Terms and conditions

Booking and deposit

A booking is confirmed once Legson Journeys has received a signed itinerary and the deposit stated on your invoice. Until that point, quoted prices, lodge availability and permit availability are indicative only.

Where a journey includes gorilla or chimpanzee permits, the full permit cost is payable at the time of booking. Permits are purchased in your name from the relevant national authority as soon as funds clear, which is what secures your trekking date.

Balance payment

The balance is due 60 days before your arrival date. For bookings made inside 60 days, the full amount is payable at the time of booking.

Payments are made in US dollars unless agreed otherwise in writing. Bank charges on transfers are payable by you.

Permits are not refundable

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits issued by the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased, including where a trek is missed through illness, late arrival or a failure to reach the family.

This is the policy of the issuing authority and not something we can waive. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip interruption and the cost of permits.

Cancellation by you

Cancellations must be sent in writing. Deposits are non-refundable. Cancellation 60 days or more before arrival forfeits the deposit. Between 59 and 30 days, 50 percent of the total is payable. Inside 30 days, the full amount is payable.

Permit costs are excluded from all of the above and remain non-refundable at every stage.

Changes by us

Itineraries describe intent, not a guarantee. Road conditions, park regulations, weather, animal movement and lodge availability can all force a change. Where we have to alter an itinerary we will substitute arrangements of a comparable or better standard at no extra cost to you.

If a change materially reduces the value of your journey and no reasonable substitute exists, we will refund the difference in the land cost.

Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travelling with us. Your policy must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment. We may ask for the policy number and the emergency contact before departure.

Health and fitness

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking takes place at altitude on steep, wet and uneven ground, and a trek can run from one to eight hours. You are responsible for assessing your own fitness and for declaring any condition that affects it at the time of booking.

Park authorities may refuse entry to anyone showing symptoms of a communicable illness. No refund arises in that event.

Passports, visas and vaccination

You are responsible for holding a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date, for obtaining the correct visas, and for meeting any vaccination requirement for the countries on your itinerary. We will advise on request, but the obligation remains yours.

Liability

Legson Journeys acts as the organiser of your journey and contracts with third party suppliers including lodges, camps, airlines and park authorities. We accept liability for arrangements within our direct control and for the acts of our own employees acting in that capacity.

We do not accept liability for loss, injury, delay or additional expense arising from the act or default of a third party supplier, from force majeure, or from the inherent risk of travel in wild areas where animals are not confined.

Complaints

Raise any problem with your guide and with our office while you are still on the ground, so that we have the chance to put it right. Complaints that cannot be resolved on the trip should be sent in writing to hello@legsonjourneys.com within 28 days of your return.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Rwanda, and the courts of Rwanda have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from them.