MAKOMA EXPEDITIONS LTD
Booking Terms and Conditions
Last updated: April 2026
1. About Us
Makoma Expeditions Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 16976519). Registered Office: c/o BCG Financial, 111 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 0LT. In these terms, "we", "us", and "Makoma" refer to Makoma Expeditions Ltd. "You" refers to the lead passenger or person making the booking.
Our safaris are operated on the ground in Tanzania by our exclusive partner, Serengeti Wilderness Calls, based in Arusha, Tanzania.
2. Definitions
"Booking" means a confirmed reservation for a safari or related service arranged by Makoma Expeditions Ltd.
"Safari" means the package of services including accommodation, guiding, vehicle hire, park fees, and transfers as set out in your confirmed itinerary.
"Itinerary" means the detailed trip plan provided to you, including dates, destinations, accommodation, and inclusions.
"Deposit" means the initial payment required to confirm your booking.
"Balance" means the remaining amount due after the deposit has been paid.
3. How Bookings Work
All bookings begin with a conversation. Once we have agreed an itinerary and you are happy with the plan and pricing, we will issue a formal booking confirmation and invoice.
A booking is confirmed when we have received your signed booking confirmation and deposit payment. Until both are received, we cannot guarantee availability of accommodation or services.
By confirming a booking, you accept these terms and conditions on behalf of all members of your travelling party. It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party are aware of and accept these terms.
4. Pricing
All prices are quoted in pounds sterling (GBP) unless otherwise stated. Prices are per person and exclude international flights unless explicitly included in your itinerary.
Your quoted price includes all items listed under "What’s Included" on your confirmed itinerary. Items listed under "What’s Not Included" are your responsibility.
Prices are based on exchange rates, park fees, and supplier costs at the time of quotation. We reserve the right to adjust pricing in the event of significant changes to any of these factors prior to booking confirmation. Once your booking is confirmed and your deposit is paid, the price is fixed.
5. Payment
5.1 Deposit
A deposit of 30% of the total booking value is required to confirm your booking. The deposit is non-refundable except as set out in the cancellation section below.
5.2 Balance
The remaining balance is due no later than 90 days before your departure date. If your booking is made fewer than 90 days before departure, the full amount is due at the time of booking.
5.3 Payment Methods
We accept payment by bank transfer. Payment details will be provided on your invoice. All payments must be made in pounds sterling unless otherwise agreed in writing.
5.4 Late Payment
If the balance is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you, in which case the cancellation charges set out below will apply.
6. Changes by You
6.1 Before Departure
If you wish to make changes to your confirmed itinerary, we will do our best to accommodate them. Please contact us as soon as possible. Changes may result in additional costs depending on availability and supplier charges. We will confirm any cost implications before proceeding.
6.2 Name Changes
Name changes or substitution of travellers may be possible subject to supplier and accommodation policies. Any additional costs incurred will be passed on to you.
6.3 During the Safari
Reasonable adjustments to the daily schedule and routing may be made by your guide based on wildlife movements, weather, road conditions, or the preferences of the group. These are part of the nature of a private safari and are not considered a change to the booking.
7. Cancellation by You
If you need to cancel your booking, please notify us in writing (by email) as soon as possible. The following cancellation charges apply, calculated from the date we receive your written notice:
More than 90 days before departure: Deposit forfeited.
60–90 days before departure: 50% of total booking value.
30–60 days before departure: 75% of total booking value.
Fewer than 30 days before departure: 100% of total booking value.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover from the date of booking. See section 12 below.
8. Changes and Cancellation by Us
8.1 Minor Changes
We reserve the right to make minor changes to your itinerary. A minor change is one that does not significantly affect the overall nature of your safari — for example, substituting accommodation of an equivalent standard, or adjusting the order of destinations for logistical reasons. We will inform you of any minor changes as soon as possible.
8.2 Significant Changes
A significant change is one that materially affects your safari — for example, a change of destination, a reduction in the number of safari days, or a substantial change in accommodation quality. In the unlikely event that we need to make a significant change, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you the choice of accepting the change, accepting an alternative itinerary of comparable value, or cancelling with a full refund.
8.3 Cancellation by Us
We will not cancel your booking except in the case of force majeure (see section 9) or if the minimum payment requirements have not been met. In the event that we cancel your booking for reasons other than force majeure or non-payment, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid.
9. Force Majeure
We will not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations where that failure is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to: war, threat of war, civil unrest, terrorist activity, natural disaster, epidemic or pandemic, government action or travel restrictions, fire, adverse weather conditions, and industrial disputes.
In the event of force majeure, we will work with you to find an alternative arrangement. If no alternative is possible, we will refund all monies paid less any unrecoverable costs already incurred with suppliers.
10. Our Responsibilities
We accept responsibility for ensuring that your safari is delivered substantially as described in your confirmed itinerary. We are responsible for the proper performance of the services included in your booking, whether provided by us directly or by our partners and suppliers.
We will not be liable for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, expense, cost, or other claim of any kind arising from any act or omission on the part of any person not connected with the provision of your safari, or arising from an event that we or our suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented.
Our liability in all cases shall be limited to the total cost of your booking.
11. Your Responsibilities
You are responsible for ensuring that all members of your party hold valid passports with at least six months’ validity from the date of return, and any required visas for entry to Tanzania.
You are responsible for obtaining appropriate vaccinations and medical advice before travel. We will provide guidance but are not qualified to give medical advice.
You must follow the reasonable instructions of your guide at all times during the safari, particularly with regard to safety around wildlife and within national parks.
You are responsible for your own personal belongings and valuables throughout the trip.
12. Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking that all members of your party hold comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Your insurance must cover, at minimum: cancellation, curtailment, medical expenses (including emergency evacuation and repatriation), personal liability, and loss of baggage and personal effects.
We recommend that you take out insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered for cancellation from that date. We may ask for evidence of insurance before departure.
13. Health, Safety, and Conduct
Tanzania is a wild environment. While every effort is made to ensure your safety, a safari involves inherent risks associated with proximity to wildlife and travel in remote areas. You accept these risks by confirming your booking.
We reserve the right to terminate the safari of any individual whose behaviour is disruptive, dangerous, or in breach of national park regulations. No refund will be given in such circumstances.
14. Passport, Visa, and Entry Requirements
It is your responsibility to check and comply with all passport, visa, health, and immigration requirements for Tanzania. We will provide guidance and links to relevant resources, but responsibility for compliance rests with you.
We will not be liable for any costs or losses arising from your failure to meet entry requirements.
15. Complaints
If you have a complaint during your safari, please raise it immediately with your guide so that we have the opportunity to resolve it on the ground. If the matter cannot be resolved locally, please contact Jake directly by phone or email.
If you wish to make a formal complaint after your return, please write to us within 28 days of your return date at jake@makomaexpeditions.com. We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and provide a full response within 28 days.
16. Data Protection
We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website. Your data is used solely for the purpose of arranging and managing your safari and will not be shared with third parties except where necessary to deliver the services you have booked (for example, sharing your details with accommodation providers and our ground partner in Tanzania).
17. Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
18. Financial Protection
Makoma Expeditions Ltd is a UK-registered limited company. We are currently in the process of establishing our Package Travel Regulations trust account through PTS Trust Services. This section will be updated once our trust account is active and full financial protection is in place.
If you have any questions about how your booking payments are handled, please contact us directly and we will explain the arrangements in full.