OUR AGREEMENT WITH YOU

Your contract will be with Drive Botswana Limited. All travel arrangements on this website are sold subject to the following booking conditions.

BOOKING

When you wish to confirm a booking, please email your acceptance of our proposals. In doing so you agree you have read and accepted our terms and conditions on behalf of everyone in your group. The terms and conditions vary depending on whether you purchase a package holiday consisting of transport and accommodation booked at the same time and invoiced as a fully inclusive cost or ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ which is anything else, including accommodation only.

Please note that where a suppliers services form part of your booking, the suppliers standard terms and conditions will also apply. These are especially important in the case of ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ where Drive Botswana Limited acts only as an agent between you and our suppliers. Copies of these conditions may be requested in writing.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

When making a booking we will require a minimum deposit of 50% of the total cost of the booking. We will then send you a confirmation invoice, after which a contract exists, subject to English law unless otherwise agreed.  You must check the confirmation carefully, if you see any errors, such as a mis spelling, contact us immediately, otherwise changes made at a later date will be subject to the usual amendment charges.

We will require payment of the remaining balance as shown on your confirmation invoice, not less than 45 days before your arrival. If you book within 45 days of travel we will require full payment at the time of booking.  Should you fail to pay the money when it is due we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain the deposit that has been paid. Travel documents will not be released until we have received full payment. Please note, the car rental company may require a deposit to be charged to a credit card before releasing the vehicle, this will be refunded on return of the vehicle without damage. We are happy to advise of the approximate charge payable but this sum cannot be paid in advance of your arrival.

INSURANCE

In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018, Directive (EU) 2015/2302 or the local applicable law in the country of residence of the passenger(s) booking with Drive Botswana Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Drive Botswana Ltd

The respective laws accordingly to the country of residence of the passenger(s) usually only requires us to provide cover for Package & Linked Travel Arrangements, there is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided unless the local law requires such. If you have questions on this then please contact Drive Botswana Ltd

Drive Botswana Ltd has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE’s registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Drive Botswana Ltd

In the event of our insolvency please make contact as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting the name of your Travel Operator:

For UK & Worldwide excluding EU Passengers

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +44 (0)345 266 1872

Email: Insolvency-claims@ipplondon.co.uk         

or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

For EU Passengers

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +31 103120666

Email: ippclaims@nl.sedgwick.com         

or online at https://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

CANCELLATIONS BY YOU

(a) Packages – If you need to cancel a confirmed booking you must contact us as soon as possible. To cover the cost of administration and cancellation charges imposed by suppliers and for the possibility that we will not be able to resell the holiday we have to make a cancellation charge. If you have purchased insurance independently you may be able to claim for the charges we impose. Should you cancel your confirmed booking or part of your booking, then the following cancellation charges will apply:

More than 90 days prior to departure: 10% of the total cost

61 – 90 days: the higher of 50% of the total cost or loss of deposit

31 – 60 days: the higher of 75% of the total cost or loss of deposit

30 days or less: 100% of total cost

Note: These cancellation charges apply to all bookings, except in circumstances where a booking includes items or services where our suppliers own cancellation charges exceed those shown above. In these circumstances any additional cancellation charges will be advised at the time of booking.

(b) ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ – If you need to cancel you must contact us directly. Cancellation charges vary depending on the services booked and will be clearly stated at the time of booking. In all cases a minimum cancellation fee of £100 will apply regardless of the value of the service cancelled. In some cases it may not be possible to offer any refunds for certain services once a booking has been made. Please ensure you are certain of the fees applicable to your booking by asking your travel agent or us before proceeding to book your arrangements.

ALTERATIONS BY YOU

If you wish to make a change to a confirmed booking please contact us. You will be advised of the cost implications of any change prior to the change being implemented. Please Note: A change to the travel departure date once confirmed, is regarded as a cancellation and rebooking, not an alteration to the booking. If the services booked are dependent on a minimum number of people using the service, we will have to recalculate the total cost based on the new number of passengers travelling.

The cost may therefore increase but as this is not a cancellation charge, it may not be covered by your insurance. No refunds will be given for unused services unless an amendment or cancellation has been made in which case the charges shown above will apply.

CANCELLATIONS BY US

(a) Packages – We aim to provide the travel arrangements you have booked without any changes, however, it is possible that cancellations may be necessary due to changes made beyond our control by hotels or other suppliers. For some ‘’package holidays’’ to operate a minimum number of people may be required. If sufficient bookings are not received we reserve the right to cancel the holiday, but will do so at least eight weeks before departure. In the unlikely event that your travel arrangements must be cancelled we will advise you as soon as is reasonably possible and you will be offered an alternative or a full refund which will be the limit of our liability to you.

If we have to cancel your package holiday as a result of any other circumstances, we may offer you additional compensation where deemed appropriate.

(b) ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ – In the unlikely event that a booking has to be cancelled, for any other reason than non-payment, then a full refund will be made of all monies paid, less any amendment fees or insurance premiums.

ALTERATIONS BY US

(a) Packages – Although it is unlikely, we may unfortunately have to make changes to your travel arrangements and we must reserve the right to do so. We will inform you of any major changes at the time of booking, or as soon as possible afterwards if you have already booked. If a major change is necessary, such as, change of destination, or reduction in standard of your accommodation, you will be offered the choice of:

  • (i) accepting the change
  • (ii) accepting an alternative
  • (iii) receiving a full refund of all monies paid.

If the alteration results in a reduction in the total cost of your travel arrangements, we will make an appropriate refund. We will offer appropriate compensation for the changes imposed providing that it does not arise from circumstances outside our control. Please read our note regarding Africa at the end of these conditions carefully!

(b) ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ – Where we only act as a booking agent, we may not be notified of a major change before you travel. However, where we are notified, we will advise you as soon as is reasonably possible. If the changes are not acceptable to you, we will offer you an alternative if available, or a full refund for the component part. If your chosen alternative costs more, you must pay the difference.

LOST TICKETS OR VOUCHERS

If your travel documents have not been received by you, or you have mislaid your travel documents, you must inform us at least 10 days prior to departure. Failure to do so may result in additional charges as special arrangements will have to be made.

THE PRICE OF YOUR HOLIDAY

We will quote a price in pounds sterling as well as Euro and US dollar at the time of responding to your request. Providing the booking is confirmed by you within 30 days of our quotation, we are pleased to confirm that there will be no change in the cost of the arrangements subsequently, irrespective of changes to currency rates. If you decide to book more than 14 days after our quotation has been sent, we reserve the right to provide a new quote based on the rates of exchange prevailing

OUR LIABILITY

(a) Packages – We are responsible for ensuring that your package holiday is of a reasonable standard and as described to you. If any part fa ils to reach this standard and affects the enjoyment of your holiday, we will offer reasonable compensation providing it is not due to events outside our control.Our liability in all these cases is limited to a maximum of twice the value of the services affected. Drive Botswana Limited also accept responsibility for death, injury, or illness caused by the negligent acts and/or omissions of our employees or agents, together with our suppliers and sub-contractors, servants and/or agents of the same, whilst acting in the course of their employment in the provision of your package holiday. We will pay compensation equivalent to that which would be awarded in an English Court, but will not offer compensation if the injury, illness or death is caused by your own fault or the fault of someone unconnected with the package, or an event that could not have been expected or avoided even with all due care. You must contact us as soon as possible after the event to enable a full investigation to be carried out. This liability does NOT apply to activities which specifically require their own indemnity and are thus covered by the suppliers liability and includes, but is not limited to, mokoro excursions, white water rafting and guided walks. For these activities, you will be required to sign indemnity forms from the suppliers.

(b) ‘Other Travel Arrangements’ – When acting only as a booking agent, Drive Botswana Limited has no liability whatsoever for any aspect of the travel arrangements and accepts no liability for any loss, personal injury or death however incurred, except where caused by our own proven negligence.

PROBLEMS ON HOLIDAY

If you have a problem during the course of your holiday, you must inform the supplier of the service who will endeavour to re solve the matter immediately. If you are not satisfied you must telephone our offices immediately, failure to do so may reduce or extinguish any possible claim. We will endeavour to put things right as soon as possible but if you wish to contact us on your return, please do so within 28 days, we will acknowledge all complaints on their receipt and deal with them promptly and efficiently.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE

It is a condition of booking with Drive Botswana that you ensure all members of your party have adequate travel insurance to protect against the possibility of medical expenses or cancellation charges arising. We will not accept responsibility if you chose not to insure. You are advised to take out comprehensive medical insurance covering you for personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation and curtailment.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

Any particular room or dietary requests should be made at the time of booking and whilst we are happy to pass these on to the hotel concerned, we cannot guarantee their provision and they are not part of the contract.

DATA PROTECTION ACT 2018

By making a reservation with us you agree to the use and disclosure of the information you provide for the purposes set out in our privacy policy, namely: to enable us to process your booking (when it may be transferred abroad), for market research and analysis, to avoid fraud and to enable us to contact you by letter, telephone or e-mail as required to facilitate your booking with us.

WILDLIFE AND OTHER HAZARDS

It may seem obvious, but Africa is unlikely to be like anywhere you have visited before. Whilst we take care in choosing our suppliers to ensure you have the best possible holiday. Vehicles may break down and need to be replaced with the best then available, accommodation may change hands or go out of business without warning and we may need to change part of your holiday to ensure you still stay at the best accommodation we can find. You may find that your flight is delayed or disrupted and in these circumstances we will do everything we can to rearrange your travel arrangements but sometimes it may prove to be impossible.

You must follow any advice which we will provide before departure. Most of it is common sense, do not get out of a vehicle to get a better photograph of a dangerous animal for example, and by doing so you can ensure you achieve maximum pleasure from your travel. If you chose to ignore our advice, you must realise you do so at your own risk.

PASSPORTS

Visitors to Southern Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport which lie side by side when the passport is open. Visitors travelling to Southern Africa with passports which do not comply with these requirements may be stopped from boarding the air craft or risk deportation on arrival in Southern Africa. Passports must also be at least six months from their date of expiry at the time of travel.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Immigration regulations, effective 1st June 2015, require that all parents arriving, transiting and departing South Africa, Namibia and Botswana produce an unabridged birth certificate for their children. Families not in possession of these documents will be refused to travel. In the case where only one parent is travelling with the children, consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered is required. Alternatively, either a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or a death certificate of the other parent must be produced.