Terms & Conditions

Golden Tai Expeditions provides tailor-made travel and expedition services, which may include:

• Self-drive 4x4 vehicle rentals
• Guided safaris and expeditions
• Driver-guide services
• Camping vehicles and camping equipment
• Accommodation and lodge bookings
• Safari and wildlife experiences
• Route and itinerary planning
• Transportation and transfers
• Car hire and related travel services
• Other travel experiences arranged upon request

Because our journeys are tailor-made, the specific services included in each booking will be stated in the customer's quotation, itinerary, invoice, rental agreement, or booking confirmation.

A booking becomes confirmed when:

• GTE has accepted the booking request;
• The customer has received written confirmation from GTE; and
• The required deposit or full payment has been received.

A provisional quotation or itinerary does not constitute a confirmed booking until the required payment has been received.

Prices and availability may change before a booking is confirmed.

All prices will be communicated in the currency specified in the quotation or invoice.

Unless otherwise stated in writing:

• A deposit is required to confirm a booking.
• The remaining balance must be paid according to the payment schedule stated on the customer's invoice or booking confirmation.
• Bookings made within a short period before the travel date may require full payment.
• A booking is not considered fully confirmed until the required payment has been received.

Any additional services, changes, upgrades, extra mileage, additional days, repairs caused by customer misuse, or other expenses not included in the original quotation may be charged separately.

GTE reserves the right to suspend or cancel services where required payments have not been received by the agreed deadlines.

We understand that travel plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to provide reasonable protection to both our customers and Golden Tai Expeditions, particularly because we may make advance commitments to vehicle suppliers, accommodation providers, guides, park authorities, and other service providers.

Unless a different cancellation policy is specifically stated in your booking confirmation, the following standard policy applies:

Customer Cancellation

More than 60 days before the scheduled travel date

• Cancellation is permitted.
• Any refundable amount will be returned after deduction of non-refundable third-party costs, transaction charges, and other expenses already incurred by GTE.
• Where applicable, GTE may offer a credit toward a future trip instead of a cash refund.

31–60 days before the scheduled travel date

• Up to 50% of the total booking value may be retained as a cancellation fee.
• Any additional non-refundable third-party costs will also be deducted.

15–30 days before the scheduled travel date

• Up to 75% of the total booking value may be retained.

14 days or less before the scheduled travel date

• 100% of the booking value may be retained, depending on the services booked and non-refundable commitments already made.

No-Show

If a customer fails to arrive for a confirmed booking without providing prior notice, the booking may be treated as a no-show, and no refund may be provided.

Early Return or Unused Services

No refund will normally be provided for unused portions of a trip, including:

• Unused vehicle rental days
• Unused accommodation
• Missed activities
• Unused transfers
• Early departure
• Voluntary changes to the itinerary after the trip has commenced

This does not affect any refund rights required by applicable law.

Some services arranged by GTE are provided by independent third parties, including:

• Lodges and hotels
• National parks and conservation authorities
• Campsites
• Activity operators
• Airlines
• Transport providers
• Local guides
• Other suppliers

These providers may have their own cancellation and refund policies.

Where applicable, the supplier's cancellation terms will apply to that particular service. GTE will communicate any significant third-party cancellation conditions to the customer where reasonably possible.

Where a third party retains a payment, GTE will not be required to refund that amount unless GTE itself receives the corresponding refund.

Customers may request changes to their booking, including changes to:

• Travel dates
• Number of travelers
• Vehicle type
• Accommodation
• Route
• Activities
• Driver-guide services
• Rental period

All changes are subject to availability and may result in additional charges.

Changes made close to the travel date may incur additional fees or may not be possible.

Any increase in the cost of a booking resulting from a customer-requested change must be paid before the revised service is provided.

Although GTE makes every reasonable effort to operate confirmed itineraries as planned, circumstances beyond our reasonable control may require us to modify, postpone, or cancel part of a trip.

These circumstances may include:

• Severe weather
• Road closures
• Natural disasters
• Government restrictions
• Political or civil unrest
• Changes to park regulations
• Security concerns
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Supplier failure
• Public health emergencies
• Border restrictions
• Other unforeseen circumstances beyond GTE's reasonable control

Where reasonably possible, GTE will offer an appropriate alternative, modification, rescheduling, or credit.

If GTE cancels a service entirely and is unable to provide a reasonable alternative, any refund will be handled in accordance with the applicable booking terms and amounts actually recoverable from relevant suppliers.

African travel can involve unpredictable road, weather, wildlife, and operational conditions.

Travel times, routes, activities, accommodation, and schedules may occasionally change for safety, operational, environmental, or logistical reasons.

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

GTE reserves the right to make reasonable itinerary adjustments where necessary while seeking to preserve the overall character and value of the customer's journey.

Customers renting a vehicle for self-drive travel must comply with the terms of the applicable vehicle rental agreement in addition to these Terms & Conditions.

The renter must:

• Possess a valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicle.
• Meet the minimum age and driving requirements communicated by GTE.
• Provide accurate identification and driving documentation.
• Use the vehicle responsibly and lawfully.
• Follow traffic laws and applicable regulations.
• Operate the vehicle only on permitted roads and areas.
• Take reasonable care of the vehicle and equipment.
• Immediately report accidents, breakdowns, damage, theft, or mechanical problems to GTE.
• Not allow unauthorized persons to drive the vehicle.
• Not use the vehicle for illegal purposes, racing, reckless driving, or other prohibited activities.

Additional requirements, security deposits, insurance conditions, mileage limits, cross-border permissions, fuel policies, and damage responsibilities will be specified in the relevant rental agreement.

The customer is responsible for the vehicle during the rental period, subject to the terms and limitations of the applicable rental agreement and insurance coverage.

The customer may be responsible for costs arising from:

• Negligent or reckless driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Unauthorized use of the vehicle
• Driving on prohibited roads or terrain
• Incorrect vehicle operation
• Lost keys
• Lost or damaged camping equipment
• Interior damage
• Damage caused by misuse
• Failure to report mechanical problems promptly
• Recovery or towing resulting from customer negligence
• Damage not covered by applicable insurance

Where applicable, the customer's liability will be limited or determined according to the vehicle rental agreement and applicable law.

Self-drive customers acknowledge that driving in Uganda and other African destinations can involve challenging roads and remote environments.

Customers are responsible for exercising appropriate caution and following instructions provided by GTE, park authorities, local authorities, and road signs.

Certain areas may require:

• Special permits
• Park fees
• Guides or ranger escorts
• 4x4 vehicles
• Additional safety requirements

Customers must comply with all applicable rules and regulations.

Where camping equipment is rented or included in a booking, the customer is responsible for taking reasonable care of the equipment.

Lost, stolen, or damaged equipment may result in additional charges.

Customers should inspect equipment at the beginning of the rental and notify GTE promptly of any existing damage or missing items.

Accommodation is subject to availability.

Where a requested lodge, hotel, or campsite becomes unavailable, GTE may arrange a reasonably comparable alternative where possible.

Accommodation providers may have their own check-in, check-out, cancellation, child, meal, and payment policies.

Customers are responsible for complying with the rules of the accommodation provider.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that they possess valid:

• Passports
• Visas
• Travel permits
• Driving licences
• International driving documents where required
• Vaccination or health documentation where required
• Other documents necessary for their journey

GTE may provide general guidance but is not responsible for a customer's failure to obtain or maintain the required travel documentation.

Customers should confirm requirements with the relevant government authorities before travelling.

We strongly recommend that all customers obtain comprehensive travel insurance before commencing their journey.

Travel insurance should, where appropriate, cover:

• Trip cancellation
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation
• Personal belongings
• Travel delays
• Vehicle-related liabilities where applicable
• Personal accident
• Other risks associated with the customer's trip

GTE is not an insurance provider and does not replace the protection provided by appropriate travel insurance.

Customers are responsible for assessing whether their planned activities are appropriate for their personal circumstances and level of fitness.

Customers should inform GTE of relevant dietary requirements, mobility considerations, allergies, or other practical requirements that may affect the delivery of services.

Certain destinations and activities may involve long drives, rough roads, walking, hiking, wildlife encounters, varying weather conditions, and limited access to medical facilities.

Customers are expected to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by GTE and its partners.

Customers acknowledge that wildlife experiences and outdoor adventures involve inherent risks.

Wild animals are unpredictable, and sightings or encounters cannot be guaranteed.

Customers must follow all instructions issued by guides, park authorities, rangers, accommodation providers, and GTE representatives.

GTE reserves the right to modify or discontinue an activity where it reasonably believes that continuing may create an unacceptable safety risk.

GTE will exercise reasonable care in providing and arranging its services.

However, to the extent permitted by applicable law, GTE is not responsible for losses, delays, costs, injuries, damages, or disruptions arising from circumstances beyond its reasonable control or from the acts or omissions of independent third-party suppliers.

This may include delays, cancellations, accidents, weather conditions, road conditions, government actions, wildlife incidents, illness, loss of personal belongings, or supplier-related disruptions.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.

Customers are responsible for their personal belongings throughout their journey.

GTE is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

Customers are encouraged to keep valuable items secure and maintain appropriate travel insurance.

Customers are expected to behave respectfully toward:

• Local communities
• Wildlife
• Guides and drivers
• GTE staff
• Accommodation staff
• Other travelers
• National park personnel
• Local laws and customs

GTE reserves the right to terminate services without refund where a customer's behavior creates a serious safety risk, involves unlawful conduct, threatens staff or other guests, or causes significant damage to property.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for children and minors travelling with them.

Certain activities, accommodations, vehicles, or wildlife experiences may have age restrictions or additional requirements.

Customers should disclose the ages of all children at the time of booking.

GTE may take photographs or videos during trips for operational and marketing purposes.

Where identifiable images of customers are intended for promotional use, GTE will seek appropriate permission where required.

Customers may request that their identifiable image not be used for future promotional purposes.

GTE will collect and use customer information necessary to provide and manage travel services, including booking, accommodation, vehicle rental, communication, and customer support.

We will handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection laws and our Privacy Policy.

GTE will not be considered in breach of its obligations where performance is prevented, delayed, or materially affected by circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include natural disasters, extreme weather, epidemics or pandemics, government restrictions, political instability, war, civil unrest, strikes, border closures, road closures, major infrastructure failures, or other extraordinary events.

GTE will make reasonable efforts to assist customers with alternative arrangements where practical.

We encourage customers to communicate any concerns to GTE as soon as they arise so that we have a reasonable opportunity to resolve them during the trip.

Complaints should preferably be submitted in writing as soon as reasonably possible after the issue occurs.

GTE will review complaints fairly and make reasonable efforts to reach an appropriate resolution.

GTE may work with independent suppliers to provide certain services.

These suppliers may include accommodation providers, activity operators, transport providers, guides, conservation authorities, and other travel-service providers.

While GTE carefully selects its partners, the services of independent suppliers remain subject to their own terms and operating conditions.

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

Any dispute arising from these Terms & Conditions shall, where possible, first be addressed through good-faith discussion between the customer and GTE.

Where a dispute cannot be resolved amicably, it may be referred to the appropriate courts or dispute-resolution mechanisms having jurisdiction in Uganda.

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

These Terms & Conditions, together with the customer's quotation, invoice, itinerary, rental agreement, and booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the customer and GTE regarding the booking, and supersede any prior discussions or representations relating to it, except where those documents state otherwise.

GTE reserves the right to update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The version applicable to a customer's booking will generally be the version communicated or applicable at the time the booking is confirmed, unless changes are required by law or agreed otherwise.

By booking or using services provided by Golden Tai Expeditions, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions.

For specific bookings, the customer's quotation, invoice, itinerary, rental agreement, and booking confirmation may contain additional terms that apply to that particular service.

Where there is a conflict between these general Terms & Conditions and a specific written agreement signed by the customer and GTE, the specific agreement will take precedence to the extent of the conflict.