1. Contracting Parties

These Terms and Conditions are legally binding between the traveler(s) and Panthera Travels., referred to as “Panthera” from now on.

2. Acceptance of These Terms

Please note: Acceptance of a quotation from Panthera constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, which take effect once Panthera issues you with a confirmation.

3. Accommodation

All accommodation, room type(s), and specifications are as shown in the itinerary.

4. Meals

Meals are as shown in the itinerary.

5. Transfers

Transfers are provided on arrival and departure from the airport to the hotel and return only where specified in the itinerary.

6. Itinerary

Accommodation and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Panthera’s control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Panthera also reserves the right to withdraw a tour or any part of it, to make such alterations to the itinerary or the tour inclusions as it deems necessary or desirable, and to pass on to tour members any expenditures or losses caused by delays or events beyond its control.

If the tour price significantly varies due to these circumstances, Panthera reserves the right to adjust the tour costs as necessary.

7. Special Requests

Specific requests should be advised at the time of booking. While every effort will be made to secure special requests, they cannot be guaranteed.

8. Transportation

Transportation will be as specified in the itinerary.

9. Baggage

Panthera handles baggage only as specified in the quotation. Weight restrictions for baggage on some routes on internal/domestic flights may apply, details of which will be provided with pre-tour documentation. Throughout the tour, luggage and personal effects are at the owner’s risk, and Panthera assumes no liability for lost or damaged baggage. Baggage insurance is strongly advised.

Please check with your international carrier for other baggage restrictions applicable to your international flight.

10. Taxes & Gratuities

Hotel taxes as imposed by city and state governments are included. Airport taxes are included where specified in the itinerary.

Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, camp staff, ship crew, and Tour Managers are not included and are at the traveler’s discretion.

11. Exclusions

The cost of obtaining passports, visas, excess baggage charges, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, fax charges, and excess baggage charges, unless expressly included in writing, are not included in the tour price.

12. Prices & Arrangements

The tour price includes planning, handling, and operational charges and is quoted based on the current exchange rates and tariffs. Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing tours are also included in this price. This price is subject to revision in line with significant changes in foreign currency, tariff rates, taxes, etc.

13. Photography

Panthera reserves the right to take photographs during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a program with Panthera, travelers agree to allow their images to be used in such photographs. Travelers who prefer that their images not be used are asked to identify themselves to Panthera before final payment, and they will be exempted from this photography waiver clause.

The use of drones for photography or any other purpose is forbidden on any Panthera trip unless permission has been previously sought from and granted by Panthera.

14. Descriptions & Imagery

All photographs, imagery, and descriptions Panthera uses online and within promotional documentation have been included to reflect your holiday destination accurately. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, it is foreseeable that some destinations will change in appearance throughout the year and may appear to have varied at the time of your stay. E.g., due to adverse weather. Panthera will try to notify you before your trip whether such instances have affected the accommodation or its surroundings. We cannot be held liable if we are made aware of this.

15. Surveillance & Security

Please note that in some properties, surveillance cameras and security equipment may be installed inside and outside the property, which may be able to monitor or record images and sound remotely. Before your trip, you must inform our team if you have any concerns or issues.

16. Activities

Panthera may pre-book some activities; however, should you wish to participate in other or additional activities, we strongly advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Some activities, most notably those related to boating and water, are subject to weather and water levels. Panthera cannot be held responsible should such activities be amended and canceled due to such matters, over which Panthera has no control.

17. Registration

A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The deposit amount will be specified when booking; however, it is usually 10% of the tour price.

The remainder of the tour cost is payable on the date shown on your quotation, usually 60 days before departure. If the reservation is made after this date, the entire tour price must be paid at the time of confirmation.

18. Payment Methods

The following methods may make payments:

Credit card, Cheque, and Bank transfer

Panthera cannot guarantee that all payment methods will be accepted, and it will advise you of the most suitable method at the time of deposit.

18.1 A bank-stipulated service fee of 2.7% of the invoice value is payable when paying by credit card.

18.2 Travelers are liable for all bank and related transaction charges.

19. Cancellation

All cancellations must be received in writing by your Panthera Tour Executive.

19.1 Unless otherwise specified in your quotation, the following cancellation terms will apply to your booking:

19.1.1 Cancellations received between the date of booking and 61 days before departure will result in the loss of the deposit.

19.1.2 Cancellations received between the booking date and 60 – 46 days before departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 25% of the tour price.

19.1.3 Cancellations received between the booking date and  45 – 29 days before departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 50% of the tour price.

19.1.4 Cancellations received between the booking date and 28 – 15 days before departure will be subject to a cancellation charge of 75% of the tour price.

19.1.5 Cancellations received between the booking date and 14 days or less before departure will result in the forfeiture of the entire tour price.

19.2 Cancellation of airline tickets will be subject to each airline’s refund policy and may be greater than the percentages above, particularly when low-cost/net-based fares are used.

19.3 Purchasing special event tickets is subject to each event’s refund policy. Please refer to the specific event policy for details.

19.4 Panthera reserves the right to charge for financial penalties, fees, and losses incurred more than your cancellation fee due to cancellation.

20. Cancellation by Panthera

We reserve the right to cancel your holiday for any reason. However, we will not cancel your hotel arrangement less than 60 days before your departure date except for reasons of force majeure or failure by you to pay the final balance. If you fail to pay the balance of the holiday price at least 60 days before departure, Panthera will treat your booking as canceled and levy the cancellation charges set out in clause 19. If Panthera is obliged to cancel your holiday in any other circumstances before departure, Panthera will use its best endeavors to offer alternative arrangements of equivalent or very closely similar standard and price, if available; travel arrangements of a lower standard and a refund of the price difference; or will give you a complete and prompt refund of all monies paid.

21. Force Majeure

21.1 Force majeure means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond Panthera’s control or the control of our suppliers, the consequence of which neither Panthera nor its suppliers could avoid even with all due care, including, but not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity (actual or threatened), industrial dispute, unavoidable technical problems with transport, machinery or equipment, power failure, changes imposed by rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, drought, adverse weather conditions, epidemics or outbreaks of illness and level of water in rivers.

21.2 In the event of a cancellation or material alteration to the trip as a result of the circumstances as described in this clause, Panthera may, in their sole and absolute discretion:

a) Offer the traveler (s) alternative travel arrangements or products of comparable standard as may be appropriate in the circumstances or

b) If Panthera does not offer alternative travel arrangements or products, Panthera will make a prompt proportional refund of monies paid by the traveler

21.3 Panthera may charge a reasonable fee to cover the administration costs of providing alternative travel arrangements or products.

22. Claims & Refunds

Refunds are not made for any missed services except for verifiable extenuating circumstances. Please see our limits on Panthera’s responsibility clause below. For verifiable claims to be considered, they must be received in writing within 30 days of the program’s termination. Any adjustment considered will be based on the actual price of the services involved and not on a per diem basis. Adjustments will not be made for unused sightseeing trips or meals. Panthera will not accept any liability for any claims not received within 30 days of the termination of your program. All claims for days missed while traveling should be made in writing within 30 days of the program. Any payment made by Panthera, either through a refund or as the result of a successful claim, will be limited to, and not exceed, the sums retained by Panthera regarding the related booking.

23. Limits of Panthera’s Responsibilities

Panthera Travels., its employees, shareholders, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively Panthera) do not own or operate any entity that is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, except a limited number of vehicles. It purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel, or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling, and other services from various independent suppliers (including, from time to time, other affiliated Panthera Travels companies). All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Panthera is not liable for any negligent or willful act of any such person or entity or any third person.

In addition and without limitation, Panthera is not responsible for any injury, financial or physical loss, death, inconvenience, delay, or damage to personal property in connection to the provision of any goods or services, whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or another failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for the failure of any transport mechanism to arrive or depart on time.

There are many inherent risks in adventure travel of the type involved here, which can lead to illness, injury, or even death. These risks are increased because these trips occur in remote locations, far from medical facilities.

If you decide to participate in any activities including, but not limited to, any excursions involving animals, riding on animals, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, hot air ballooning, zip-lining, high altitude treks, climbing, quad biking, parasailing, parachuting, kayaking, white-water rafting, primate tracking and any activity which Panthera considers to carry inherent risks of serious illness, injury or death (“Activities”) then you fully understand and acknowledge that Activities carry with them various inherent risks, including serious illness, injury or death. You take complete responsibility for your health and safety and agree to assume all risks of injury, illness, or death, whether foreseen or unforeseen, that may occur to you as a result of participating in any Activities and agree to release Panthera and its affiliates, their agents, employees and representatives from any liability whatsoever related to it, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Further, as consideration for being permitted to participate in the Activities, you release Panthera, whether known or unknown, from and agree not to sue or make a claim against Panthera for property damage, cancellation of any activities for any reason, illness, negligent rescue operations or procedures, personal injury or death arising from your participation in the Activities, and any activity related to it, including transportation to and from the site of the Activities, regardless of whether such property damage, illness, personal injury, or death results from the negligence of Panthera (but not its reckless, willful, or fraudulent conduct) and from any defect in the equipment. You further agree to indemnify and hold Panthera harmless concerning any claim made against Panthera by anyone else that a) related to your participation or b) would be subject to the above release and covenant not to sue if you had made this claim directly.

24. Health Precautions

Before travel, please consult your physician about anti-malaria precautions and other inoculations and vaccinations. Where applicable, please carry a valid Yellow Fever certificate while traveling.

25. Travel Advisories / Warnings

Travelers must become informed about current travel advisories and warnings by referring to their respective government agencies. In the event of an active State Department or government agency Travel Warning against travel to the specific destination location(s) of the trip, should the traveler still choose to travel, notwithstanding any travel advisory or warning, the traveler assumes all risk of personal injury, death or property damage that may arise out of the events like those advised or warned against.

26. Travelers Representation

If you or any member of your party has any medical problem or disability that may affect your stay, please provide us with full details before we confirm your booking so we can advise you on the suitability of your chosen arrangements. We may require you to produce a doctor’s certificate certifying that you can participate in the tour. Acting reasonably, if we are unable to adequately accommodate the needs of the person(s) concerned, we will not confirm your booking, or if you did not give us full details at the time of booking, we will cancel it and impose applicable cancellation charges when we become aware of these details.

27. Air Transportation

Air transportation: Airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring while passengers are not on board their aircraft. International air carriers are also subject to international air conventions limiting their liability. These limitations of liability are explained on the e-ticket or the reverse of the airline ticket. When issued, this constitutes the sole contract between the respective air carrier(s) and their passengers.

Airlines overbook all flights! We therefore recommend that you check in online as soon as the airline makes online check-in available. If you do not book online, or for any reason are unable to do so, we recommend that you are at the airport to check in 3 hours before departure as airlines may re-allocate seats in the event of late check-in and arrivals. Panthera cannot check you in, and you are responsible for ensuring you are checked in within the appropriate time. Panthera is neither responsible nor liable if you are downgraded an airline class due to the airline overbooking the class you booked. Seat reservations are at the airline’s discretion and may be changed at any time without notice.

Cruises/charters: If you are scheduled to take a cruise or charter, you must ensure that you are aboard the vessel no later than 60 minutes before the scheduled sailing time. Panthera is neither responsible nor liable if you fail to board the ship in good time and suffer any loss. Furthermore, refunds will not be given for any days missed due to such failure or for clients who leave the Cruise prematurely.