Travel plans sometimes change. This policy explains how GoPatooh Adventure & Safaris handles requests to cancel, amend or postpone a safari and how possible refunds are assessed. Our safaris can combine accommodation, park arrangements, transport and activities supplied by different providers. Because these services may be reserved on different terms, the result of a cancellation can vary from one booking to another.
Read this page together with the Terms and Conditions and the specific written quotation, booking confirmation and supplier conditions provided for your trip.
1. Requesting a cancellation
If you wish to cancel a confirmed booking, contact GoPatooh in writing at info@gopatoohsafaris.com or reply to the official email thread for your booking. Include the lead traveller's name, booking or quotation reference, scheduled departure date, affected travellers and a clear explanation of the change you are requesting.
We recommend contacting us as soon as you know that travel plans may change. Requests require review and acknowledgement. Please do not assume that a supplier reservation has been cancelled until the relevant confirmation has been provided.
2. Enquiries that have not been confirmed
Asking about a safari, receiving a proposal or selecting an itinerary variation on the website does not by itself create a paid reservation. If no services have been confirmed and no payment has been taken, there will generally be no booking payment to refund. However, if you have separately authorised and paid for a specific non-refundable service, the agreed conditions for that service need to be checked.
3. How cancellation costs are assessed
We will review the services already confirmed, the accepted terms, the time remaining before travel and any amounts that suppliers have charged or agreed to return. Relevant items can include accommodation deposits, park or conservancy permissions, scheduled flight tickets, dedicated vehicles, guide arrangements and pre-booked activities.
Any charge or deduction must have a lawful basis and should be supported by the booking conditions or actual costs where relevant. A supplier's assertion that a payment is non-refundable does not remove rights that a traveller may have under applicable law. We will explain the basis of any proposed deduction when assessing a refund request.
4. When a refund may be available
Depending on the reservation, a refund may include money not yet committed to services, amounts a supplier agrees to return, or another amount required by applicable law. A full refund should not be assumed solely because a request was made early, and a complete loss of payment should not be assumed solely because travel is close.
We will calculate the amount with reference to the specific booking and provide a breakdown where reasonably available. If a refund is due, the payment method and timing will be communicated as part of the written resolution.
5. Deposits and advance payments
Deposit amounts and due dates, if any, must be stated in the written quotation or confirmation. A deposit is not automatically described as wholly non-refundable by this general website notice. Whether an amount may be retained depends on the terms disclosed and accepted for the particular booking, the underlying supplier commitments and applicable law.
6. Flights, permits and specialised services
Some services have conditions that differ from accommodation or road transport. Tickets may carry airline change rules; permits may be issued against named travellers; certain activities may have fixed departure requirements or safety restrictions. Before confirmation, ask the team whether any service has a special cancellation or transfer restriction.
When a flight or other supplier service is altered or cancelled, the available refund, replacement or credit will depend on the booking arrangements, the supplier's obligations and applicable legal rights. We will help communicate with suppliers for services we arranged.
7. Changing travel dates or the number of travellers
If you would rather postpone your safari, change travel dates, reduce the party size or move to a different itinerary, contact us before making other reservations. We will review whether confirmed suppliers can accommodate the request, whether existing payments can be transferred and whether the proposed replacement carries a different total cost.
A change is not effective until the revised arrangements have been accepted and confirmed in writing. Some services may not be transferable, and new travel dates may fall under different seasonal park or accommodation conditions.
8. If GoPatooh or a supplier changes or cancels a service
If a confirmed service becomes unavailable or a material itinerary change is required, we will contact the traveller to explain the reason and available alternatives. Depending on the cause, the accepted contract and applicable law, options may include a suitable replacement, an agreed change of travel dates or a refund for affected services.
Travellers do not automatically lose their legal rights because a hotel, airline or other supplier is involved. The appropriate response depends on the circumstances and the responsibilities of the parties.
9. Weather, road conditions and unforeseen events
Safari travel can be affected by severe weather, flooding, road closures, park restrictions, transport disruption, public emergencies or other events outside normal control. Safety may require a route adjustment, delayed departure or alternative activity. These circumstances do not create a single automatic rule for either a full refund or a complete loss of payment.
We will review the affected services, possible alternatives, any recoverable supplier funds and the applicable contractual and legal requirements before communicating the available resolution.
10. Unused services, missed departures and early departure
If a traveller arrives late, misses a scheduled departure, leaves the safari early or chooses not to use an included service, any recovery of money depends on the reason, what the supplier can resell or recover and the agreed conditions. Please contact us immediately if a disruption occurs so that alternatives can be explored.
Unused days, meals or activities are not automatically refundable, but neither does this notice remove any consumer rights that apply in the circumstances.
11. How refunds are processed
Once a refund entitlement and amount are established, we will request any required supplier confirmations, explain the net amount and the method of repayment, and provide confirmation when the refund is processed. Some cases require waiting for a supplier or financial institution to return money.
There is no single refund processing deadline represented on this page because the applicable terms and circumstances have not been standardised across all suppliers. Any binding refund period disclosed in the accepted booking terms, or required by law, takes precedence.
12. Insurance claims
Travellers are encouraged to consider travel insurance covering cancellation, illness, trip interruption and other suitable risks. If you need documents for an insurer, ask our team for the confirmation, invoice, cancellation statement or supplier information that is available and appropriate for your claim.
Insurance decisions are made by the insurer under the purchased policy. GoPatooh does not guarantee approval of an insurance claim.
13. Disputed cancellation charges
If you do not understand or agree with a proposed deduction, contact info@gopatoohsafaris.com and ask for an explanation or supporting details. We will review the matter with the relevant supplier where appropriate and explain the decision. You may exercise any complaint, dispute resolution or statutory consumer rights available under applicable law.
14. Before making a payment
Ask for a written quotation that identifies your specific itinerary, total price, payment arrangements, cancellation conditions, any supplier-specific non-refundable components and the travel services actually confirmed. Please do not make a payment based only on a public website card or a verbal description.
15. Request help
Send cancellation, postponement and refund questions to info@gopatoohsafaris.com or use our Contact Us page. Include your booking reference so we can identify the correct supplier arrangements.