General travel terms and conditions Selfdrive4x4.com
Selfdrive4x4.com is a brand of Tongasabi Travel B.V., hereinafter referred to as “the tour operator”.
These General Travel Terms and Conditions apply to all trips, safaris, self-drive journeys, car rental holidays, and other travel services offered by the tour operator.
The detailed travel information, route descriptions, quotations, and additional travel documentation form an integral part of the travel agreement. By booking a trip, the traveler declares that they have taken note of and accepted these terms and conditions.
1. Formation of the travel agreement
Through the online portal of the tour operator, the traveler may accept a quotation. From that moment, the booking shall be considered binding.
After booking, the traveler will receive a booking confirmation by email.
Obvious errors and mistakes in travel programs, quotations, prices, publications, or other information provided by the tour operator shall not be binding upon the tour operator.
2. Payment
After booking, the traveler will receive an invoice for a deposit of 35% of the total travel price, with a minimum of €500 per invoice.
The remaining balance of the travel price must be paid in full no later than eight weeks before departure.
For departures within three months, no deposit arrangement applies and the full invoice amount must be paid immediately upon booking.
If permits, entry fees, national park fees, and/or flights are included in the booking, these must be paid in full at the time of booking.
In the event of late payment, the tour operator reserves the right to cancel the travel agreement and charge cancellation fees in accordance with Article 5.
3. Traveler obligations
The traveler is required to fully and truthfully disclose all relevant personal circumstances that may affect the execution of the trip before booking. This includes, but is not limited to:
- illnesses
- disabilities
- allergies
- physical limitations
- dietary requirements
- other medical or personal circumstances that may affect the trip
The traveler is solely responsible for checking:
- passport requirements
- visas
- vaccinations
- health advice
- local laws and regulations
- current travel advisories
The traveler is deemed to have carefully reviewed the detailed travel information prior to booking.
The travel conditions, travel information, and route descriptions are available through www.selfdrive4x4.com or, in the case of tailor-made journeys, may be requested by phone or email from the tour operator.
4. Cancellation by the traveler
Any cancellation must be reported to the tour operator by telephone as soon as possible. The cancellation must subsequently be confirmed in writing by email and/or post.
In the event of cancellation of a trip, the following charges apply:
- Up to 56 days before departure: 35% of the travel price
- From 56 to 28 days before departure: 50% of the travel price
- From 28 to 21 days before departure: 75% of the travel price
- Within 21 days before departure: 100% of the travel price
4.1 Flight tickets
Different cancellation conditions may apply to flight tickets, whether booked separately or as part of a complete travel package, if the ticket has already been issued.
In such cases, the conditions of the relevant airline shall apply. Many discounted tickets are completely non-refundable.
4.2 Campsites and accommodations
Different cancellation conditions may apply to campsites and accommodations booked via the internet or email at the traveler’s request.
In such cases, the conditions of the relevant local partner, accommodation provider, lodge, campsite, or booking office shall apply.
4.3 Permits and National Park fees
Costs relating to access to national parks, permits, and similar admission rights fall outside the standard cancellation conditions.
These costs will not be refunded under any circumstances and are entirely non-refundable.
The traveler acknowledges that tailor-made trips and specialized self-drive journeys involve direct reservations, advance payments, and commitments with local suppliers. As a result, irreversible costs arise immediately after booking for the tour operator.
To reduce the financial risk of cancellation, the tour operator strongly recommends purchasing cancellation insurance.
5. Amendments to the travel agreement
The tour operator reserves the right to adjust prices up to 20 days before departure due to changes in:
- transportation costs
- fuel prices
- taxes and levies
- applicable exchange rates
- surcharges imposed by local suppliers or airlines
Additionally, travel routes, accommodations, transport arrangements, or program elements may need to be modified due to:
- local circumstances
- weather conditions
- security situations
- government measures
- availability of accommodations or transportation
- natural conditions
- the adventurous nature of the trip
Local circumstances may require modifications to the travel itinerary and/or route both before and during the trip.
The tour operator shall make every effort to minimize any adverse consequences for the traveler and, where possible, provide suitable alternatives consistent with the original itinerary.
If significant changes occur prior to departure, the traveler shall be informed as soon as possible, including the reason for the amendment.
The traveler has the right to reject substantial amendments to the travel agreement. Minor changes may only be rejected if they demonstrably disadvantage the traveler.
6. Cancellation by the tour operator
The tour operator reserves the right to cancel a trip in cases of:
- insufficient participation
- safety risks
- force majeure
- abnormal or unforeseeable circumstances
- circumstances beyond the control of the tour operator
In addition to trips with guaranteed departure dates, some trips require a minimum number of participants in order to proceed.
In the event of cancellation, the traveler shall be informed as soon as possible, stating the reason for the cancellation.
If, in the event of cancellation due to significant circumstances, the tour operator offers a suitable alternative and the traveler declines such offer, the traveler shall only be entitled to reimbursement or waiver of the travel price already paid, or a proportional part thereof if the trip has already partly taken place.
The tour operator shall not be liable for:
- financial loss
- consequential damages
- indirect damages
- loss of enjoyment of the trip
- additional expenses incurred by the traveler
if the cancellation results from circumstances as described in this article.
The tour operator strongly recommends that travelers purchase travel and cancellation insurance.
7. Flights
Flight prices and airport taxes may change after booking if airlines introduce fare changes, surcharges, or additional costs. The tour operator has no control over such changes.
Travelers should note that where separate flight tickets are used, none of the airlines involved are liable for missed connections due to delays, cancellations, or amendments to another flight.
For example, if a flight from LVI to JNB is delayed or cancelled and consequently the connecting flight from JNB to AMS is missed, any additional costs shall be entirely borne by the traveler.
Any amendment fees, cancellation fees, additional hotel stays, replacement tickets, or other associated costs shall be entirely at the traveler’s expense.
The tour operator shall not be liable for such costs.
8. Car rental and selfdrive safaris
In relation to car rentals, the tour operator acts solely as an intermediary between the rental company and the traveler. The rental agreement is concluded on site between the car rental company and the traveler.
The terms and conditions of the relevant rental company shall apply to the vehicle rental and may differ from those of the tour operator.
The tour operator may also provide additional instructions and advice regarding the use of 4×4 vehicles. The traveler is deemed to have taken note of such instructions.
The traveler acknowledges that:
- an equivalent replacement vehicle may be supplied
- there may be increased risks of breakdowns, delays, and vehicle issues
- travel conditions in certain parts of the world may differ significantly from conditions in Europe
- breakdowns, wear and tear, and vehicle damage cannot always be prevented
If a vehicle becomes a total loss due to the traveler’s own fault or a single-vehicle accident, the deductible and any replacement transportation costs may be entirely charged to the traveler.
The cost of a replacement vehicle may also be fully charged to the traveler in such cases.
The rental company shall make reasonable efforts to resolve vehicle issues as quickly as possible through repairs or replacement transport.
By participating in a self-drive safari, the traveler explicitly acknowledges that increased risks, delays, and unforeseen circumstances may occur.
9. Travel and cancellation insurance
Valid travel insurance is mandatory for participation in a tour or safari booked through the tour operator.
Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended but not mandatory. In many cases, cancellation insurance must be taken out within seven days of booking.
The traveler is solely responsible for verifying the coverage and conditions of the insurance policy obtained.
Upon booking, the traveler may be asked to provide travel insurance details to the tour operator for emergency purposes during the trip.
During the trip, the traveler should always carry a copy of the insurance policy and relevant emergency contact numbers.
The tour operator may assist in arranging travel and/or cancellation insurance through a.s.r.
10. Exclusion and limitation of liability
To the extent permitted by applicable laws, conventions, or regulations, the tour operator’s liability for damages suffered by the traveler shall be limited to a maximum of three times the total travel price, unless there is intent or deliberate recklessness on the part of the tour operator.
The tour operator shall never be liable for:
- indirect damages
- consequential damages
- loss of travel enjoyment
- missed connections
- delays caused by third parties
- damages resulting from local circumstances, weather conditions, natural disasters, political situations, or government measures
11. Complaints procedure
Any complaints concerning the execution of the travel agreement should, where possible, be reported in writing immediately on location to the tour operator or its representative so that an appropriate solution can be sought.
Any complaint not satisfactorily resolved during the trip must be submitted in writing with reasons no later than one month after completion of the trip.
If the trip did not take place, this period shall commence on the original departure date.
Complaints that are not submitted within the specified period may be disregarded.
12. Emergencies
In emergency situations, the traveler should first contact the emergency center of their own insurance provider.
Additionally, contact may be made with:
Selfdrive4x4.com / Tongasabi Travel B.V.
Telephone: +31 (0)24 208 22 00
Mobile: +31 (0)6 24465201
Where applicable, local contact details will also be provided before departure.
13. Applicable law and disputes
All agreements between the traveler and the tour operator shall be governed exclusively by Dutch law.
Any disputes arising from the travel agreement shall be submitted exclusively to the competent court in the Netherlands.
If one or more provisions of these terms and conditions are found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain fully in force.
14. Contact information
Selfdrive4x4.com / Tongasabi Travel B.V.
Valutaboulevard 30
3825 BT Amersfoort
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 24 208 22 00
Email: info@selfdrive4x4.com
Website: www.selfdrive4x4.com
Chamber of Commerce/KvK number: 66502519
Selfdrive4x4.com is a brand of Tongasabi Travel B.V. and is affiliated with the Stichting Garantiefonds Reisgelden (SGR) under registration number 3166.