Terms & Conditions

A booking is only confirmed once a written confirmation has been issued by Gone Wild and the required deposit has been received into our nominated account.

A deposit of 50% of the total booking value (or such higher amount as required by third-party suppliers) is required to secure accommodation, flights, and services.

The balance of the booking is due no later than 60 days prior to the departure date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Failure to make payment by the due date may result in automatic cancellation of the booking, and the cancellation fees set out in these Terms will apply. Gone Wild will make reasonable efforts to notify the Client before cancellation takes effect.

All itineraries, quotations, and proposals remain valid for 7 days from the date of issue unless otherwise stated. Availability and pricing cannot be guaranteed beyond the validity period.

Once a booking is confirmed and the required deposit received, the quoted pricing is fixed for the services confirmed.

Gone Wild does not ordinarily revise confirmed pricing due to routine supplier rate adjustments.

In the unlikely event of a substantial, unforeseen increase imposed by a third-party supplier beyond our control — including but not limited to government levy increases, conservation fee restructuring, fuel surcharges, or material supplier rate corrections — Gone Wild reserves the right to review the pricing. Any such adjustment will be transparently communicated and supported by supplier documentation. Where an increase exceeds 10% of the total booking value, the Client may elect to cancel without penalty.

Prior to deposit, all quoted prices remain subject to change due to supplier adjustments, exchange rate fluctuations, or changes in availability.

All invoices are denominated in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise specified in writing. International clients may be invoiced in USD, EUR, or GBP at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of invoicing.

Payments may be made by electronic fund transfer (EFT), credit card, or international wire transfer. Credit card payments may be subject to a processing surcharge of up to 4%.

All bank charges, foreign exchange losses, and intermediary transaction fees arising from payments to Gone Wild are for the Client's account.

Gone Wild reserves the right to withhold travel documentation and confirmation of services until all outstanding payments have been received in full.

Requests to amend a confirmed booking (including date changes, itinerary modifications, or changes to the number of guests) must be submitted in writing and are subject to availability and supplier terms.

Amendment requests are subject to any rate differences or supplier change fees that may apply. Gone Wild does not charge a separate amendment fee.

Where a date change is requested more than 60 days prior to departure and where suppliers can accommodate the change, Gone Wild will make reasonable efforts to transfer the booking without applying cancellation fees. This is offered at our discretion and is not guaranteed.

If a requested amendment cannot be accommodated, the original booking terms remain in effect.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). The date of receipt by Gone Wild determines the applicable notice period.

Where the cancellation terms of a third-party supplier — including but not limited to private game lodges, SANParks, rail operators (Rovos Rail, Blue Train), airlines, or hotel groups — are stricter than the above, the supplier's cancellation terms shall prevail for that portion of the booking. Gone Wild will communicate relevant supplier cancellation terms at the time of booking.

No-shows are charged at 100% of the booking value.

Reasonableness: In accordance with Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, all cancellation charges are intended to reflect reasonable costs incurred or committed by Gone Wild and its suppliers. Gone Wild will, upon written request, provide the Client with a breakdown of costs that substantiate the cancellation fee applied.

Duty to mitigate: Where Gone Wild is able to resell or reallocate any cancelled services to an alternative client, the Client will be credited accordingly and only an administrative fee reflecting actual costs incurred will be retained.

Death or hospitalisation: In accordance with Section 17(5) of the CPA, no cancellation penalty will be imposed where the Client or Guest is unable to honour the booking due to the death or hospitalisation of the person for whose benefit the booking was made. Reasonable documentation (death certificate or hospital admission letter) may be required.

Refunds, where applicable, will be processed within 21 business days of Gone Wild receiving the corresponding funds back from the relevant third-party supplier. Gone Wild will use reasonable endeavours to expedite supplier refunds.

All bank charges, foreign exchange losses, and transaction fees arising from the refund process are for the beneficiary's (Client's) account.

Refunds will be made to the original payment method or account from which payment was received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Gone Wild is authorised to administer the refund process with suppliers on behalf of Clients. The Client agrees that Gone Wild may correspond with suppliers and share necessary booking details for this purpose.

No refund is guaranteed for unused services, voluntary early departure, or any component of the itinerary that the Guest elects not to use. Gone Wild will, at its discretion, endeavour to recover amounts from suppliers but cannot guarantee that any such refund will be obtained.

Gone Wild strongly recommends that all Guests hold comprehensive travel insurance that, at a minimum, provides adequate cover for:

Guests who elect to travel without adequate travel insurance do so entirely at their own risk. By confirming a booking without providing proof of insurance, the Guest acknowledges and accepts full personal and financial responsibility for any costs, losses, damages, or expenses that would ordinarily be covered by comprehensive travel insurance — including but not limited to medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation, and loss of personal belongings.

Gone Wild may request proof of insurance prior to departure. Where a Guest is unable or unwilling to provide proof of insurance, Gone Wild may require the Guest to sign a written insurance waiver acknowledging the risks of travelling uninsured.

Gone Wild shall not be liable for any costs, losses, damages, or expenses that would ordinarily be covered by adequate travel insurance, regardless of whether the Guest holds such insurance.

Gone Wild can recommend reputable travel insurance providers upon request but does not act as an insurance intermediary and receives no commission from insurance referrals.

Itineraries may be adjusted at Gone Wild's reasonable discretion for safety, operational, or logistical reasons, including adverse weather conditions. Southern Africa — and the Cape Town region in particular — is subject to variable weather patterns, and outdoor activities are inherently weather-dependent.

Adverse weather alone does not automatically constitute grounds for cancellation or a full refund.

Where weather materially affects a scheduled activity (e.g. a boat-based tour, helicopter flight, or outdoor excursion), Gone Wild will use reasonable endeavours to offer one of the following, at its discretion:

Where an alternative of comparable value is offered and declined by the Guest, no refund will be due for the affected component.

The determination of whether conditions are unsafe for an activity rests with Gone Wild and/or the relevant activity supplier, whose decision shall be final.

Travel within Southern Africa may involve inherent risks including, but not limited to, proximity to wild animals, open safari vehicles, remote and off-grid locations, light aircraft transfers, marine and water-based activities, hiking and walking safaris, and road travel in varying conditions.

By confirming a booking, Guests acknowledge and voluntarily accept these inherent risks. Wildlife encounters are by nature unpredictable, and specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Guests must comply with all safety instructions provided by guides, rangers, pilots, and activity operators at all times. Failure to comply may result in exclusion from an activity without refund.

Where required by a supplier, additional indemnity or risk acknowledgement forms must be signed prior to participation. Refusal to sign may result in exclusion from the activity without refund.

Certain activities — including walking safaris, mountain hikes, cycling tours, and water-based excursions — require a reasonable level of physical fitness. Gone Wild will advise on fitness requirements at the time of booking.

Guests are responsible for disclosing any medical condition, allergy, dietary requirement, mobility limitation, or pregnancy that may affect their ability to participate safely in any activity.

Gone Wild and its suppliers reserve the right to exclude a Guest from an activity where, in the reasonable opinion of the guide or operator, participation would pose a safety risk. No refund will be due in such circumstances.

Guests travelling to malaria-risk areas are advised to consult a travel health professional and take appropriate prophylactic measures. Gone Wild does not provide medical advice.

Gone Wild acts as an intermediary and destination management company, coordinating services provided by independent third-party suppliers including (without limitation) lodges, hotels, airlines, charter operators, vehicle hire companies, activity providers, and restaurants.

Suppliers operate as independent contractors and are not employees, agents, or subcontractors of Gone Wild.

Gone Wild exercises reasonable care and skill in selecting reputable suppliers. However, Gone Wild shall not be liable for any act, omission, delay, cancellation, injury, illness, loss, or damage caused by any supplier or arising from the provision of supplier services.

Gone Wild shall not be responsible for missed flights, missed connections, or consequential losses arising from supplier delays, operational disruptions, or circumstances beyond our control.

Where a supplier fails to deliver a confirmed service, Gone Wild will use reasonable endeavours to arrange a suitable alternative or, where that is not possible, to assist the Client in recovering amounts from the supplier.

Gone Wild shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, severe weather events, pandemics or epidemics, government travel restrictions or advisories, civil unrest, terrorism, war, industrial action, power outages, or supplier insolvency.

In the event of force majeure, Gone Wild will use reasonable endeavours to offer alternative arrangements or to reschedule the affected services where possible.

Where services cannot be rescheduled or alternatively fulfilled, refunds are limited to the amounts actually recovered from suppliers by Gone Wild. Gone Wild will pursue supplier refunds diligently and keep the Client informed of progress.

Guests travel with luggage and personal belongings at their own risk. Gone Wild accepts no responsibility for loss, theft, damage, or delay to luggage or personal items during any part of the journey.

Many light aircraft transfers and safari lodges impose strict luggage weight limits (typically 15–20 kg in soft-sided bags). Gone Wild will advise on applicable luggage restrictions at the time of booking, and Guests are responsible for compliance.

Supplier-specific age restrictions and policies apply to all bookings involving minors (persons under 18 years of age). Certain lodges, game reserves, and activities may impose minimum age requirements or exclude children entirely.

Children aged 12 and above are generally charged at adult rates unless otherwise specified by the supplier.

Parents or guardians are responsible for the supervision of minors at all times. Gone Wild and its suppliers accept no liability for injury or harm to minors arising from inadequate supervision.

The Client is responsible for ensuring compliance with South Africa's immigration requirements for minors, including unabridged birth certificates and parental consent affidavits where applicable.

Gone Wild and its guides or representatives may take photographs or video during tours and experiences. By participating, Guests consent to the use of such images for Gone Wild's marketing, social media, and promotional purposes.

Guests who do not wish to be photographed or featured in marketing material must notify Gone Wild in writing prior to the commencement of services, and reasonable efforts will be made to respect this preference.

No images of minors will be used for marketing purposes without the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Gone Wild collects and processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) and applicable data protection legislation.

Personal information collected — including names, identity/passport numbers, contact details, dietary and medical information, and payment details — is used solely for the purpose of fulfilling the booking, communicating with the Client and Guests, and complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

Gone Wild may share relevant personal information with third-party suppliers (lodges, airlines, activity operators, etc.) where necessary to deliver the booked services. Gone Wild will take reasonable steps to ensure such suppliers handle personal information responsibly.

Clients and Guests have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal information held by Gone Wild, subject to any legal retention obligations.

For all data protection enquiries, including requests to access, correct, or delete personal information, please contact Gone Wild Tours at info@gonewildafrica.com.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Gone Wild's total aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with any booking shall not exceed the total amount paid by the Client for the specific services giving rise to the claim.

Gone Wild shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, or incidental loss or damage, including but not limited to loss of enjoyment, loss of anticipated savings, or additional travel or accommodation costs.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any rights available to the Client under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 where applicable, nor does it exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by Gone Wild's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

Any complaint relating to services must be raised with the Gone Wild guide or representative at the earliest opportunity during the tour so that we may attempt to resolve the matter promptly.

Formal complaints must be submitted in writing to info@gonewildafrica.com within 30 days of the completion of services.

Gone Wild will acknowledge receipt within 3 business days and aim to resolve matters within 14 business days. Complex matters involving third-party suppliers may take longer, and the Client will be kept informed of progress.

In the event that a complaint cannot be resolved through direct communication, either party may refer the matter to mediation under the auspices of an agreed independent mediator, or to the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) at www.cgso.org.za.

No legal proceedings may be instituted unless the parties have first attempted to resolve the dispute in good faith through the process described above.

These Terms are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

The parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Court in respect of any proceedings arising from these Terms, notwithstanding that the amount in dispute may exceed the jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Court. This does not preclude either party from approaching the High Court of South Africa where appropriate.