Terms and conditions
Reservation and Payment Policy
a. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a booking.
b. Full payment is due no later than 60 days prior to the safari departure date.
c. For bookings made less than 60 days prior to the safari departure date, full payment is required to secure the booking.
d. Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.
Amendment Policy
Guests may make amendments, such as name changes, or add additional guests, on a previously booked package and accept the following:
a. You are subject to a new rate based on the current hotel/lodge rates at the time of the modification.
b. You may be subject to modification fees from our supplier partners to alter originally confirmed bookings.
Cancellation Policy
a. Due to recent changes in many of our suppliers policies, ALL payments are NON-REFUNDABLE after 48 hours have elapsed after booking. Trips MAY be exchangeable for an alternate date, depending on the tour booked. Upon payment, our reservation team promptly secures your accommodations. Once transactions are processed, we regretfully cannot retrieve funds, necessitating this adjustment in our policy.
b. Bookings made within 2 months of your trip are completely NON-REFUNDABLE.
c. Cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances must be handled through the traveler’s travel insurance policy (highly recommended).
d. One date change is allowed if a client is unable to travel, provided the request is made in writing at least 120 days before arrival. New rates may apply due to hotel pricing changes.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected cancellations.
Safari Itinerary
a. The safari itinerary is subject to change at any time due to weather conditions, park regulations, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control.
b. Melanated Safaris will make every effort to inform clients of any changes to the itinerary as soon as possible.
c. We reserve the right to substitute lodges, hotels, or camps with others of a similar standard should the need arise.
Passports & Visas
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents. Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Citizens of countries where visas are required to enter the United Republic of Tanzania, may obtain a visa on arrival (CASH PAYMENT).
United States citizens – $100 USD
All other nationalities – $50 USD
Please visit https://immigration.go.tz to verify if a visa is required for citizens of your country.
Health and Safety
a. Guests must inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or dietary requirements at the time of booking.
b. Guests are responsible for their own health and safety while on safari.
c. We strongly recommend that guests consult with a healthcare professional prior to travel and take any necessary vaccinations or medications.
d. Guests are required to follow all safety instructions given by our guides while on safari.
Liability
a. We accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, or death resulting from any act or omission on the part of any third party, including but not limited to airlines, lodges, hotels, local vendor, or other safari operators.
b. We accept no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, or death resulting from any act or omission on the part of the client.
c. We recommend that clients take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any loss, damage, injury, or death.
d. Please note that safaris involve outdoor elements, including dust and rugged environments. We are not responsible for any wear and tear, dirt, or damage that may occur to luggage during the trip. Our team will do everything in their power to protect your luggage and belongings. We advise against bringing expensive or delicate luggage.
Force Majeure
Force majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond Melanated Safaris control or the control of our suppliers, the consequence of which neither Melanated Safaris, nor its suppliers, could avoid even with all due care, including, but not limited to, war or threat of war; riot; civil strife; terrorist activity (actual or threatened); industrial dispute; technical problems with transport, machinery or equipment; outages or power failures; natural or nuclear disaster; fire, flood, drought or adverse weather conditions; pandemics, epidemics or outbreaks of illness. In the event of a cancellation or material alteration to the package, as a result of the circumstances as described in this clause, Melanated Safaris shall have no liability whatsoever for any travel related costs incurred by the guest, including but not limited to air, insurance, visas and other travel arrangements of any kind.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania, and any disputes arising under or in connection with these terms and conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United Republic of Tanzania. By making a booking with us, clients acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions
It’s peaceful, calming, and sometimes adrenaline-rushing. It’s an adventure and each day is different because animal’s behavior changes day-to-day and what’s a necessity today, may not be one tomorrow. It’s a constant quest for survival.
The weather in Tanzania is generally a comfortable climate year-round, although there are significant regional variations. The island of Zanzibar is usually humid and hot due to it being an island and its location in the Indian Ocean. Arusha, near Mt. Kilimanjaro, is at a higher elevation, therefore the climate is relatively cool. Serengeti National Park is also at a higher elevation and experiences comfortable temperatures year-round.
It’s rainy season—the heaviest rains (called masika) usually fall from mid-March to May. We want our clients to enjoy their experience, therefore, we’ve decided not to do tours during those months because of unfavorable weather.
The following are recommended by the CDC and WHO, but not mandatory; Hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, and rabies. Please consult with your primary care physician.
Foreign nationals may apply for a visa online in advance of travel. Applicants may complete the e-visa application form and make payment online with a credit card or bank transfer at www.immigration.go.tz. If the e-visa is approved, the applicant will receive a “grant notice” via email. Present a copy of the grant notice to the Immigration Officer on arrival at the airport in Tanzania.
U.S. citizens may also obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Tanzania. The cost is $100 USD. Be prepared to pay in cash in case connectivity issues make electronic transactions impossible.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required per person, to hold your place on your selected tour.
Yes. After the initial payment, our team will set up a payment plan, based on your financial needs, to ensure your trip is paid in full 60 days prior to your arrival date in Tanzania.
- Once a booking is made, we allow a 48-hour window, before our team begins confirming and securing accommodations for your upcoming safari experience with us. Once these transactions are made, we unfortunately are unable to retrieve any wired funds. Therefore, ALL deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE. Cancellations made within 48 hours of your initial booking, will receive a full refund minus the deposit.