Terms & Conditions

STANDARD CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS

1. UNDERTAKING

Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris undertakes to provide all services offered subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, which terms and conditions are accepted by the traveller.

2. DEFINITION

a) Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris means: Cullinan Holdings Ltd T/A Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris.

b) Traveller means: Individuals, groups, companies or other legal persons using the services offered by Springbok  Atlas Tours & Safaris and includes the agents of travellers.

c) Services means: The provision of accommodations and/or transportation and/or meals and/or any and all other travel services and activities as offered or provided by Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris and accepted by the traveller.

3. TERMS OF PAYMENT

a) On confirmation of services: a deposit of 20% of the quoted tour price is required.

b) 45 days before commencement of services – full payment plus rooming list is required. 

i) For tours that include services of certain suppliers with more stringent policies, e.g. National Parks Board, Blue Train, Rovos Rail, Private Lodges and others, different payment terms may be enforceable. These will be provided when applicable, even when prior credit facilities with the foreign tour operator have been negotiated and agreed upon.

ii) Large group programs may attract specific payment terms which will be provided when applicable.

iii) Airline reservations:

1) Payment immediately on booking.
2) All airfare reservations are arranged subject to the conditions imposed by the respective airline. The fare quoted is only valid on the day of quotation and subject to increase without prior notice.

3) Final Airfares on confirmed bookings cannot be guaranteed until full payment is received and air tickets are issued. 

c) Bookings made within 45 days of commencement of services must be accompanied by full payment of the tour plus rooming list. Where circumstances do not permit the timeous receipt of funds, explicit confirmation of transfer of funds will enable us to reserve services.

d) If payments are made in negotiable foreign currency, the payer will be responsible for any short payment resulting from exchange rate fluctuations. The exchange rate applied by the official bankers of Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris on receipt of moneys will be accepted as the applicable rate.

e) If the required deposit or final payment is not received by due date, Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris reserves the right to withdraw services.

f) The non-issuing of an invoice or non-payment of deposit will not exempt travellers from these payment terms.

g) Payments may be deposited directly into the following bank account:

Account Holder: Springbok Atlas Tours
Bank: Standard Bank of S.A. Ltd
Branch: Thibault Square, Cape Town
Bank Code: 020909
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ

ZAR (South African Rand):
Account No: 0000070178844
Account Type: Current

USD (US Dollar):
Account No: 0000090791673
Account Type: CFC (Customer Foreign Currency)

NOTE: If you receive any email correspondence from Springbok Atlas tours & Safaris with regards to a change of Banking details, before making any payment please reconfirm this information directly with us by contacting Bronwyn.termorshuizen@springbokatlas.com on email or call us on +27 21 460 4700.

h) Paying with certain cards will attract a fee. Please check with your sales consultant what the applicable fees are before confirming your booking. 

4. CANCELLATIONS

a) Cancellations made more than 60 days prior to arrival will not normally result in cancellation fees being charged. However; 

i) Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris reserves the right to recover any costs incurred or charges received from suppliers up to the date of cancellation.

b) In the event of services being cancelled 60 days or less, prior to arrival, the following cancellation fees will apply.

i) 60 days to 46 days before commencement of services: 20% total quoted tour price due plus any additional charges levied by suppliers up to date of cancellation.

ii) 45 days to 31 days before commencement of services: 25% total quoted tour price due plus any additional charges levied by suppliers up to date of cancellation.

iii) 30 days to 15 days before commencement of services: 50% total quoted tour price due plus any additional charges levied by suppliers up to date of cancellation.

iv) 14 days to commencement of services: 100% of total quoted tour price due.

v) Large group programs may attract specific cancellation terms which will be provided when applicable

1) Should the services of freelance tour guides be cancelled 30 days of less before the commencement of a tour, a cancellation fee equal to one days guiding fee will be charged.

vi) Airline reservations.

1) All airfare reservations are arranged subject to the conditions imposed by the respective airline.

c) ‘No shows’ will be charged 100% of the quoted tour price.

d) We recommend that travellers take adequate personal cancellation insurance cover before departure from home.

e) For tours that include services of certain suppliers with more stringent policies, e.g. National Parks Board, Blue Train, Rovos Rail, Private Lodges and others, different cancellation fees will be enforceable. These will be provided when applicable.

f) The non-issuing of an invoice or non-payment of deposit will not exempt travellers from these cancellation terms.

5. AMENDMENTS

a) Much care has gone into the composition of programs and tours for travellers, however circumstances such as currency devaluation, fuel surcharges or price amendments by suppliers may necessitate changes in costs and tour programs. Should this occur you would be notified as soon as possible, although Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris does reserve the right to change the itinerary of the tour without prior notice) Notwithstanding that deposits or complete payments have been made, any increases up until the date of departure of arrangements resulting to the above are to be paid by the traveller. If such increases are unacceptable, the traveller may cancel his/her booking, though in so doing he/she is still liable to pay any cancellation charges imposed in the way of cancellation, administration, communication charges etc.

6. INSURANCE

a) Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris carries comprehensive liability insurance details which can be made available on request.

7. INDEMNITY

a) Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris, its affiliated subsidiary companies, agents, and sponsoring organizations act only as agent for the suppliers of transportation, accommodations, food, and other goods and services provided to the passenger. All arrangements for transport, accommodations, and services are made upon the express condition that Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity of any kind occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation, any act of negligence or breach of contract of any third party such as an airline, cruise line, train, hotel, restaurant, ground handler, etc., who is to or does supply any goods or services for the tour. Without limiting the foregoing, Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris is not responsible for any losses or expenses due to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, quarantine, criminal activity, or for any other cause beyond its control.

b) Safari programs may take travellers into close contact with wild animals. Rangers and guides should brief travellers accordingly, however, neither Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris nor their employees can be held responsible for any injury or accident while on safari.

c) We strongly recommend that travellers take adequate personal travel insurance cover before departure from home.

8. JURISDICTION

a) The law of the Republic of South Africa shall govern the relationship between Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris and the traveller and the Courts of the Republic of South Africa shall have sole jurisdiction in respect of any claims and/or disputes which may arise between Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris and the traveller, or Agent.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. LUGGAGE

a) Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to luggage or personal property from whatsoever cause arising. Travellers are advised to take up adequate insurance cover. For international flights clients are to check with their respective travel agent or airline about the luggage allowance for the flights into and out of South Africa. Domestic and regional flights, the commercial full service and low-cost airlines in South Africa generally have a baggage allowance of 20kg per person with hand luggage weight at 7kg.

b) Please note – For light/small aircraft travel between game lodges, camps and islands in Southern Africa, each passenger is limited to one soft-sided bag, the maximum weight limit is 20kgs per person, plus a typical sized camera bag. Should passengers arrive with excess baggage without prior warning, their baggage could be delayed as alternative arrangements (at considerable cost to clients) will need to be made. However, should clients know in advance that their baggage will exceed the limit; an extra seat (for the bags) can usually be booked, at an additional cost, on the aircraft. Maximum luggage size is 25cm x 30cm x 62cm.

2. HEALTH

a) We strongly suggest that travellers take anti-malarial medication prior to commencing travel to malarial destinations. Please consult your doctor/pharmacist for specific medical advice.

b) Please note that if you are arriving into South Africa from a yellow fever zone then you will need to provide proof to the South Africa authorities that you have had a yellow fever inoculation.

c) Clients with specific health problems or specific requirements must notify Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris in advance.

3. VISAS AND PASSPORT

a) Agents and guests are required to ensure that all such requirements are attended to as Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris accepts no responsibility in this regard.

b) Visitors to South Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after the intended departure date from South Africa and 06 months after the intended departure date for the rest of Southern Africa.

c) Passports should also have a minimum of two blank passport pages per country visited. The blank pages cannot include the “endorsement” page at the back of the book. If there is insufficient space in the passport, entry into a country could be denied. If you require a visa, you must ensure that your passport has two blank facing pages – one for the visa and one for the entry stamp. Visitors who intend on travelling to South Africa’s neighbouring countries and back are advised to apply for multiple entry visas.

4. TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

a) Effective November 2019, all international minors only require a valid passport when travelling with an adult to or from South Africa. All South African children under the age of 18 leaving and entering South Africa are still required to have an unabridged birth certificate to accompany their passport. All unaccompanied children, regardless of nationality, still need additional documentation.

For all applicable details on these regulations please refer to the DHA website – https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/statements-speeches/621-updated-advisory-new-requirements-for-children-travelling-through-south-african-ports-of-entry 

6. FLIGHT BOOKINGS

a) Fares and seat availability are subject to changes and increases at anytime prior to a booking created and issue of tickets.

b) Airlines require the full names of the passengers as printed on the passports and won’t accept changes once the tickets are booked. For this reason we require a copy of all passengers passport. Springbok Atlas Tours and Safaris does not accept responsibility for incorrect spelling of names, therefore please ensure that you provide us with the accurate information.

c) Group bookings subject to different policy.

7. CAR RENTAL

a) Please note that the renter will be required to supply the following on collection of the rental vehicle. 

i) Valid Car Rental Voucher.

ii) Valid Credit Card.

1) Please note that a rental deposit in the form of a credit card authorisation will be taken at the time of rental to cover any additional charges incurred during the rental. The renter needs to produce a recognized bank credit card. No Debit Cards, including Maestro and Electron are accepted.

iii) Passport (International Visitor); Passport or Identity Document (SA and SADC Residents).

iv) Valid unendorsed driver’s licence.

1) Foreign Driving licences are acceptable provided the language used (printed thereon) is English and there is a photograph present. Should a licence be in any other language, other than English, we require an International Driving Licence to be produced at commencement of the rental or an official translation by a consulate/embassy.

v) Home Address and Telephone Number.

vi) Local contact details. 

b) Drivers under the age of 23 years are permitted, provided they have been in possession of a valid unendorsed driver’s licence for a minimum of 2 years. A Young Driver Daily Surcharge will apply. South African residents must be a minimum of 23 years of age.

c) Refuelling

i) Each customer, when collecting a rental vehicle, receives a vehicle with a full tank of fuel. In order to deliver this service, fuel levels are checked on termination of each and every rental as part of the car rental company business quality checking process.

ii) Car rental companies’ requests that the vehicle is returned refuelled, or alternatively they will automatically provide a refuelling service and charge a refuelling fee (subject to the rental company). The refuelling service provides customers with a convenient alternative to refuelling yourselves, and fuel is charged at the gazetted retail rates.

iii) This service will apply to rentals in all countries (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho), and will be charged to the renter’s credit card.

8. AIRPORT TRANSFERS

a) It is the agent’s duty to provide the correct flight information for all clients travelling. In the event of flight number change or incorrect flight details received from the agent. Springbok Atlas Tours and Safaris will endeavour to amend transfer arrangements, but will not be held responsible for loss of service or additional charges occurred should the service be unavailable due to late notification.

9. TOURS AND EXCURSIONS

a) These may be conducted by multilingual Tour Guides.

b) Booking Non-English Speaking Tour Guides

i) Language Preferences: Our company endeavours to accommodate requests for foreign speaking tour guides by our customers. This involves arranging foreign language tour guides on tailor-made and guided tours. These foreign guides are subject to availability.

ii) Confirmation of Language Speaking Guide: We will endeavour to confirm a foreign speaking tour guide, however, it is important to note that guide availability could pose a challenge and we would be forced to revert to confirming an English-Speaking tour guide.

iii) Replacement in Unforeseen Circumstances: If a confirmed foreign speaking tour guide becomes unavailable due to circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to illness, unforeseen scheduling conflicts, or force majeure, we reserve the right to substitute the guide with an English-speaking guide.

iv) Limitation of Liability: While we strive to provide the best possible experience for our clients, we cannot guarantee the availability of a foreign language guide. We will therefore not be held liable for any inconvenience or dissatisfaction resulting from the unavailability of a foreign speaking guide. Clients acknowledge and accept this condition upon booking.

v) Cancellation Policy: Should a client choose to cancel a booking due to the unavailability of a foreign language guide, our standard cancellation policy will apply. These are outlined in our terms and conditions. 

10. PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT (“POPI”)

a) “Operator” means an operator as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013;

b) “Personal Information” means personal information as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013;

c) Protection of Personal Information You hereby authorise Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris to collect your Personal Information as it is relevant to this Agreement and/or service which we are providing for you or is deemed to be relevant for the provision of such service.

Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris is committed to the adherence of national legislation and regulations pertaining to the safeguarding of data privacy.

Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris shall use information previously provided by you to perform our services and to amongst other things, process invoices, credit notes, statements and any other document related to the services.

You confirm that we may share your personal information with the following persons, who have an obligation to keep the personal information secure and confidential:

i. Employees of Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris who are required to be informed of the personal information in order to attend to the services supplied and;

ii. All third parties who may assist us in supplying the services.

We undertake not to disclose your personal information unless it is legally or contractually required to do so.

We agree to use all reasonable efforts to ensure your personal information in our possession is kept confidential, stored in a secure manner and processed in terms of POPI.

You hereby acknowledge and warrant that:

i. Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris is entitled to process and store any such Personal Information in the manner set out in Springbok Atlas Tours & Safari’s Privacy Policy, available on the website springbokatlas.com

ii. Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris is entitled and authorised by you to transfer any Personal Information to any of its Operators; and

iii. Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris is entitled to store and back-up your Personal Information on its servers.

d) You confirm that you have read and agree to Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris Privacy Policy and hereby provide your consent to Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris to process your personal information and acknowledge that you understand the purpose for which it is required and for which it will be used.