Origins Safaris is a specialist tour operator offering in-depth, guided trips to East and Central Africa. This family owned company was started in 1963, just after Kenya's independence, by ornithologist, guide and author Don Turner and his wife Margaret, initially specialising in birding and primate trips. It is now run by their son Steve whose passion for adventure, photography and cultural expeditions has led the company to its new stature as the region's only independent specialist tour firm. Origins offers FIT, group, incentive travel in its five areas of expertise: natural history tours, cultural expeditions, emerging destinations, tropical islands and participation in conservation & community benefit programs. Origins has the most Silver rated Kenya Professional Safari Guides (KPSGA) and the only Gold accredited guide. All our guides are Kenyans - all knowledgeable, skilled and passionate about guiding. Origins offers a range of services from simple destination management to private guided trips to extraordinary destinations. We offer programs in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Lamu and beyond. Origins Safaris: your threshold to natural Africa.

Origins takes the utmost care to train our guides in more than just 'excellent natural history' guiding. We expect the best from them in terms of communicating with our clients, caring for them and interpreting what they see around them beyond the obvious. We have invested in them as a full time workforce of frontline 'ambassadors' who are entitled to the respect and employment terms on a par with anyone in the head office. All our guides are citizens of the county in which they guide and are selected for their communication skills and passion for guiding as much as their technical knowledge. We are committed to continual improvement and training to keep the 'flame' burning and empower our guides.

By offering cultural immersion programs we recognise that we are guardians of a fragile heritage - great care has been taken to research and develop relationships within each community that we visit. We observe the important courtesies and advise clients that at certain times the ceremonies are private and they may not be able to take all the photographs they want or even enter the cermonial area during certain rituals. We counsel similar respect for national monuments, sites of special interest and heritage and ensure that the communities themselves are rewarded for their custodianship of these treasures.

Our Grassroots Logistics arm is a not-for-profit philanthropic division dedicated to introducing benefactors and / or participants to community or conservation benefit activities, on the ground throughout East Africa. We recognise the power of the tourist dollar and the longterm sustainability of participatory programs for the future of tourism and the empowerment of remote, rural communities. We act as the direct link to bridge the gap between donors and genuine projects on the ground.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Origins Safaris is a registered Tour Operator in the Republic of Kenya.

The following terms and conditions of business apply to all Origins Safaris trips booked with an approved agent. Receipt of the deposit indicates formal understanding and acceptance of our terms and conditions of business.

Booking an Origins Safari

a). Origins Safaris will provide a full quotation without any financial obligation on the agent’s part before prior to a firm booking arrangement. All quotations issued by Origins Safaris will remain valid for a period of thirty days.

b). The company requires a non-refundable deposit of XX per person to confirm the safari with the full balance of payment being due ninety days prior to departure date. Some safaris may require an additional deposit and should this prove the case, you will be advised in good time.

c).Changes to confirmed reservations made within sixty days of the tour departure date will be charged according to the cancellation penalties outlined above.

d).Upon receipt of final payment the company will issue all relevant travel documents with fully confirmed status. Any changes thereafter are subject to availability and to cancellation fees, which ever is applicable. (See below).

Cancellations.

a). All cancellations must be made in writing to Origins Safaris and all cancellations will be charged a cancellation penalty depending on the number of days before tour departure that the cancellation is received.

Cancellation penalties
Outside 60 days - no penalty
60 - 45 days prior to arrival in East Africa - 10% of our net quoted cost
45 - 30 days prior to arrival in East Africa - 30% of our net quoted cost
30 - 14 days prior to arrival in East Africa - 60% of our net quoted cost
Less than 14 days prior to arrival in East Africa - 100% of our quoted cost

b).Some safaris may incur additional cancellation fees. There will be no refund for any unused portions of a safari once it has commenced. Cancellation penalties on airfares are additional and are not included in the above cancellation charges. Cancellation insurance for the total land tour cost is strongly recommended.

c).Some of the camps, hotels and lodges have special cancellation clauses during the year, for example at Christmas and New Year. These will be advised at time of booking. These will in turn form part of these terms and conditions of business.

Important Information.

a).All airfares quoted within Africa are current as at the date of the tour quotation. Origins Safaris is not responsible for any changes in airline schedules, airfares, cancellations, loss or damage to baggage and overbooking. All claims for any loss or injury suffered on any airline must be made directly with the airline involved and not with Origins Safaris.

b).Specific accommodation described in these itineraries may not always be available. In the event of this happening, Origins Safaris will always recommend comparable alternative accommodation. It is then the decision of the traveller to accept or decline this alternative accommodation prior to committing to the deposits and pre-payments.

c).Tour costs are based on all known costs at the date of quotation. Any significant changes beyond the control of Origins Safaris will be passed onto travellers. Once a final quotation has been given by Origins Safaris and the same has been accepted on behalf of the client and the tour arrangement has been paid for as per our payment terms, then no additional charges and/or surcharges will be levied.

d).Origins Safaris reserves the right to alter any arrangements due to local conditions. Origins Safaris also retains the right to refuse any person from participating on or continuing on any tour for any reason or if that person causes or is deemed to cause hazard or inconvenience to other passengers or to Origins Safaris

f).The company will not be responsible for any lost or delayed baggage, resulting from travel with an international scheduled airline.

g).Generally travellers in Africa using charter aircraft services to facilitate travel from one destination to another are limited to a baggage allowance of 33lbs/(15kgs) per passenger. This includes camera equipment and carry on baggage. It is important that this baggage is packed in lightweight duffel type bags.

Further guidelines and recommendations on baggage procedures and what to pack on safari are provided in our pre-departure safari information.

h).Should guests arrive with excess baggage without prior warning to the company, their baggage may be delayed, as the company may have to fly the baggage into their safari destinations at a later stage and at a considerable cost to the client.

i).Should guests know and inform the company in advance that they will be carrying baggage in excess of the given limit, Origins Safaris will quote the extra costs involved.

j).Whilst on safari with the company, please ensure that clients are aware that at times they will be in close proximity to wild animals. A responsible attitude and vigilance is requested when in this situation. Many of the camps, lodges and hotels are not fenced. Attacks by animals are rare, however the company cannot guarantee that this may not occur. Neither the company, it's employees, nor its agents can be held responsible for any injury or incident whatsoever whilst on safari.

Inclusions and exclusions in the itinerary cost.

a) The price includes all details listed on your itinerary except where noted as an option or specifically noted as an exclusion

Standard Inclusions (this may vary from itinerary to itinerary)

• ALL accommodation and meals on safari.
• ALL government hotel taxes and service charges.
• ALL Land transport and airport transfers.
• ALL game drives in specially built 4x4 safari vehicles.
• ALL national park and reserve entrance fees.
• ALL nature and birdwalks where permissible.
• ALL entries to Maasai and Samburu Manyattas.
• ALL internal air transport as specified in itinerary.
• ALL porterage and airport assistance.
• Bottled mineral water with meals and in Origins vehicles for game drives.
• Incredibly knowledgeable, KPSGA certified guides throughout.
• Temporary Flying Doctor (AMREF), emergency evacuation to Nairobi


b) Not included (this may vary from itinerary to itinerary)

Not included in our touring costs are;
• personal insurance
• alcoholic beverages in certain establishments
• personal laundry at certain camps
• personal spending money,
• gratuities to guides and camp
• lodges or hotel staff
• telephone/fax/email charges
• any excursions not related to the booked itinerary
• optional meals in larger towns or cities
• optional extra nights at camps or lodges
• cost of obtaining passports
• visas
• excess baggage charges
• all items of a personal nature.

NB: Any activity detailed in your itinerary as 'optional', will be to your account.

Statement of Responsibility

a).Origins Safaris and it's agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to services provided, included but not limited to, hotels, lodges, camps, restaurants, sightseeing, game drives and all forms of transportation within Africa

b).All services are provided by operators who are not owned or controlled by Origins Safaris. Origins Safaris takes all reasonable precautions to make these safaris as safe as possible for travellers and others. Origins Safaris and its agents shall not be responsible or liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay of inconvenience arising out of, or in connection with, any defect in any vehicle or aircraft or any act, including any acts of terrorism, industrial action, acts of governments, war, terrorism and God, omission, neglect, accident, error or omission in the provision of any services. Any travel involves some measure of risk, of which travellers need to determine themselves.

c).The company applies all reasonable checks to ensure that those involved in the preparation and provision of services outlined in the booked itinerary maintain appropriate standards of safety, hygiene and customer care.

d).To the best of our knowledge, this brochure and the information contained within is correct at time of going to print. Origins Safaris cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes, which may occur after printing.


Transportation and Guides

a).The company shall provide the services of subcontracted transport options such as aircraft, safari vehicles, or alternatives as it considers necessary, based on considerations such as suitable routes to be taken, conditions of roads, and the number of clients travelling in one party.

b).Origins Safaris reserves the right to alter any such arrangements made including the proposed route to be taken.

c).Origins Safaris reserves the right to employ the services of sub contractors to effect transportation.


d).The company shall provide the services of drivers and professional guides where and when requested, subject to availability. If a Origins Safaris appointed guide is unable to guide a safari due to illness etc, the company reserves the right to substitute with another suitable guide.

Flying Doctor Service

Each Origins Safaris client will automatically be registered as a member of 'The Flying Doctor Society' (AMREF) in East Africa. Applicable charges will be included in the cost of the tour arrangements. AMREF emergency Air Evacuation is limited to safaris in East Africa

Flights

a).In the unlikely event of flight delays the airlines concerned are not to be held liable for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board their aircraft or conveyance.

b).Flight delays are not considered as alterations to the holiday and as a consequence any compensation applied for from the company is not applicable. In the event of a scheduled flight delay, cancellation or over booking, the company cannot be held liable for any costs incurred. Any denied boarding compensation if applicable should be sought from the airline concerned and not Origins Safaris.

c).The company cannot guarantee that flight times detailed on the itinerary will not change at short notice. If in any event they do, Origins Safaris will make every available effort to assist in obtaining a suitable alternative flight.

Age Limits

In certain camps, lodges, hotels and beach resorts and on specific activities, minimum age limits can apply.

Copyright (c)

All text, photographs and maps remain the sole property of Origins Safaris and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the prior written consent from the company.