Wayoutback Australian Safaris

Please take the time to read and understand the terms and conditions of travel set out below. Wayoutback Australian Safaris and Walking Country (WAS/WC) also recommends you read and understand the specific health and fitness requirements for the safaris you intend to undertake.

1. THE AGREEMENT

By booking a tour with us you agree to have read and accept these Terms and Conditions.

2. VALIDITY

All prices and conditions are subject to change without notice.

3. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

All of the safaris we offer are active participation based. We rely on the good will and cooperation of all passengers to make them a success. This includes your assistance in the preparation of meals washing up gathering fire wood and loading/unloading of the vehicle.

On our open age safaris all camping is in twin share permanent tents which include beds and mattresses all linen pillows and sleeping bags. Swags are also available for those who wish to sleep under the stars.

Passengers on our 18-40 age recommended safaris will need to bring their own sleeping bag or hire one for $30 on single safaris or $50 on all packages. All camping is in swags (with the exception of some Top End safaris). For passengers wishing to rent a tent on our Red Centre Safaris there is a $60pp charge and tent must be requested prior to travel. Due to space restrictions on our vehicles please limit your luggage to 1 x soft bag of under 20kg. For all safaris visiting Kakadu National Park luggage is strictly limited to 10kg. Any additional luggage should be stored at your accommodation where possible. For passengers on one way safaris any additional luggage may be stored in areas that is not readily available during the safari. Our group sizes vary from a maximum of 16 – 24 passengers depending on the safari. The maximum group size for each safari is listed on the itinerary. There is a limit of only 6 passengers on our ECO Tour. Earlybird rates are not available on all safaris and are only valid when bookings are made 90 days or more prior to departure. Multiple safari discounts are not valid on 18-40 safaris or on family rates across the entire range. 4. PAYMENT POLICY All bookings must be made in full no later than 30 days prior to departure. All bookings made less than 30 days prior to departure must be paid for in full at the time of booking. All bookings made via Travel Agents or other booking partners may be subject to their own set of payment terms. 5. CANCELLATION BY YOU Due to the extensive planning and costs associated with touring the following cancellation feeswill apply in the event you should cancel for any reason. • 30 + days prior to departure – 25% of total price • 14 – 29 days prior to departure – 50% of total price • 8 -13 days prior to departure – 75% of total price • 0 -7 days prior to departure – 100% of total price. Due to the remote places we visit and the adventurous nature of our safaris Travel Insurance is compulsory. We accept no responsibility for lost stolen or damaged property. 6. CANCELLATION BY WAYOUTBACK OR WALKING COUNTRY At times WAS/WC may have to cancel a tour or service. In the event we do have to cancel every effort will be made to offer a suitable alternative. If the alternative is not suitable we will refund your tour price in full. We reserve the right to cancel a tour and arrange an alternative operator (if possible) if group numbers are insufficient or combine safaris of differing standards in the event that low numbers are endangering a scheduled departure being cancelled. In this instance passengers will always be upgraded to a higher standard product. Passengers travelling on a tour with upgraded passengers will not be entitled to refunds in these instances. WAS reserves the right to have multi-level pricing on products where it is necessary to ensure passengers travel plans are not disrupted. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external factors beyond our control any potential refund will be less any unrecoverable cost which we may have incurred.

7. BOOKING AMENDMENTS

Due to the complexity staff time and communication costs of the booking process the following amendment charges will apply;

8 + days prior to departure - $50 (including GST) plus any difference in price between the original booking and the new date/ tour which is selected.

Changes made within 7 days of the scheduled departure – will incur full cancellation fees and passengers will be required to pay the full cost of any new tour which is booked.

8. RECONFIRMING YOUR TOUR

All passengers are required to call our Sales Centre and reconfirm their travel no later than 48 hours prior to departure. To confirm your pick up point and time please call 1300 551 510 (within Australia) or +61(0) 8 8300 4900 (outside Australia). WAS/WC will not be held responsible for any costs incurred due to changes of pick up details if reconfirmation is not made.

Passengers joining or departing a tour from Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) will also need to reconfirm all flight details at least 48 hours prior to their scheduled departure. It is recommended that when joining a tour in Ayers Rock that you arrive before 12:30 pm and when departing Ayers Rock your flight be scheduled after 12:30pm. WAS/WC will not be held responsible for any delays resulting in a passenger missing tour inclusions or missing a scheduled flight.

9. WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING

A torch (flash light) a wide brimmed hat sunscreen insect repellent fly net (summer) medication (if required) a water bottle (at least 1.5 litres) walking shoes/boots (we do a lot of walking/ climbing) warm clothing (winter) toiletries swim wear towel camera (plus extra batteries/ memory cards) Travel Voucher/Ticket and a great sense of adventure. Passengers are welcome to bring their own beverages if they wish.

10. PRIVACY POLICY

WAS/WC understands the importance of protecting your privacy. Any information we collect from you may be used for any purpose associated with delivering our tours. We may from time to time have to pass your details onto our agents service providers or other suppliers to enable us to deliver our service. We educate all of our staff about the requirements of the National Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act.

11. HEALTH AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Due to the vast distances travelled on safari we may be many hours from medical facilities. It is the responsibility of you and your agent to declare any known medical condition(s) at time of booking. WAS reserves the right to request additional information and/or medical clearance (at your own expense) before confirming your reservation.

Upon joining your safari WAS/WC requires you to re-confirm any medical condition(s) to your guide and enough medication should be carried for the duration of your safari (cold storage is available).

A certain level of fitness is required for all safaris. To ensure that you enjoy your time on tour with us you should be able to walk at least 6km (3.7 miles) unaided over rough uneven ground (often in intense heat) and climb (or descend) steps or steep inclines without hindrance.

If you are unable to meet the required level you must disclose this at time of booking. In the interests of health and safety WAS/WC reserves the right to refuse travel due to any medical conditions and/or fitness level which we deem necessary. WAS/WC will not be liable for any additional expenses or cancellation fees imposed by ourselves or third parties incurred as a result of refusal to travel due to non-disclosure.

Travel Insurance is compulsory for all travellers but excludes those nationals of countries where local law prohibits a compulsory service that is not included in the tour price.

12. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS AND FOOD ALLERGIES

All of our menus are designed to be well balanced and healthy to provide the necessary sustenance for you to enjoy and participate in your tour. If you have any food allergies or specific dietary needs please contact us to discuss these requirements and we will advise you if they can be catered for. As we operate in remote parts of Australia certain foods are not always readily available. We may have to supplement our menus as supply dictates therefore we cannot guarantee all ingredients contained in these alternatives. In these instances we will advise you to provide your own supplementary food/ snacks depending on your specific requirements.

13. CHANGE OF ITINERARY

WAS/WC reserves the right to amend tour times itineraries and fares for its products as circumstances time of year and operational reasons occur. There will be no refunds in these circumstances nor for delays incurred due to mechanical failure accident weather or any other unforeseen circumstances. We cannot guarantee exact pick-up and drop-off times and will accept no responsibility in the event of cancellation fees from other connecting services. Individual Aboriginal location visits cannot be guaranteed for cultural reasons. In the event of a location or host not being available alternative experiences of a similar nature will first be sought and failing this refunds will be offered for this component only. No compensation will be considered for any additional driving or time lost due to such changes.

14. ACCEPTANCE OF RISK

Australia has many dangerous creatures extreme weather conditions and often varying terrain. Camping hiking and passing time outside may increase your personal risk of exposure to these dangers. Safety is our number one priority and all of our guides are highly trained to ensure passenger safety at all times. All passengers participating on our tours do so at their own risk and no responsibility can be accepted by WAS/WC for any loss injury or accident. Passengers are responsible for any additional costs involved should such instances occur. All passengers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to departure. If you would like a copy of this in advance please contact our Sales Centre. The minimum age for children travelling on our safaris is 5 years at the time of travel. All passengers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver at all times. While all care is taken the responsibility of children on tour rests entirely with the parent or caregiver. All passengers including children must wear shoes at all times use sunblock and wear hats. Please note that we accept children of all ages travelling on our group and private charter tours.

15. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

We contract with a network of companies and individuals to assist in operating our safaris. WAS/ WC works with the best operators available but takes no responsibility for any act of neglect by any operator whose services are used as part of your tour. Our suppliers make every effort to safeguard clients and we cannot be held responsible for personal injury or sickness to any customer which is beyond our control. Passengers should note that adventure travel involves a higher than normal risk and a signed release may be required from all participants from a number of our activity providers.

16. AUTHORITY ON TOUR

We pride ourselves on the very high standard of our guides. WAS/WC is one of only a few Advanced ECO Accredited tourism operators based in the Northern Territory. All guides have a sound knowledge of the local area focusing on its history Aboriginal culture geology and the natural environment. Passengers must abide by the tour guides instructions and directions at all times in particular with regard to actions and behaviour in National Park areas Aboriginal communities areas with elevated hazards or risks and emergency situations. Non-compliance with any directions from the tour guide or other authority may result in the passengers being refused onward travel with no right to refund. All vehicles are fitted with a microphone and WAS/WC will ensure to the best of its ability to have them all in good working order. Due to the environment in which we are travelling heat humidity and dust often have an adverse effect on electronics within the vehicles and as such their use cannot be guaranteed. In such instances guides will make every effort to ensure commentary of significant importance is heard by all but no compensation will be due in the event that it is not.

17. PHOTOS AND MARKETING

You consent to us using images of you taken during the trip for advertising and other promotional purposes in any medium as we require. You agree that the use of these images is without recourse to you and without compensation to you.

18. FEEDBACK

If you have any feedback regarding your trip please inform you tour guide at the time so they can try and rectify the issue. If after this time you still wish to provide us with some feedback please put your concerns in writing and send to us by emailing feedback@wayoutback.com.au

19. APPLICABLE LAW

The laws of The Northern Territory Australia govern these terms and conditions. Any disputes in connection with a tour or these terms and conditions must be initiated in the courts of The Northern Territory Australia.