Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made with Chameleon Safaris Namibia for scheduled safaris, day trips, private guided safaris and related land arrangements, unless separate written terms are provided for a specific product or booking.
Please read these Terms & Conditions before booking. By confirming a booking, the person making the booking accepts these terms on behalf of all travellers named in the booking.
1. Your Booking Contract
The person who completes the booking form, online booking process or written booking request does so on behalf of all travellers included in the booking.
That person is responsible for ensuring that all travellers have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions.
A booking is not confirmed until we have received the required booking information and payment, accepted the booking, and issued a written confirmation or invoice.
If we are unable to accept a booking, any payment received for that booking will be refunded.
2. Prices and Currency
Prices are quoted in Namibian Dollars (N$), unless clearly stated otherwise.
Any foreign-currency amount shown on the website or in correspondence is an estimate only.
Exchange rates, bank charges, card charges and conversion fees are set by your bank, card provider or payment platform and are not controlled by Chameleon Safaris Namibia.
We reserve the right to correct obvious pricing errors before confirming a booking.
3. Deposits and Payment
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm a booking, unless different payment terms are stated in writing.
The balance is due 30 days before departure.
Bookings made within 30 days of departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.
If the balance is not paid by the due date, we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled by you and apply the relevant cancellation charges.
4. Online Bookings and Secure Payments
Where online booking is available, you may book directly through our website.
Online payments are processed through a secure payment gateway.
A booking made online is not confirmed until payment has been successfully received, the booking has been accepted by Chameleon Safaris Namibia, and written confirmation has been issued.
If a card payment fails, is declined, is reversed, is disputed, is flagged for fraud checks, or cannot be verified, the booking may not be confirmed or may be cancelled.
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that payment is completed correctly and that all booking details are accurate.
5. Guaranteed Scheduled Departures
Scheduled Chameleon Safaris departures operate with no minimum number of people.
This applies to scheduled safari departures advertised by Chameleon Safaris Namibia.
Private safaris, tailor-made arrangements, accommodation-only bookings, transfers, self-drive arrangements, volunteer projects, third-party activities and specialist departures may be subject to different conditions.
We reserve the right to adjust vehicle type, guide arrangements, accommodation, routing, timing or logistics where necessary, provided the safari remains of similar standard and value.
6. Group Size
Chameleon Safaris specialises in small-group safaris.
Scheduled group sizes are normally limited to a maximum of 10 travellers unless a specific tour page states otherwise.
Private safaris, day trips, specialist departures and tailor-made arrangements may have different group-size arrangements.
7. What Is Included
Inclusions vary by tour and are listed on the relevant tour page, itinerary or quotation.
Typical scheduled safari inclusions may include transport, an English-speaking guide, accommodation or camping, meals as listed, park fees and included activities.
Items not specifically listed as included are excluded.
8. What Is Excluded
Unless specifically stated as included, the following are normally excluded:
international and domestic flights; visas; travel insurance; medical expenses; vaccinations; optional activities; drinks; personal expenses; tips; laundry; sleeping bag hire; airport transfers; extra accommodation before or after the safari; single supplements; meals not listed as included; and costs caused by delays, missed flights, border issues or circumstances outside our control.
9. Amendments by You
If you wish to change your booking after confirmation, the request must be made in writing by the person who made the booking.
We will do our best to help, but changes are subject to availability and may not always be possible.
Where a change is possible, you will be responsible for any supplier charges, price differences, administrative costs or amendment fees.
Amendment fees may apply, especially for changes to departure dates, accommodation type, traveller names, private arrangements or itinerary components.
10. Cancellation by You
Cancellation requests must be made in writing by the person who made the booking.
Cancellation charges are calculated from the date we receive the written cancellation request.
For scheduled safaris, the following cancellation charges apply unless different terms are stated in writing:
More than 30 days before departure: loss of the 20% non-refundable deposit.
30 days or less before departure: 100% of the total safari price.
No refund is given for no-shows, late arrivals, unused services, missed activities, or leaving a safari after departure.
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation and curtailment.
11. Flights, Arrival Times and Missed Departures
International and domestic flights are not included unless expressly stated in writing.
It is your responsibility to arrange flights and travel times that allow you to reach the correct meeting point on time.
We recommend arriving in Windhoek the day before any early safari departure.
If you miss the safari departure because of flight delays, missed connections, lost luggage, late arrival, incorrect travel documents, immigration delays or any other reason outside our control, no refund is due.
Where possible, we may assist with alternative arrangements, but any additional costs will be your responsibility.
12. Amendments or Cancellations by Chameleon Safaris
We plan our safaris carefully, but changes may occasionally be necessary because of weather, road conditions, park regulations, accommodation availability, safety concerns, supplier issues, vehicle issues, operational needs or other circumstances outside our control.
We reserve the right to make minor changes to routes, accommodation, vehicles, activities, timing or logistics where necessary.
If we need to make a significant change before departure, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible and offer an appropriate alternative where available.
If we have to cancel your safari before departure for reasons other than non-payment or breach of these Terms & Conditions, we will offer either an alternative arrangement or a refund of monies paid to us for the cancelled service.
We are not responsible for additional costs such as flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, bank fees or other third-party costs.
13. Force Majeure
Chameleon Safaris Namibia is not liable for failure to perform, delay, changes, curtailment, cancellation, additional costs, losses or compensation where this is caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
Force majeure may include, but is not limited to: severe weather; flooding; drought; fire; road closures; park closures; border disruption; flight disruption; war; threat of war; civil unrest; terrorism; crime; strikes; industrial disputes; disease outbreaks; epidemics or pandemics; government action; changes in law or regulation; natural disaster; supplier failure; vehicle access restrictions; wildlife-related safety issues; or any similar event beyond our control.
Where a safari is curtailed after departure because of force majeure, no refund or compensation is due for unused services, and any additional costs are your responsibility.
14. Private, Tailor-Made and Third-Party Arrangements
Private guided safaris, tailor-made itineraries, self-drive arrangements, accommodation-only bookings, transfers, volunteer projects and third-party activities may be subject to different deposit, payment, amendment and cancellation terms.
Where third-party suppliers are used, their own terms and conditions may also apply.
Chameleon Safaris Namibia acts as an organiser or booking agent for some third-party services and is not responsible for the acts, omissions, delays, standards, safety procedures or failures of independent suppliers, except where required by applicable law.
15. Optional Activities
Optional activities are subject to availability, weather, safety, timing, supplier terms and local conditions.
Some optional activities, transfers, accommodation, volunteer projects and add-ons are operated by independent third-party suppliers. Their own terms and cancellation conditions may apply.
Optional activity costs are usually non-refundable once booked, unless the supplier confirms otherwise.
Chameleon Safaris Namibia is not responsible for the acts, omissions, delays, cancellations, safety procedures or operating standards of third-party suppliers, except where required by applicable law.
16. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required for all Chameleon Safaris travellers.
Your insurance must cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation or repatriation, personal accident, cancellation, curtailment, delays, lost luggage and the activities included or booked as part of your safari.
We may request proof of insurance before departure.
If you travel without suitable insurance, we reserve the right to refuse you onto the safari without refund.
17. Passports, Visas and Travel Documents
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport, any required visas, yellow fever certificate where applicable, travel insurance documents, return or onward travel documents, and any other documents required for your journey.
Your passport should usually be valid for at least six months after arrival and have sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
Travellers with children may require additional documents, such as full birth certificates, parental consent letters or other paperwork required by Namibia, neighbouring countries, airlines or border authorities.
It is your responsibility to check current requirements before travel.
Chameleon Safaris Namibia is not responsible for denied boarding, denied entry, missed departures, delays, additional costs or cancellation caused by incorrect, incomplete or invalid travel documents.
18. Health, Fitness and Medical Conditions
Our safaris may involve early starts, long travel days, gravel roads, heat, cold mornings, uneven ground, remote areas, camping, walking and limited access to medical facilities.
You are responsible for ensuring that you are fit to travel and for seeking medical advice before departure.
You must tell us before travel about any medical condition, allergy, disability, pregnancy, mobility limitation, dietary requirement or other circumstance that may affect your ability to join the safari safely.
Travellers over 70 may be asked to provide a medical form or doctor’s letter confirming they are fit to travel.
We reserve the right to refuse or remove a traveller from a safari if, in our reasonable opinion, their health, fitness or behaviour may put themselves, other travellers, staff, suppliers, communities or wildlife at risk.
19. Children and Minors
Minimum ages vary by safari and are shown on the relevant tour page or confirmed by our office.
The person making the booking is responsible for providing accurate ages for all children.
Children and minors must be supervised by their parent, guardian or responsible adult at all times.
Additional documentation may be required for minors travelling to or from Namibia or neighbouring countries.
20. Accommodation, Camping and Local Conditions
Accommodation, campsites, roads, vehicles, meals and facilities in Namibia may differ from what travellers are used to at home.
Some routes travel through remote areas where services are limited. WiFi, mobile reception, electricity, hot water, shops, fuel, medical services and other facilities may not always be available.
We choose accommodation, campsites and suppliers carefully, but standards vary by route, price level, location and availability.
No refund or compensation is due for reasonable differences in local standards, facilities or conditions.
21. Vehicles, Roads and Itinerary Conditions
Namibia is a large country with long distances between major highlights.
Many routes include gravel roads and full travel days.
We use vehicles suitable for Namibian safari conditions, but vehicle type may vary depending on route, group size and operational requirements.
Routes, timing and activities may change because of road conditions, weather, park regulations, accommodation availability, safety concerns, vehicle issues or other operational factors.
Your guide or Chameleon representative will manage these changes as practically as possible.
22. Drones, Photography and Restricted Areas
Drone use is restricted in Namibia and is not permitted in national parks or restricted areas without the required official permits.
Travellers carrying drones are responsible for checking current laws, permit requirements, customs requirements and park regulations before travel.
Chameleon Safaris Namibia is not responsible for confiscation, fines, denied use, missed activities, delays or costs arising from drone equipment or failure to comply with drone regulations.
Photography and filming may also be restricted in some communities, border areas, airports, national parks, military areas, conservation areas or sensitive locations.
23. Wildlife, Parks, Communities and Responsible Travel
You must follow the instructions of your guide, park authorities, community hosts and activity providers.
You must not feed, disturb, chase, touch, harass or endanger wildlife.
You must respect local communities, cultural visits, private property, park rules, conservation areas and fellow travellers.
Photography and filming may be restricted in some communities, wildlife areas, border areas, airports, national parks or sensitive locations.
24. Behaviour
We reserve the right to terminate the safari arrangements of any traveller whose behaviour, in our reasonable opinion, causes or is likely to cause distress, danger, damage, disruption or offence to other travellers, guides, staff, suppliers, local communities, wildlife, property or themselves.
If your arrangements are terminated because of behaviour, no refund or compensation is due, and you will be responsible for any additional costs.
25. Special Requests
Special requests, including dietary requirements, room preferences, bedding requests, medical needs, pick-up requests and celebration arrangements, must be made at the time of booking.
We will do our best to assist, but special requests cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed in writing.
26. Complaints and Problems During Travel
If you are unhappy with any aspect of your safari, you must tell your guide, Chameleon representative or supplier as soon as possible so the issue can be addressed during the safari.
If the matter cannot be resolved locally, send full written details to Chameleon Safaris Namibia within 10 days of the end of your safari.
We may not be able to investigate or respond properly to complaints that were not raised during the safari or were submitted late.
27. Liability
Chameleon Safaris Namibia accepts responsibility for providing the services confirmed in your booking, subject to these Terms & Conditions.
We are not responsible for loss, injury, delay, additional costs, changes, cancellation or damage caused by your own actions, the actions of third parties, force majeure, failure to follow instructions, failure to hold valid documents or insurance, or circumstances outside our reasonable control.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes liability where it may not lawfully be excluded.
28. Personal Information
We collect and use personal information needed to process your booking, administer your safari, manage payments, arrange services, communicate with you, meet legal or operational requirements, and respond to emergencies.
This may include names, contact details, passport or nationality information, dietary requirements, medical information, insurance details, emergency contacts and travel arrangements.
By booking, you consent to us sharing relevant information with guides, suppliers, accommodation providers, activity operators or authorities where necessary to operate your safari.
29. Website Information
We aim to keep website information accurate and current, but prices, itineraries, availability, accommodation, activities, dates, inclusions, exclusions and conditions may change.
The final confirmed booking details are those shown on your written confirmation, invoice or agreed itinerary.
30. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Namibia, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
Any dispute should first be raised with Chameleon Safaris Namibia so that we have an opportunity to resolve it directly.
31. Contact
For booking questions, amendments, cancellations, special requests or travel concerns, contact Chameleon Safaris Namibia before departure.
If your question relates to a specific safari, include the tour name, departure date, number of travellers and booking reference where available.
