Booking Terms & Conditions – Safaris with Carole Deschuymere

These are the official Carole Deschuymere safari booking terms and conditions. Please read them carefully before you book a trip. By paying a deposit, you confirm that you accept these booking terms & conditions for safaris with Carole Deschuymere.

Bookings and Deposits

To confirm your place on a safari, I require a 20% non‑refundable deposit at the time of booking. Your booking only becomes official once I receive this deposit and you confirm that you accept these terms and conditions.

I use your deposit immediately to secure camps, flights and other services for you. Because these services are often paid upfront and are non‑refundable to me, I cannot refund the deposit if your plans change later. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover any unexpected cancellations.

Balance Payments

You are required to pay the remaining 80% balance at least 8 weeks (56 days) before the safari starts. If you book your trip less than 8 weeks before departure, the full amount is due immediately.

If I do not receive the balance by the due date, I reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled. In that case, the cancellation fees described below will apply.

Cancellations by You

If you need to cancel, please notify me in writing (email) as soon as possible. I apply the following cancellation fees based on when I receive your written notice:

From booking until 8 weeks before departure: You lose the 20% non-refundable deposit.
Between 8 and 4 weeks before departure: You pay 50% of the total trip cost.
Between 4 and 2 weeks before departure: You pay 75% of the total trip cost.
Less than 2 weeks before departure or no-show: You pay 100% of the trip cost.

Many of the remote camps I use charge strict cancellation fees and can be difficult to re‑sell at short notice. Because of this, I must apply these rules consistently.

Changes to Your Itinerary

Sometimes, factors beyond my control make it necessary to adjust your itinerary. Examples include changes to local flight schedules, weather events, park regulations or operational issues at a camp.

Whenever this happens, I will always aim to offer an alternative of a similar standard and photographic potential. If a third‑party provider cancels their services, their own terms and conditions will determine what refunds are possible.

I also reserve the right to cancel a safari if I do not reach the minimum number of guests. If I have to cancel a trip for this reason, I will provide a full refund of all payments you made directly to me for that safari.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is essential for this kind of journey. I strongly recommend that you buy a suitable policy as soon as your booking is confirmed.

Your policy should include, at a minimum:

Trip cancellation and curtailment
Medical emergencies and hospitalisation
Emergency evacuation and repatriation

Please check the wording of your policy carefully to ensure that it covers the remote destinations and adventure activities included in your safari.

For an overview of why comprehensive travel insurance is important, you can read more on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel insurance advice.

Prices and Payment Methods

Prices are usually quoted in USD. A price is only final once you have paid the full amount. Before final payment, factors such as currency movements, fuel surcharges or park fee increases may force a price adjustment. If this happens, I will inform you as early as possible.

You can pay by bank transfer or card. All bank charges, card merchant fees and currency conversion costs are your responsibility.

Rates and Price Increases

All safari rates are based on current camp fees, charter flight costs, and National Park conservation levies. These providers typically increase their rates annually. To secure the current published rate for a future safari (for the following year), your booking must be confirmed and the deposit paid before the new season’s rates are officially released.

Please note that while I strive to honor all published prices, I reserve the right to adjust the final safari cost in the event of significant, unforeseen increases in government taxes, park fees, or fuel surcharges imposed by third-party providers.

Passports, Visas, and Health Requirements

You are responsible for making sure that your passport, visas and any required health documents (such as vaccination certificates) meet the entry rules for every country you visit or transit through.

Any fines, penalties or extra costs that result from not meeting these requirements are your responsibility. For up‑to‑date information, please check with the relevant embassies and travel health clinics.

Health, Safety, and Personal Responsibility

Safaris take place in wild, remote areas with large animals and sometimes challenging terrain. I work only with trusted, licensed guides and operators, and together we take all reasonable precautions to keep you safe.

However, by joining the safari you accept that you participate in activities that carry inherent risk. You must follow the safety instructions of your professional guide and camp staff at all times.

Before or during the trip you will be asked to sign an indemnity form. Camps, lodges and local operators may also require you to sign their own indemnity forms.

I cannot accept liability for any injury, loss, damage, delay or additional expense that results from circumstances beyond my reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Actions or omissions of third‑party providers such as airlines, transfer companies, camps or lodges
Natural events, weather, wildlife behaviour or road conditions
Political events, strikes, health outbreaks or other force majeure situations

These Carole Deschuymere safari booking terms and conditions are designed to protect both you and me and to make sure expectations are clear before we share an unforgettable photographic journey together.