Terms and Conditions

1. About us and these terms

• Brightpath Travel Limited is a company registered in Zambia (PACRA registration number 120261039565), based in Livingstone. In these terms, “Brightpath Travel”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Brightpath Travel Limited, and “you” means the guest or person making the booking.
• These terms apply to every trip, safari, transfer and activity you book directly with us, and to your use of this website.
• Your written quote, booking confirmation and invoice form part of your contract with us. If anything in your booking confirmation differs from these terms, the booking confirmation applies to that trip.
• If you book through a third-party platform such as GetYourGuide or Viator, that platform’s booking, payment and cancellation terms apply to your booking. Our sections on conduct, safety, insurance and liability still apply to the activity itself.

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2. Bookings and enquiries

• All bookings are subject to availability.
• An enquiry or a quote is not a confirmed booking. Quotes are valid for the period stated on them, and lodges, camps and flights are not held until your booking is confirmed.
• Your booking is confirmed only when we have sent you written confirmation and received your deposit (see Payments and deposit).
• The person who makes the booking (the lead guest) accepts these terms on behalf of everyone in the group, and is responsible for making sure all details given to us are correct, including names exactly as they appear in each passport.
• Guests under 18 must travel with a parent or responsible adult. Some activities and lodges set minimum ages, and we will tell you about these when you book.

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3. Prices

• All prices are in US dollars (USD) unless we state otherwise.
• Your quote lists exactly what is included and excluded. Anything not listed as included is not included, for example international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal expenses.
• Prices vary with group size, season and availability. The final price is the one shown in your booking confirmation, not at the enquiry stage.
• Once your booking is confirmed, we will not increase the price unless costs outside our control change, such as government taxes, park or conservation fees, fuel costs or exchange rates. If this happens, we will tell you in writing as soon as possible and explain the reason.
• Changes you ask for after confirmation may change the price, and we will always confirm the new price before making the change.

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4. Payments and deposit

• A deposit of about 25% of the total trip price is normally needed to confirm your booking. Some lodges, charter operators and activity providers ask for a different deposit or for full payment in advance. If this applies to your trip, we will tell you the exact amount in your booking confirmation.
• The balance is due by the date shown on your invoice, normally at least 40 days before your travel date. If you book within 40 days of travel, full payment is due when you book.
• If the balance is not paid on time, we may treat your booking as cancelled by you, and the cancellation terms for your trip will apply.
• For bank transfers, please choose the “OUR” option so that you pay all bank charges and we receive the full amount on the invoice. Card payments may carry a processing fee, which we will show you before you pay.
• Accepted payment methods and full payment details are shown on your invoice.

Keep your payment safe: our bank details are shown on your invoice and we will never change them by email or message alone. If you receive a message saying our bank details have changed, do not pay. Call or WhatsApp us on +260 761 576 164 first to confirm.

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5. Cancellations and refunds

If you cancel

• Cancellations must be sent to us in writing by email. Your cancellation takes effect on the day we receive it.
• Many of our trips depend on independent lodges, camps and charter operators, each with their own cancellation policy. For this reason, the cancellation terms for your trip are set out in your booking confirmation.
• Some permits, charter flights, activities and other services cannot be refunded, whenever you cancel, because the supplier does not refund them.

If we cancel

• Very rarely, we may need to cancel or change a trip because of weather, safety, political unrest or other reasons outside our reasonable control.
• If this happens, we will offer you a choice, where reasonably possible, of a similar alternative trip, new dates, or a refund of the money you paid for the cancelled part of the trip.
• We are not responsible for costs you arranged separately, such as international flights or visas. This is one reason why travel insurance is required.

Refunds

• We will process approved refunds as quickly as possible and keep you updated along the way.
• Bank charges, payment processing fees and any costs that suppliers will not refund will be deducted from your refund.

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6. Changes to your trip

Changes you ask for

• Please send any change requests in writing. We will do our best to help, but changes depend on availability and may carry supplier fees or a price difference.

Changes we need to make before you travel

• Sometimes we need to change a lodge, camp, flight or route. If we do, we will offer something of a similar standard and tell you as soon as possible.

Changes during your trip

• Safari travel depends on weather, road conditions, river levels, park rules and wildlife. Your guide may need to change the plan on the day, and will always try to give you the best possible alternative.
• Decisions your guide makes for safety reasons are final.
• If you leave a trip early or choose to miss any part of it, we cannot refund unused services.

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7. Wildlife and what to expect

• Wildlife is wild. We plan every trip around the best seasons and areas, but we cannot guarantee any particular animal, bird or sighting.
• Remote areas can have basic facilities, limited electricity and little or no phone signal. We will tell you what to expect for each part of your trip before you travel.

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8. Travel documents, visas and health

• You are responsible for having a valid passport, visas and any other travel documents needed for every country on your trip. We are happy to share general information, but please check current entry rules with official sources.
• You are responsible for meeting all health requirements, including any required or recommended vaccinations and malaria precautions, and for seeing a travel health professional before you leave home.
• We are not responsible for refused entry, missed activities or extra costs caused by missing or incorrect documents.

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9. Fitness and suitability

• Some activities, including walking safaris, need a good level of fitness, and we rate them on each trip page.
• You are responsible for judging whether you are fit and well enough for your chosen activities. Please tell us about any medical conditions, mobility needs, allergies or dietary needs when you book, so that we can plan for them.
• Your guide may stop you joining an activity if they believe it would put you or others at risk. No refund is due in this case.

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10. Guest conduct

• Always follow your guide’s instructions and park rules, especially when on foot, on the water or near wildlife.
• Please respect local people, laws and customs, and help us protect the environment. Never feed wildlife or leave litter.
• Drones are banned in most national parks and need permits in the countries we visit. Please do not bring or fly a drone without agreeing it with us first.
• Do not pack camouflage or military-style clothing. In several countries in the region, including Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is reserved for the armed forces.
• If a guest’s behavior puts people, wildlife or property at risk, or seriously disrupts the trip for others, we may end that guest’s participation without a refund.

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11. Travel insurance (required)

• Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of every booking with us.
• As a minimum, your policy must cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, personal accident and injury, and loss, theft or damage of personal belongings.
• Please send us your insurer’s name, policy number and emergency phone number before you travel.
• We are not responsible for any costs that arise because you do not have suitable insurance.

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12. Third-party suppliers

• Many parts of your trip, such as accommodation, charter flights, border transfers and activities run by partner lodges or guides, are provided by independent suppliers.
• We choose our suppliers carefully, but each one works under its own terms, conditions and safety rules, which are outside our direct control.

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13. Our responsibility to you

• Safari and adventure travel carries risks that cannot be fully removed, even when every reasonable precaution is taken. These include risks from wildlife, remote locations, light aircraft, boats and rough roads. By booking with us, you accept these risks.
• We will provide the services we deliver ourselves with reasonable care and skill. We are responsible for loss or injury caused by our proven negligence, or that of our own staff.
• We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of independent suppliers, as long as we took reasonable care in choosing them. If something goes wrong with a supplier, we will help you raise it with them.
• We are not responsible for loss or damage caused by your own actions, by not following instructions, by events beyond our control, or for indirect losses. Loss of or damage to personal belongings should be covered by your travel insurance.
• Nothing in these terms limits or excludes any responsibility that cannot be limited or excluded by law.

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14. Events beyond our control

• We are not responsible for failing to provide, or for changing, any part of your trip because of events beyond our reasonable control. These include natural disasters, extreme weather, floods, fire, disease outbreaks, government action, border closures, civil unrest, strikes and the failure of airlines or other transport providers.
• If this happens, we will do everything we reasonably can to help, including offering alternatives and refunding any money we are able to recover from suppliers.

15. Complaints

• If something is not right during your trip, please tell your guide straight away so that we can try to fix it there and then.
• If it cannot be resolved during the trip, please write to us within 30 days of your return. We will look into it fairly and reply as quickly as we can.

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16. Law and changes to these terms

• These terms are governed by the laws of Zambia. If a dispute arises, we will first try to settle it with you fairly and informally. If we cannot, it will be dealt with by the courts of Zambia.
• We review these terms from time to time. The version in force on the date your booking is confirmed applies to that booking.

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