Cancellation Policy

Cancellation & Refund Policy

At Elements of Nature Safaris, we understand that planning a safari, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or exploring Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes is a significant investment. From international flights and accommodation to travel insurance and tour arrangements, every journey requires careful planning. We also understand that unexpected situations may arise, making it necessary to postpone or cancel your trip.

Our Cancellation & Refund Policy has been created to be as fair and transparent as possible while balancing the commitments we make on behalf of our guests with our trusted partners across Tanzania.

Why Full Refunds Are Not Always Possible

Although your adventure may not have started, many essential services are confirmed and paid for well before your arrival. These advance payments allow us to deliver a seamless travel experience and secure the best accommodations, transportation, and park access for your safari.

For this reason, it is not always possible to issue a full refund when a booking is canceled.

Our Advance Commitments
Accommodation Providers

We partner with carefully selected lodges, tented camps, and hotels throughout Tanzania. These properties have their own cancellation policies, and many require advance payments that may be partially or fully non-refundable once confirmed.

Domestic Flights

Many itineraries include scheduled domestic flights between national parks, Zanzibar, or other destinations. Airline tickets are purchased in advance and are subject to the individual airline’s cancellation and refund conditions.

Tanzania National Parks

Entrance fees for national parks and Mount Kilimanjaro are paid to the relevant park authorities before your tour begins. Once these fees have been submitted, they are generally non-refundable according to park regulations.

Tour Logistics & Supplies

To prepare for your journey, we arrange transportation, purchase fresh food, drinking water, camping supplies, fuel, medical equipment, and other essential items before your arrival. Many of these expenses cannot be recovered once preparations have begun.

Supporting Our Team & Local Communities

Every trip supports a dedicated team of guides, drivers, cooks, porters, operations staff, and local suppliers. Our commitment to responsible tourism includes creating sustainable employment opportunities and supporting the livelihoods of Tanzanian families who depend on tourism.

Your booking helps preserve jobs, strengthen local communities, and contribute to the long-term protection of Tanzania’s natural and cultural heritage.

Our Commitment to Flexibility

While we must follow our cancellation policy, we always strive to assist our guests whenever possible.

In exceptional circumstances—such as serious illness, family emergencies, natural disasters, government travel restrictions, or other unforeseen events—we carefully review each case individually and work closely with our accommodation partners and service providers to explore the best possible solution.

Whenever available, we will seek flexible alternatives including travel credits, rescheduling options, or refunds based on the recoverable costs.

Refund requests are normally reviewed and processed within 72 hours after receiving all required information.

Cancellation Charges

Refund eligibility depends on the date we receive your written cancellation request.

Time Before Arrival Cancellation Terms
More than 90 days 50% deposit refunded, less bank charges and a 5% administration fee.
90–60 days 40% deposit is non-refundable.
More than 90 days US$100 per person remains non-refundable but may be transferred to a future booking.
More than 90 days 10% cancellation fee applies.
60–89 days 30% cancellation fee applies.
30–59 days 60% cancellation fee applies.
8–29 days 80% cancellation fee applies.
0–7 days No refund available.

Please Note:
If cancellation penalties imposed by lodges, airlines, or other third-party suppliers exceed the percentages listed above, the additional charges will be deducted accordingly. Bank transfer fees, payment processing charges, and currency exchange costs are also deducted from the refundable amount.

Rescheduling Your Adventure

Instead of canceling your booking, we encourage guests to reschedule whenever possible.

Your deposit can remain as a future travel credit, allowing you to use it toward another safari or adventure with Elements of Nature Safaris.

Please note that if prices increase due to changes in park fees, accommodation rates, or operational costs, the difference will be payable at the time of your new booking.

Where possible, we will work with our accommodation and airline partners to minimize or eliminate rescheduling penalties, although final decisions remain subject to their individual policies.

Peak Season Considerations

Bookings scheduled during Tanzania’s peak travel seasons—including July to October and mid-December to mid-March—often involve stricter cancellation terms from hotels, camps, and airlines.

Because accommodation and domestic flights represent a significant portion of the total tour cost, cancellation charges during these periods may be substantially higher than during the low season.

Any remaining balance after supplier penalties will be credited or refunded according to our policy.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that every traveler purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure.

Your policy should include coverage for:

Trip cancellation
Medical emergencies
Flight delays or cancellations
Emergency evacuation
Lost or delayed baggage

If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from traveling, your insurance provider may reimburse eligible expenses. Upon request, Elements of Nature Safaris will gladly provide all necessary booking documentation and payment records to support your insurance claim.