​Welcome to Makune Journeys

Thank you for choosing Makune Journeys for your travels in Uganda and East Africa.

At Makune Journeys, we believe meaningful travel is built on trust, transparency, flexibility, and genuine hospitality. Our goal is to create memorable experiences that connect travellers with wildlife, nature, culture, and local communities while ensuring every journey is carefully planned and professionally managed.

These Terms & Conditions are designed to protect both our travellers and Makune Journeys by clearly setting out our respective rights and responsibilities. By confirming a booking with Makune Journeys, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions on behalf of yourself and all travellers included in your reservation.

 

1. Booking & Confirmation

A booking becomes binding once Makune Journeys has received the required deposit or full payment (where applicable) and issued written confirmation.

The person making the booking ("Lead Traveller") accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all travellers included in the reservation.

Quotations are valid for 14 days unless otherwise stated and remain subject to availability until confirmed.

 

2. Deposits & Payments

• A 20% deposit of the total safari price is required to confirm a booking unless otherwise stated in your quotation.

• Gorilla trekking permits, chimpanzee permits, habituation permits, domestic flights, and other non-refundable third-party services must be paid in full at the time of booking.

• The remaining balance is due 30 days before departure.

• Bookings made within 30 days of departure require full payment at the time of confirmation.

• For bookings made more than six months before departure, Makune Journeys may offer flexible, interest-free instalment payments upon request.

• Travellers may make additional payments towards their booking at any time before the final payment date.

• Bank transfer fees, credit card charges, payment processing fees, and currency conversion charges remain the responsibility of the traveller unless otherwise agreed.

​

Pricing

All quotations are based on current supplier rates, taxes, park fees, permit fees, and exchange rates at the time of issue.

Makune Journeys may adjust prices before final payment where significant increases are imposed by governments, wildlife authorities, suppliers, or due to substantial exchange rate fluctuations. Any such changes will be communicated promptly and explained before additional payment is requested.

 

3. Flexible Bookings, Changes & Cancellation

We understand that travel plans can change unexpectedly and will always endeavour to provide flexible solutions wherever reasonably practicable.

 

Changes to Your Booking

Travel dates, accommodation, and itinerary adjustments may be requested before departure.

We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate requested changes, subject to availability and supplier policies. Additional costs arising from seasonal rate changes, permit fees, flights, accommodation upgrades, or supplier charges remain payable by the traveller.

 

Postponing Your Safari

Where possible, travellers may postpone their safari within 12 months of the original departure date.

Payments already made towards land arrangements may be transferred to the new booking, subject to supplier policies, availability, and any applicable price differences.

 

Cancellation by the Traveller

All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

Makune Journeys will refund all recoverable payments that have not already been committed to suppliers, wildlife authorities, airlines, lodges, or other service providers.

Any unrecoverable costs, including permits, flights, supplier deposits, and confirmed services, will be deducted from any refund due.

​

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits

Gorilla trekking permits, chimpanzee permits, and habituation permits are governed by the policies of the relevant wildlife authorities and are generally non-refundable.

Where permitted by the issuing authority, permits may be rescheduled subject to availability and any applicable administrative charges.

​

No-Show & Unused Services

No refunds will be provided for unused services, voluntary itinerary changes during travel, missed activities, late arrivals, no-shows, or early departure after the safari has commenced.

 

4. Changes by Makune Journeys

Makune Journeys may make reasonable changes to itineraries where necessary due to weather, road conditions, supplier availability, conservation requirements, safety concerns, operational needs, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Where reasonably practicable, alternative arrangements of a similar or higher standard will be provided.

 

Accommodation Substitutions

Should a confirmed accommodation become unavailable, Makune Journeys reserves the right to substitute it with accommodation of a similar or higher standard.

 

5. Company Responsibilities

Makune Journeys will:

• Deliver the services described in your confirmed itinerary.

• Exercise reasonable care in selecting reputable accommodation providers, guides, transport operators, and activity partners.

• Keep travellers informed of any significant changes affecting their booking.

• Provide professional assistance before and during travel.

• Make every reasonable effort to resolve unexpected issues promptly and fairly.

​

6. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and, for certain activities or suppliers, may be required.

Your insurance should include cover for:

• Medical emergencies

• Emergency evacuation

• Trip cancellation or interruption

• Personal accidents

• Loss or delay of baggage

• Personal liability

Emergency medical treatment, rescue services, evacuation, or repatriation costs remain the responsibility of the traveller and/or their insurer.

​

7. Passports, Visas & Health Requirements

Travellers are responsible for ensuring they possess valid passports, visas, vaccination certificates, and any documentation required for entry into the countries visited.

Travellers must comply with all health, immigration, and entry requirements imposed by governments, airlines, wildlife authorities, and destination countries.

Makune Journeys cannot be held responsible for denied entry, missed flights, additional costs, or travel disruptions resulting from incomplete or invalid documentation.

​

8. Liability

Makune Journeys coordinates travel services provided by carefully selected independent suppliers, including accommodation providers, airlines, transport operators, activity providers, and government authorities.

While every reasonable effort is made to provide a safe and enjoyable safari, Makune Journeys cannot accept liability for personal injury, illness, death, loss of property, delays, missed connections, mechanical breakdowns, wildlife behaviour, supplier failures, or changes arising from weather, road conditions, government actions, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed and may vary according to season, weather, habitat conditions, and natural animal movements.

Nothing in these Terms excludes any liability that cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.

​

9. Force Majeure

Makune Journeys shall not be liable for delays, alterations, cancellations, or failure to perform any obligation due to events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, floods, fires, disease outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics, volcanic activity, landslides, fuel shortages, government restrictions, border closures, political unrest, strikes, transportation disruptions, national park closures, or adverse weather conditions.

Where possible, we will work with travellers and suppliers to identify suitable alternatives, postponements, travel credits, or recoverable refunds.

​

10. Traveller Conduct

Makune Journeys is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for all travellers, guides, staff, suppliers, and local communities.

Makune Journeys reserves the right to refuse participation or terminate a traveller's safari without refund for unused services where, in the reasonable opinion of the Company or its representatives, a traveller:

• Harasses, threatens, intimidates, or verbally or physically abuses a guide, driver, employee, supplier, another traveller, or members of the local community.

• Behaves in a disruptive, offensive, discriminatory, abusive, unsafe, or unlawful manner.

• Is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to an extent that endangers themselves or others.

• Refuses to follow reasonable instructions given by guides, drivers, park authorities, or local officials.

• Repeatedly interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle or activities.

• Acts in a manner that places people, wildlife, property, or the environment at unnecessary risk.

Where appropriate, Makune Journeys will first seek to resolve concerns through discussion. However, behaviour that presents a serious safety risk or causes significant disruption may result in immediate removal from the safari. Any resulting costs shall be the responsibility of the traveller.

 

11. Complaints

If you experience any concern during your safari, please notify your guide or a Makune Journeys representative immediately so that we may attempt to resolve the matter during your journey.

Any unresolved complaint should be submitted in writing within 14 days of the completion of your safari.

 

12. Photography & Marketing

Photographs and videos taken during safaris may occasionally be used by Makune Journeys for promotional purposes.

Travellers who prefer not to have their images used should notify Makune Journeys in writing before the commencement of travel.

​

13. Privacy

Makune Journeys respects your privacy. Personal information is collected and processed only for the purpose of arranging and delivering your travel services and may be shared with relevant suppliers where necessary. Further information is available in the Makune Journeys Privacy Policy.

​

14. Electronic Communication

Email and other mutually agreed electronic communications shall constitute valid written communication for quotations, confirmations, amendments, invoices, notices, and other correspondence relating to your booking.

 

15. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda.

The parties agree to first seek to resolve any dispute through good-faith negotiation. Where a resolution cannot be reached, disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Uganda.

 

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms & Conditions, together with your confirmed itinerary, quotation, invoice, and any agreed written amendments, constitute the entire agreement between Makune Journeys and the Lead Traveller.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Contact Information

Makune Journeys Ltd
Fort Portal Tourism City, Uganda

Email: info@makunejourneys.com / makunejourneys@gmail.com

Phone: +256 775 696904
Website: www.makunejourneys.com

Your Journey. Your Pace. Rooted in Local Hospitality.