Payment Policy
1. Booking Deposit
To secure your reservation with Brendava Tours, a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour price is required at the time of booking.
2. Balance Payment
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the tour start date.
- For bookings made within 30 days of the departure date, full payment is required at the time of booking.
- We will send a friendly reminder email 40 days before departure.
3. Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- Bank Transfer (details provided upon request)
- PayPal
- Mobile Money (selected destinations)
4. Currency & Pricing
All prices are quoted in USD unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change until full payment is received. Once paid in full, your rate is locked.
5. Late Payments
If the balance is not received by the due date, Brendava Tours reserves the right to cancel the booking and apply the cancellation fees outlined in our Cancellation Policy.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by the Guest
If you need to cancel your booking, please notify us in writing (email preferred). The cancellation fee is calculated from the date we receive your written notice and is based on the total tour price.
Below is a clear breakdown of what happens to your money at each stage, including what Brendava Tours has already spent or committed on your behalf:
| Days Before Departure | Cancellation Fee | You Receive Back |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days or more | 30% of total tour price (deposit only) | 70% of total tour price |
| 45 – 59 days | 50% of total tour price | 50% of total tour price |
| 30 – 44 days | 75% of total tour price | 25% of total tour price |
| Less than 30 days | 100% of total tour price | Nothing |
| No-show | 100% of total tour price | Nothing |
Detailed Breakdown – Where Your Money Goes
1. 60+ days before departure → You lose only the 30% deposit
What we have already spent / committed:
- Non-refundable deposits paid to lodges, hotels, and camps to secure your rooms
- Advance payments to local operators and private vehicle companies
- Administrative costs of creating your booking, itinerary, and confirmation
Example: On a $4,000 safari, you lose $1,200. You receive $2,800 back. At this stage we can usually still resell your place, so we only keep the real costs already paid out.
2. 45 – 59 days before departure → You lose 50%
What we have already spent / committed:
- Second (and larger) instalments paid to lodges and camps (many become non-refundable at 45–60 days)
- Confirmed bookings for driver-guides and private vehicles
- Park fees and activity reservations that start becoming non-refundable
Example: On a $4,000 safari, you lose $2,000. You receive $2,000 back. The remaining 50% covers the money we can no longer recover from suppliers.
3. 30 – 44 days before departure → You lose 75%
What we have already spent / committed:
- Almost all supplier payments are now fully non-refundable
- Final confirmations and pre-payments for guides, fuel, and logistics
- Very low chance of reselling the exact dates to another guest
Example: On a $4,000 safari, you lose $3,000. You receive only $1,000 back. This 25% is roughly the small portion we can still recover or absorb as a business loss.
4. Less than 30 days / No-show → You lose 100%
What we have already spent / committed:
- 100% of all costs: accommodation, transport, guides, park fees, meals, and staff
- Everything is locked in and paid. Suppliers will not refund us anything
- Zero realistic chance of filling your place at such short notice
Example: On a $4,000 safari, you lose the full $4,000. We receive nothing back from any supplier, so there is nothing left to refund you.
Cancellation by Brendava Tours
If we cancel the tour due to insufficient numbers, force majeure (natural disasters, political unrest, pandemics, etc.), or any reason beyond our control, you will receive a full refund of every payment you made, or the option to transfer to another date or tour of equal value.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Brendava Tours cannot cover costs caused by events outside our control.
Name & Date Changes
Name changes are usually free. Date changes requested 45+ days before departure may incur a $50 per person rebooking fee (subject to availability). Changes within 45 days are treated as a cancellation + new booking.