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Westmanjaro

Terms of Service

(Last Updated: October 18, 2025)

Thank you for choosing Westmanjaro Limited (referred to as "the Operator," "we," or "us"). We are a registered tour operator in Tanzania and are dedicated to providing you with an outstanding safari and travel experience. These General Terms and Conditions govern all bookings and services provided to our customers ("customer," "traveler," "lead booker," or "you"). Please review them carefully as they form the entire basis of your contract with us.

1. Contract Formation and Lead Booker Responsibility
1.1 Booking Offer and Acceptance
By submitting a request for a quote, you receive a detailed Travel Proposal from us. The contract (Travel Agreement) is concluded only when we receive your acceptance of the final proposal and issue our official Booking Confirmation. A booking is only binding upon the issuance of this confirmation.
1.2 Lead Booker and Group Liability
The customer who makes the booking (the Lead Booker) is solely responsible for all payments and contractual obligations on behalf of the entire travel party. By confirming the booking, the Lead Booker confirms that all members of the group accept these terms and conditions.
2. Pricing and Surcharges
2.1 Quote Validity and Inclusions
Prices quoted are typically in USD and/or local currency, and are for guidance until the official travel proposal is issued. Our formal quotes are valid for three weeks. Prices exclude international flights, visa fees, personal travel insurance, and optional tips, unless otherwise specified.
2.2 Right to Apply Surcharges
We reserve the right to increase the confirmed holiday price up to 20 days prior to departure only if the change is due to factors outside our control, including increases in:
  • Government-imposed park fees, concession fees, or taxes.
  • Transportation costs, such as fuel, air fares, or local airport charges.
  • Relevant currency exchange rates affecting the cost of trip services.
If the total surcharge exceeds 10% of the trip price, the customer has the right to terminate the contract and receive a full refund of all amounts paid. We will notify you immediately of any necessary price adjustments.
3. Payment Terms
A 50% deposit is required within 10 days of receiving the invoice to secure the booking. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 61 days prior to the departure date.
Last-Minute Bookings: If the booking is made within 61 days of departure, the full travel price is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice.
Failure to Pay: If full payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel the booking immediately without liability, and the customer will be subject to the cancellation fees outlined in Section 4.
4. Customer Cancellation and Fees
4.1 Cancellation by Customer
Cancellations must be submitted to Westmanjaro Limited in writing (email accepted). The effective date of cancellation is the date we receive the written notice.
4.2 Standard Cancellation Fees
The following standardized charges apply based on the time elapsed before the trip start date:
Time Before Trip Start Cancellation Fee
61 days or more
Loss of 50% Deposit
0 - 61 days before departure
100% of the total trip cost
The customer is strongly advised to secure comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation costs.
5. Changes to Bookings
5.1 Changes Initiated by Customer
Any request to amend the itinerary, dates, or accommodations is subject to availability and the following conditions:
  • Correction of Errors (10 Days): Spelling or data entry errors must be notified within 10 days of the booking confirmation to avoid a mandatory administrative fee of $125 USD per change. Changes to international flights always incur fees.
  • Major Amendments (61+ Days): Requests to change activities, itinerary, or accommodations made 61 days or more before departure may be accommodated, but the original service will be cancelled (subject to Section 4.2) and a new administrative fee of $150 USD will apply.
  • Transferring a Booking: A traveler may be replaced by another person up to 7 calendar days before departure, provided the new traveler complies with all contractual terms. This change incurs an administrative fee of $250 USD per traveler, plus any actual costs imposed by suppliers (e.g., airlines, permits).
  • Late Changes: No changes to the confirmed itinerary will be accepted within 61 days of departure. Such requests will be treated as a cancellation of the original booking.
5.2 Changes Initiated by Operator
We reserve the right to make minor changes to the holiday at any time. In the event a significant change (affecting a core element like accommodation or activity) becomes necessary, and it is not due to Force Majeure (Section 13.1), we will offer a comparable alternative. If the change significantly reduces the quality or value of the trip, you may:
  • Accept the change and an appropriate price reduction, or
  • Accept an alternative holiday, or
  • Terminate the contract and receive a full refund.
We are not liable for compensation beyond these options if changes are due to unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances.
6. Cancellation by Operator
We may cancel the contract due to:
  • Failure by the customer to pay the full trip amount by the specified deadline.
  • Customer misconduct during the trip (see Section 7) or failure to comply with local laws and regulations.
  • Lack of the minimum number of participants, if applicable, provided we give notice according to the trip duration: 20 days prior for trips over 6 days; 7 days prior for trips 2–6 days; 48 hours prior for trips under 2 days.
In circumstances constituting Force Majeure, we will not be liable for compensation but will refund any amounts we successfully recover from our third-party service providers.
7. Termination Due to Conduct and Exclusion
We reserve the right to terminate your holiday immediately if your conduct is illegal, causes danger, distress, or significant annoyance to others, or if you fail to comply with local laws, carrier regulations, or the instructions of our guides. In such cases, the contract is terminated without liability to us, and you will not be entitled to a refund for any unused services or incurred expenses.
8. Limitation of Liability
8.1 Scope of Our Responsibility
Westmanjaro Limited accepts liability for ensuring that the travel services described in your confirmed itinerary are provided with reasonable skill and care, meeting the reasonable standards for the local Tanzanian environment. We are not liable for services or facilities not explicitly included in the contract, such as extra arrangements made directly between you and a supplier (e.g., a hotel).
8.2 Third-Party Excursions and Agents
Any activities, excursions, or optional services (e.g., balloon rides) not detailed as part of the core package are managed by independent external suppliers. When we book these on your behalf, we act only as a booking agent. Your contract for that service is with the supplier, and we hold no liability for their operation, negligence, or failure to perform. If we are found liable for arranging such a service, our liability is strictly limited to the cost of the specific activity or excursion. Our liability for death or personal injury resulting from our own negligence is never limited or excluded.
8.3 Maximum Financial Cap
Our total financial liability for all claims arising from property damage, loss, or consequential financial losses (excluding death or personal injury) is capped at a maximum of three times the total trip price.
8.4 Exclusion of Liability
We are relieved of our obligations, and accept no liability, if the failure to provide services is attributable to:
  • The customer's own fault or negligence.
  • Force Majeure or unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances (Section 13.1).
  • A third party not appointed by the Operator to perform the contracted services.
9. Carriers and Local Standards
Air and sea transport, domestic or international, is governed by the carrier's own terms and international agreements. We accept no liability for any disruptions, delays, cancellations, or lost baggage caused by the carrier's operational decisions.
Customers acknowledge that infrastructure in Tanzania, including in accommodations, may not meet the standards of their home country (e.g., occasional power or water shortages).
10. Health, Insurance, and Travel Documents
10.1 Insurance is Mandatory
The customer is required to purchase comprehensive travel and health insurance that covers medical emergencies, repatriation, and potential trip cancellation/curtailment for the entire duration of the trip.
10.2 Medical Conditions and Advice
We must be informed in writing of any medical condition or disability that may affect the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel a booking if we reasonably believe we cannot adequately accommodate your needs.
10.3 Documents and Visas
It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to ensure all passports, visas, and vaccination documents are valid and correct for travel to Tanzania. We accept no liability for any loss or inconvenience due to incomplete or incorrect travel documentation.
11. Inherent Risks
You acknowledge and voluntarily assume the inherent risks of travel in the Tanzanian wilderness and environment. These risks include, but are not limited to, wildlife encounters, unpredictable weather, rough terrain, and variations in local safety standards. You agree to follow all safety instructions and warnings provided by us or our suppliers. We are not liable for damages resulting from a customer's failure to adhere to safety advice.
12. Complaints and Problem Resolution
If you experience a problem during the trip, you must immediately contact the local supplier (e.g., hotel manager, guide) and your Customer Satisfaction Agent at Westmanjaro Limited so that a remedy can be provided locally. If the issue is not resolved, you must submit a comprehensive written complaint to us within 28 days of your return home. Failure to follow this procedure may limit or negate any potential claim for compensation.
13. Definitions and Final Clauses
13.1 Force Majeure
"Force Majeure" means any event that neither we nor the supplier could foresee or avoid, even with the exercise of all due care. This includes, but is not limited to, acts of war, civil unrest, industrial disputes, natural disasters, epidemics, extreme adverse weather, technical transport issues, airport closures, or similar events beyond our control.
13.2 Statute of Limitations
Any legal claim against the Operator for defective travel services must be initiated within two years of the scheduled end date of the trip.
13.3 Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Travel Agreement is governed solely by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. The exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising under this contract shall be in Moshi, Tanzania.