Last Updated: 15 September 2026

At Jaribu Tours & Safaris, we understand that travel plans can change. Our Cancellation, Refund & Booking Policy is designed to provide clear, fair and transparent terms for cancelling, changing or rescheduling tours, safaris, transportation services, holidays and other travel arrangements booked with us.

This policy applies to bookings made directly with Jaribu Tours & Safaris unless different cancellation conditions are clearly stated on the applicable tour page, quotation, booking confirmation or other booking documentation.

Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude, restrict or waive any consumer right, remedy or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or waived under applicable South African law.

1. Cancellation of a Booking

Customers have the right to cancel an advance booking, subject to the applicable cancellation terms and any reasonable cancellation charges.

To cancel a booking, the booking holder must submit a cancellation request in writing using one of the following channels:

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +27 62 465 1308
Telephone: +27 62 465 1308

For faster processing, customers should provide:

  • Full name of the booking holder
  • Booking or reservation number
  • Tour, safari or service booked
  • Scheduled travel or service date
  • Contact telephone number and/or email address
  • Reason for cancellation, where applicable

Important

The date and time on which Jaribu receives the written cancellation request will be used to determine the applicable cancellation period.

Customers should not wait for cancellation confirmation before the cancellation date is established.

Jaribu will acknowledge the cancellation request and confirm the applicable cancellation charge and refund amount as soon as reasonably practicable.

2. Standard Cancellation & Refund Schedule

Unless different terms are stated for a specific booking, the following standard cancellation schedule applies to standard day tours and activities:

Cancellation received

Refund

31 days or more before departure

95% refund

15–30 days before departure

75% refund

3–14 days before departure

50% refund

Less than 72 hours before departure

No refund

No-show / failure to attend

No refund

The applicable refund is calculated based on the amount paid for the cancelled booking, subject to the specific terms applicable to the booking and any lawful, reasonable charges arising from third-party services or other committed costs.

Cancellation examples

For a booking valued at R10,000:

  • Cancellation 40 days before departure → R9,500 refund
  • Cancellation 20 days before departure → R7,500 refund
  • Cancellation 10 days before departure → R5,000 refund
  • Cancellation 48 hours before departure → No refund

3. Multi-Day Safaris, Holiday Packages & Special Bookings

Multi-day safaris, accommodation packages, private tours, international tours and customised itineraries may involve advance commitments to hotels, lodges, game reserves, transport operators, airlines, attractions, activities, permits and other third-party suppliers.

For these bookings, special cancellation terms may apply.

Where different cancellation conditions apply, they will be clearly communicated to the customer before or at the time the booking is confirmed.

The applicable terms may be stated in:

  • The tour or safari product page;
  • A quotation;
  • A booking confirmation;
  • An itinerary;
  • A supplier-specific booking condition; or
  • Other booking documentation provided to the customer.

Where a third-party supplier has imposed a non-refundable or cancellation charge that Jaribu cannot reasonably recover, that cost may affect the refund payable to the customer, provided that the applicable charge is reasonable and was properly disclosed.

4. Private, Custom & International Tours

Private tours, custom itineraries and international or cross-border journeys may require substantial advance commitments and may therefore have cancellation conditions different from Jaribu’s standard day-tour policy.

These may include tours involving:

  • Botswana
  • Namibia
  • Zimbabwe
  • Mozambique
  • International flights
  • Accommodation packages
  • Private vehicles
  • Special permits
  • Conservation fees
  • Exclusive activities
  • Event tickets
  • Other non-refundable arrangements

The applicable cancellation conditions will be provided to the customer before confirmation of the booking.

5. Cancellation Due to Death or Hospitalisation

Where applicable under South African law, Jaribu will consider cancellations resulting from the death or hospitalisation of the person for whom, or for whose benefit, the booking was made in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act.

Reasonable supporting documentation may be requested.

Other exceptional circumstances may be considered by Jaribu on a case-by-case basis.

6. Refund Processing

Once a cancellation has been confirmed and the applicable refund has been calculated, Jaribu will normally process an approved refund within 5–10 business days.

Refunds will normally be made using the original payment method.

The time required for the refund to appear in the customer’s account may depend on the customer’s bank, card issuer, payment gateway or other financial institution.

For international payments, currency conversion and exchange-rate differences may affect the amount received by the customer.

Payment processing charges

Jaribu does not automatically impose a blanket percentage deduction from every refund simply because a payment was made online.

Where a payment provider, third-party supplier or other service provider imposes a non-recoverable transaction or cancellation cost, any amount passed on to the customer will be handled in accordance with the applicable booking terms and applicable law.

7. Deposits and Partial Payments

Depending on the tour or service, Jaribu may require:

  • A minimum deposit;
  • Partial payment; or
  • Full payment at the time of booking.

Where a deposit is required, the deposit forms part of the total booking price and remains subject to the applicable cancellation terms.

A deposit should not automatically be treated as non-refundable in every circumstance.

The amount refundable will be determined according to the applicable cancellation schedule and booking conditions.

8. Payment Deadlines

Payment requirements may vary according to the type and value of the booking.

Standard Day Tours

Where a 50% deposit option is offered, the remaining balance will normally be payable at least 7 days before departure, unless the booking confirmation specifies otherwise.

Multi-Day Safaris & Holiday Packages

A deposit of 30%–50% may be required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance normally payable 30 days before departure, unless otherwise stated.

Bookings Made Close to Departure

If a booking is made after the applicable balance-payment deadline, full payment may be required at the time of booking.

The exact payment requirements will be displayed during booking or stated in the customer’s quotation or booking confirmation.

9. Booking Changes & Rescheduling

Customers may request changes to their booking, including:

  • Travel date;
  • Number of participants;
  • Pickup location;
  • Drop-off location;
  • Selected tour;
  • Activities;
  • Accommodation; or
  • Other itinerary details.

Change requests should preferably be submitted at least 7 days before departure.

All changes are subject to availability and may be affected by:

  • Supplier availability;
  • Tour capacity;
  • Seasonal pricing;
  • Accommodation availability;
  • Transport availability;
  • Additional operating costs;
  • Permit or ticket conditions; and
  • Other applicable supplier restrictions.

Jaribu will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested changes but cannot guarantee that every change will be possible.

Where a change results in an increased price, the customer will be responsible for the applicable difference.

Where the revised arrangement has a lower price, any applicable adjustment will be handled in accordance with the booking terms.

10. Date Changes

Where operationally possible, Jaribu may allow a customer to transfer a booking to another available date.

Requests made 7 or more days before departure will generally be considered without an amendment fee for standard tours, subject to availability.

However, additional costs imposed by accommodation providers, transport operators, attractions, parks, activity providers or other third parties may apply.

Date changes requested within 7 days of departure may be subject to additional charges or may not be possible.

11. No-Show Policy

A no-show occurs when a customer fails to attend a confirmed tour or fails to arrive at the agreed pickup or meeting point without providing sufficient prior notice.

No-shows are generally non-refundable.

Customers are responsible for arriving at the designated pickup or meeting point at the time communicated by Jaribu.

If a customer arrives late and the tour has already departed, Jaribu will make reasonable efforts to assist where operationally possible. However, additional transportation or other costs may apply, and the original booking may be non-refundable.

12. Partial Participation or Early Departure

If a customer voluntarily chooses not to participate in part of a tour, safari, activity or itinerary after the service has commenced, the unused portion will generally be non-refundable.

This does not affect any rights the customer may have where Jaribu has failed to provide the service substantially as agreed or where another remedy is available under applicable law.

13. Cancellation by Jaribu Tours & Safaris

Jaribu may need to cancel, postpone or substantially modify a tour or service in circumstances where it is not reasonably possible or safe to operate the booking as originally planned.

Where a cancellation is caused by circumstances within Jaribu’s control, Jaribu will provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law and the circumstances of the booking, which may include:

  • An alternative date;
  • An alternative tour or itinerary of comparable value; or
  • A refund of amounts paid for the affected service.

Where the customer accepts an alternative service that costs more, the applicable price difference may be payable.

Where the replacement service costs less, the applicable difference will be considered for refund or credit.

Jaribu will not require a customer to accept a voucher where a refund is legally due.

14. Weather, Safety & Unforeseen Circumstances

South African tours and safaris may occasionally be affected by circumstances outside Jaribu’s reasonable control, including:

  • Severe weather;
  • Flooding;
  • Wildfires;
  • Natural disasters;
  • Road closures;
  • Park or reserve closures;
  • Government restrictions;
  • Significant security concerns;
  • Civil unrest;
  • Supplier cancellations;
  • Infrastructure failures; or
  • Other circumstances that materially affect the safe or practical operation of a tour.

Where reasonably possible, Jaribu will work with the customer to find an appropriate solution, which may include:

  • Rescheduling;
  • An alternative itinerary;
  • An alternative activity;
  • An alternative service; or
  • A refund where applicable.

The treatment of third-party costs will depend on the terms imposed by the relevant suppliers and the circumstances of the cancellation.

15. Third-Party Supplier Cancellation Conditions

Jaribu works with a range of tourism and travel service providers, including:

  • Hotels and lodges;
  • Game reserves;
  • National parks;
  • Transport operators;
  • Airlines;
  • Restaurants;
  • Museums and heritage attractions;
  • Adventure and activity providers;
  • Boat and marine operators;
  • Entertainment venues;
  • Local guides; and
  • Other tourism partners.

Where a booking includes third-party services, the supplier’s cancellation conditions may apply.

Customers will be informed of material supplier-specific cancellation conditions before the booking is confirmed where those conditions differ from Jaribu’s standard cancellation policy.

16. Travel Insurance

Jaribu strongly recommends that customers obtain appropriate travel insurance, particularly for:

  • International travel;
  • Multi-day safaris;
  • Private or luxury tours;
  • Accommodation packages;
  • Cross-border travel;
  • Expensive or non-refundable bookings.

Depending on the policy purchased, travel insurance may provide cover for circumstances such as illness, medical emergencies, trip interruption, cancellation, baggage loss and other unforeseen events.

Customers are responsible for understanding the terms, exclusions and claims requirements of their insurance policy.

Travel insurance does not replace Jaribu’s cancellation policy.

17. Promotional and Special-Rate Bookings

Special promotions, discounted rates, group rates, last-minute offers and other promotional bookings may be subject to specific cancellation or refund conditions.

Where special conditions apply, they will be clearly communicated before the booking is confirmed.

A promotional rate does not automatically remove any consumer rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

18. Refunds for Unused Services

Refunds for unused services will depend on the reason the service was not used and the applicable booking terms.

Where a customer voluntarily chooses not to use a service that has already been booked or commenced, the unused portion will generally not be refundable.

Where Jaribu is responsible for failing to provide a service as agreed, the customer’s rights and available remedies will be determined in accordance with the applicable booking terms and South African law.

19. Consumer Protection

Jaribu Tours & Safaris is committed to fair, transparent and reasonable booking practices.

Our cancellation charges are intended to reflect the nature of tourism services, the notice period provided, costs and commitments incurred in preparing for a booking, the possibility of reselling the booking and relevant industry practices.

The South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 recognises a consumer’s right to cancel advance bookings while allowing a supplier to require a reasonable deposit and impose a reasonable cancellation charge. The Act also requires consumer terms to be fair, reasonable and just.

Nothing in this policy is intended to:

  • Waive a consumer’s statutory rights;
  • Exclude a remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded;
  • Unreasonably limit Jaribu’s legal responsibilities; or
  • Override any mandatory provision of South African law.

20. How to Request a Refund

Customers requesting a refund should contact Jaribu using:

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +27 62 465 1308
Telephone: +27 62 465 1308

Please include:

  • Full name;
  • Booking number;
  • Tour or safari name;
  • Travel date;
  • Amount paid;
  • Reason for cancellation; and
  • Preferred contact details.

Jaribu may request additional information where reasonably necessary to verify the booking or process the refund.

21. Contact Jaribu Tours & Safaris

Jaribu Tours & Safaris
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 62 465 1308
WhatsApp: +27 62 465 1308
Website: wwwjaributours.co.za

We understand that plans can change, and we will always make reasonable efforts to assist our customers with cancellations, amendments and rescheduling while maintaining a fair and sustainable booking process.

Thank you for choosing Jaribu Tours & Safaris. We look forward to helping you experience South Africa and Africa with confidence.