Terms & Conditions

Mikio Tours, LLC is an experienced organizer of mountain climbing excursions, day trips, beach holidays, and complete private safaris and tour packages in Tanzania.

Our terms and conditions might be amended from time to time as deemed necessary. However, the terms at the time of booking are valid.

Booking Confirmation

Once you have approved your trip proposal, we will send you an official booking form. We kindly request that you complete this form and return it by email. Note that a valid travel insurance is mandatory when booking your safari with us.

After receiving your completed booking form, we will proceed with the reservations for accommodation, excursions and domestic flights (if applicable). When all travel services have been reconfirmed, we will send you the invoice. This invoice is also your booking confirmation.

Terms of Payment

A deposit payment of 30% of the total invoice amount has to be paid within 14 days after the invoice date. The remaining amount is due eight weeks (56 days) before arrival. For bookings within the period of 56 days prior to departure the full amount of the invoice has to be paid instantly. Once we have received the amount in our bank account, we will send you a confirmation. Please note that bank transfer costs should be covered by the sender.

It is possible to pay the invoice in US dollars or in Euro’s. If the exchange rate fluctuates by 5% or more (higher or lower) before payment has been made, then the (remaining) payment will be adjusted accordingly. We may decide to increase the deposit rate in case the total amount exceeds USD $25,000.00 (Twenty Five Thousand USD Dollars).

In case the date of payment is exceeded, you will receive a friendly reminder. If we still do not receive your payment subsequently, we have the right to cancel your trip and we will charge you cancellation fees of 30% of the total amount.

Cancellation Policy

In case you may need to cancel your trip please notify us by email as your earliest convenience. Any cancellations shall be effective on the date that we received your cancellation request. The following cancellation fees apply:

  1. Cancellation up to 56 days before the day of arrival: 30% of the total amount;
  2. Cancellation from 56 days to 42 days before the day of arrival: 75% of the total amount;
  3. Cancellation from 42 days to the day of arrival: 100% of the total amount.

No refunds will be given for any unused services, late arrivals or no-shows.

All suggested safari itineraries are subject to availability and not guaranteed until confirmed. In case the proposed accommodation is fully booked we will offer you a suitable alternative in the same price range or higher (a surcharge may be applicable). In the unlikely event that the alternative available travel services are not acceptable to you, we will provide a full refund. Especially in peak season (July August and mid-end December) we strongly recommend booking well in advance to avoid possible disappointment.

Mikio Tours, LLC reserves the right to amend and re-adjust the itinerary, transportation, accommodation and services indicated in the safari program in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. Any changes will be communicated as early as possible.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is MANDATORY to participate on this trip.

Trip deposits are non-refundable and balance payments are only partially refundable. Therefore, it is prudent for you to protect your investment against trip cancellation, interruption, delays and unforeseeable expenses. Standard travel insurance provides coverage for the following:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption
  • Missed connection
  • Travel delay
  • Baggage delay and personal items lost
  • Hurricane and weather
  • Employment layoff
  • Pre-existing medical conditions
  • Emergency medical
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation
  • Financial default
  • Terrorism

At a minimum, the insurance should protect you against trip cancellation and trip interruption, should you need to cancel your trip due to circumstances such as training injuries or sickness or emergencies.

Your travel insurance must cover high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters to be eligible for rescue by Kili MedAir - a private company which provides medical support and helicopter evacuation. Without a client's verified travel insurance with this specific coverage, Kili MedAir will not initiate a rescue operation on the mountain. This is not to be confused with coverage for "mountaineering" or "mountain climbing," which most insurance will not cover.

For our customers residing in the USA, we recommend that you obtain Travel Guard's Deluxe, Preferred or Essential plans, which provide coverage for high altitude trekking, trip cancellation, interruption and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay, for a low cost. You can compare the Deluxe, Preferred or Essential plans and purchase online through Travel Guard.

For our international customers, we recommend that you obtain travel insurance through World Nomads.

Climbers are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance immediately after booking their trip. Travel Guard insurance covers trip cancellation due to pre-existing conditions only when insurance is purchased within 15 days of booking. Clients must be able to provide proof of insurance to staff upon request. Clients who fail to obtain travel insurance will not be allowed to climb.

Note that Mikio Tours LLC  will make the necessary ground service arrangements, but cannot book your international flight. When confirming your safari you will however be automatically signed up for the AMREF Flying Doctors Tourist Evacuation (day trips excluded).

Visa

It is your own responsibility to obtain a tourist visa for Tanzania.

Visas are issued by the following:

  1. The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.
  2. Tanzanian representatives abroad: Visas can be obtained at Tanzanian Embassies and High Commissions, such as the Tanzanian Embassy of the United States.
  3. Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.
  4. Any other gazetted entry point.

Transportation

Every effort is made to ensure that the safari vehicles are provided in a roadworthy condition but no liability can be accepted for a puncture, breakdown, damage, or delay as a result of the poor road conditions. We only allow the guides to drive the company vehicles whose decision on all matters, such as the route taken, is final.

Wildlife

It is a privilege to see animals in their natural habitat and as such, we cannot guarantee wildlife or game viewing. You must take caution when viewing the animals, keep a minimum distance and carefully follow the instructions given by either the tour guide or wildlife rangers.

Claims and Complaints

If you have a complaint about your trip please inform your group leader or your travel consultant at the time in order that they can attempt to rectify the matter. If satisfaction is not reached through these means then any further complaint should be put in writing to us within 30 days of the end of the tour.

Liability

Whilst Mikio Tours, LLC will exercise utmost care in dealing with you as our esteemed guest and your belongings, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings, personal injury or death. It is therefore mandatory to have a comprehensive travel insurance when traveling.

Force Majeure

If Mikio Tours, LLC is affected by force majeure, which means any circumstances beyond the control of the company (including and without limitation, explosions, floods, tempests, fires, accidents, war or threat of war, sabotage, insurrection, civil disturbance or requisition, sickness, quarantine, government intervention, weather conditions or other outwards occurrences, we shall inform you immediately of the nature and extend thereof. The company is not allowed to violate or abuse these conditions.

Payment of any refund to you as result of the non-performance of any company, we shall use reasonable efforts to compensate you where possible. However, we will be entitled to deduct from any refund recoverable to the reasonable actual and potential costs to the company of the force majeure.

Use of Website

Mikio Tours, LLC licenses you as the user of the website to view, download and print the content, provided that such content is used for private, personal, educational and/or non-commercial purposes only. Content from this website shall not be used or exploited by users for any commercial and non-private purposes without the prior written permission of Mikio Tours, LLC. We commit ourselves to take all reasonable and necessary steps to protect your personal information.

Do not hesitate to contact us in case of any questions about the above terms and conditions.

Upon returning the completed booking form you automatically agree with our terms and conditions.

Personal Details

In order for us to confirm your travel arrangements you must provide all requested details when making the booking. Necessary details vary by trip; they include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. On some more demanding trips we also require you to complete and forward a self-assessment form. Failure to provide requested details may result in additional charges or non-refundable cancellation of your trip.

Cancellation by the Traveller

You are advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking which will cover cancellation costs. The cancellation costs equal to the paid deposit amount. Once the full amount is due, the cancellation costs equal to the full amount. The date when the full amount is due depends on trip and seasonality but is usually around 3 weeks before departure. Please check with your trip manager for the exact date. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. If you are unable to join the trip for any Covid-19 related reasons, please contact your trip manager.

Cancellation by Us

We may cancel a trip at any time prior to departure if, due to terrorism, political instability or other events it is not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary. If we have to cancel your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or receive a full refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to a Force Majeure (as defined in clause 27 Force Majeure) or some external events outside our reasonable control, refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess or non-refundable flights.

Booking Amendments

If you wish to amend your booking please get in touch with your trip manager and we will try to facilitate your requests whenever possible. However, often the facilitation of an amendment request depends on suppliers and is outside of our control. The decision of such facilitation is in our sole discretion and we reserve the right to turn down such requests without further explanation. In the case that we are unable to facilitate your request and you have to cancel your booking, the cancellation conditions apply as outlined above “Cancellation by the traveller”.

Inclusions

The price of your trip includes:

  • All accommodation as listed in the itinerary
  • All transport listed in the itinerary
  • Sightseeing and meals as listed in the itinerary
  • The activities as described in itinerary
  • A group leader if not stated otherwise

Exclusions

The price of your trip does not include:

  • International or internal flights unless specified
  • Airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified
  • Meals other than those specified in the itinerary
  • Visa and passport fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional activities and all personal expenses

Age and Health Requirements

Minimum Age

If not stated otherwise, the minimum age for all of our trips is 18 years old at the time of travel. This does not apply to children travelling with their parents. Please reach out to your trip manager for more details.

Maximum Age

For the majority of our trips we have no upper age limit though we remind you that our trips can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. We are able to advise you on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice prior to travel for the latest health requirements and recommendations for your trip.

Normally, the age range on our trips is between 25 and 50 years, however, there is no rule with regards to a passengers age except from the minimum stated above.

Small Groups & Combination Trips

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid traveller unless minimum group size specifically states otherwise. This means at times we can have groups with small numbers of travellers. Some of our trips are designed to fit with other departures to create a longer “combination” trip; this means that some of your group may have already been travelling together for some weeks when you commence your trip.

On average, we run trips with 4 to 12 guests per group. However, there is no guarantee whatsoever with regards to the group size and we reserve the right to increase or decrease the number of Participants at any time and with no further explanation.

By agreeing to this booking terms and conditions you acknowledge that you will be on a trip with further participants that possibly come from a completely different socioecononomic background with different ethnicity, culture, age and interests. You acknowledge and understand that additional respect and consideration is needed towards other Participants on a trip as opposed to travelling solo.

Before Departure

If we make a major change, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before departure. The definition of a major change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five of the itineraries. When a major change is made you may choose between accepting the change, obtaining a refund of money paid on the land portion of the trip only or accepting an alternative tour offered.

After Departure

We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of our control.   In such emergency circumstances the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itinerary such as visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

Acceptance of Risk

You acknowledge that the nature of the trip is adventurous and participation involves a degree of personal risk. You will be visiting places where the political, cultural and geographical attributes present dangers and physical challenges greater than those present in our daily lives. We use information from government foreign departments and our local contacts in assessing whether the itinerary should operate. However, it is YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY to acquaint yourself with all relevant travel information and the nature of your itinerary. You acknowledge that your decision to travel is made in light of consideration of this information and you accept that you are aware of the personal risks attendant upon such travel. Many of our trips involve going to high-altitude or remote locations or poorly developed regions. Similarly, most trips visit remote locations or poorly developed regions where infrastructure is limited. In such places, the risks to health are increased and the ability to treat injury or illness effectively is reduced. Additionally, trips can include activities with a risk of serious injury or death. By agreeing to these booking terms and conditions and by embarking upon your trip, you acknowledge these hazards and your acceptance of the associated risks.

 Limitation of Liability

  1. We will accept liability for the negligence of our staff or agents causing death or physical injury to persons or loss or damage to personal property only to the extent it is obliged under the applicable law.  Our obligations, and those of our suppliers providing any service or facility included in your holiday, are to take reasonable skill and care to arrange for the provision of such services and facilities. This acceptance of liability is subject to clause c. below.
  2. In other circumstances we are responsible to you for the proper performance of this contract. This acceptance of liability is subject to clause c. below.
  3. We shall not be liable for any damage or loss if the failure to carry out the contract is:
    • attributable to you
    • attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services contracted for and the event is unforeseeable or unavoidable
    • due to unforeseen and unusual circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had to be exercised
    • due to political disputes, border closures, refusal of visas, industrial action, climate or other matters of a similar nature and any other force majeure
    • due to an event which the company, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall
  4. Except in cases involving death, injury or illness, any liability covered under clause b. above is limited to three (3) times the price paid. In the case of damaged property, the liability is limited to a maximum amount equal to the amount paid by or on behalf of the owner of the property. In all cases the company specifically excludes all liability for indirect or consequential loss or expense including loss of profits and in all cases our liability will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to the contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation for your travel arrangements.
  5. Where your trip arrangements involve travel by air, rail or sea, or hotel accommodation, the compensation is limited by the following international conventions respectively: Warsaw Convention as amended 1955, Bern Convention 1961, Athens Convention 1974, and Paris Convention 1962. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of right to claim or compensation contained in these or any conventions.
  6. Our acceptance of liability in clauses a and b above is subject to assignment by you of your rights against any agent, supplier or sub-contractor which is in any way responsible for the unsatisfactory arrangements or your death or personal injury.

Privacy Policy

Any personal information that we collect about you may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a trip or to send you marketing material in relation to our events and special offers. The information may be disclosed to our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable us to operate the trip.  We will otherwise treat your details in accordance with our privacy policy.

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram