Last updated: 8 November 2026
1. The contract
A booking is confirmed when (a) we issue a written confirmation invoice and (b) we receive your deposit. The contract is between you (the lead traveller, acting on behalf of every person named on the booking) and Lion Whisper Safaris Ltd, a tour operator licensed by the Tourist Agents Licensing Authority of Tanzania (TALA Licence No. [TALA Licence No.]) and registered with the Tanzania Tourist Board.
2. Deposit and final payment
- A non-refundable deposit of [30]% of the total tour price is due to confirm your booking.
- The balance is due [60] days before arrival. For bookings made inside 60 days the full amount is due at confirmation.
- Payment may be made by bank transfer in USD or by card via our payment processor ([Stripe / Flutterwave]). Bank charges and card processing fees are payable by the guest.
- Some camps in peak season (e.g. Migration camps in July–October, festive season) require larger or fully non-refundable deposits. We will tell you in writing before you pay.
3. Cancellation by you
All cancellations must be confirmed in writing. The following charges apply as a percentage of the total tour price:
- More than 60 days before arrival — loss of deposit
- 60 to 31 days — 50%
- 30 to 15 days — 75%
- 14 days or fewer, no-show, or early departure — 100%
Cancellations of non-refundable air tickets, special-event camps and gorilla/chimp permits are payable in full regardless of the date of cancellation. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation for any reason.
4. Cancellation or changes by us
We reserve the right to cancel a safari for reasons beyond our reasonable control (see "Force majeure" below). If we cancel for any other reason we will offer you, at your choice: (a) a comparable alternative safari, or (b) a full refund of monies paid to us. Our liability in that case is limited to the refund and does not extend to consequential losses such as international flights.
Itinerary changes during the trip — caused by road conditions, weather, wildlife movement, vehicle issues, lodge over-bookings or authority decisions — are sometimes unavoidable. Your guide will agree the best alternative with you. We will not refund services that you choose not to use.
5. Travel insurance (mandatory)
Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover, as a minimum, medical treatment and emergency evacuation in East Africa (we recommend cover of at least USD 100,000), trip cancellation and curtailment, and personal liability. You must email us your policy number and emergency assistance phone number at least 30 days before arrival. We may decline to start the safari if cover is not in place.
6. Passports, visas and health
- You are responsible for a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date, with at least 2 blank pages, and for any visa required to enter Tanzania.
- A yellow-fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow-fever transmission.
- You must disclose any medical condition, allergy, mobility limitation, pregnancy or dietary requirement at the time of booking. We may refuse or curtail participation in any activity if we reasonably believe it would be unsafe.
- Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for most parts of Tanzania — please consult your travel doctor.
7. Park fees, taxes and price changes
Prices include Tanzania park and concession fees as charged on the date of quotation. The Government of Tanzania, TANAPA and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority may revise these fees, VAT or tourism levies at any time. Any increase that takes effect between booking and travel will be passed on to you at cost; we will provide the official authority notice.
8. Vehicles, guides and accommodation
Safaris are operated in privately-equipped 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roof, driven by guides licensed under the Tourism Act, 2008. We reserve the right to substitute a vehicle, guide or lodge of equivalent or higher standard if necessary. Single-room and triple-room availability is subject to confirmation by the lodge.
9. Wildlife, risk and conduct
Tanzania is a wild country. Wildlife is unpredictable; sightings cannot be guaranteed. Walking safaris, balloon flights, cultural visits and water activities carry inherent risks. By booking you confirm that you understand these risks and will follow all reasonable instructions from your guide, lodge staff and park rangers. We may end any guest's participation, without refund, for conduct that endangers themselves, other guests, staff, wildlife or local communities.
10. Limitation of liability
Lion Whisper Safaris Ltd holds public liability and professional indemnity insurance with [Insurer name]. We accept liability where loss, injury or damage results from the proven negligence of us or our directly-employed staff, up to the limits required by the Tourism Act, 2008 and our insurance policy.
To the maximum extent permitted by Tanzanian law, our total liability for any claim is limited to the price paid to us for the affected services. We are not liable for the acts or omissions of independent suppliers (lodges, airlines, charter operators, restaurants, activity providers), nor for loss caused by force majeure, your own actions, or the actions of a third party unconnected with the trip. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under Tanzanian law.
11. Force majeure
"Force majeure" means any event we could not reasonably foresee or avoid, including: war, terrorism, civil unrest, government action, border or park closure, epidemic or pandemic, fire, flood, drought, locust outbreak, severe weather, volcanic activity, earthquake, animal-disease outbreak, strike, fuel shortage, or failure of public utilities. We are not liable for failure to perform the contract caused by force majeure, but will work in good faith to offer alternative arrangements where possible.
12. Photography, video and storytelling
Your guide may take photographs and short video during your safari. We may use this material in our marketing with names removed or anonymised. If you prefer not to appear, tell your guide on day one and we will respect that throughout the trip.
13. Complaints
If something is wrong during the safari, please tell your guide or call our Arusha office on +255 763 885 860 immediately so we can try to fix it on the spot. Written complaints made after the trip should be sent to hello@lionwhispersafaris.com within 28 days of your return.
14. Governing law and jurisdiction
This contract is governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. The courts of Arusha have jurisdiction over any dispute, without prejudice to mandatory consumer-protection rights in your country of residence. The parties will attempt mediation in good faith before commencing court proceedings.
15. Operator details
Lion Whisper Safaris Ltd · Company Reg. [Registration No.] · TIN 120-839-527 · TALA Licence [TALA Licence No.] · Tanzania Tourist Board Reg. [TTB Reg. No.] · Member of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators · [Street address], Arusha, Tanzania.