Lauwo Adventures tour, images, photos or videos may be taken by other clients and/or Lauwo Adventures representatives or Guides that may contain or feature the client in part or in whole. The client acknowledges that they consent to any such images, photos and videos being taken and grants a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to Lauwo Adventures, its affiliates and assigns, to reproduce for any purpose whatsoever (including marketing and promotions), in any medium whatsoever, whether currently known or hereinafter devised, without any further obligation to the client or compensation payable to the client.

17. AMENDMENTS

Updates to Terms and Conditions

Lauwo Adventures reserves the right to update and/or alter these Terms and Conditions at any time, and shall post the amended Terms and Conditions on the Lauwo Adventures Website. Any such amendment shall take effect 10 days following their posting to the Website. The latest Terms, as amended, may be accessed any time on the Lauwo Adventures website, or will be sent to clients upon their written request to Lauwo Adventures. Clients shall be deemed to have accepted any amendments to these Terms and Conditions on the date that is 10 days after their posting on the Lauwo Adventures website. Lauwo Adventures recommends that all clients refer to the Terms and Conditions prior to their travel to familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date version of the Terms and Conditions.