General Terms and Conditions
Please read this carefully. These General Terms and Conditions apply to all Travel, Tours, Events, and additional Tour-related services provided by Signost Publishing LLC dba Destination: Wildlife. On payment of a deposit to Destination: Wildlife or one of its tour Beneficiaries, you and all members of your party agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Terms
Destination: Wildlife: (“us” or “we”) Signpost Publishing LLC, dba Destination: Wildlife, its parent, subsidiaries, and their respective employees, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, representatives, and assigns.
Guest: (“You” or “Your”) Any individual(s) booked on and participating in a Destination: Wildlife Tour.
Tour: (“Trip” or “Travel”) The specific Tour arranged and organized by Destination: Wildlife in which the Guest participates, which may include Extensions, if applicable.
Extensions: Pre- or post-Tour experiences arranged by Destination: Wildlife that typically include accommodations, transportation, and/or group activities.
Tour Leader: The individual(s) guiding a Destination: Wildlife Tour, responsible for leading the Tour and overseeing the day-to-day activities on the Tour.
Tour Operator: Any vendor responsible for organizing and/or operating events, activities, lodging, and transportation at the destination(s) for Destination: Wildlife Tours.
Local Guide: Guide(s) who assist in the specific country(ies) or locations included in the Tour.
Beneficiary: The non-profit organization(s) for which the Tour raises money.
Physical Requirements: The physical expectations required of Guests as a condition of participation in a Trip.
Cost and Basis for Rate
The cost of any Destination: Wildlife Tour is shown per person, assuming double occupancy. Single occupancy, where available, requires an additional payment listed as a “single supplement” in our pricing. All our prices and fares are quoted in US Dollars. Under normal circumstances, the cost is guaranteed at the time of booking.
Price Changes: In some cases, factors outside the control of Destination: Wildlife may make a specific tour economically infeasible, including but not limited to increases in the price of fuel, currency fluctuations, increases in government taxes or levies, or other increased costs; we reserve the right to pass on these costs to You to cover such unexpected increases.
In the event of a price increase, Guests may cancel without charge upon written notice to Destination: Wildlife within 72 hours of receipt of notice of such increase. We will always provide a transparent accounting of the reason for the cost increase no later than ninety (90) days before the event.
Inclusions and Exclusions: Each Destination: Wildlife itinerary includes features and elements unique to that specific tour. Guests should consult the individual tour pages on our website or review the trip information document for a full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Reservations and Payments
Deposits: Most Destination: Wildlife Tours require a 10% deposit to reserve a space. However, some tours, usually those with waiting lists from previous years, shorter Tours, or tours with payments made directly to the Beneficiary, may require a 50% deposit. The exact payment schedule for each Tour and the cancellation policy are listed on the individual Tour pages on the Destination: Wildlife website.
Final Payment: The balance is due 120 days before the Tour's start date. You will receive a reminder approximately 135 days before the start of the Tour. You can also pay the total tour price upon booking.
Payment Methods: For some Tours raising funds for a conservation or other nonprofit organization, deposits and final payments are made to the Beneficiary, who determines the payment methods.
For other Destination: Wildlife travel, payments are made directly to Us. In this case, we will transfer Your pre-determined donation to the beneficiary organizations in your name. Your donation receipt will come from the Beneficiary. We accept payment by check, wire transfer, Zelle, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Confirmation of Booking: Once your reservation and payment(s) are confirmed., you will receive a confirmation email.
Travel Agreement
The Travel Agreement, which also incorporates these Terms and Conditions (the “Travel Agreement”), contains a general release of liability, indemnity, assumption of risks, and other provisions provided to You upon booking. You are required to sign and return the Travel Agreement to us within 14 days.
If You choose not to execute the Travel Agreement, you have three (3) business days after booking to cancel and receive a full deposit refund. After three (3) business days, refunds, if any, will be processed according to our cancellation policy below.
If You do not return the Travel Agreement before departure and are not within the refundable timeframes noted below, You will not be able to participate in the tour, and all amounts paid are nonrefundable.
Cancellations and Refunds
In the event of Your cancellation, You will be charged cancellation fees as outlined in more detail below. If Destination: Wildlife cancels a trip for any reason, either (i) the trip will be rescheduled or (ii) You will be refunded the tour price, as outlined in more detail below
Guest Cancellations and Revisions: This section applies to any cancellations and revisions you make after paying your deposit for any Destination: Wildlife travel.
Most Destination: Wildlife Tours follow the cancellation policy in the chart below. However, some tours, usually where bookings must be secured far in advance, may have more restrictive cancellation policies. The exact cancellation and payment policy are listed on the individual Tour pages on the Destination: Wildlife website.
The effective date of any cancellation will be the date when Destination: Wildlife receives Your cancellation notice. Cancellations may be made by contacting Destination: Wildlife via email at rkravette@signpostpublishing.com. Note that airline and train cancellation policies vary by carrier, as well as the type of fare used to issue your airline and/or train ticket, and there is no guarantee that the costs of such ticket(s) will be refundable.
*Where another guest fills the space, a portion of Your fees may be eligible for an additional partial refund, subject to Destination: Wildlife's sole and exclusive discretion.
No refunds are available once a tour has started or for any package, accommodation, meals, or other services utilized.
If Destination: Wildlife purchased an airline and/or train ticket(s) on Your behalf, we will arrange for a refund or credit where possible. If You bought your own airline and/or train ticket(s), You are solely responsible for notifying Your airline and/or train provider. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.
Destination: Wildlife Cancellations: While Destination: Wildlife makes reasonable efforts to hold advertised events, specific circumstances, including force majeure events, travel restrictions, and lack of guest interest in a specific trip, may result in Destination: Wildlife’s cancellation or rescheduling of any advertised travel.
If a scheduled Tour is canceled by Destination: Wildlife, a full refund of any fees or payments made will be provided. We will notify you as soon as possible and any and all payments will be returned in the manner that they were made wherever possible. This is not always possible because payments for many Tours are made through the Beneficiary’s donation portal. Destination: Wildlife will ensure payments are returned expeditiously.
If a Tour is rescheduled, You will be notified via email and given the option to travel on the new dates or receive a full refund as outlined above. You must provide an affirmative response to the new dates, or your reservation will be automatically canceled and your payments returned.
Concerning cancellation or rescheduling of any Destination: Wildlife travel, we are not responsible for any airline or train ticket fees, other costs, or reimbursements due to cancellation under any circumstance. Note that airline and train cancellation policies vary by carrier, as well as the type of fare used to issue your airline and/or train ticket, and there is no guarantee that the costs of such ticket(s) will be refundable. If Destination: Wildlife purchased an airline and/or train ticket(s) on your behalf, we will arrange for a refund or credit where possible. If you bought your own airline and/or train ticket(s), you are solely responsible for notifying your airline and/or train provider. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.
Passports, Visas, & Health Requirements
Regardless of Your passport origin, you must check with the appropriate consulates or authorities to determine the applicable passport, visa, governmental entry or exit requirements, health certificates, testing, vaccinations, or other requirements. Entry, exit, and health requirements are subject to change without notice; you are solely responsible for compliance with all requirements. We advise You to verify requirements well in advance of Your travel.
Additionally, Guests are responsible for knowing and meeting the entry and transit requirements of all countries they will be visiting or traveling through while traveling to, during, and from their tour. Certain countries do not allow entry (even for a layover or transit) to travelers with criminal records or who have been charged with certain crimes (e.g., driving under the influence).
Guests will not receive a refund of any portion of the Tour price, used or unused, nor will Destination: Wildlife be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest due to not having the required or valid documents, the necessary vaccines, or not meeting the entry or transit requirements.
For current passport and visa requirements, please visit travel.state.gov and individual country websites and/or embassies in the countries visited. For up-to-date vaccine information, please visit cdc.gov/travel. Please visit the individual country websites and/or embassies for individual country entry requirements.
Travel and Evacuation Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of the booking, which includes “cancel for any reason” or “cancel at any time” type coverage.
For international tours, each Guest is required to have a minimum level of travel insurance coverage for medical emergency evacuation and repatriation of $200,000 (USD or equivalent in other currency). You may already have coverage through your work, credit card, or annual travel policy. If Your existing coverage does not meet these needs, you must purchase travel medical insurance.
Physical Requirements
Destination: Wildlife Tours are intended for persons with generally good physical and mental health and reasonably good mobility. Guests must be ready and willing to make a reasonable physical effort in line with the Tour chosen.
Each Tour page on the Destination: Wildlife website outlines the general physical requirements for that Trip. Please read this information carefully.
Guests must meet the Physical Requirements for a Tour to participate, as determined solely by Destination: Wildlife. Should any condition that inhibits a Guest’s ability to meet the Physical Requirements, whether physical or mental, become apparent at any point before or during a Tour, Destination: Wildlife reserves the right to deny the Guest’s participation or continuation on a Tour, at the sole discretion of the Tour Leader and subject to the terms of Destination: Wildlife’s cancellation policy.
Specific Tours may require that Guests obtain medical approval before departure, and Destination: Wildlife reserves the right to request additional medical information and/or a physical examination before or during any Trip as a condition of a Guest’s participation.
Personal Limitations
You are responsible for informing Destination: Wildlife or its Tour Leader of any known illness, disabilities, allergies, medical conditions, or other limitations before travel. Guests must also communicate the severity of their dietary restrictions and allergies to Destination: Wildlife.
If Destination: Wildlife cannot reasonably accommodate a Guest’s dietary restrictions or allergies, We reserve the right to deny the Guest’s participation or continuation on a Trip. Should a Guest not be permitted to join a Tour or be excluded from a Tour in progress, there will be no refund of any portion of the Tour price, used or unused, beyond that which is listed in our cancellation policy, nor will Destination: Wildlife be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest as a result of their exclusion.
Prescriptions: If You have a medical prescription, You must always have your medication in your immediate possession during the tour and should inform the tour leader of your condition. You should also carry a copy of the prescription, including your doctor’s contact information, with your travel documents.
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies: Destination: Wildlife can generally accommodate common dietary restrictions, such as vegetarianism, dairy-free, and gluten-free, on most tours, although food variety may be limited. However, given the nature of wildlife travel and the often remote areas we visit, Destination: Wildlife cannot guarantee that allergens or items on a Guest’s restriction list will not be present at restaurants, accommodations, or elsewhere during a Tour.
We recommend and may require, for specific Tours, that Guests bring along their preferred snacks, especially if their dietary restrictions are extensive, as options that meet specialized dietary needs in the remote areas we travel can be limited.
Accessible Travel
Due to the nature of the tours, not every pre-set tour itinerary is appropriate for all abilities. Destination: Wildlife works with families, small groups, and individuals to design itineraries that fit their specific needs.
Itinerary Changes
Travel for wildlife viewing is inherently prone to complications and alterations. Changes in accommodations, transportation, activities, or other services may be necessary during a Tour. Destination: Wildlife will make all reasonable efforts to provide comparable substitutions wherever possible. The Trip Leader will update Guests on any changes, especially those that may affect their arrival or departure.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife is wild; we cannot fully predict nor control wildlife movements. Wildlife viewing may vary significantly due to numerous factors, including wildlife movements and behavior, weather conditions, human interference, climate change, and species biodiversity and density changes in the various locations visited. While Destination: Wildlife, along with Tour Operator(s) and Local Guides, makes its best effort to provide an outstanding wildlife viewing experience, we cannot guarantee the availability, diversity, and/or quantity of wildlife, including what is described on our website, in promotional materials, or depicted in related imagery.
The images shown in our printed materials and on our website represent what our Guests have regularly seen on “typical” Tours in the past (or, in the case of a new trip, what our staff and researchers reasonably expect to see. Due to weather and/or shifting wildlife conditions, some Tours may have fewer encounters with wildlife than usually anticipated. Also, be aware that some images in Our materials are taken with a telephoto lens, and Guests should not assume that they will get very close to wildlife in such circumstances. For example, we may show a close-up shot of a wolf viewed through a telephoto lens, but nearly all our encounters with wolves are at a distance.
Risks
Destination: Wildlife Tours may, by their very nature, involve an element of risk beyond the level of risk generally associated with travel packages. Guests must accept these attendant risks and be aware that providers' safety standards (hotels, excursions, transports) may differ from those in their home country. Due to political and cultural differences and generally more challenging physical conditions, travel to many destinations involves risks other than those Guests may take in their daily lives and make travel decisions accordingly. Additional risks may arise, including, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas, hazards of travel by boat, train, bus, car, truck, aircraft, and other means, wildlife, forces of nature, unrest, differing levels of sanitation, differing safety standards, risks associated with water, drinks, food, plants, insects and animals, diseases and transmission of disease, accident or illness in areas of difficult evacuation or poor medical facilities, and travel in areas where transportation and lack of infrastructure may prevent rapid evacuation; including occurring during theTour or while coming to or returning from the Tour. You are voluntarily participating, knowing there are risks. You agree to accept any and all risks.
Force Majeure
You acknowledge and accept that Destination: Wildlife, its agents and suppliers, in making arrangements for hotels, Tours, transportation, or any service in connection with the itineraries of individual Guests, shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity, liability or expense to person or property due to act of default by any hotel, carrier or other company or person providing services included in the Tours. Further, Destination: Wildlife, its agents, and suppliers accept no responsibility for any sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restrains, acts of war, civil disturbance, terrorism, weather conditions, defect in any vehicle of transportation, other force majeure event, or for any misadventure or casualty or any other causes beyond Destination: Wildlife’s or its leaders’, agents’ or suppliers’ control.
Booking Arrangements
In all booking arrangements, the person making the booking is deemed to have accepted the booking conditions on behalf of all the Guests named in the booking. All Guests’ participation will be governed by and subject to these General Terms and Conditions. No variation to these General Terms and Conditions shall be of any effect unless made in writing by and with the authority of Destination: Wildlife.
Personal Property
All baggage and personal property are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the Guest. We recommend that You obtain appropriate insurance to cover the cost of any loss or damage. The Tour Leaders, transportation providers, hotels, and other suppliers who provide services during a Destination: Wildlife event are independent contractors; they are not agents, employees, or servants of Destination: Wildlife and are subject to the laws of the countries where services are supplied.
Guest Conduct
Participation in Destination: Wildlife travel requires compliance with certain standards of behavior. Any guest exhibiting behavior determined, at the sole and exclusive discretion of Destination: Wildlife, its Tour Leaders, or other agents, to be: (i) verbally abusive or offensive language towards anyone; (ii) uninvited physical or sexual contact, harassment, violence, or threats of violence; (iii) excessive consumption of alcohol; (iv) possession or carriage or use of restricted substances or illegal or non-prescription drugs; (v) failure to comply with a Tour Leader’s reasonable direction to maintain health, order, and/or safety of the trip or its guests; (vi) conduct that disrupts, in the Tour Leader’s opinion, other Guests general enjoyment, well-being or the operation of the trip for any reason; (vii) possession or use of dangerous items such as fireworks or weapons; (viii) violates the laws the country in which the trip is operating; (ix) conduct that damages the reputation of Destination: Wildlife or its Tour leaders, agents or suppliers or otherwise damages the goodwill of Destination: Wildlife, may result in immediate suspension from the trip.
Wildlife: Destination: Wildlife follows principles of Responsible Wildlife Tourism. Harassment of wildlife and/or the willful destruction of habitat are grounds for immediate suspension from the trip. Do not feed, call, or interact with wildlife unless expressly approved by the Tour Leader or Local Guide. Specific Tours may allow for wildlife interactions; where interactions are allowed, the Local Guide’s rules and instructions must be followed precisely.
Smoking: The use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or any other such item in areas where others are affected, such as in vehicles, within enclosed spaces, or in the presence of others, is prohibited. Most accommodations do not allow smoking, and trips generally have limited opportunities where smoking is permissible. Destination: Wildlife will not alter or change activities or adversely affect other Guests to accommodate those who smoke.
Alcohol, Prescription Medications & Illegal Drugs: Guests of legal drinking age (defined as illegal in the country or region visited) may enjoy alcohol in moderation on Destination: Wildlife Tours. Excessive intoxication or other behaviors resulting from alcohol or other substance use, including prescription or over-the-counter medications, which pose or could pose a threat to a Guest’s safety or enjoyment, or that of other Guests or staff, or the safety of wildlife, will not be tolerated. The Guest may not be excluded from the remainder of the Tour.
The use of illegal drugs (defined as illegal in the country or region visited) is never permitted on any Destination: Wildlife Tour and is grounds for immediate dismissal from a Tour. Guests are responsible for knowing and observing the licensing and other drug possession laws, including prescription medications and illegal drugs, for all countries and states visited. The use of recreational marijuana, even where legal, is also never permitted on any Destination: Wildlife Tour and is grounds for immediate dismissal from a Trip.
Should a Guest be asked to leave a Tour in progress, there will be no refund of any portion of the Tour price, nor will Destination: Wildlife be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest due to their exclusion.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: Destination: Wildlife discourages the use of mobile phones or tablets/computers in the presence of other guests unless such use is an integral component of the trip, as when a phone is used as a camera or on special photography departures where Guests may come together to edit photos on computers in the evenings. This policy applies especially in secluded or enclosed areas, during presentations, or at mealtimes.
Camera Use: Cameras and related equipment must be used safely and appropriately at all times. All camera users must act in a manner that provides fair and balanced photography and wildlife or bird-viewing opportunities for all Guests. If Your camera use appears to endanger a Tour's safe and sound progress, adversely impact the enjoyment of other Guests, or negatively affect wildlife or habitat, You may be excluded from the Tour at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Tour Leader.
Disclaimer of Warranties
All Destination: Wildlife travel is subject to the General Terms and Conditions set forth herein. Destination: Wildlife warrants only that the services shall generally be, though in connection with changes and uncertainties of travel, not necessarily precisely, as described. To the maximum extent permitted by law, all other warranties, whether express or implied, including warranties of fitness for a specific purpose and merchantability, are expressly excluded. No warranty extends beyond the description of the face hereof.
Governing Law
These General Terms and Conditions are deemed to be entered into in New York, New York. The exclusive venue for any action concerning the interpretation, enforcement, or breach of any term, obligation, or duty as contained or related to these Booking Conditions or any grievance relating to the trip shall be solely in the state and federal courts within the State of New York. These General Terms and Conditions shall be construed according to the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles. All claims must be submitted in writing and received by Destination: Wildlife no later than sixty (60) days after completion of the date of travel. Guest claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed to be waived and barred. In any legal action, arbitration, or other proceedings to enforce, interpret or construe the terms of these General Terms and Conditions of Destination: Wildlife, or concerning any grievance relating to the trip, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover actual reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.
Photography
We reserve the right to take photographs, videos, audio, and otherwise capture images of guests during the operation of any Tour for promotional and related use by Destination: Wildlife in publications and digital media without compensation to you. Copyright of all photos, videos, audio, and related materials is the exclusive property of Destination: Wildlife. Any photographs, videos, or related materials you took and shared with Destination: Wildlife remain your copyright.
Privacy Statement
Our Privacy Policy governs all guest information collected by Destination: Wildlife. Please see the Privacy Policy page on our website for details.
All health information is confidential unless the Tour Leader or other Destination: Wildlife representative reasonably believes releasing the information may assist in Your medical care.
