1. These Terms
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern every enquiry, quotation, booking, itinerary and journey arranged by Vindigo Travel (Pty) Ltd ("Vindigo", "we", "us", "our"). By requesting a quotation, paying a deposit, or otherwise confirming a booking, you ("the Traveller", "you") accept these Terms.
Please read them carefully before confirming. If you book through a travel advisor, agent or trade partner, that party acts on your behalf and these Terms apply to the booking in the same way.
2. Definitions
- Journey means the itinerary, accommodation, transport, experiences and services we arrange for you.
- Supplier means any third party who provides part of the Journey, including lodges, hotels, airlines, charter operators, transfer companies, guides, conservancies and activity providers.
- Trade Partner means a travel agency, advisor or consortium through whom a booking is made.
- Confirmation means our written booking confirmation issued once the required deposit has been received.
3. Quotations & Bookings
Quotations are based on the information you provide and on availability quoted by Suppliers at the time. A quotation is not a reservation and does not create a contract. Prices, availability and included services may change until a booking is confirmed.
A binding contract arises only when (a) you (or your Trade Partner) accept the quotation, and (b) we issue a written Confirmation after receiving the required deposit. All bookings remain subject to Supplier availability and to the Supplier's own terms and conditions, which may contain additional limitations, exclusions and cancellation rules.
4. Pricing, Currency & Taxes
Prices are quoted in the currency stated on the quotation, typically South African Rand (ZAR), US Dollars (USD) or Euro (EUR). Unless expressly stated, prices exclude international airfares, visas, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses, and any items not listed as included.
Prices are subject to change before Confirmation as a result of currency movement, fuel or airline surcharges, government taxes or levies, park and concession fees, and Supplier rate changes. Where a change occurs after Confirmation, we will notify you and any additional amount will be payable before travel.
5. Payment
- A non-refundable deposit as stated on your quotation (or our Confirmation) is required within the period specified to secure the booking.
- The balance is payable no later than the date stated on the Confirmation — ordinarily 60 days before departure, or earlier for peak-season, charter, or Supplier-specific bookings.
- Some Suppliers require full prepayment, non-refundable deposits, or payment at short notice; where this applies, it will be reflected on your quotation or Confirmation.
- Payments are to be made by the methods we specify. Bank charges, card fees and currency-conversion costs are for the Traveller's account.
- Failure to pay by the due date may result in the booking being treated as cancelled, with cancellation charges applying.
6. Amendments & Cancellation by the Traveller
All amendment and cancellation requests must be made in writing. Amendments are subject to availability and may incur Supplier charges, rate differences and an administrative fee. No amendment is effective until we confirm it in writing.
If you cancel, cancellation charges apply from the date we receive written notice. These are calculated by reference to payments already made to Suppliers and the following general scale, unless your quotation or Confirmation states otherwise:
- More than 60 days before departure: loss of deposit and any non-refundable Supplier amounts.
- 60–31 days before departure: up to 50% of the Journey price.
- 30–15 days before departure: up to 75% of the Journey price.
- 14 days or fewer before departure, or no-show: up to 100% of the Journey price.
Many Supplier arrangements (including private charters, exclusive-use lodges, conservation fees and peak-season bookings) are non-refundable once confirmed. Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect against cancellation.
7. Changes or Cancellation by Vindigo
We may need to amend or cancel a Journey where circumstances require it. This includes Supplier unavailability, minimum-number requirements, safety concerns, adverse weather, or events beyond our reasonable control (see clause 15 — Force Majeure). Where possible we will offer a comparable alternative of equivalent standard, or a refund of amounts we are able to recover from Suppliers. Any additional Supplier costs for the alternative will be advised before you accept.
8. Passports, Visas, Health & Travel Documents
It is the Traveller's responsibility to ensure that all passports, visas, permits, health certificates and other travel documents are valid and correct for the Journey, including any transit points. Passports generally require at least six months' validity beyond the return date and sufficient blank pages.
You are responsible for complying with health entry requirements, including recommended vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis where relevant, and for disclosing any medical condition, allergy, dietary requirement or mobility need that may affect your Journey. Vindigo is not liable for any cost or loss arising from missing, invalid or non-compliant travel documents or health requirements.
9. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all Journeys and may be a condition of certain Suppliers and activities. Cover should include, as a minimum: emergency medical treatment and evacuation, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, delay, baggage and personal effects, and personal liability. It is your responsibility to arrange adequate cover and to ensure it extends to the activities included in your Journey.
10. Flights, Private Charters, Transfers & Baggage
Air travel and private charter services are provided by independent carriers and are subject to the carrier's conditions of carriage, which may limit or exclude liability, permit schedule changes, and impose baggage and weight limits. On light aircraft and bush charters, luggage is typically restricted to soft bags within a strict weight allowance (often 20kg per person); excess may be declined or carried at additional cost.
Timings shown in an Itinerary are indicative. We are not liable for losses caused by airline schedule changes, delays, diversions, strikes or missed connections, though we will assist where reasonably possible.
11. Accommodation & Supplier Services
Accommodation is provided subject to the Supplier's own terms, including check-in and check-out times, room configurations, child and age policies, occupancy rules, no-smoking policies and damage deposits. Star ratings, room descriptions and amenities are those published by the Supplier and may change. Where a specific room, tent, lodge or camp is requested, we will confirm the Supplier's allocation, but the Supplier retains final discretion over room allocation.
12. Safari, Wildlife & Adventure Activities
Journeys may include activities that carry inherent risks, including game drives, walking safaris, boating, fishing, helicopter or light-aircraft flights, and encounters with wild animals. You participate at your own risk and must follow all instructions of guides, rangers, pilots and other staff. Some activities require you to sign a Supplier indemnity and may be subject to minimum age, fitness or health requirements. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and no refund is offered where wildlife or natural phenomena are not observed.
13. Conduct
We ask that Travellers treat fellow guests, staff, communities, wildlife and the environment with respect and comply with the rules of Suppliers and conservation areas. We or a Supplier may, at our reasonable discretion, end a Traveller's participation in a Journey (or any part of it) for behaviour that endangers or seriously disrupts others. In such cases, no refund or compensation is payable, and the Traveller is responsible for any resulting costs.
14. Liability
Vindigo is an inbound destination management company and travel design house. We arrange and co-ordinate services provided by independent Suppliers. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for the acts, omissions, defaults or negligence of Suppliers, nor for loss, injury, delay or damage arising from events beyond our reasonable control.
Subject to the paragraph below, our liability for any claim is limited to the amount we received for the affected Journey. We are not liable for indirect, consequential or punitive losses, or for loss of enjoyment, opportunity or profit.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud. Vindigo maintains comprehensive passenger liability insurance, and is a bonded SATSA member (#2608) and ASATA-accredited ground operator.
15. Force Majeure
We are not liable for failure or delay in performing our obligations where caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disaster, severe weather, fire, epidemic or pandemic, war, civil unrest, terrorism, government action, border or airport closure, strikes, supplier failure, or interruption of transport or utilities. Where such an event occurs, we will use reasonable efforts to offer alternatives or to recover amounts from Suppliers, but we are not obliged to refund amounts that are non-recoverable.
16. Complaints
If something does not meet your expectations, please raise it with the relevant Supplier or your Vindigo contact immediately so that we have an opportunity to resolve it during the Journey. If the matter remains unresolved, please write to us within 28 days of your return, setting out the details. We will investigate and respond in good faith.
17. Trade Bookings
Where a booking is made by a Trade Partner, the Trade Partner is responsible for the accuracy of the information it provides, for communicating these Terms and the relevant Supplier terms to the Traveller, and for settlement in accordance with the agreed trade terms. Confidential net rates and trade arrangements are provided strictly for the use of the verified Trade Partner.
18. Intellectual Property
All content on this website and in our Itineraries and lookbooks — including text, imagery, design, trade marks and the "Vindigo" name — is owned by or licensed to Vindigo and may not be copied, reproduced or used without our prior written consent.
19. Privacy
We process personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and, where applicable, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please see our Privacy Policy for full details of how we collect, use, share and protect your information.
20. Governing Law, Variation & Severability
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Subject to any non-excludable consumer rights, the courts of the Western Cape Division, Cape Town, have jurisdiction over any dispute. We may update these Terms from time to time; the version applicable to your booking is the version in force at the time of Confirmation. If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply.
21. Contact
Vindigo Travel (Pty) Ltd
32 2nd Ave, Claremont, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa
Email: concierge@vindigotravel.com
Telephone: +27 21 671 5758 · Mobile / WhatsApp: +27 74 217 4396