It is customary to give gratuities to Driver/guide, Cook and porters subject to your satisfaction. Gratuities are not included in your tour price.
TIPPING GUIDELINES FOR GUIDES, COOKS AND PORTERS Whether you are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or going on safari or doing both, all of the guides and porters salaries have been paid as part of your package. Tipping is not included but is recommended and highly appreciated. Here are some basic guidelines. Remember, if you’re not happy with the service, don’t tip or tip less.
On the mountain: Each group of 4 or more will have a head guide, an assistant guide, a cook, and 2 porters per climber. The head guide manages his own team who work together on every climb. Therefore, payment can be made to the head guide who will then distribute the tips to each person. It works best if you collect the group’s tips and then have one person pay the head guide at the Gate/Hotel after the climb. You may want to write down on a paper exactly what amount you want each person to receive. For larger groups (5 or more) you will have additional support staff that may include waiters, additional guides and porters. You can use US dollars or Local currencies to pay the tip.
Head guide: Tip $20 for each day you are on the mountain Assistant guide: $10-$12 for each day on the mountain. There is some flexibility here, depending how helpful your assistant guide was. Cook: $5-$10 for each day on the mountain. Often acts as a porter and a cook. Porters: $8-10 for each porter and for each day on the mountain. You will have 2 porters per climber unless you bring extra gear or you have a large group that may require extra porters
Note: Your tips for the guide, assistant guide and cook should be shared among your entire group. Each person should be responsible for tipping their 2 personal porters as well as contributing towards the other guides and cooks. Our recommendation is to use these figures as a guideline but to bring extra money. These amounts may seem like a lot before the climb, but trust us, once you are there, you will want to give as much as you can.
On safari: Tipping for the safari is a lot less complicated than on the mountain. You will have 1 driver/guide on your safari per 5 people. If you are doing a camping safari, you will also have a cook. Everyone in the vehicle contributes to paying for their guide and cook. The tip is given at the end of the safari. Guide: $20 a day per guide Cook: $10 a day per cook
REVISIONS/CHANGES
a) Changes requested by Customer:
Once a booking has a deposit, all changes are subject to charge an Administrative fee. Where possible, the Company will try (but will not be obliged) to accommodate any request for changes which the Customer may wish to make to any travel arrangement, accommodation or itinerary relating to the Tour, if such request is made in good time before the date of departure. The Company will be entitled to charge an Administrative fee of US$100.00 for each request for change. Any change, if agreed to by the Company, may be subject to such conditions (including an increase in the Tour Cost) as the Company may impose.
b) Changes by Company:
The Company reserves the right at any time (whether before or after departure) to substitute any travel arrangement, accommodation or itinerary relating to the Tour with alternatives of similar value in the Company’s opinion. The Company will, where possible, notify the Customer in advance of any such change and will not be liable to the Customer for any changes made.
REFUSAL OF PASSAGE: SED adventure Tours and Safaris shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any tour participant who leave the tour prematurely for any reason, nor shall be responsible for the lodging, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such tour participant.
TRANSPORTATION:
The Company may, at its discretion, use Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Min-buses or any other suitable transport subject to weather and other condition (a request for a specific type of vehicle will be considered). The company reserves the right to employ the service of subcontractors. English driver guides are provided. French, Spanish, German, Italian are available on request. All tours start and end in Arusha unless otherwise there agreement with the company.
TRANSFERS: Roundtrip airport-to-hotels/ship transfers are only included if it was purchased with a tour package. Transfers are only valid on tour departure and arrival dates. If you should choose to make your own arrangements, transfers may be purchased through SED Tours and Safaris for an additional cost or you may make your own transfer arrangements.
HOTELS: The hotel packages as listed in the Itineraries have been developed in association with various international hotels. Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that necessitate changes. SED Tours and Safaris reserves the right to substitute hotels as it is deemed necessary and to provide comparable alternatives.
ITINERARIES, PRICES/INCREASES AND OMISSIONS: Itineraries are subject to change and may need to be altered or cancelled. All prices shown in the Itineraries are subject to change with or without notice. Adjustments for currency and/or fuel fluctuations may apply. See SED Tours and Safaris or call See SED Tours and Safaris for up to date prices. Airfares are subject to change if bookings are not paid in full. Tour charges will not be changed once payment in full has been received.
PASSPORT/VISAS: A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens leaving the country. Usually, it must be valid for six months after your return. Some destinations require visas. If visas are required, we will send instructions and forms. Passengers must ensure that they obtain all the necessary documentation and visas prior to departure. SED Tours and Safaris assumes no responsibility for passengers refused entry into a country for incorrect documentation. Any repatriation charges will be the responsibility of the passenger. It is your responsibility to check your visas to ensure that they have been issued properly with your correct name and entry and exit dates.
INSURANCE: We strongly recommend tour insurance to protect your travel investment. Some suppliers require full cancellation/evacuation insurance. We recommend purchasing full coverage in order to cover pre-existing conditions of either the traveler or a family member or bankruptcy of suppliers. To get this coverage, you must cover your entire trip and buy the insurance within 21 days of deposit. It is your responsibility to notify your insurance company to increase your coverage if your trip cost or dates change in order to maintain this coverage.
MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS:
Most tours must have a minimum number of passengers as agreed. If the number of passengers drops below the minimum number required, SED Tours and Safaris reserve the right to increase the cost of the tour or to postpone the tour. Make sure any air tickets you arrange are fully refundable and/or changeable. SED Tours and Safaris cannot take responsibility for changes or cancellations in air ticketing.
PRICES: In order to keep rates as low as possible, we do not build in a cushion to cover possible increases due to currency fluctuations or fuel costs. As currencies fluctuate around the world and fuel-cost increases may occur, it may be necessary for us to initiate a rate surcharge at any time before departure. In trips where U.S. dollar rates are estimated, the exact tour cost will be dependent upon the value of the dollar on the date payment is due.
RATES: All rates are based on tariffs in effect as of January 2009. SED Tours and Safaris reserves the right to alter them, especially but not exclusively in the event of subsequent charges in tariff and/or currency revaluations. All rates are quoted in U.S. dollars.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare (unless otherwise noted); passport/visa fees; laundry; phone calls; meals and alcoholic beverages not specifically listed; optional excursions; services other than those specifically listed; accident, sickness, trip cancellation/ interruption and/or baggage insurance; and excess baggage charges. It does not cover gratuities for your tour leader, which are optional and at your discretion.
BAGGAGE: Baggage is taken at owner's risk throughout the trip. Baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Please note that baggage limitations vary from country to country. Luggage handling on our trips is limited to one larger bag and one carry-on. Check with your airline for weight and size limitations. Private transfers and baggage handling to/from the airport (when not included) can be arranged.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SED Tours and Safaris reserves the right to take photographs during any tour or part thereof, and use the resulting image for publication, including promotional purposes in any of our publications or website. By booking a tour with SED Tours and Safaris, participants agree to allow their image to be used for such purposes; participants who prefer that their image not be used must inform our office, in writing, upon booking.
MEDICAL:
You must report any physical or mental condition that may require special attention in writing at the time of booking. You must let us know, for example, if you have asthma, use a cane or wheelchair. This allows us to plan for your needs if it is possible to do so. On some tours, it will not be possible. Some tours are not suitable for people with certain heart or lung conditions because of altitude. Passengers should check with their doctors before departure as to which inoculations are considered necessary or recommended for your destination. Flexibility, a sense of humor and the ability to walk at least a mile a day unassisted will be essential. The tour leader/Mountain guide as the right to disqualify any participant at any time during the tour if he/she feels the participant is physically incapable and/or if a participant’s continued participation will jeopardize in any way either the individual involved or the group or staff. There will be no refund given under these circumstances and return travel/transfers will be at the participant’s expense. If your health changes after booking and you do not inform us, or you are not truthful about your fitness for a tour, you are subject to removal from the tour on your own arrangements. No refunds will be given under these circumstances.
RESPONSIBILITY:
SED Tours and Safaris do not own or operate any of the suppliers of services or accommodations for your trip. As a result, SED Tours and Safaris are not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such supplier of any other third party over whom SED Tours and Safaris has no control. Arrangements for the tours are made many months in advance and occasionally changes have to be made. We can assume no responsibility nor liability in whole or in part for any delays, delayed or changed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, loss, damage, weather, strikes, acts of God, circumstances beyond our control, force majeure, war, quarantine, criminal activity, expense, accident, sickness, injury or death to person or property, or mechanical defect, failure, or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodations, restaurant, transportation or other services, for any substitution of hotels or of common carrier equipment beyond our control, with or without notice, or for any additional expenses occasioned thereby. If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable factors, you are required to spend an additional night, you will be responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs.
SED Tours and Safaris highly recommends arriving into the first city one day before the tour begins in order to allow for any delays. Any additional expenses resulting from the above will be paid by the individual passenger.
SED Tours and Safaris reserve the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfares (if included in the price) or changes in the itinerary, currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges or unforeseen reduction of number of participants, and such increases are to be paid to SED Tours and Safaris by the tour participant upon notice to the tour participant of such increases. SED Tours and Safaris reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other participants or SED Tours and Safaris staff
BEHAVIOR: Passengers are expected to behave in a courteous manner toward SED Tours and Safaris staff, other passengers and any person with whom we have contact during our tour.
ADVENTURE TRIPS:
On adventure trips, the locations may be in remote areas or in the wilderness.
These activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: walking safaris, Mountain Climbing, horseback/ camel safaris; canoe/boat trips, white-water rafting, scuba diving; shark diving. You should be aware that your safety cannot be guaranteed. The events that may occur in these places are less predictable, the unexpected being the norm. Despite painstaking planning, such events cannot be taken for granted and there will be some element of risk-taking as we are dealing with natural and other elements. However, you must understand that such participation will be at your own risk, and that SED Tours and Safaris assume no responsibility for your safety. This means that the itineraries planned should be seen as statements of intent, rather than contractual obligations. Weather, transport difficulties and political instability might dictate that the itineraries be amended. The land agent or the Tour leader will make changes which are necessary and with or without consulting the participants. However the Company will do everything within our control to minimise the effects of the enforced changes. The Company cannot however be held responsible for the results of changes or delays, regardless of how they are caused. Participants are to be physical fit, properly attired and aware of the risk while on adventure trips and activities.
COMPLAINTS: The stated SED Tours and Safaris is to offer the very best services, if you have a complaint during your journey, please tell your tour leader as quickly as you can. Should the problem remain unresolved, please Call/write to SED Tours and Safaris. We take your comments very seriously. We cannot accept liability for any claims not made to us in writing right after completion of your journey. We also cannot tender any refunds for any reason outside the terms set forth above.
NOT INCLUDED: International/Local flights, airport taxes, passport and visa fees; laundry; telephone calls; wines; liquors; mineral water; and after dinner coffees or tea; meals not included in itinerary; sightseeing or service other than those specifically mentioned; tips to Tour drivers when touring, local city guides, items of a personal nature, excess baggage.
REFUNDS: No credit or refunds will be issued for any portion of a tour or meals not taken during the tour. Services that were not performed or received as per itinerary will be refunded provided they are substantiated. All requests for refunds must be made in writing and no later than 3 days after tour ends. VARIATIONS:
The Terms and Conditions can only be varied, amended or modified in writing. The Company reserves its rights to vary, amend or modify any of the Terms and Conditions contained herein without any prior notice to the Customer. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS: Payment of a deposit or final payment by wire transfer/Cash or credit card indicates that tour participants have read and accepted all stated SED Tours and Safaris terms and conditions and agree to abide by them. | 
