Payment Policy

Effective Date: 28/09/2024
Last Updated: 28/09/2025

At Spirit of Tanzania Safaris, we strive to make your booking and payment process as smooth and secure as possible. By booking a safari with us, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this Payment Policy. Please read carefully.

1. Payment Methods

We offer a variety of secure payment methods to accommodate our clients from all over the world:

• Bank Transfer
  You can transfer funds directly to our bank account. Our bank details will be provided in the booking confirmation email.

• Credit and Debit Cards
  We accept payments through Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Payments made via credit or debit card are processed securely through a third-party payment gateway.

• Online Payment Platforms
  We also accept payments through PayPal, Stripe, or other online payment platforms that we may offer at the time of booking.

• Cash Payments
  If you are already in Tanzania or Kenya, you may be able to pay in cash at our office or through our authorized representatives, subject to prior arrangement.

• Other Methods
  We may accept other payment methods upon request, but please consult with us beforehand to confirm availability.

2. Booking and Deposit Requirements

A deposit of [insert percentage, e.g., 20%] is required to secure your booking. This deposit is non-refundable under most circumstances, except in cases outlined in our Cancellation and Refund Policy.

• Deposit Payment: The deposit is due at the time of booking. You will receive an invoice with payment details upon confirmation of your safari.

• Final Payment: The remaining balance must be paid at least [insert number] days before your departure date. If full payment is not received by the due date, your booking may be canceled, and any paid deposits will be forfeited.

3. Payment Due Dates and Terms

• Initial Deposit: Due immediately upon booking to secure your safari.

• Remaining Balance: Due at least [insert number] days before departure.

• If the final balance is not received by the due date, we may cancel your booking and retain the non-refundable deposit.

Late Payment:

• If the balance is not received by the due date, we may charge a late payment fee of [insert amount or percentage, e.g., 5%] per week of delay, or cancel the booking without a refund of the deposit.

• Payment Extensions: In exceptional circumstances, we may offer an extension of up to [insert number of days] for the final payment, subject to prior written approval.

4. Payment Confirmation

Once your payment is received, you will be sent a Payment Confirmation email or receipt, indicating that your booking is fully confirmed. This confirmation will also include the details of your safari, any additional services, and the final balance paid.

• If you make a bank transfer, please ensure that the payment is clearly referenced with your booking number.

• For online payments, you will receive an immediate confirmation from the payment platform (e.g., PayPal, Stripe).

5. Currency and Exchange Rates

All payments are made in USD (United States Dollar), EUR (Euro), or the local currency (Kenyan Shilling or Tanzanian Shilling) depending on your booking. The final amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate at the time of booking and payment.

• If your payment is made in a currency other than the agreed-upon one, your bank or payment provider may apply exchange rate fees.

• We are not responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates.

6. Payment Security

We take your payment security seriously. All payments are processed through secure third-party gateways (PayPal, Stripe, etc.), which comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) regulations.

• Credit and Debit Cards: Your card details will not be stored by us and will be processed securely through the payment gateway.

• Online Platforms: For PayPal and similar platforms, you will be redirected to a secure payment page to enter your payment details.

• Bank Transfers: Bank transfers are handled through secure channels with encryption to protect your information.

7. Refund Policy for Payments

• Deposits: As mentioned in our Cancellation and Refund Policy, deposits are generally non-refundable unless the booking is canceled due to force majeure, or other specific conditions outlined in the policy.

• Full Refunds: If you are entitled to a refund, the amount will be returned to the original payment method. Please note that refunds can take up to [insert number] business days to be processed depending on the payment method.

• Partial Refunds: In cases of partial cancellations, refunds will be calculated based on the tour components that are canceled.

8. Payment Disputes

If there is a dispute regarding a payment or charge, please contact us immediately at info@bigelephantadventures.com or  +255 758 064 214 . We will investigate the issue and work with you to resolve it. If the dispute is related to a chargeback with your credit card company or bank, we may need to provide documentation to substantiate the charges.

9. Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations, interruptions, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and other unforeseen events. This can protect your investment in case your travel plans change.

10. Special Payment Terms for Group Bookings

For group bookings (e.g., 5 or more people), we may require a larger deposit (e.g., 30% to 50% of the total cost) and additional terms related to payment. Please contact us directly to discuss specific terms for group bookings.

• Final Payment for Group Bookings: Full payment for group bookings is generally due [insert number] days before the departure date.

• Cancellation of Group Bookings: Cancellations for group bookings will follow the same rules as individual bookings, with any refunds calculated on the total group cost.

11. Payment Terms and Modifications

We reserve the right to modify our payment policies at any time. If there are any changes to our policies that will affect your booking, we will notify you in writing before your payment is due. Any changes will be reflected on this page, with the updated date provided.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions or need assistance with your payment, please contact us at:

Spirit of Tanzania Safaris
📧 Email:info@bigelephantadventures.com
📞 Phone:+255 758 064 214
📍 Address: 23 Sanawari 

13. Updates to This Payment Policy

We may update our Payment Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, payment methods, or legal obligations. Any changes will be posted on this page with the updated “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to check this policy periodically.