• Does Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel work with tour and travel agents?

​Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel has built strong relationships with travel agents, and has long-standing relationships with many hotels, lodges, cruise companies and adventure companies throughout Africa and abroad.

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• Can I book my trip on this website or should I call?

We do have the ability to book tours on our website. Please fill in the booking form with as much information as possible and we will respond to you within 24 hours (or 48 hours is over a weekend). You can also get in touch with us using the contacts below. ​

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• Do you offer travel insurance?

No, we do not offer travel insurance. We suggest you buy from your country of origin a comprehensive travel insurance that will cover trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical protection.

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• What forms of payment do you accept?

1. ​Please note that we do not accept credit card payments yet, but are working on the possibilities.
2. A cash down payment is always the best mode of payment because it doesn't incur any surcharges.
3. Bank transfers made from Stanbic bank accounts will incur only the transfer charge. However transfers made from any other bank will incur a USD 50 surcharge per transfer
4. Payment made through any other cheque other than a Stanbic Bank will incur a USD 50 surcharge.

Our bank details are as follows:

• Account name: ..............Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Limited

USD a/c No:................ 9030008171415

• Bank Name:..................Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited

Address: .......................Forest Mall Branch, Kampala, Uganda

• Postal Address:..............P.O. Box 7131, Kampala,Uganda

Swift Code:............. ....SBICUGKK

• SortCode: ...........................CH 232 095

Tel: ................................+256 414 340 788 / +256 417 154 910

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• What is being done to ensure passenger safety when travelling to the destinations you offer?

Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. takes the security and safety of its clients very seriously. We follow US State Department and EU Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcements on a daily basis, and will never send clients into areas deemed dangerous.

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• Security in Africa?

Security is really a matter of common sense, and the same precautions should be taken in our towns and cities as in any city worldwide. It is advisable not to wear jewellery (especially necklaces and expensive watches), do not carry large sums of money, and keep a close watch on handbags, wallets and camera equipment. When walking in town keep to the main thoroughfares and avoid walking at night, especially alone. Make use of hotel safe or deposit boxes and never leave valuables in hotel rooms or safari vehicles. It is a good policy to travel with photocopies of your passport, traveller’s cheques, and any other important documents.

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• When is payment due for travel / tour?

In our experience we would recommend that once you have confirmed your trip and the bookings have been made by us, that you make the full payment to us due to the following conditions:

• ♦ One down payment will save you incurring the bank transfer charges twice . You will also be protected from the ever changing foreign exchange rates

♦ In some cases, due to the restrictions imposed on by the airlines on the fare types being used, payment for your ticket may be due within 24 hours of your booking. We will advise you of any special advance payment requirements.

• ♦ Flight availability (especially) is subject daily change, and even though we may quote you the best fare at the time, this is subject to constant change due to the airlines’ “first come first served basis”, and automatic cancellation which is beyond our control hence we would need to purchase the tickets or packages at as soon as possible

If you are unable to make one deposit, we would require that at least 50% of the full payment in order to confirm the trip. We would then require the deposit at least 6 weeks before the date of travel, however please note that you would need to cover all bank transfer charges ones again.

Once the payment is received, Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel will send you a receipt thereby confirming your safari. If a reservation is made within 30 days of departure, the entire amount must be made at the time of confirmation.

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• Why do you need a copy of our passport for certain tours?

Passports are required by most countries and we require that your name in the passport match the name of the reservations. This is required by airlines too. It is always a good idea to carry your current passport with you. We also recommend keeping a copy of your important passport pages in a separate place from your passport, in the event your passport is lost or stolen.

What are your cancellation policies and penalties in the event I cancel my trip?

• All cancellation requests must be made in writing, and cancellation costs vary depending on the date, location, and type of the tour booked. Our tour application forms which include the General Terms & Conditions state the cancellation penalties depending on destination. We strongly advise that you acquire trip cancellation, interruption, baggage and medical insurance.

Full refund will be provided if cancellation occurs in writing 60 days prior to commencement of a safari. Refund on all pre-paid money will be based on cancellation fees levied by hotels, lodges and banks. Generally there is a 50% charge on cancellations with 14-35 days, 75% charge with 2-24 days, and 100% charge within 48 hours. We reserve the right to deduct all expenses incurred from any money paid.

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• What kind of pre departure information do you provide for your tours?

Upon booking your tour, we provide a trip confirmation packet which will include a destination specific travel planning guide. This includes information on weather, clothing suggestions and general information on the planned areas of visit. We also include update you on your visa requirements.

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• What kind of final trip documentation do you provide for your tours?

About three weeks prior to your departure, we provide you with a detailed final itinerary, which includes emergency contact information for each location in the event someone needs to reach you. We also provide your airline tickets if purchased through us, any necessary vouchers and a clothing list.

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• What type of vehicles do you use for game viewing?

All our well-equipped vehicles are 4W drives, have roofs that are either open or a pop-up top allowing for optimal game viewing. Every guest is guaranteed a window seat!

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• What type of groups can you handle?

We can handle any group profile including families, friends, organizations (profit and non profit), and anyone with specific interests.

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• What constitutes a group tour with Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd?

A minimum of 10 paying adults is considered a group.

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• What is your group leader policy?

Often on luxury custom tour group programs, with as few as 15 paying adults, we are able to offer 1 complimentary space for the land portion of the trip which can be used by the group leader or coordinator.

What are the activity difficulty levels on your tours?

• We accommodate many different levels of activities. Our clients range from those who wish to have a relaxed pace to the most active. Some of the activity options available in select African destinations include the following:

► Specialty Tours

• ♦ Bird watching Safaris ♦ Hiking ♦ Cycling Tours ♦ Golf Tours ♦ Mountain climbing ♦ Balloon Safaris ♦ Walking Safaris ♦ Primate Tours (Chimp tracking and Gorilla trekking) ♦ Horseback safaris ♦ Cruises ♦ Cultural Tours

► Adventure Activities

• ♦ Sailing ♦ Fishing ♦ Canoeing ♦ Kayaking ♦ Diving ♦ Rafting ♦ Snorkeling ♦ Scuba Diving ♦ Boat rides ♦ Quad biking ♦ Micro lighting ♦ Camel Rides ♦ Elephant Rides ♦ Helicopter rides

We match trips with activities to your interests.

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• What does Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. need from me to begin a proposal for a customized itinerary for individuals or a private group?

Once we have the details about what destinations and activities you are interested in, we can begin creating a proposal tailored to your needs. We recommend you share with us as much details as possible on your interests. We do not charge any fees to commence a proposal but we do request changes be kept within reason.

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• Can Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. design a custom tour for individual or group's interests? Absolutely! Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. has the knowledge and expertise to customize journeys to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets.

How can I be contacted in case of an emergency while travelling with Bateleur Africa Tours & Travel Ltd? Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. maintains an emergency hotline as follows: (+256 774 732 397). The calls are processed at all times by our personnel. In addition, telephone and fax contacts for local representatives and hotels are provided in all final itineraries. We encourage travellers to leave a copy of specific itinerary with a friend or family member to be used in the event of an emergency.

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• Can children travel on Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd tour programs?

For most of our destinations and itineraries, children are more than welcome. Some tours, however, are too rigorous for young children. We can advise you about specific tours and any children acceptance limitations.

• What vaccinations or inoculations are recommended for travel?

​Requirements and regulations regarding vaccinations vary with destination. We make recommendations specific to the destination, however, it is always best to consult your doctor, a travel clinic or local health department. You can also contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov. Malaria is endemic in many parts of Africa and anti-malarial prophylactics are strongly recommended.

It is advisable to visit your local GP at least a month before travelling in order to update any vaccinations, obtain anti-malarial treatment and any long term medication that you may require.

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• What is recommended attire for your trips?

​Our destination specific travel planning guides will state what clothing is appropriate. In most cases, very casual clothing is acceptable, but we recommend travellers always maintain respect of local customs. Safari tours, for instance, are very informal.

• On the other hand, some predominantly Moslem countries require women to cover all exposed skin! We advise clients in the event an itinerary calls for any formal dress. Safari wear should be comfortable and casual.

Evenings and early mornings can be chilly so warm sweaters are recommended. Low heeled comfortable shoes are best, and suitable walking shoes should you intend joining any walking safaris.

• A hat, sunglasses, flashlight and binoculars are useful accessories. Most hotels, lodges and camps have swimming pools so you are advised to bring swimsuits.

Some specialist safaris, i.e. mountain climbing, require extra items of clothing and footwear - details would be provided on booking. Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.

• Laundry is possible on some safaris but not all. Although many places offer `same day' service, in practice this is not always reliable. We recommend you `save' your laundry until in a city or at the coast.

Does Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd require clients to sign a Release of Liability form? What else am I signing off for?

• All confirmed clients must review and sign off on our General Terms & Conditions which is your acceptance of your participation, acknowledgment of the terms and conditions surrounding your trip and a release of liability. Do you offer family vacations? Yes, we have programs geared toward family activities for adults and children of all ages. Please specify your destination and we will update you on the packages available.

If I put my own group together, can I expect the same quality of service for my group that Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. offers escorted and independent travellers?

• Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. maintains the same level of excellence and high standards of service regardless of the circumstances of any specific tour.

What are your tipping guidelines for your trips?

• Tipping is always at your discretion and may vary according to local conditions. As a general guideline, we recommend $5 - $7 per person per day for services rendered by any licensed guide $2 - $3 per person per day for services rendered by a driver $1 per bag for luggage handled by hotel staff.

What are luggage weight and size restrictions when travelling on your tours?

• We recommend travellers limit their luggage to 1 medium bag and 1 carry on per person. Further specific restrictions may vary according to country which will be advised in your destination specific travel planning guide. International airlines also have luggage weigh and size restrictions. We recommend you call the specific airline for further details.

What kind of photography tips do you offer?

• We recommend that you bring your equipment, extra batteries and all your film with you although all normal types of film can usually be bought in major towns. Bring cameras and lenses you are comfortable using. A telephoto lens is essential for good game pictures. Most lodges and hotels have facilities for recharging batteries for video and digital cameras. If you get new equipment before you go, do so as far in advance as possible. You will undoubtedly shoot more pictures than you planned.
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Even those not all that interested in photography will probably shoot one 36 exposure roll of film per day, and enthusiastic shooters will double or triple that amount. Bring extra batteries. Regarding x-ray machines at airports, recent news reports warn that new explosive detectors used in more than 100 US airports to scan checked baggage will ruin unprotected, unexposed film.

• This technology will eventually be in place at all airports worldwide. Experts suggest placing film in safety, lead-lined bags in your carry-on luggage to minimize X- ray damage. Please respect the local people and only photograph them with their permission.
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​Please be strongly advised never to attempt to take photos of border posts, airports, persons in uniform and military installations where photography is strictly prohibited.

• On an independent trip (also known as Foreign Independent travel or FIT), will I be travelling with private services or joining other people?

Under normal conditions, you will travel with a private driver & guide however, some excursions such as lake crossings, cruise itineraries, domestic flights are shared with other clients.

Are your published departures guaranteed ?

• We guarantee all scheduled and published trip departures with a minimum of 2 guests.

What level of guiding should I expect on your tours?

• Bateleur Africa Tours and Travel Ltd. works with talented and highly trained guides and drivers, many of whom are certified in their respective fields. We recognize the value services these seasoned professionals provide our clients.

Our guides are English speaking and many are certified naturalist guides eg, our Egyptologists in Egypt during your Nile cruise.

What quality of hotels do you use on your tours?

• We work with a good number of upmarket, mid range and budget hotels to fit every taste and budget. We will be able to provide you with information about the hotels before you make a final decision on your safari preferences.
  
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Many of our hotel choices are selected based on location, safety, ambiance and local flair. All of our prepared itineraries start from the destinations indicated in packages. If you require pre-or post-safari hotel bookings or airport transfers, contact us so we can make these arrangements for you. Reservations should be made in advance.

Do you assist with obtaining visas for travel?

​No, we do not assist in visa processing. However we would be happy to advise you on the regulations. We suggest that you get in touch with the embassies, high commissions and consulates of the various countries located in your country or nearby country to have your visas processed, should you require it.

• We also suggest that you check the immigration requirements of the various countries before you depart your country.

Upon completing a trip with Bateleur Africa tours and Travel Ltd. I want to share my feedback with your company. How do I do this?

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• In your final documents we will include a Passenger Trip Evaluation, which we encourage you to complete and submit. We also welcome e-mails and letters. In our effort to consistently improve our programs, we value your comments.

Please contact us for Tour Itineraries, hotel packages and prices for the period you are interested in.

***** Rates are subject to availability, currency fluctuation and market conditions.

We reserve the right to adjust the rates without any notice.