Terms and Conditions

  1. Booking / Reservations:
    a. Upon confirmation of your tour with us, you have to email us back a filled booking form, which confirms that you agree to our terms and conditions.
    b. In case of a group tour, the person (‘head of group’) who signifies his/her acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of persons under his/her authority/group, which means that these terms and conditions equally bind all group members.
  2. Deposit & Payment:
    a. • A deposit of 25% of the ground handling/land package cost is required at the time of booking. In addition, 100% of the cost of gorilla and chimpanzee permits must be paid at the time of booking, as these permits must be secured and paid for immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are 100% non-refundable once booked and paid for. The balance is due 45 days before the start of the trip. For this policy, “ground handling/land package” refers to the trip price excluding gorilla and chimpanzee permits. deposit
  3. Cancellation & Refund:
    a.All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email to info@chigotours.com. The date on which we receive the written cancellation will determine the applicable cancellation charges. Cancellation charges are based on the number of days before the start of the trip. The following charges apply below: 
  • More than 91 days before the start of the trip – The traveler may choose from one of the following options:
  • Option 1: Transfer or postpone the booking to a different trip date within the next 12 months, subject to availability and any applicable seasonal rate differences.
  • Please note that gorilla and chimpanzee permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Option 2: Cancel the trip and receive a refund of the amounts paid, minus the following deductions: 10% of the ground handling/land package as an administrative/cancellation fee
  • 100% of the cost of the gorilla and chimpanzee permits
  • 90 to 61 Days Before the Start of the Trip – 25% of the ground handling/land package cost. Any applicable bank transfer fees and transaction costs. The balance, if any, will be refunded.
  • 60 to 31 Days Before the Start of the Trip – 60% of the ground handling/land package cost. Any applicable bank transfer fees and transaction costs. The balance, if any, will be refunded.
  • 30 to 15 Days Before the Start of the Trip – 75% of the ground handling/land package cost. Any applicable bank transfer fees and transaction costs. The balance, if any, will be refunded.
  • 14 – 0 days Before the start of the Trip, no refund, 100% cancellation charge of the total trip price applies. All payments made will be forfeited, as reservations and payments to third-party suppliers will have already been made by this stage.
  • Gorilla Permits & Chimpanzee permits are 100% non-refundable! Please note that gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits in Uganda are strictly non-refundable once they are booked and paid for. This policy is in accordance with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). If a traveler cancels the trip on any day, the full cost of these permits will be deducted from any potential refund, regardless of the number of days remaining before the trip’s start date.
  1. Cancellation by Us (The Tour Operator)
    Although we always strive to avoid canceling trips, we reserve the right to do so under the following circumstances:
    a) Failure to Pay:
    If the traveler fails to make the required payments, including the deposit or final balance, in full and on time.
    b) Force Majeure / Unusual Circumstances:
    If we are forced to cancel the trip due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to, natural disasters, civil unrest, or extreme weather conditions that make travel unsafe.
    In the event of a cancellation due to force majeure, we will offer the traveler the following options:
    i). A refund of the ground handling/land package, minus:
  • 100% of the non-refundable gorilla and chimpanzee permit costs.
  • Any bank transfer fees and transaction costs.
    ii). The option to postpone or reschedule the trip to a later date, subject to availability and any applicable seasonal price adjustments.
  1. Bank Transfer Fees and Exchange Rates.
    Any fees associated with international bank transfers, transaction charges, and losses due to exchange rate fluctuations will be deducted from the total refund amount when processing a refund.
  2. Amendments made by Client(s)
    a. The company shall try to accommodate any reasonable changes the client wishes to make to the event. Change and amendment requests should be made with the company and not with end suppliers. And such requests should be made in writing to the company by the group head. These changes shall not be deemed accepted until confirmed in writing by the company.
    b. If the client wishes to increase or decrease the number of persons participating in the event, this may be done up to six weeks before the date upon which your event is due to start without additional charge. All amendments made after that date will incur an administration charge of US$ 30.00 per person. The company cannot guarantee that the change to the price will be pro-rata, but will instead depend upon the arrangements the company can make with its suppliers. Subject to the company’s written agreement, the client may transfer a booking to a person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the event.
  3. Amendments by the Company:
    a. Changes of itinerary and /or accommodations: CHIGO Tours may be obliged to occasionally change routes and camps on safaris as dictated by changing conditions. Conditions may include: seasonal rainfall on bush tracks, airfields, and in game areas, game migrations from one region to another, or flight schedule changes, room unavailability at time of booking, or other booking problems beyond our control. The company reserves the right to change and/or re-adjust the travel plan/itinerary, transportation, accommodation and services indicated in the itinerary in the event of unforeseen circumstances communicated to the client.
    b. CHIGO Tours Africa is not liable for a refund either in whole or in part, if any accommodation or excursion is unavailable and a reasonable alternative is found. If the guest is unable to use any service provided in the itinerary, then there are no refunds due. When requested accommodation is fully booked or otherwise unavailable, the company reserves the right to change the accommodation to an accommodation of the same standard in the same area. This change must be communicated to the client.
  4. Communication / Email:
    It sometimes happens that an email does not reach us due to situations beyond our control. If you do not receive a reply within 48 hours, we advise you to resend your e-mail.
  5. Change of Guide:
    If a private guide is unable to lead a pre-scheduled safari due to illness or any other unexpected circumstances, CHIGO TOURS AFRICA and its partners reserve the right to substitute with another guide. Note that the Company works with only professionally trained guides so this cannot affect the quality of the tour experience in any way.
  6. Tour protocol:
    a. Wildlife: Going on safari may take you into close contact with wild animals. Attacks by wild animals are rare, but no safari into the African wilderness can guarantee that this will not occur. Most of the safari camps are not fenced, so the wildlife does move freely in and around the camps. Always follow the safety guidelines, instructions from Rangers, camp’s staff with regards to getting close to wild animals, moving to and from your tent, lodge, or banda, and while on game activities throughout your safari. CHIGO Tours cannot be held responsible for any injury or incident on the trip
    b. Whereas it is a privilege to see animals up close in their natural habitats, the Company cannot guarantee wildlife or game viewing. In the same manner, whereas a gorilla or chimpanzee permit guarantees clients will be able to track the primates in question, the permit does not guarantee that the animals will be in plain sight.
    c. Accommodation is based on a twin or double-bedded room, tent/ banda/cabin/cottages, with a private bathroom where possible. Single rooms may be available with the payment of a supplement fee, but availability cannot always be guaranteed.
    d. Client Conduct: CHIGO Tours reserves the right to refuse any person from participating or continuing on a tour should, in the Company’s opinion or any other person of authority, the person behave in such a manner that is likely to cause danger, hazard or inconvenience to him/her self, a third party, or damage to property or the environs. In such a case, no refund will be given whatsoever.
    e. The mode of transport used will be as per the agreement on the client’s specifications and the number of people, if it is a small group tour. Client’s comfort is important to us, so the Company will ensure the vehicles are roadworthy. However, no liability can be accepted as a result of a puncture, breakdown, damage, or delay due to poor road conditions.
  7. Marketing, photos & Videos
    a. The Company reserves the right to use any videos and photographs taken by other participants and/or our representatives and/or the local guide that may contain or feature the participant in part or in whole during the tour for marketing or any other advertising material; and the client consents to such use.
    b. The client further agrees that the Company shall retain copyright over any such photographs and videos taken during the tour and/or used in its brochures and, to the extent where necessary, the client hereby assigns copyright of such videos and photographs to the Company.
    c. The client acknowledges that they consent to any photos and videos being taken and grants a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to us, our affiliates and assigns, to reproduce for any purpose whatsoever (including marketing and promotions), in any medium whatsoever, whether currently known or devised after the commencement date, without any further obligation to the participant or compensation payable to such participant/client.
    d. Any photos may be used by us without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, website, slides, video shows, and the internet.
  8. Medical/travel/cancellation Insurance
    a. It is strongly recommended that as a client, you take comprehensive travel insurance to cover emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage, theft or loss of personal baggage, money, cancellation, emergency travel and accommodation, lost baggage, and any other cover the client deems fit. Other than compulsory insurance, the decision of which insurance cover he/she obtains is solely the responsibility of the client.
    b. Client acknowledges that without such travel insurance, client will be responsible for all costs arising from any cancellation, re-routing, or rescheduling of your trip or any emergency (medical or other kind) that may arise during your travels. You agree that in the event of your failing to purchase adequate insurance cover, you will not hold Chigo Tours Africa Ltd responsible for any harm or loss that you may suffer.
    c. Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travellers who go flying, by road, or by boats, in the wild trekking/hiking to see gorillas, chimps, primates, mountains, nature/bush walks, and on wildlife safari should be taken out at the time of booking.
    d. Health: The client accepts that to participate in the tour requires a measure of physical fitness and health, and it is the client’s obligation to ensure that he/she is medically fit to embark on the tour.
  9. Liability:
    a. CHIGO Tours Africa acts as an agent on behalf of the client; it purchases transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant services, and other services from various independent suppliers that are not subject to its control. CHIGO Tours Africa cannot, therefore, be liable for any death, personal injury, personal illness, loss or damage to a person or property, or any other loss that may occur due to any act or omission of any such supplier, or by reason of any other event over which it has no control.
    b. CHIGO Tours cannot be held liable for any delays or additional costs incurred as a result of airlines not running on schedule, or delaying or losing luggage. Air schedule changes may necessitate additional nights being added to your tour. Any resulting additional costs must be borne by the client.
    c. It is the responsibility of the client/group leader to ensure that the necessary documentation, like passports, visas, health certificates, and other documentation, is acquired on time and is up to date.
    d. Upon arrival, clients who go herping are required to sign a special ‘participants release and waiver of liability before the trip starts. Chigo Tours Africa, her staff, guides or her representatives cannot be held liable for any accident or death arising from any form of interaction with reptiles.
  10. Complaints.
    a. CHIGO TOURS AFRICA shall try to ensure that the company exceeds your expectations in every area of the tour arrangements. However, suggestions are very much appreciated in order to keep improving the quality of the service.
    b. Complaints must be reported immediately to the CHIGO TOURS AFRICA representative and to the supplier of the service in question, who will do their best to resolve the matter. If the problem is not solved to the client’s satisfaction, the complaint should be reported in written form and not later than 30 days after completion of the tour.
    c. Liability for any complaints not notified in accordance with the above-described procedures cannot be accepted.
  11. Guest Representation and Consent.
    The person making any booking with CHIGO Tours does so on his or her behalf, and other persons included warrant that he or she has authority to enter into a contract on behalf of all other persons included in such a booking. The payment of the deposit or any other partial payment for a reservation on a tour constitutes consent by all guests.
  12. Governing Laws.
    The laws of Uganda govern and shall apply to this contract to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes or claims in connection with this contract or any service or product bought from us must be initiated in the courts of Uganda.

CHIGO TOURS is the marketing name of CHIGO TOURS AFRICA LTD, an organization, or/company, or /firm registered in Uganda.

Thank you for taking the time to read these terms & conditions. Do not hesitate to contact in case you have any other queries