Responsibility

The National Geographic Society will provide educational enrichment for National Geographic Private Safaris as outlined in this itinerary as a sponsoring organization and has licensed Bushtracks Expeditions to organize and administer National Geographic Private Safaris. Bushtracks Expeditions, in turn, acts only as an agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with these tours ("other providers"), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time participants are not aboard their conveyances.

The National Geographic Society and Bushtracks Expeditions shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider; and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against the National Geographic Society and/or Bushtracks Expeditions for any such loss, damage, injury, or death.

By registering for a National Geographic Private Safari, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. The National Geographic Society and Bushtracks Expeditions reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a National Geographic Private Safari. The National Geographic Society and Bushtracks Expeditions reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the agreed itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants.

Neither the National Geographic Society nor Bushtracks Expeditions shall be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the participant’s National Geographic Private Safari departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the participant.

Terms and Conditions

Basis of Rates: All prices are based on two persons sharing a room, unless stated otherwise. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. The rates are based on current tariffs and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so, and notification will be given at the time of final invoicing.

Eligibility: Participation in a National Geographic Private Safari is a benefit of membership in the National Geographic Society. Membership dues for 2010 are $34. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire trip.

Included in Safari Cost: Accommodations and meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner); educational materials; pre-departure information; entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary; ground transportation during the safari; transfers; services of naturalists, local guides, and any other staff; bottled water on all game drives and transfer vehicles; medical evacuation insurance, and taxes, baggage handling, and service charges. Please note: The "B, L, D" notations apply to the period during the National Geographic Private Safari only and do not include any meals on flights to/from the trip.

Not Included: Air transportation and related fees; activities noted as optional in the itinerary; gratuities (at your discretion with a recommended guideline of $12 per person per day in the safari camps); passport and visa expenses: baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone calls, and alcoholic beverages; departure taxes; and any other items not specifically noted as included.

Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds: To reserve space on a National Geographic Private Safari, a deposit of 20% of the trip cost is required. Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. Payments must be made by credit card. Your reservation may be cancelled if full payment has not been received by 90 days prior to departure. For reservations made within 90 days of the departure date, full payment is required when the reservation is accepted. All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark. If you cancel 180 days or more prior to departure, a refund less an administrative fee of 50% of your deposit will be made. Per-person charges for cancellations that occur less than 180 days prior to departure are as follows: 91-179 days prior to departure: 100% of your deposit amount; 45–90 days prior to departure: 50% of the safari cost; 44 or fewer days prior to departure: 100% of the safari cost. This policy also applies to pre- and post-trip extensions. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund policy. Leaving a Private Safari in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of a Private Safari. We reserve the right to cancel any trip because of good-faith concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. In the unlikely event that National Geographic or Bushtracks Expeditions must cancel your trip prior to departure, Bushtracks Expeditions will provide you with a full refund of monies paid to Bushtracks Expeditions; except in the event cancellation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to operate the trip as planned, in which case Bushtracks Expeditions will provide you with a refund and/or credit toward a future National Geographic trip equivalent to monies paid to Bushtracks Expeditions. If we cancel the trip in progress, you will receive a prorated refund based on the number of days not completed on the trip. We will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or travel agent.

Trip cancellation insurance is available at an additional cost and is strongly recommended.

Itinerary Changes: The itinerary and staff presented are subject to modification and change by the National Geographic Society or Bushtracks Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur after final itineraries are sent.

Health Requirements: You must be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention must be reported in writing when the reservation is made.

By registering for a National Geographic Private Safari, the participant agrees to the Responsibility statement and the Terms and Conditions herein.