Travel insurance is mandatory for all Congo Gorilla Tours (hereinafter referred to as “CGT” throughout this document) participants, who are wholly responsible for arranging it themselves. Insurance should provide adequate coverage for medical expenses arising from illness or accident prior to or during the tour, including evacuation and repatriation in an emergency, and loss of tour monies through cancellation or curtailment of the tour for insurable reasons. Participants should ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities in their tour. Proof of adequate insurance is requested before the start of a tour. Failure to provide this will result in the participant’s exclusion from the tour.
Booking, Cancellations, Refunds, and Substitutions of Destinations
FIT and Groups:
Fifty percent of each participants tour cost is due 3 months or 90 days before tour start date. A tour is considered confirmed only upon receipt of this deposit.
The balance of each participants tour cost is due in full 6 weeks before the tour start date.
If a group of four or more participants cancels more than 60 days prior to tour start date, there is a non-refundable charge of 25 % of the deposit paid, 50 % of the total cost of the tour.
Cancellation fees after balance has been paid 6 weeks prior to travel:
• 4 – 6 weeks prior: 25 % of all monies paid by each participant who cancels
• 3 weeks prior: 50 % of all monies paid by each participant who cancels
• Less than 3 weeks: 100 % of all monies paid by each participant who cancels
Insurable risks may be covered under trip cancellation insurance policies.
In the case of this Central African tour, transport costs increase for each participant if there is a cancellation of just one participant. It is the operator’s responsibility to inform the remaining participants of the rate change attached to a group of fewer numbers.
CGT will not grant partial refunds for any unused trip arrangements—for example, skipped meals or day activities—after the tour has commenced or any refunds to tour members who do not complete the tour for whatever reason.
War, civil and political unrest, or what is referred to as force majeure, or government issued travel advisories warning citizens not to travel to the country to be visited, may lead CGT to cancel a tour before the tour commences. If cancellation takes place before the balance due date (6 weeks prior) but after the deposit has been paid (3 months prior) CGT will refund a participant’s deposit. If cancellation takes place after the balance has been paid at 6 weeks but up to 14 days before the tour start date, CGT will endeavor to offer the tour again within 12 months of the original start date. However, CGT will not be responsible for costs associated with re-issuance or extension of visas, airline change fees, or for any compensation. If a participant prefers compensation, CGT will refund the cost of each participants tour less a 25 % administration fee of each participants total safari cost. This administration fee is levied by Central Africas national parks in the event of a cancellation under the circumstances described above.
Central Africas national parks reserve the right to cancel a reservation at any moment in the event of a severe problem as outlined above.
Weather, road conditions, foreign government policies, force majeure, government issued travel advisories warning citizens not to travel to the country to be visited or to a specific geographical area within the country, or other circumstances beyond CGTs control, may result in substitutions of destinations on a tour, curtailment or cancellation of individual activities on a tour, or cancellation of the tour altogether, after the tour commences. The cost of delay and/or replacement or cancellation or other contingencies is not included in the tour fees. CGT will not be responsible for costs associated with re-issuance or extension of visas, airline change fees, or for any compensation. It is strongly advised that all participants are in possession of umbrella travel insurance.
Risks
A CGT tour is an exceptional travel opportunity, but it is with certain risks, dangers, hazards and liabilities. All participants are required to accept these risks as outlined in the Waiver and Release, to be signed along with the reservation form at the time of booking.
Passports, Visas, Vaccinations, Travel Documents
It is the responsibility of the participant to be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of return travel and with enough blank pages; visas; inoculations and health certificates; and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour. Participant is responsible for providing correct personal information (passport name, address, emergency contact information) and flight information on reservation form.
Age, Fitness and Participation
All participants are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete their chosen tour. Anyone suffering from illness or a disability or who is undergoing treatment for a physical or medical condition must declare the condition on the reservation form. CGT is not responsible for any participant’s failure or inability to participate due to physical limitations and reserve the right to exclude the participant from any tour activity or from the tour itself without refund. In the case of a participant’s illness, CGT may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client.
In addition, the Republic of Congo requires certain health documents from each visitor in advance whereupon they issue a letter of acceptance and authorization for gorilla trekking in the park. This is to maintain the health of the gorilla population.
Responsible Behavior
Participants are responsible for reading pre-departure information, for bringing necessary equipment and clothing and must abide by the authority of CGTs representative, agents and local guides. Any cause of danger or annoyance to the group might result in exclusion from the tour.
Single Travellers
CGT endeavors to match single travelers who must share a double room. If it is not successful, a single supplement can be requested but is not guaranteed for this tour where there is limited room at the camps. CGT is not responsible for the incompatibility of two single participants sharing due to any reason.
Tour participants grant CGT the express permission to take a photographic record of their tours for promotional and commercial use.