Terms and Conditions

1. OUR PHILOSOPHY: THE GGE COVENANT

These Terms are more than a contract; they are our covenant with you, our partners, and our planet. We are a principal tour operator crafting bespoke experiences. We commit to transparency in our dealings, empowerment of our local partners, respect for our environments, and unwavering focus on your safety and satisfaction. By booking with us, you join this covenant.

2. DEFINITIONS

• “The Package”: A prearranged combination of at least two of the following, sold at an inclusive price: (a) transport, (b) accommodation, (c) other tourist services not ancillary to (a) or (b) and accounting for a significant proportion of the package.
• “Sustainable Supplier”: A service provider (accommodation, guide, transport) that has been vetted and contracted by GGE under our Supplier Code of Practice.
• “Expedition Leader”: The GGE-designated leader on your tour, certified under the Adventure Travel Guide Standard (ATGS) or equivalent, with final authority on all safety and operational decisions.
• “Client Trust Account”: The segregated bank account, separate from GGE operational funds, where all client payments are held until services are delivered.

3. BOOKING, PRICING & FINANCIAL SECURITY

3.1 Contract & Clarity
A binding contract is formed when you pay your deposit and receive our Booking Confirmation & Financial Protection Certificate, which details your itinerary, price, and a unique Trust Account ID.

3.2 Price Integrity & Guarantee
The price of your package is fully guaranteed upon receipt of your deposit, except for increases in government taxes, park fees, or aviation charges imposed after your booking. We pledge to absorb the first 2% of any such increase. Any balance will be invoiced with transparent documentation.

3.3 Our Financial Promise to You
100% of your payments are secured in our Client Trust Account. These funds are only released to suppliers as your tour progresses. This ensures your money is protected and used solely for delivering your experience.

4. FLEXIBLE & FAIR CANCELLATION POLICY

We believe in shared responsibility. Our policy is designed to be clear and offer alternatives to a simple refund.

Period Before Departure	Cancellation Charge (Client)	GGE Commitment & Alternative
More than 90 days	Loss of Deposit	We will return 100% of any payments beyond the non-refundable deposit.
89 to 60 days	50% of Total Price	We offer a 100% Future Travel Voucher valid for 24 months.
59 to 30 days	75% of Total Price	We offer a 75% Future Travel Voucher valid for 24 months.
Less than 30 days	100% of Total Price	We will liaise with suppliers to recover any possible funds and issue a voucher for that amount.

• Future travel vouchers are transferable and can be used for any GGE tour.
• Supplier-Dependent Cancellations: For cancellations due to supplier failure (e.g., airline collapse), our liability is limited to securing a refund from that supplier or pursuing a claim under our insolvency protection and providing reasonable assistance.

5. SUSTAINABILITY: SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 Our Pledge to People & Planet
We contract exclusively with sustainable suppliers who adhere to our code covering fair wages, local employment, environmental stewardship, and ethical wildlife interaction. A minimum of 70% of your tour cost is reinvested directly into local economies.

5.2 Your Travel Ethos
You agree to abide by our ‘Leave No Trace, Leave a Positive Impact’ guidelines provided pre-departure. The expedition leader has the absolute right to remove any participant from a tour, without refund, for behavior that violates these principles, endangers wildlife, or disrespects local communities.

6. SAFETY, RISK & LIABILITY

6.1 Assumption of Inherent Risk
You acknowledge that adventure travel in remote and wild environments involves inherent risks beyond our control, including injury, illness, transportation failures, and forces of nature. You voluntarily assume these risks.

6.2 Mandatory Release of Liability & Insurance
Prior to departure, you must sign a separate ‘Acknowledgement of Risk & Release of Liability’ form.  Comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and trip cancellation is a mandatory condition of travel. Proof must be provided 60 days before departure.

6.3 Limitation of Our Liability
As a principal operator, we accept liability for the proper performance of the Package. However, to the fullest extent permitted by Kenyan law:

• Our maximum liability for any loss or claim is capped at three times the cost of your Package.
• We are not liable for losses arising from (i) your own acts/omissions, (ii) the acts/omissions of an unconnected third party, (iii) Force Majeure (as defined below), or (iv) any event we could not have foreseen or prevented with reasonable care.

7. FORCE MAJEURE: OUR JOINT RESPONSE TO THE UNFORESEEABLE

7.1 Definition
“Force Majeure” means any extraordinary, unpreventable event beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to pandemics, government travel bans, war, terrorism, natural disasters, or any event that renders the performance of the tour impossible, illegal, or unsafe.

7.2 Our Promise in Crisis
If Force Majeure occurs before departure, you will receive a 100% Future Travel Voucher. If it occurs during the tour, we will make all reasonable efforts to ensure your safety and assist with rearrangements at your expense.  We do not offer cash refunds for force majeure cancellations, as costs have already been incurred on your behalf.

8. SUPPLIER SUSTAINABILITY & CONTRACTS

Our Supplier Code of Practice is a binding part of our agreements with all partners. It mandates:

• Fair & Timely Payment: We pay 50% of contracted fees upfront to aid their operations, with the balance paid within 7 days of service completion.
• Shared Risk: In the event of a client cancellation, we share recovered funds with suppliers proportionally, rather than passing on all losses.
• Development Commitment: A portion of our profit is reinvested in annual guide training and community projects chosen with our supplier network.

9. GOVERNING LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

This contract is governed by Kenyan law. We are committed to resolving disputes amicably. Any claim must first be submitted to us in writing. If unresolved within 60 days, both parties agree to submit to mediation in Nairobi, Kenya, before pursuing any litigation.