Hilltop Travel is a registered and licensed Tanzania Tour Operator under the laws of Tanzania and accepts your bookings under the following terms and conditions.

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT

To secure a place, a 10% down payment is required in advance as per the company policy. Payments can be made via bank transfer or online payment using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.

Deposits and final payments can be made via bank transfer or online payment using your MasterCard or Visa card within 30 days prior to the tour, or in cash upon arrival (USD). Please note that US dollar notes printed before 2001 are not accepted anywhere in Tanzania. Transfer details will be emailed upon request.

All bank charges are to be settled by the client. This includes transaction fees charged by our bank. While our bank does not charge a fee for wire transfers, your bank may, and there may be additional fees from intermediary banks. Typically, bank fees for wire transfers range from $35 – $50. The fee is independent of the amount sent.

ONLINE PAYMENT

Payments can be made through our online payment system using a credit card, with a surcharge of 3.5%.

THE BOOKING

Bookings and ensuing contracts shall be deemed to have been concluded in Moshi, Tanzania, and shall be interpreted according to the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Hilltop Travel reserves the right to decline any booking without providing reasons.

All travelers receive pre-trip information, a complete itinerary, and on-demand pre-travel advice via email or directly from our offices for any last-minute or personal queries.

In the event of a particular accommodation being unavailable at the time of booking, accommodation of a similar or higher standard will be substituted.

BOOKING AMENDMENTS

For amendments to existing bookings made by the client/agent (e.g., departure dates, air tickets, accommodation, number of participants, etc.), a handling fee of $70 per booking applies. This handling fee will be charged in addition to any service provider fees.

CANCELLATIONS

Hilltop Travel acts as an agent or principal regarding the provision of services.

If you have paid the full amount for any trip, you are entitled to a refund if you cancel your trip. However, a cancellation charge will be invoiced. Written notification of your cancellation is required to cancel any trip. Cancellation charges are as follows:

• 90 – 60 days or more: Deposit retained
• 59 – 45 days before departure: 50% of the TOTAL BOOKING COST will be refunded.
• 44 – 30 days before departure: 25% of the TOTAL BOOKING COST will be refunded.
• 29 – 01 days before departure: No refund of the TOTAL BOOKING COST will be made.

If Hilltop Travel cancels your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather or pandemics, we will offer an alternative trip of a similar standard. If this does not suit your personal interests, all monies paid to our company will be refunded. However, any other expenses incurred by you due to this booking are entirely your responsibility.

PASSPORTS, VISAS, AND OTHER TRAVEL PAPERS

It is the client’s sole responsibility to ensure that passports, visas, health certificates, proof of vaccinations, and any other required documentation are in order for the countries to be visited. Hilltop Travel cannot be held responsible for any consequences, damages, or claims if the client fails to properly manage their documentation before the tour.

COMPLAINTS

We will make every effort to ensure that your trip arrangements go as planned. However, if any issues arise contrary to what was agreed upon, please inform us at the earliest opportunity.

Things to Consider:

• During the climb, tents might break due to strong winds or rock falls.
• Delays may occur in the arrival or pick-up of staff, bags, food, tents, or campsite setup due to weather conditions on the mountain.
• Game drive vehicles might experience breakdowns depending on the location and weather. While we may send a replacement vehicle, it is not guaranteed, and there will be NO REFUND for such occurrences. You may need to wait for the vehicle to be repaired or replaced or continue the drive the next day if time permits.

BAGGAGE

All baggage and personal effects are the client’s responsibility, and Hilltop Travel does not accept liability for any loss or damage to personal effects.

Clients are allowed one bag weighing no more than 15 kg (backpack or soft bag – no hardtop suitcases) and a day pack. The company reserves the right to refuse excess baggage. Note that different baggage regulations may apply on trekking tours and some “bush” flights.

RISK & LIABILITY

The client accepts that all tours are of an adventurous nature and involve an element of personal risk. Neither Hilltop Travel nor any of its agents can be held responsible for any injury, loss of life, or damage to property, however caused. The client indemnifies the company and will hold the company, its agents, assigns, and servants harmless from any such claim. The client accepts full responsibility for all risks involved.

AUTHORITY ON TOUR

The decisions of the company’s guide/driver on tour shall be final and binding at all times. The client must comply with the laws, customs, and foreign exchange regulations of all countries visited.

A tour/trek guide representing Hilltop Travel holds full authority during your tours. If you commit any unlawful act, you may be compelled to leave the tour. No refund will be made in such cases.

MARKETING

Hilltop Travel reserves the right to use any photographs and videos taken during tours for marketing or any other advertising material. The client consents to the use of such photographs and authorizes the company to retain copyright for these materials.

FORCE MAJEURE

Unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to war, mechanical breakdowns, weather, riots, and other events beyond the company’s control, may cause delays or alterations to the tour. Hilltop Travel shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from such events.

Hilltop Travel acts only as an agent for the client in all matters relating to tours and accepts no responsibility for personal illness, injury, accident, death, delay, any kind of loss, damage, or irregularity that may occur due to any act or omission beyond its control, including but not limited to any negligence or breach of contract by a third party, such as a hotel or airline.

PRICE CHANGES

All our prices are based on current national park fees and taxes. Should the authorities decide to increase fees and taxes, even if not currently scheduled, we will have to pass on these increases.

We reserve the right to revise posted pricing rates due to circumstances beyond our control, such as changes in exchange rates or government fees. We will make every effort to maintain the current rates.

With these booking terms, Hilltop Travel reserves the right to admission.