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Quarantine question. Each country has its own quarantine and testing rules for visitors arriving or departing. Flight schedules have been changed and reduced losses operating empty planes. But from what we can tell, all of them are ready and waiting to get back on full schedules. 
Every good tour operator and every good safari camp operator is doing their very best to be as flexible as possible. We are finding that safari travellers are incredibly understanding and flexible. 

We monitor the evolving situation and look ahead on a month by month basis, deciding around 3 months ahead if it is reasonable to expect a safari to go ahead. The first two considerations are the International flights and the requirement for quarantine. The one thing that we don't worry about is the safari camp's ability to look after you and provide a great safari because we know that will happen. 
 
The terms of booking a safari with Busanga and the safari camp/lodges/hotels etc., have become a thing of enormous flexibility. Standard terms still apply in these uncertain times, but on the whole, each safari booking where a change or cancellation needs to be made as a result of Covid 19 is sensitively handled case by case.
At the outset of Covid, all of the camp/lodges /hotels we deal with and us ( Busanga Safaris ) refunded payments for guests who could not rebook a future date. 
 
In the last few months, the effects of a total lack of cash flow have caused many accommodation providers in Africa to change to a policy where new bookings can be changed. Still, in the event of a cancellation, the deposit is non-refundable, enabling them to continue employing staff and building camps for the safari season. 
In reality, through the Covid period, we have had very few cancellations. Almost all of our guest have rebooked for future dates or have a credit to be used when and where the time is right for them to travel. That is the reality, but here are our standard terms :
In all cases, your payments will be acknowledged and are refundable inline with the following terms. Cancellations will be subject to the following conditions, which are calculated in % of the Safari cost, which the client will forfeit in the event of cancelling. 30% deposit required for confirmed bookings 
Full payment required 90 days before arrival 45 - 90 days before arrival - 100% cancellation fee 
 
Insurance: The most critical condition of your booking is that you have full and comprehensive travel insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance coverage from the moment you place your reservation with Busanga Safaris. The insurance covers the periods before, during and after travel. An acceptable insurance policy should include the following for your own benefit and peace of mind. Emergency medical evacuation & repatriation, medical expenses, loss or theft of your belongings/baggage, expenses in the event of cancellation and personal accident, please check for any exclusion.
 
It is worth noting that Emirates Airlines and some other airlines offer a Covid insurance policy as part of a booking. 
Most travel insurance policies will cover Covid costs for guests already travelling, but maybe not for late cancellations. Many do not cover travel to countries that the UK Foreign Office (FCO) advise 'Non But Essential travel'. There are, however, insurers that do provide cover for non-FCO travel. 
 
We hope this helps.
 

 

Call Tony McKeith to talk about Covid or any other aspect of your Safari. UK: 07917 005015