Sportventurer Terms and Conditions
In order to keep our insurers happy and keep you safe, we must make you aware of the small print!
All applications are made with "Madventure Travel Limited (trading as Madventurer)", hereinafter referred to as "Mad, We or Us". You are referred to as "You or The Client".
All persons applying are bound by the conditions of contract. By signing the application form you are indicating your wish to join the specified expedition subject to the following terms and conditions.
Conditions of Entry
The Client accepts that written information supplied is provided in good faith and based on the knowledge and information available to us prior to publication of the written material and sometimes months prior to the date of departure. Mad will endeavour within 7 days to inform you of your acceptance and of your confirmed booking on an expedition (if You are not accepted for your desired expedition then We will offer You a possible alternative or immediately refund the deposit that You have paid).
We require a non-refundable deposit of £175 to secure your placement. This is non-refundable unless Mad is unable to offer You a place, otherwise the sum will form part payment of the full cost.
The final balance is due 6 weeks prior to departure date. Should this not be received we reserve the right to regard the booking as cancelled by The Client.
Your acceptance onto an expedition is on the understanding that you realise the possible discomfort and frustration of work and travel in Africa where Western standards cannot be taken for granted. Please be prepared to cope with the unexpected and with shortages and local customs. Common sense and a sense of humour will help You through most things.
The Expedition
Once a booking has been confirmed, Mad guarantees not to surcharge on the price of the expedition. However, such guarantee does not cover increases in kitty payments on the adventure section nor visa, airfare, United Kingdom or foreign taxes or local operator costs which are beyond the control of Mad.
Mad reserves the right to make alterations to an expedition without notice including alterations to the itinerary.
The decision of the Expedition Leader will be final on all matters relating to the organisation, progress, safety, and well-being of the expedition, and the Client must comply with all reasonable requests of the Expedition Leader.
A booking is accepted on the strict understanding by the Client that the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited will be fully complied with. A Client found violating such laws and regulations or otherwise interfering with the well-being of the group or expedition may be required by the Expedition Leader to leave the trip without recourse.
The inclusive adventure section cost includes transport by a fully equipped expedition vehicle, and road tolls.
The Client agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of all carriers concerned with the expedition. All travel and other arrangements are made by Mad as agent for the Client only and on the express condition that Mad is not liable for the default or negligence or for any loss, damage or injury, or any breach of contract caused by any person or company with whom such arrangements are made.
Liability
We will not accept any responsibility for any illness, accident or loss, weather conditions, fire, civil or military disturbance, criminal activity, industrial action, mechanical breakdown, quarantine, border closures, government intervention or force majeure. We will not be liable for any negligence.
Although such circumstances are beyond our control we shall make every effort to provide prompt assistance if you are in difficulty. Should it become necessary to abandon an expedition because of such an event Mad will be entitled to retain such monies received necessary to cover costs incurred.
We exclude any liability for all representations other than fraudulent.
Flights
Flights that we arrange are booked through a reputable travel firm who holds an ATOL Licence. The bonding arrangements of the ATOL scheme will provide full financial protection for flights to customers in the event of insolvency.
Flights are at your own risk and there will be no reimbursement if you miss the flight; no refunds will be made at all in these circumstances and expenses paid to third parties will not be refundable.
We cannot accept liability for the performance of services provided by airlines. We hold no responsibility for flights that you arrange.
Health
The Client is advised that in the countries where we operate there is no free health service. We cannot be responsible for your personal safety and health. You must ensure that you are medically fit and able to embark on their chosen project. You must consult your GP or health centre when seeking up-to-date advice on vaccinations and on which course of anti-malarial tablets you should be taking.
We reserve the right at any time to require The Client to produce a Doctor's certificate of fitness to participate in the expedition. We will provide advice and help as far as we can but you must also speak to your host on arrival for advice on local ailments.
You must obtain International Certificates of Vaccination valid for the duration of the expedition.
Insurance
Travel Insurance that we arrange is booked through Endsleigh Insurance.
The Client accepts it is compulsory to obtain travel insurance to
cover personal accident, medical and hospital expenses and repatriation.
This must covers cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, legal
expenses, medical and emergency travel, personal accident, personal
liability, rescue and assistance, hijack and travel delay. The suggested
minimum cover is £2,000,000 which should extend the planned
length of the expedition by two weeks. We acknowledge that although
we have said this is the minimal level, it still may not be adequate.
Mad accepts no responsibility for the loss of personal property, and insurance to cover loss of personal property by theft or accident is also recommended. The Client is informed that full vehicle insurance is not necessarily available for all countries en route of expeditions, and that local vehicle insurance is of limited value.
The Client agrees to indemnify Mad in respect of any accident, personal injury, loss of life or damage to property sustained by the Client during the course of the expedition.
The Client accepts that all expeditions involve an element of personal risk and are of a potentially hazardous nature and that neither Mad nor its agents can be held liable for any inconvenience, injury, damage to property or loss of life caused. The Client accepts responsibility for all risks involved.
The Client is also advised to keep themselves informed of current Foreign Office travel advice in respect of countries to which they are travelling. If the Client is married or has dependents, insurance to cover these responsibilities is strongly advised.
Visas
Where a visa is necessary, We will provide the visa application forms, a letter of invitation where necessary and advice on filling them in. Please note that all visas are entirely at the discretion of the embassy.
For example, delays may be cause if you have not provided enough information. We are not responsible for the issue of visas. The Client is responsible for ensuring that their passports, visas and any other travel documents are valid for the duration of the expedition.
Cancellations and Amendments.
The Client acknowledges that payment for the expedition is an intrinsic part of the expedition's income and contributes to the overall costs of equipment, vehicle running costs, donation to project costs, staff administration etc and that Mad will have incurred the largest part of its costs before the actual date of departure.
Therefore if the Client cancels;
- Between 55 - 29 days prior 35% of expedition cost will be forfeit
- Between 28 - 21 days prior 75% of expedition cost will be forfeit
- Between 20 days to the departure date (or a no show) 100% of the expedition cost will be forfeit.
Any amendment of a booking must be put in writing and sent to the office. Alteration of a booking will incur a transfer fee of £50.
Mad requires the Client to put a cancellation in writing. The client can then transfer the deposit to any other expedition pending availability within 12 months of the original booked tour departure date minus the £50 transfer fee.
In the unlikely event of Mad cancelling an expedition, all monies paid out will be refunded in full. This will be the full extent of Mad's liability.
If the Client joins after the designated departure date or leaves before the specified arrival date, no refund will be made. No refund will be made in respect of any part of the tour, including the kitty contribution on the adventure section, that is not used or undertaken. Clients are advised to arrange travel insurance on booking in order to provide cover for these charges in the event of cancellation or delay.
When cancellations occur as a result of circumstances which are beyond the reasonable control of either party then the loss lies where it falls.
Complaints
With regard to any complaint or claim the Client agrees:
a) To ensure that at the earliest possible opportunity any perceived failure in the performance or improper performance of the contract whether by Mad or its suppliers is communicated to the expedition leader or supplier so that the concerns can be addressed
b) with regard to any perceived unresolved serious complaint to provide written details to the expedition leader
c) in the event of a claim for compensation the Client agrees that any such claim must be detailed in writing and be received by Mad at its Newcastle address within 90 days of the Expedition's completion date, or within 30 days of the clients return to their home country, whichever is soonest.
Law
This contract is subject to English Law as interpreted in an English court of law.
