HOW TO BOOK:

After you have decided on the tour of your choice, fill out the booking form and send it to Botswana Authentic Tours together with a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the applicable fare. On receipt of the signed booking form and deposit, we will, subject to availability, reserve the required services. The booking is confirmed and accepted by us when we forward the confirmation invoice to you. The deposit will be refunded if Authentic Botswana Tours cannot offer you a place. Please note that reservations cannot be made without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days prior to the date of departure. After receipt of payment, we will send you additional documents, depending on your travel category, in addition to the registration form. Please ensure you have received this information before embarking on your tour.

HOW TO PAY:

The easiest way to pay is by SWIFT transfer. Details of which are on our Invoices and/or your Itinerary. Please ensure you cover all the bank charges incurred at both ends of the transaction. All such fees are payable by client.

Fees not paid will be added to your tour costs till paid. This can be in your final payment or paid upon arrival.

As part of the PayPal Plus payment service, we also offer you various payment methods as PayPal services. With your travel invoice, we will email you a link to the website of the online provider PayPal. There you can enter your payment data, confirm the use of your data by PayPal and the payment instruction to PayPal.

If you choose the PayPal payment method, the payment will be processed via the payment service provider PayPal (Europe) S.à r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449 Luxembourg (hereinafter: "PayPal"), subject to the PayPal Terms of Use, available at https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua /user agreement-full or - if you do not have a PayPal account - subject to the conditions for payments without a PayPal account, which can be viewed at https://www.paypal.com/de/webapps/mpp/ua/privacywax-full

1. THE CONTRACT:

i. In this contract, the travel service provider is referred to as Authentic Botswana Tours Pty Ltd. The customer is the person who makes the booking by signature. Persons under his guardianship are all persons who are registered for a tour in the customer's application.

ii. The client who signifies the acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of himself/ herself and persons under his/her authority, and warrant that he/she has authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the other person included in such a booking and in event of the failure of any or all the other persons so included to make payment, the person making the booking shall by his/her signature thereof assume personal liability for the total price of all bookings made by him/her. All bookings are made with Authentic Botswana Tours and no person has any authority on its behalf to vary any of the terms and conditions, which are applicable.

iii. A non-refundable deposit of 30% for each person is required when submitting the booking application form. The booking fee is accepted as part of the inclusive fare and will only be refunded if the applicant cannot be accommodated.

iv. The full amount due by the client to the Company, shall be payable not less than 90 days (3 months) prior to the date of departure. If the full amount is not paid in due time, The Company reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled. Late applicants however may join the tour on an "accommodation available" basis.

2. CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellations are only effective on receipt of written notification. If a booking is cancelled prior to 8 weeks before departure, you forfeit your deposit. If the booking is cancelled less than 8 weeks before departure, Authentic Botswana Tours shall retain the full deposit and a cancellation fee will be payable by the client as follows: 89 - 60 days: 50% of total fare; 59 - 42 days: 75% of the total fare; 41-0 days: 100% of the total fare. Travel cancellation insurance is highly recommended for all Authentic Botswana Tours services. It is the client's responsibility to arrange cancellation insurance. Should a client fail to join a tour after a departure or leave prior to its completion, no refund or liability will be accepted by Authentic Botswana Tours .

3. CHANGE OF BOOKING:

After the booking has been confirmed, should you wish to change to an earlier departure date, you may do so, subject to availability. Normal cancellation fees apply if you wish to postpone your departure and are subject to availability.

4. CHANGES TO SCHEDULES:

The client is aware that the itineraries are flexible and will depend on local conditions. The Company will not accept any claims of any nature including consequential damages as a result of any accommodation or other facilities, made or becoming unavailable on tour. The client hereby indemnifies and holds the Company harmless in respect of any such claim. The Company reserves the right to cancel any tours without prior notification, in such events, all monies paid will be refunded in full which shall constitute the full extent of the Company liability to the client and persons under his authority.

5. INTERNAL FLIGHT MODIFICATION FEES:

All internal flights within Botswana are booked and paid for in full by us when you book on an Authentic Botswana Tours. If for any reason you need to make changes to the initial flight dates then you will be liable for all modification fees plus a USD $25 admin fee.

6. REFUNDS:

The Company uses its best endeavours to ensure that all anticipated accommodation is available as planned, there shall be no claim of any nature whatsoever against the Company for a refund either in whole or part, if any accommodation or excursion is unavailable and a reasonable alternative is not found. If the guest is unable to use any service provided in the itinerary, then there are no refunds due. The Company will not entertain complaints due to Loss of Enjoyment where the full land arrangements have been provided.

7. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:

If you are a single traveller and do not mind sharing a room/tent with another single traveller, we will do our best to accommodate you. However, if no other suitable single traveller is available, you will be liable to pay the full single supplement price. available a

8. BAGGAGE FOR FLY-IN SAFARIS:

The client is aware that the baggage is restricted to 20kgs in a soft bag (this includes camera equipment and carry-on bag) due to safety and limited space. The Company can in most cases, arrange for extra baggage to be stored or taken to the camp, lodge or hotel at an additional cost.  All baggage and personal effects are at all times the client´s risk and the Company cannot accept liability for any loss of baggage or personal effects.

9. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

i. The client acknowledges that it is his/her responsibility to ensure that he/she is in possession of the necessary valid travel documents, passport, visas, vaccination certificates and birth certificates (where minors are involved).
ii. Even though Authentic Botswana Tours will endeavour to assist the passenger in this regard, such assistance should be at the Company's sole discretion, the client acknowledges that in so doing, the Company is not assuming any obligation or liability, and that nevertheless the responsibility to ensure that the aforesaid documentation is in order and complies with such lawful and other requirements to enable the client to enjoy the benefits of the tour, remains the client's.
iii. The client acknowledges that the Company will not be held liable to a refund of the tour fare or compensation, should the client be refused entry into a country for any reason.

10. INSURANCE:

i. Comprehensive medical insurance is compulsory for guests booking with Authentic Encounters. The client acknowledges that it is his/her responsibility to take this insurance. It is also strongly recommended that comprehensive travel insurance is taken out. This insurance should include coverage with "cancellation for any reason" and in relation to, but not limited to, the following contingencies: cancellation and curtailment of flights and the safari and services booked, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods. Authentic Botswana Tours including their representatives, employees and agents will take no responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guests, or guest's dependants or traveling companions, with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above-mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require. Please note that credit card travel insurance is inadequate for a safari.
ii. As part of Authentic Botswana Tours´ medical policies, all persons on the wild life safaris are covered for the services of Okavango Air Rescue subject to emergency evacuation whilst on safari. The fees are included in each client´s safari cost.

11. INDEMNITY

i. Neither Authentic Botswana Tours (the Company) nor any person or agent acting for, through or on behalf of the Company shall be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from any cause whatsoever and without restricting the generality of the aforegoing shall particularly not be responsible for loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions contained in its website, literature or information sources, loss or damage caused by delays, sickness, theft, injury or death. In addition the Company shall have the right at any time at its discretion to cancel any safari and services or the remainder thereof or make alterations in route, accommodation, price or other details and, in the event of any safari and services being rendered impossible, illegal or inadvisable by weather, strike, war, government or interference or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses incurred as a result thereof shall be the responsibility of passenger. The Company may at its discretion and without liability or cost to itself at any time cancel or terminate the guest's booking and in particular without limiting the generality of the aforegoing it shall be entitled to do so in the event of the illness or the illegal or incompatible behaviour of the guest, who shall in such circumstances not be entitled to any refund. The client undertakes and agrees that he/she will, at all times, comply to a reasonable code of conduct during the safari and will not in any way constitute a nuisance to the other persons on tour.
ii. The client acknowledges that the services arranged by the Company, whether in civilized or remote areas by plane, vehicle, train, dug out canoe, canoe, boat, horse back, other conveyance or by foot, contains inherent risks of injury, illness, death, or loss and damage to property, which may be caused by forces of nature, accidents, wild animals, negligence of others, and other causes known or unknown.
iii. The client acknowledges that such risks may be present at any time before, during or after the tour arranged by the Company and that medical services and facilities may not be readily available during the tour.
iv. The client expressly assumes any and all risks with respect to the activities and circumstances described herein and agrees not to sue Authentic Botswana Tours on account of any losses, claims, costs, liabilities or damages.
v. The client agrees not to allege the unenforceability of this Agreement or part thereof. In the event of any competent authority finding that any portion of this Agreement is unenforceable, the remaining portion shall remain in full force and effect. The client agrees that the aforegoing obligation shall be binding.

12. FACTORS OUTSIDE AUTHENTIC ENCOUNTERS TOURS’S CONTROL:

The client is aware that unforeseen circumstances due to road conditions, weather, mechanical breakdown, accident, border closure, political situations etc are beyond the control of the Company and can delay and change the performance of the safari. The cost of flying back home, alternative accommodation, food, personal expenses and all resulting costs are to be borne by the client. The client is aware that insurance is compulsory to participate on all tours and acknowledges that it is responsibility to take comprehensive travel insurance. Authentic Botswana Tours will accept no liability whatsoever.

13. HEALTH:

The client acknowledges being aware of the proposed itinerary and it is the client's obligation to ensure that he/she is medically fit and able to embark upon such a tour.
ii. Authentic Botswana Tours will not assume any responsibility for payment of any medical expenses incurred by participants on any tour.
iii. Authentic Botswana Tours believes that the contents of this document are correct at the time of printing, but all prices and services are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

14. AIRLINE RESPONSIBILITY:

The airlines or other carriers concerned, are not held responsible for any accident omission or event during the time that passengers are not on board their aircraft or conveyance. The passengers' contract in use by the airlines concerned, or by other carriers concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and/or carriers and the purchaser of these tours and/or passengers.

15. PRICE INCREASE:

Authentic Botswana Tours reserves the right to increase their tour fares due to any increase in airline tariffs, fuel costs, entry fees, fluctuation of exchange rates, etc.

16. CONSENT:

The payment of a deposit or any other partial payment for the reservation of a tour constitutes the agreement of all guests involved in such payment to agree to all provisions stated in this document, the literature or other information sources, regardless of whether the guest personally signs the booking form or not. The terms under which you agree to these travel arrangements may not be modified or amended except in writing signed by an authorized member of the Company.

17. AGE LIMITS ON SAFARIS:

Please consult us regarding age policies at the time of booking. If a guest lies about their age, we reserve the right to terminate the safari without compensation.

18. Under 18 YEARS OF AGE:

Clients who are travelling with children or minors must carry the child’s unabridged birth certificate as well as signed affidavit from each parent stating the dates of travel. We do have a template for the letter, which you can request at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AMENDMENT:

COVID 19 Pandemic: as of 3rd April 2020
In light of the continued impact of COVID-19 on global travel and the ever-changing progress of the pandemic, it is vital that Authentic Botswana Tours continues to take appropriate actions and to ensure the continued safety of our guests.
It is with the above in mind that the following guideline has been developed in order to safeguard the best interests of our current guests, future travellers, our suppliers and our partners.Under these circumstances, Authentic Botswana Tours will work closely with its partners to avoid Corona-affected itineraries.
Authentic Botswana Tours  will make every effort to re-accommodate client itineraries to a new date if they are in any way directly impacted by the Coronavirus.

I would like to reassure all of our clients with existing bookings, and those who are planning to travel with us in the future, that Authentic Botswana Tours is committed to providing the experiences and holidays that our guests have come to expect of us.
Changes to itineraries may occur. Once a booking has been postponed to new dates in 2021, our standard cancellation and payment terms and conditions will apply to the new travel dates.
Should you have any queries or concerns regarding your booking or enquiry please contact your Travel Expert.
For more information on Covid-19:

https://www.moh.gov.bw/coronavirus.html