Welcome to Dust & Echo (ugandawildlifesafaris.com). By booking a safari with us, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions. These outline how we operate, what we promise, and where our responsibilities begin and end. Please read them carefully—they help protect both of us.
1. Bookings & Payment
a) Full Safari Packages
To confirm a comprehensive safari itinerary, we require a 30% deposit of the total trip cost. This secures your accommodation, park permits, guides, and other logistics. The remaining 70% is due no later than 30 days before your arrival in Uganda. For bookings made within 30 days of the start date, full payment is required upfront.
b) Permit-Only Services
For requests involving the procurement of trekking permits only (Gorilla, Chimpanzee, or Habituation), 100% of the permit cost plus the service surcharge is required upfront. We cannot initiate the purchase with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) until the full amount is cleared.
c) Payment Methods
Payments can be made via Bank Transfer (Wire/RTGS) or a secure online payment link (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Please note that online payments may incur a processing fee. A formal invoice and booking confirmation will be issued upon receipt of funds.
2. Cancellations & Refunds
We understand that plans can change. For Full Safari Packages, the following refund schedule applies to the land portion of your trip:
- 91+ days before arrival: Full refund minus non-refundable permits and transaction fees.
- 61–90 days before arrival: 50% refund of the land total.
- 31–60 days before arrival: 25% refund of the land total.
- 30 days or less: No refund.
Strict Permit Policy
Regardless of the booking type, Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. These are issued directly by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in the traveller’s name. In the event of a cancellation, the permit cost cannot be recovered or applied to future dates unless authorised by UWA’s specific internal policies.
Refunds for eligible land costs (lodges/cars) are processed to the original payment method within 14 business days.
3. Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended and remains your responsibility. It should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage loss, delays, and evacuation.
We are not liable for any costs you incur due to lack of insurance.
4. Itinerary Adjustments
Every effort is made to follow your confirmed itinerary. However, we reserve the right to modify routes, accommodations, or activities if needed due to weather, road conditions, wildlife movement, or unforeseen circumstances.
If a change becomes necessary, we’ll inform you promptly and arrange an equivalent or better alternative. We do not offer refunds for itinerary adjustments beyond our control.
5. Liability
Safaris involve travel to remote areas, wildlife encounters, and sometimes physically demanding conditions. By booking with us, you acknowledge these risks and agree to travel at your own risk.
Dust & Echo is not liable for:
- Injury, illness, death, theft, or property loss
- Delays, strikes, civil unrest, or force majeure events
- Acts or omissions of third-party service providers
We operate with utmost care, but some elements remain outside our control.
6. Age, Fitness & Health
Some activities—like gorilla trekking or mountain hiking—require a reasonable level of fitness and may not be suitable for everyone.
It is your responsibility to disclose any medical conditions, mobility issues, or special needs when booking. If you’re unsure whether an activity is suitable, please ask. We’ll always guide you honestly.
7. Third-Party Services
To deliver your safari, we may share essential booking details (like your name, dietary preferences, or passport number) with trusted third parties—lodges, airlines, guides, or local authorities.
We only share what’s necessary and only with your consent.
8. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Uganda. Any disputes arising from your safari will be handled in the courts of Uganda.
Final Note
Booking a trip with Dust & Echo means more than just ticking off bucket-list moments. It’s a partnership. We’ll do everything in our power to make your journey exceptional—but we ask that you understand the realities of travel in wild, beautiful places. Respect for nature, flexibility, and patience go a long way out here.
If you have any questions before booking, reach out to us directly at hi@ugandawildlifesafaris.com. We’re here to help.
