These Terms and Conditions are entered into with Hippo Travel, LLC, doing business as Hippo Lakes and Saddle Safaris, and its affiliates, including its local partner companies in South Africa through which certain services, accommodation, and experiences are delivered (collectively referred to as “Hippo Travel,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). All bookings, however made, are with Hippo Travel, LLC, notwithstanding that services may be performed on our behalf by our affiliate companies under the Hippo Lakes, Hippo Travel or Saddle Safaris brands.
All payments made to Hippo Travel, including but not limited to deposits, installment payments, final payments, upgrades, extensions, additional guests, and optional experiences, become non-refundable immediately upon receipt, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
Because all payments are non-refundable, Hippo Travel strongly recommends comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, baggage loss, supplier default, and personal liability. Travel insurance is the only mechanism through which a guest may be reimbursed for a trip they are unable to take.
By making an initial deposit, you commit to Hippo Travel to make payments towards the remaining balance until it is fully paid. Changes to the plan are not permitted once established. By making the first deposit, the guest agrees to make the payment amounts as specified by the specified date until the balance is paid in full or the payment plan is terminated.
Cancellation of Payments
If the trip is terminated before the travel package is paid in full, future payments will also be canceled. However, credits and refunds are not possible for any payments already made.
Late Payments
If a scheduled payment remains outstanding for more than forty-eight (48) hours, Hippo Travel reserves the right, but is not obligated, to cancel the reservation in full. No refund or credit will be issued for any payments already made.
If Hippo Travel cancels a reservation for non-payment, the booking ends at that point. The guest is released from the missed payment and from all remaining payments under the plan, and Hippo Travel will not pursue collection of the outstanding balance.
Change fees are based on how far before your arrival date the revision is requested:
Change fees are charged in addition to amounts already paid. A change fee does not create a credit against sums already received, and all payments previously made remain non-refundable.
Conditions:
An extension fee may be offered at a price to extend the travel period beyond the original trip expiration date. Please contact your concierge for more information.
If a traveler is unable to travel, please contact your concierge and we will do our best to assist with changes. Traveler substitutions are subject to availability, accommodation configuration, immigration requirements, and any applicable third-party supplier restrictions. Hippo Travel does not guarantee that all accommodations or experiences can accommodate a substituted traveler without modification.
You may transfer your package once to another individual, whether as a gift or a private sale. To do so, confirm the transfer with your concierge in writing and provide the new guest’s full name, email, and phone number. A transfer is a complete change of ownership: the person you name becomes the sole owner, and you give up all rights in the package, including the right to travel on it, change it, cancel it, or receive any refund or credit. From that point we take direction only from the new owner. The transfer is permanent and cannot be reversed once processed, even if both parties later request it, so please be certain before you confirm. The original travel expiration date and all inclusions carry over unchanged and do not reset. Packages may not be donated or transferred to nonprofits or travel companies without our prior written permission. The transferred package remains subject to all original Terms and Conditions.
Guests are solely responsible for ensuring they possess valid passports, visas, vaccinations, travel authorizations, minor travel allowance documentation, and any other documentation required for travel to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia or any other destination included in their itinerary for all travelers in their party. Hippo Travel shall not be responsible for denied boarding, denied entry, immigration decisions, or losses resulting from insufficient or incorrect travel documentation.
Certain activities and experiences are subject to age limitations. The minimum age for guests at Hippo Lakes is 10 years or older, and the minimum age for participation in Saddle Safaris is 16 years or older, unless written approval is granted by Hippo Travel management. By confirming a booking, each guest acknowledges and agrees to these age limits. Hippo Travel reserves the right to deny entry to the property or participation in any activity due to age restrictions, without refund, consistent with our no-refund policy. Proof of age may be required at any point by Hippo Travel including during the trip to participate in certain age-restricted activities.
Saddle Safaris is a horseback experience conducted in the presence of dangerous game, open to experienced riders only. Every guest must be secure and independent in the saddle at walk, trot, and canter, and able to control their horse calmly in open terrain, including if it reacts suddenly to wildlife.
Before their first ride, every guest completes an assessment with the Saddle Safaris Manager. If, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Manager, a guest’s ability does not meet our safety standards, we reserve the right to decline participation. This decision protects the guest, fellow riders, our guides, and our horses, and is final.
Guests must also meet the rider weight limit set by Hippo Travel at booking. Those who do not meet it on site may likewise be declined. No refund or credit is issued for rides a guest is unable or not permitted to join, consistent with our no-refund policy.
Safari travel involves inherent risks, including but not limited to proximity to wild and dangerous animals, horseback riding, game drives, walking in the bush, remote locations with limited medical facilities, and travel over rough terrain. By confirming a booking, each guest acknowledges, understands, voluntarily assumes, and accepts all inherent and reasonably foreseeable risks associated with safari travel for themselves and any minors in their party.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Hippo Travel and its owners, directors, employees, guides, and agents shall not be liable for any injury, illness, death, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from participation in any activity or from the acts or omissions of third-party service providers, except where caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Entry to our properties and participation in experiences in South Africa require guests to sign additional local waivers and liability releases, including those required by our affiliate companies and third-party activity providers. Each guest agrees that if they decline to sign any required waiver, Hippo Travel or its affiliates may, at the sole discretion of management and in the interest of the guest’s safety, deny entry to the property and/or participation in safari experiences, including Saddle Safaris rides, without refund, consistent with our no-refund policy.
Guests are solely responsible for all medical expenses, evacuation costs, hospital treatment, ambulance services, medications, and repatriation expenses arising during travel.
To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests, staff, and wildlife, guests must behave respectfully at all times.
Guests remain solely responsible for their own alcohol consumption. Hippo Travel reserves the right to refuse alcohol service or participation in activities where alcohol consumption presents a safety concern.
If, in the reasonable judgment of Hippo Travel management, a guest’s conduct is disruptive, abusive, unsafe, unlawful, or materially impacts others, Hippo Travel may, at its sole discretion, adjust itinerary elements, provide separate dining arrangements, suspend participation in activities without refund, or require the guest (and, where appropriate, their traveling party) to leave the property. In such cases, no refund will be provided, and the guest is responsible for all departure, onward travel, property damage, and other resulting costs.
Where practical, management will first address concerns directly with the guest. Hippo Travel is not liable for any consequential costs or losses arising from actions taken under this clause.
Guests are financially responsible for damage caused by themselves or members of their party beyond normal wear and tear.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Animal behavior is unpredictable, and every safari experience is unique.
Hippo Travel reserves the right to modify accommodations, guides, activities, vehicles, routes, schedules, meal locations, or daily itineraries when reasonably necessary due to weather, wildlife movements, operational requirements, conservation considerations, government restrictions, or guest safety.
Hippo Travel works with selected hotels and lodges that strive to provide the same level of care and service as our own properties. Accommodation in the extension destinations varies, and Hippo Travel may utilize preferred partner accommodations that meet our operational standards. At all times, Hippo Travel reserves the right to substitute accommodations with comparable properties.
Hippo Travel is not responsible for missed activities, shortened itineraries, additional hotel nights, transportation costs, or other expenses resulting from delayed, canceled, rerouted, or missed airline flights.
At Hippo Travel, we understand that unforeseen events like natural disasters, government restrictions, or pandemics can impact travel plans. If such circumstances affect your booking, we will work with you to reschedule or provide the best available closest equivalent accommodation and experiences at one of our properties or a partnered property, subject to availability. Hippo Travel shall determine, in its sole discretion, the most appropriate available alternative.
Electronic Acceptance
By making payment or otherwise confirming a reservation, the guest acknowledges that they have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Chargebacks
Guests agree to first contact Hippo Travel regarding any billing dispute before initiating a chargeback. Chargebacks initiated contrary to these Terms may be contested using booking records and these accepted Terms.
SMS Messaging
Hippo Travel sends marketing SMS messages to subscribers who opt in. Messages may include safari updates, promotions, and trip planning information. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to opt out at any time. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. See our Privacy Policy for details on how we use your information.
Severability
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder shall remain in full force and effect.
Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Arbitration
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or any booking, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
Any dispute that cannot be resolved informally shall be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its rules, before a single arbitrator seated in Atlanta, Georgia. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own costs, and disputes shall be brought on an individual basis only, not as part of any class or representative proceeding.