Uganda & Rwanda Safari Refund & Cancellation Policy
At Njagi Safaris, we understand that travel plans can change. This Refund & Cancellation Policy explains how cancellations, refunds, rescheduling and travel disruptions are handled for safaris and other travel services booked with us. Our safaris often involve advance payments to accommodation providers, transport operators, national park authorities and other independent suppliers.
Some services, including gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, flights and selected accommodation reservations, may be subject to non-refundable or restricted cancellation conditions. For this reason, we encourage clients to carefully review this policy and arrange appropriate travel insurance before confirming a safari.
Cancellation by the Client
If you need to cancel your safari, you must notify Njagi Safaris in writing. A cancellation will become effective on the date on which written notice is received by Njagi Safaris. Cancellation charges are based on the number of days before the scheduled safari departure date.
Cancellation Charges
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These charges apply to the safari price, subject to the provisions relating to non-recoverable third-party costs below.
Non-Recoverable Third-Party Costs
Certain services included in a safari may require advance payment to independent suppliers or authorities. These costs may be non-refundable or subject to separate cancellation conditions.
Such services may include:
- Gorilla trekking permits;
- Chimpanzee tracking permits;
- Other wildlife or activity permits;
- Domestic, regional or charter flights;
- Accommodation deposits or prepaid reservations;
- Specially arranged transport or activities;
- Other services purchased specifically for a confirmed safari.
Where Njagi Safaris has already paid funds to a supplier or relevant authority, any refund will depend on the amount that Njagi Safaris is able to recover.
Njagi Safaris will not be required to refund amounts that are non-refundable or otherwise unrecoverable from the relevant supplier or authority.
Where a supplier, airline, accommodation provider, national park authority or other service provider issues a refund or credit, Njagi Safaris will apply the recoverable amount in accordance with this policy.
Refund Eligibility
Where a cancellation results in an amount becoming refundable, the refund will be calculated after deduction of:
Applicable cancellation charges;
- Non-refundable permits;
- Supplier cancellation charges;
- Non-refundable accommodation deposits;
- Airfare or ticketing charges;
- Bank, payment processing or transfer charges;
- Other reasonable costs already incurred in arranging the safari.
No refund will be provided for services that have already been used.
No refund will normally be payable for unused accommodation, meals, activities, transport or other services resulting from late arrival, voluntary departure, missed connections, illness, failure to obtain required travel documentation or a client’s decision not to participate in part of the itinerary.
This approach is consistent with the treatment of unused services and supplier-incurred costs commonly found in safari booking policies.
Refund Timelines
Where a refund is due and the amount can be confirmed, Njagi Safaris will aim to process the refund within 30 days after the final refundable amount has been determined.
In some circumstances, a refund may take longer where Njagi Safaris is waiting for funds, confirmation or settlement from an airline, accommodation provider, national park authority or another independent supplier.
Refunds will normally be made using the original payment method where reasonably possible. Bank charges, intermediary bank fees, foreign exchange differences and other transaction costs may be deducted where applicable.
Rescheduling Your Safari
Where circumstances allow, Njagi Safaris may offer clients the opportunity to reschedule rather than cancel their safari.
Rescheduling may be particularly appropriate where a change of travel dates can reduce or avoid cancellation charges.
A rescheduled safari will remain subject to:
- Availability of accommodation and other services;
- Availability of gorilla, chimpanzee or other permits;
- Supplier terms and conditions;
- Any difference in seasonal or revised pricing;
- Additional costs arising from changes to flights, accommodation, permits or other services.
Where the cost of the rescheduled safari is higher than the original booking, the client will be responsible for the difference. Where the new arrangement costs less, any difference will be handled according to the costs recoverable from suppliers and the terms applicable to the revised booking.
Rescheduling may be particularly appropriate where a change of travel dates can reduce or avoid cancellation charges. Before confirming new travel dates, clients may also wish to review our Travellers Information for practical guidance relating to entry requirements, health, travel arrangements and other preparations.
Changes, Travel Disruption and Itinerary Adjustments
Safari travel can be affected by circumstances outside the reasonable control of Njagi Safaris, including weather conditions, road closures, security concerns, airline disruptions, national park closures, operational restrictions and supplier changes.
Where reasonably possible, Njagi Safaris may adjust:
- Travel dates;
- Routes;
- Accommodation;
- Transport arrangements;
- Activities;
- The sequence of destinations or services.
We will make reasonable efforts to provide an alternative of a comparable standard where practical.
If an alternative arrangement results in additional costs, those costs may be payable by the client where they arise from circumstances outside the reasonable control of Njagi Safaris.
Government Restrictions and Travel Regulations
Government decisions, border controls, visa restrictions, quarantine requirements, public health measures, national park regulations and other official restrictions may affect a client’s ability to travel or participate in a safari. Travellers are encouraged to check current official travel and entry information through the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration before travel.
If travel becomes restricted or disrupted, Njagi Safaris will first seek, where reasonably possible, to explore alternatives such as:
- Rescheduling the safari;
- Changing travel dates;
- Adjusting the itinerary;
- Applying payments toward a future safari;
- Seeking available supplier credits.
A government restriction does not automatically create an entitlement to a full cash refund where Njagi Safaris has already made non-refundable or unrecoverable payments to suppliers or relevant authorities. Any refund will be limited to the amount that remains refundable after applicable cancellation charges and non-recoverable costs have been taken into account.
Epidemics, Disease Outbreaks and Public Health Emergencies
An epidemic, pandemic, disease outbreak or other public health emergency may affect travel plans, border access, airline operations, accommodation availability or the operation of tourism services. Where such circumstances affect a confirmed safari, Njagi Safaris will make reasonable efforts to work with clients and suppliers to identify practical alternatives.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- Rescheduling the safari;
- Revising travel dates;
- Modifying the itinerary;
- Applying available payments or supplier credits to a future booking.
- A public health emergency will not automatically result in a full cash refund.
Where a refund is available, it will be limited to the amounts actually recoverable by Njagi Safaris after deduction of non-refundable permits, supplier charges, administrative costs and other costs already incurred.
This provision is intended to balance the interests of clients with the reality that safari operators may have already committed funds to national park authorities, lodges, airlines and other independent suppliers.
Force Majeure
For the purposes of this policy, Force Majeure refers to extraordinary circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Njagi Safaris that may prevent, delay or significantly affect the operation of a safari.
Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- War or armed conflict;
- Civil unrest;
- Terrorism or serious security incidents;
- Natural disasters;
- Epidemics or pandemics;
- Government restrictions or border closures;
- Major transport disruption;
- National park or destination closures;
- Severe weather events;
- Other unforeseeable events beyond our reasonable control.
Where a Force Majeure event affects a confirmed safari, Njagi Safaris will make reasonable efforts to offer practical alternatives, including rescheduling or modifying the itinerary where possible.
Njagi Safaris will not be responsible for losses arising directly from a Force Majeure event beyond the amounts that are recoverable from the relevant suppliers or service providers.
This approach complements the Force Majeure provisions in our Terms & Conditions and avoids creating conflicting obligations between the two pages. Established safari operators similarly reserve the ability to alter arrangements when events beyond their control affect travel operations.
Cancellation by Njagi Safaris
Njagi Safaris makes every reasonable effort to operate confirmed safaris as planned. However, there may occasionally be circumstances in which a safari must be cancelled, postponed or substantially changed.
Where a cancellation is caused by circumstances within the reasonable control of Njagi Safaris, we will, where appropriate and reasonably possible, offer the client a choice between:
- An alternative safari or arrangement of comparable value; or
- A refund of recoverable payments relating to services that cannot be provided.
Where cancellation results from Force Majeure or circumstances outside our reasonable control, the provisions relating to Travel Disruption, Government Restrictions, Epidemics and Force Majeure will apply.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that all clients obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling.
Travel insurance should be considered for protection against circumstances including:
- Trip cancellation or interruption;
- Medical emergencies;
- Emergency evacuation or repatriation;
- Travel delays;
- Lost, delayed or damaged luggage;
- Missed connections;
- Other unexpected events that may affect travel.
Clients are responsible for reviewing their insurance policy carefully to ensure that the cover is suitable for their planned safari and personal circumstances. Travel insurance may provide important protection in circumstances where cancellation charges or non-recoverable supplier costs apply.
How Refund and Cancellation Matters Are Handled
Each cancellation or disruption may involve different suppliers, permits, accommodation providers and travel arrangements. For this reason, the final refund amount may depend on the specific services included in the booking and the amounts that can be recovered.
Njagi Safaris will make reasonable efforts to explain the applicable charges, recoverable amounts and available alternatives. Clients considering alternative dates, destinations or safari arrangements may also explore our Travel Resources for safari planning guidance.
Relationship with Our Terms & Conditions
This Refund & Cancellation Policy should be read together with our Terms & Conditions, which govern the wider contractual relationship between Njagi Safaris and its clients.
Where relevant, this policy should be read alongside the booking confirmation, confirmed itinerary and any supplier-specific conditions applicable to particular services.
Njagi Safaris reserves the right to update this policy where necessary. The version applicable to a booking will normally be the version provided or made available at the time the booking is confirmed.
Last Updated: 22 August 2026