DICKSON MOUNTAINS EXPEDITIONS
Terms & Conditions
Dickson Mountains Expeditions is a registered Tour Operator in the Republic of Kenya.
The following terms and conditions of business apply to all Dickson Mountains Expeditions’ trips booked with us directly or with an approved agent. Receipt of the deposit indicates formal understanding and acceptance of our terms and conditions of business.
1. Bookings
(a). Dickson Mountains Expeditions will provide a full quotation without any financial obligation on your part or the agent’s, before prior to affirm booking arrangement. All quotations issued by us will remain valid for a period of thirty days.
(b). The company recommends that you secure a non-refundable deposit of at least 30% of quotation to confirm the safari with the full balance of payment being due to Dickson Mountains Expeditions 60 days prior to departure date. Some safaris(such as Mountain Gorilla itineraries) may require an additional deposit and should this prove the case, you will be advised in good time.
(c). Changes to confirmed reservations made within sixty days of the tour departure date will be charged according to the cancellation penalties outlined below.
(d). Upon receipt of final payment the company will issue all relevant travel documents with fully confirmed status. Any changes thereafter are subject to availability and to cancellation fees, whichever is applicable (see below).
(e). The minimum duration of any safari booked with Dickson Mountains Expeditions will be 2 nights.
2. Cancellations
(a). All cancellations must be made in writing to us. Please ensure you receive written confirmation that your cancellation has been received by us. All cancellations will be charged a cancellation penalty depending on the number of days before tour departure that the cancellation is received.
Cancellation Penalties & Deposits: (excluding Gorilla Trekking Permits)
– Deposit to confirm – 30% of quotation
– Cancellation outside 121 days to commencement – loss of 50% of deposit
– Cancellation 120 – 91 days prior to commencement, loss of 100% deposit
– Final rooming list would be appreciated 60 days prior to arrival
– Cancellation 90 – 61 days prior to commencement, loss of 30% of quotation
– Final payment would be appreciated at least 60 days prior to arrival
– Cancellation 60 – 31 days prior to commencement, loss of 50% of quotation
– Cancellation less than 30 days to commencement, loss of 100% of quotation
Gorilla Safari Permits.
(b). Some safaris may incur additional cancellation fees (especially gorilla safaris). There will be no refund for any unused portions of a safari once it has commenced. Cancellation penalties on airfares and gorilla permits are additional and may not be included in the above cancellation charges. Cancellation insurance for the total land tour cost is strongly recommended.
– Deposit to confirm – US$ 500 per gorilla permit
– Cancellation outside 60 days prior trekking – loss of 50% of deposit.
-Cancellation less than 60 days prior trekking – loss of 100% of deposit.
(c). Some of the camps, hotels and lodges have special cancellation clauses during the year, for example at Christmas and New Year. These will be advised at time of booking. These will in turn form part of these terms and conditions of business.
3. Important Information
(a). All airfares quoted within Africa are current as at the date of the tour quotation. Dickson Mountain Expeditions is not responsible for any changes in airline schedules, airfares, cancellations, loss or damage to baggage and overbooking. All claims for any loss or injury suffered on any airline must be made directly with the airline involved and not with Dickson Mountain Expeditions
(b). Specific accommodation described in these itineraries may not always be available. In the event of this happening, Dickson Mountain Expeditions will always recommend comparable alternative accommodation. It is then the decision of the client to accept or decline this alternative accommodation prior to committing to the deposits and pre-payments.
(c). Tour costs are based on all known costs at the date of quotation. Any significant changes beyond the control of Dickson Mountain Expeditions will be passed onto clients. Once a final quotation has been given by Mara Expeditions and the same has been accepted on behalf of the client and the tour arrangement has been paid for as per our payment terms, then no additional charges and/or surcharges will be levied.
(d). Dickson Mountain Expeditions reserves the right to alter any arrangements due to local conditions. We also retain the right to refuse any person from participating on or continuing on any tour for any reason or if that person causes or is deemed to cause hazard or inconvenience to other passengers or to Dickson Mountain Expeditions .
(e). The company will not be responsible for any lost or delayed baggage, resulting from travel with an international scheduled airline.
(f). Generally, travelers in Africa using charter aircraft services to facilitate travel from one destination to another are limited to a baggage allowance of 33lbs/(15kgs) per passenger. This includes camera equipment and backpacks. It is important that this baggage be packed in lightweight duffel type bags.
For private charter internal flights arranged by Dickson Mountains Expeditions, our policy caters for 20Kgs of baggage allowance per passenger.Further guidelines and recommendations on baggage procedures and what to pack on safari are provided in our pre-departure safari information
(g). Should guests arrive with excess baggage without prior warning to the company, their baggage may be delayed, as the company may have to fly the baggage to their safari destinations at a later stage and at a considerable cost to the client.
(h). Should guests know and inform the company in advance that they will be carrying baggage in excess of the given limit, Dickson Mountain Expeditions will quote the extra costs involved.
(i). When out on safari with us, clients should be aware that at times they will be in close proximity to wild animals. A responsible attitude and vigilance is requested when in this situation. Many of the camps, lodges and hotels are not fenced. Attacks by animals are rare, however, the company cannot guarantee that this may not occur. Neither the company, its employees, nor its agents can be held responsible for any injury or incident whatsoever whilst on safari.
4. Inclusions and exclusions in the itinerary cost
(a). The prices include all details listed on your itinerary except where noted as an option or specifically noted as an exclusion Standard Inclusions (this may vary from itinerary to itinerary)
– ALL accommodation and meals on safari, cycling and in the mountain.
– ALL government hotel taxes and service charges.
– ALL land transport in specially built Vans or 4×4 safari vehicles or as stated otherwise in a specific itinerary.
– ALL National Park / reserve entrance fees
– ALL internal air transport as specified in itinerary.
– ALL porter-age and Airport Assistance.
– ALL bottled mineral water
– ALL Dickson Mountain Expeditions administrative and operational development costs. Incredibly knowledgeable, KPSGA certified Dickson Mountain Expeditions driver/ guide
– Optional Temporary Flying Doctor (AMREF), emergency evacuation to Nairobi,
(b). Not included: (Unless specifically requested) Not included in our touring costs are;
– Personal Laundry, beverages and other personal expenses.
– Tips to bar staff for personal beverages, room service and porter
– age in hotels/lodges.
– Gratuities to driver/guides, cooks, porters and rangers.
– Game and nature walks (in wildlife safari).
– Visa fees.
NB: Any activity detailed in your itinerary as ‘optional’, will be extra to your account.
5. Statement of Responsibilities
(a). Dickson Mountain Expeditions and it’s agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to services provided, included but not limited to, hotels, lodges, camps, restaurants, sightseeing, game drives and all forms of transportation within Africa.
(b). All services that are provided by operators who are not owned or controlled by Dickson Mountain Expeditions. Dickson Mountain Expeditions takes all reasonable precautions to make these safaris as safe as possible for our clients and others. Dickson Mountain Expeditions and its agents shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay of inconvenience arising out of, or in connection with, any defect in any vehicle or aircraft or any act, including any acts of terrorism, industrial action, acts of governments, war and God, omission, neglect, accident, error or omission in the provision of any services. Any travel involves some measure of risk, of which travelers need to determine themselves.
(c). The company applies all reasonable checks to ensure that those involved in the preparation and provision of services outlined in the booked itinerary maintain appropriate standards of safety, hygiene and customer care.
(d). To the best of our knowledge, this brochure and the information contained within is correct at time of going to print. Dickson Mountain Expeditions cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes, which may occur after printing.
6. Transportation and guides
(a). The company shall provide the services of sub-contracted transport options such as aircraft, safari vehicles, or alternatives as considered necessary, based on considerations such as suitable routes to be taken, conditions of roads, and the number of clients travelling in one party.
(b). Dickson Mountain Expeditions reserves the right to alter any such arrangements made including the proposed route to be taken.
(c). Dickson Mountain Expeditions reserves the right to employ the services of sub-contractors to effect transportation.
(d). The company shall provide the services of drivers and professional guides where and when requested, subject to availability. If a Dickson Mountain Expeditions appointed guide is unable to guide a safari due to illness or otherwise, the company reserves the right to substitute with another suitable guide.
7. Flying Doctors’ service
All Dickson Mountain Expeditions clients will be advised to register as members of ‘The Flying Doctor Society’ (AMREF) in East Africa. Applicable charges will be excluded in the cost of the tour arrangements. AMREF emergency Air Evacuation is limited to safaris within East Africa.
8. Flights
(a). In the unlikely event of flight delays the airlines concerned are not to be held liable for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board of their aircraft or conveyance.
(b). Flight delays are not considered as alterations to the holiday and as a consequence any compensation applied for from the company is not applicable. In the event of a scheduled flight delay, cancellation or over booking, the company cannot be held liable for any costs incurred. Any denied boarding compensation (if applicable) should be sought from the airline concerned and not Dickson Mountain Expeditions.
(c). The company cannot guarantee that flight times detailed on the itinerary will not change at short notice. If in any event they do, Dickson Mountain Expeditions will make every available effort to assist in obtaining a suitable alternative flight.
9. Age Limits
In certain camps, lodges, hotels and beach resorts and on specific activities, minimum age limits can apply. The age limit for Gorilla safaris is 15 years and is absolutely inflexible.
10. Copyright
All info, text, photographs and maps used remain the sole property of Dickson Mountain Expeditions and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written consent from the company.
The Benefits of Climbing
Physical Health
Hill walking and mountain climbing is one of the easiest and most effective ways of exercising. The extra strain due to the incline exerts more effort on your muscles effectively exercising them. This improves the health and performance of the heart, lungs and circulation.
Strength Building
Being a strength intensive exercise, hill walks, trekking and mountain climbing are of great benefit to your body. Before setting out for any major summit, it is necessary to be physically prepared for the challenge. In that way, you’ll leave the entire exercise stronger and fit.
Relax & Refresh
Walking and trekking in the sights and sounds of nature is one of the most refreshing treatments for your stress levels from challenges of life and work. The challenging thrill of climbing excites and revitalises the brain making you more healthy
Thrill & Accomplishment
In a world of billions of humans and countless other living beings, very few can boast to have reached the extreme heights of the world’s mountains. Be counted among the very few people who can claim to have reached the highest extremes of our planets.