Purpose

Read these terms and conditions thoroughly and carefully before booking a trip with us. This agreement is a legally binding contract.  This agreement contains important provisions regarding the trip you are purchasing including our role and its limits, ours and our supplier’s rights to alter the trip, our cancellation and refund policies, a limitation of our liability and other important disclaimers and terms that apply to your trip. As a U.S.-based company, we organize, promote and sell trip programs consisting of certain travel services as an agent that we purchase or reserve from various suppliers on our clients' behalf.

Contract with Amani Travel

These Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) are a legal and binding contract between the customer (the “Customer” or “you”) and Amani Travel, LLC. This contract applies to any and all bookings, reservations, services or other transactions made with Amani. These Terms apply to each and every person who is part of a reservation made with Amani Travel, LLC whether made directly or through a representative or agent.  The person(s) included on the trip invoice are referred to as the "client, “participant,” “traveler,” “you” or “your” below. All clients are bound by this agreement. The terms and conditions set forth below constitute the entire understanding and agreement between you and Amani Travel, LLC, its owners, employees, shareholders, affiliated entities, agents, representatives, officers, directors, associates, successors and assigns (collectively, "Amani," "we," "our," or "us") with respect to any and all bookings or transactions made with Amani. No person has any authority on Amani’s behalf to vary this agreement. The services to be provided are the travel services referred to in Amani’s brochure, itinerary and website and discussed by you with its agents.

Acceptance of Booking, Pricing and Payments

By submitting your initial payment, you acknowledge that you agree and accept all terms and conditions in this agreement and direct us to reserve services on your behalf. Your reservation is accepted and confirmed when Amani has received all of the following from each person: (i) the initial trip deposit, (ii) Traveler Form, (iii) Release, Limitation of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration Agreement, (iv) Terms and Conditions, and (v) Diet and Health Form signed by each traveler. We will not hold or confirm your space until the deposit and the other requirements listed here are received. If you fail to submit these and other necessary documentation prior to departure, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you and impose cancellation fees.

A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total trip cost must be paid upon reservation. Special permits and activities must be paid in full upon reservation. Final payment on all remaining costs is due no later than 60 days prior to the departure date specified in your booking. Payment of single supplements is due by the date stated on the invoice as specified in the payment schedule or, if the single accommodation is confirmed by us at the time of booking, it must be paid at the time of booking.

A 25% non-refundable deposit is required for your booking to be confirmed by us. Any single supplement must also be paid at the time of booking if single accommodations are confirmed at time of booking. Gorilla permits and select activities such as hot air balloon rides and special permits may require full payment at time of booking to confirm. We will advise you if that is the case. Final payment is due 60 days prior to your Trip Departure. Failure to remit payment by 30 days prior will be considered cancellation by default and your booking will be subject to our standard cancellation penalties. Except as otherwise permitted by law, all payments are held in our Trust Account until payment is sent to our suppliers.

Payments may be made by bank transfer or check to “Amani Travel, LLC.” Visa, MasterCard are accepted at an additional fee of 3.5% and American Express are accepted at an additional fee of 4%.

In some cases it may be necessary to adjust trip pricing to allow for changes in group size (only on set departure trips or private group trips), significant currency fluctuations in countries that do not operate on the dollar, local government changes to VAT and/or tax rates, or increases on the ground beyond our control such as airfare increases, fuel surcharges, accommodation increases, bed night taxes, increases in optional pre-paid activities such as gorilla permits, hot air balloon rides, over-flights, scenic air trips, camel treks, horseback riding, and/or trekking permits. Amani reserves the right to make these price adjustments. Amani and in-county ground operators work together to minimize passing on increases to the traveler and, while uncommon, they are possible. Amani will not make price changes to reserved trips within 60 days of the Trip Departure. Should these costs exceed 10% of the original trip cost, other options such as cancellation, refund or postponement may be explored as directed by the client.

 “Trip Departure” is the first date of the trip that you have purchased from Amani; it does not include earlier dates if you choose to depart prior to the date listed on your itinerary.

Additional Fees

Amani reserves the right to request a trip planning fee of $250 for itineraries that (i) require abnormally in-depth research and planning, (ii) are longer than 21 days, or (iii) are for destinations that are highly regulated, potentially dangerous, or include an unusual level of contacts and preparation. The planning fee will be applied to your trip deposit upon confirmation of booking. Should you choose not to confirm, the trip planning fee is non-refundable.

Cancellation Fees and Refunds

If you cancel before Trip Departure you are responsible for the below cancellation fees to Amani:

• Cancel more than 60 days prior to Trip Departure: no additional fee applies (Amani will retain the 25% non-refundable trip deposit)
• Cancel 31-60 days prior to Trip Departure: a total of 50% of trip cost (25% non-refundable deposit plus an additional 25% of the trip cost)
• Cancel less than 30 days prior to departure: 100% of trip cost

Important: You are also responsible for any non-refundable payments that Amani has forwarded to local hotels and operators for their services regardless of when you cancel. Note that you may be responsible for additional cancellation penalties charged by camps, lodges, hotels, local air carriers and ground operators. Wildlife viewing permits such as gorilla and chimp permits are non-refundable.

All cancellations must be received in writing or by email to Amani. The date that Amani receives the written cancellation determines the cancellation charge applicable, which follows the cancellation fees schedule as stated on your invoice.

There are no exceptions to the cancellation policy as listed on your invoice, including for reasons related to fear of travel, your decision to not travel because of governmental/travel warnings or advisories, weather, terrorism, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control. We recommend that you purchase a comprehensive travel protection plan that provides coverage for trip cancellation (including if possible “cancel for any reason” coverage), trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation and repatriation, and more.

In addition, no partial refunds are possible for unused services including hotel rooms, air or land transport, safari days, trekking days, or other sightseeing excursions, including those that are unused if your trip is interrupted due to quarantine, pandemic, government actions/inactions, and other circumstances that are outside of our control. If you have to be removed from a trip for any reason, including but not limited to for quarantine, you will not be entitled to a refund, nor costs for personal expenses such as airline tickets, other travel or hotel expenses.

Amani will not refund or cover loss of personal expenses (see exclusions below).

In accordance with Washington state law and except as otherwise provided in these terms, if transportation or other services are canceled by us, all sums paid to us for services not performed in accordance with these Terms will be refunded within thirty days of receiving any funds from the supplier with whom the services were arranged, or if the funds were not sent to the Supplier, the funds shall be returned within fourteen days after cancellation by us to you unless you request that we apply the money to another travel product and/or date. It is important to note that 1) funds that we send on to our suppliers are typically non-refundable and non-recoverable and therefore not refundable to you.

 Travel Protection Coverage

Amani recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans include coverage for Trip Cancellation (cancel for any reason coverage is recommended; must be purchased within a few days of when you book your trip), Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. 

Please review these options and indicate your choice by marking the box and signing below.

• □ I plan to purchase travel protection
• □ I choose not to purchase travel protection

 Signature of Traveler One __________________Signature of Traveler Two__________________

 Claims and Complaints

Many problems that might arise during a trip can be rectified quickly and in a manner that allows you to continue to enjoy your trip if you bring them to the attention of the supplier, trip leader, guide, or  person “on-the-ground” at the time they arise and during your trip. As such, if you find that you have a complaint or claim against Amani, you must first attempt to obtain a correction of the problem during the trip. If the problem is not solved this way, then you must inform Amani of the claim or complaint in writing within ten days after the end of the trip. If you fail to comply with these requirements, you waive your right to assert any such claim or complaint against Amani.

 Changes by You

Should you, the traveler, opt to change the itinerary after the trip is paid-in-full and has departed, you will be responsible for any additional expenses and payment will be due directly to the local operator, by cash payment in the currency required by the local operator. We consider change requests in our sole discretion and on a case-by-case basis before a trip as they can be extremely disruptive. Any material change requests, including to trip dates, may be considered a cancellation by you and subject to our cancellation

 Change Fee

Should you opt for changes after full trip payment has been made and before Trip Departure (within 60 days), Amani will charge you a $100 change fee, plus any additional costs passed on from the local operator.

 Airfare 

Amani does not issue international airfare; we recommend that you book through Exito Travel. Should you book through a different outside agent, please forward your confirmed air itinerary to Amani so that we may arrange your airport transfers accordingly. Amani is not responsible for errors of date, name or other information on international air tickets. Carefully check your departure and arrival city, dates, name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, and any other pertinent information. Any flights included in your trip that are booked through local operators and are included in the trip cost or itemized separately are subject to the airline’s cancellation and payment terms and conditions. Amani is not responsible for misspellings on flights included in your trip if details have been submitted incorrectly by the traveler.

 Inclusions and Exclusions

All transfers, guided trips, trip leaders/guides/escorts as noted, park entrance fees, special permits, lodging, meals and drinks (B, L, D, Dr) are included as noted in your itinerary. Individual trip inclusions and exclusions are noted on each trip itinerary. Itemized invoices for services are not available.

Exclusions include meals that are not noted in the itinerary, any optional trips, park entrance fees or extensions not noted in your itinerary. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are not included unless mentioned in the itinerary as (Dr).

Unless otherwise explicitly noted in your itinerary, the following are excluded:

• Visa and country entry fees.
• Emergency expenses such as medical expenses (hospitalization, treatment or medical evacuation). Flying Doctors Coverage (AMREF) is provided in select destinations in Africa.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, gratuities, phone calls, local SIM cards/minutes, and Wi-Fi coverage.
• Travel Protection Plan
• International airfare.

 Personal expenses will not be refunded under any conditions.

Changes and Cancellations by Amani

You acknowledge that Amani acts as an agent on your behalf, reserving services for you with third party suppliers (“Suppliers”). Our Suppliers operate outside the United States of America. We commit in good faith to provide services as agreed upon in contracting services with these Suppliers.

Force Majeure

Amani will not be deemed in breach of these Terms or otherwise liable to you, including for any refunds of trip deposits, by reason of delay in performance or nonperformance of any of its obligations under this  Agreement to the  extent that any such delay or nonperformance is due to any Force Majeure.

While we are committed to working with you and other Suppliers to find a workable solution in the event of Force Majeure, our obligations are limited to those described in this section in the event of Force Majeure.

“Force Majeure” means any circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God, terrorist activities, insurrection, explosion, flood, tempest, forceful wind, fire or accident, war or threat of war declared or undeclared, sabotage, civil disturbance, labor strikes, requisition, sickness, quarantine, pandemic, epidemic, diseases and viruses that are known, unknown or novel such as coronavirus/COVID-19 (including any spread thereof), foodborne, airborne, and communicable illnesses and disease, government intervention of any kind that affect domestic and/or international travel, government restrictions or warnings, diplomatic or health organization (e.g., World Health Organization) warnings, border closings, weather conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.

In the uncommon situation where Force Majeure prevents, significantly hinders, renders it difficult, or makes it impossible for us or our Suppliers to provide services, including but not limited to your trip, we and/or our Suppliers shall be entitled to, in our sole and absolute discretion, take one or more of the following steps: vary, reschedule, postpone, or cancel any trip itinerary or arrangement, including trip dates and the entire trip itself.

If your trip is affected by Force Majeure, we will notify you of the nature and extent thereof if practicable. Amani cannot refund or reimburse you for the trip cost or other personal costs. However, as a courtesy, we will work on your behalf within reason to provide an alternative trip or obtain travel credits or refunds from our Suppliers of any monies previously remitted to said Suppliers for your trip. If successful, we will remit to you any refunds but only to the extent obtained by our Suppliers. We are not responsible for any additional compensation or reimbursement for costs, or expenses you incur as a result. Options may be limited by the Suppliers’ terms and conditions if monies have already been remitted to the Supplier as payment for your trip.

It is important for clients to understand that once we receive their trip monies, we have to advance monies to our suppliers who will be providing components of their trip. These monies are typically non-refundable and non-recoverable by us. Further, these suppliers are independent from us and we do not manage or operate them.

Regarding civil unrest, once Amani has investigated the prevailing situation, as it deems fit, it shall remain in Amani’s sole and absolute discretion whether to proceed with the trip. Further, we will provide alternatives or refunds to the extent obtained by our Suppliers for any delay, change, cancellation, overbooking, or strike by our independent suppliers who provide various goods and services connected with your trip, including lodging, meals, transportation, sightseeing, and activities.

Health Clause

Suppliers and government entities may quarantine, isolate, deny entry to or take other measures involving clients with symptoms of infectious diseases or illnesses aboard confined modes of transport such as ships, trains, etc. No refunds will be provided to you for any unused portion of travel, damages or losses or other claims if you are quarantined. Amani is not responsible for any costs, damages or losses incurred by you in the event you are quarantined or otherwise interrupted from completing your trip or using portions thereof.

 Medical Fitness

Good physical and mental health is essential for the enjoyment of these active, adventure trips. By forwarding the deposit, you certify that you do not have any physical or other conditions that would create a hazard for yourself or other travelers or affect other people's enjoyment of the trip.  At any time during the trip, including at departure, Amani, as well the local operator or guide, has the right to remove anyone who it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in the trip activities. Once a trip has been confirmed medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy.

Pre-Departure Consulting and Documents

 U.S. citizens traveling outside the United States are required to carry documentation of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, valid for six months after your reentry to the U.S. You assume full responsibility to check and verify any passport, visa, or vaccination entry requirements for your travel plans. You assume responsibility to obtain valid and effective documentation, including passports, visas, permits, and vaccination certificates, where necessary. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact the embassy, consulate or airline for entry requirements. You are also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from missing or defective documentation. While we may provide information or advice on visas, vaccinations, climate, clothing, baggage, special equipment, etc. it is in good faith as a courtesy to you, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions as to the information provided.

While Amani travels to the destinations that we sell as often as possible and strives to provide the most current information to its travelers, resources are not always accurate and conditions on the ground change quickly.

As an Amani traveler you have access to Amani’s destination information in the form of pre-departure phone calls, meetings (local, as agreed), and emails. Upon confirmation of your trip, payment and receipt of all required forms, you will receive pre-departure documents including a detailed destination guide including tipping guidelines, suggested reading, packing list, CDC health recommendations, visa requirements and more. Approximately one month prior to your Trip Departure you will receive a final document packet including any required vouchers, e-tickets, contacts for local suppliers, and Amani’s unique traveler gift(s). In most cases travelers will receive local documents upon arrival in the destination, as well. 

Travel with Minors

Amani does not provide legal advice for traveling with minors. Amani recommends that travelers research individual airline and country entry requirements regarding travel with minors in the absence of one or both parents. Many airlines and/or countries will not allow boarding or immigration of unaccompanied minors without required travel documents.

Authority and Conduct on Trip

It is your responsibility to be ready to go at the departure city at the specific Trip Departure day and time. We are not responsible for any losses due to cancelled or missed flights, changed flight itineraries, late arrivals, or early departures. Amani requires that all travelers observe local safety, motor vehicle laws and wear seat belts at all times, national park and private game reserve regulations, and the direction of any authority including but not limited to guides. While you travel, you will be subject to the laws of the country or countries you travel in. For the legal compliance and safety of Amani and its local operators, as well as both your safety, well-being, and enjoyment and that of others, you must comply at all times with the law and respect the norms of the locations you visit. This includes laws that apply to customs, foreign exchange, immigration, and drug control. All COVID-19 Protocols and in-country requirements must be observed.

From time to time external circumstances, or a traveler’s fitness, health, behavior or other activity or decision(s) may threaten the safety or interfere with the well-being of the traveler and/or any of those with whom they are traveling (including guides and other locals). As a result, at all times the decision of Amani’s suppliers, trip leaders, guides, and/or any representative of Amani or the suppliers to remove from the trip or restrict participation of a traveler is final on all such matters.

If you fail to comply with this section, or if you should interfere with the well-being of any of those with whom they are traveling (including guides and other locals), then Amani, its suppliers, the trip leader, guides, and/or any representative of Amani or the suppliers may order you to leave the trip without recourse to any refund or for damages. If this happens and any person traveling with you must also leave or chooses to leave the trip with you, they will likewise have no recourse to any refund or for damages.

 Limitation of Remedies

YOU AGREE THAT THE SOLE REMEDY FOR ANY DEFAULT BY AMANI ARISING UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE THE RETURN OF THE PAID TRIP COST OR THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY LOST, WHICHEVER IS LEAST. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, AMANI WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING FOR PERSONAL INJURY) REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF AMANI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. YOU EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT YOU MAY HAVE TO RECOVER SUCH DAMAGES.

Airlines

We act as an agent only when assisting you with flight reservations. Our responsibility is limited by the airline's conditions of carriage and we are not able to specify the type of aircraft to be used by any airline. Amani is not responsible for losses due to cancelled flights or seats or changed flight itineraries. Any cancellation of flights booked on your behalf will be subject to cancellation penalties as imposed by the airlines’ cancellation policy. You further agree that you are subject to all terms and conditions of the airline provider. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with those terms and agree that you are ultimately responsible to the airline provider for any reservations, changes, cancellations, and disputes regardless of how your reservation was made on your behalf.

Photo Release

You agree that Amani may use, re-use, and reproduce any images, photos or videos that you send to us, or that are taken by our guides and/or other travelers of you individually or in a group, in any medium, including but not limited to print, electronic media, or Internet, free of charge, worldwide, perpetually and without your right to inspection, for promotion and publicity purposes world related to our travel products and services.

Binding Arbitration

I agree that any dispute concerning, relating, or referring to this agreement, Amani’s travel services, Amani’s trip brochures or any other materials that concern my trip, the trip itself, or any claim for damages due to injury or death which occurs during or in connection with my trip, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration. The binding arbitration shall take place in Seattle, Washington, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive (but not procedural) Washington law. The arbitrator and not any federal, state or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any of this contract is void or voidable.

Attorney Fees and Costs

In the event of any dispute between Amani and you that results in an arbitration or court matter, the substantially prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its, his or her expenses, attorney fees and costs.

Headings

Headings in this agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to interpret or construe its provisions.

Severability

In the event that any provision of this agreement shall be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not render the agreement unenforceable or invalid as a whole. Such unenforceable provision will be replaced with one that is valid and enforceable and which achieves, to the extent possible, the original objectives and intent of the original provision.

Successors and Assigns

This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Amani and the client and their respective heirs, legal personal representatives, successors and assigns.

Entire Agreement

This agreement is the final, complete and exclusive statement of the parties' agreement on the matters contained in this agreement. It supersedes all previous negotiations and agreements.

Updating of Terms and Conditions

These Terms may not be amended, altered or modified, except by a written amendment executed by an authorized representative of Amani.

Updating of Terms and Conditions

Amani reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at any time. It is your responsibility to be familiar with these terms and conditions. The latest terms and conditions can be found on the Amani website: www.amani.travel. Any amendment will take effect immediately upon being posted to our website or immediately upon notice to you in writing by email or mail. You are deemed to have accepted any amendments to these Terms on the date they are posted to our website or when we provide notice to you by email, whichever occurs first.