Terms & Conditions

Passports and Visas: Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents, including required passports and any visas. Afro Discoveries is not liable or responsible for travelers obtaining appropriate documentation. Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel. Some countries require a full blank page in the passport for stamping purposes. Any information provided pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.

The Visa for The Gambia are $140, paid by the traveler, and are processed upon arrival. The visa will be valid for 5 years.

Travel Protection: Life can be unpredictable. Even the best-planned trips can be impacted by the unexpected. And that is why we urge you to safeguard yourself and your investment by acquiring travel protection for your Afro Discoveries excursion. Travel insurance can provide assistance with medical expenses for illness or injury, trip cancellation and/or interruption, baggage misplacement, medical evacuation, and more.

Trip Cancellations: Our refund policy is based on the timing of cancellation relative to the trip’s start date.

Cancellations made 100+ days before the trip receive a 90% refund, 75–99 days receive 50%, and 61–74 days receive 25%, minus a $200 non-refundable cancellation fee per person. No refunds are issued for cancellations within 60 days of the trip.

Pre-paid trip payments made to Afro Discoveries are non-refundable on or after 60 days of the trip. This ensures the stability and sustainability of our booking process, allowing time to secure accommodations, transportation, and other arrangements in advance. 

Transfer Trip: You have the option to transfer your booked trip to another person, provided that Afro Discoveries is notified by September 1. The transfer request must be approved by the Afro Discoveries and will be subject to a transfer fee of $300.   

Travel Advisories
Please note that Afro Discoveries does not provide reimbursements for cancellations due to government-issued travel advisories, including but not limited to those related to civil unrest, health emergencies, terrorism, or any other unforeseen local, national, or global events.

The purchase of travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Prices: Prices do not include items of a personal nature such as laundry, wines, water, beverages, passport and visa fees, insurance, tips, and some meals unless specifically indicated in the package inclusions.

Payments:

Deposit: A $500 deposit per person is due and an invoice will be issued for the deposit within 15 days of booking. Once paid, your spot will be reserved. Subsequent invoices will be issued monthly in equal installments until the scheduled departure date with no penalty for early full payment.

Full Payment: All reservations must be paid in full no later than one month before the scheduled departure date. If full payment is not received by the specified due date, Afro Discoveries reserves the right to cancel the reservation, and any deposits or partial payments may be forfeited. Please ensure timely payment to avoid any inconvenience.

Reservations may be made up to one month prior to the scheduled trip with full payment. If the requested reservation cannot be confirmed, payment will be refunded. If confirmed, all applicable payment policies and cancellation penalties will apply.  

Cancellation: Once a partial or full payment has been made, cancellations must be submitted in writing via email at info@AfroDiscoveries.com. Please add the words”Cancel Reservation” in the subject line. 

Airfare Exclusion:  Please note that airfare is not included in Afro Discoveries travel packages. It is the responsibility of the traveler to book and manage their own flights. When requested, Afro Discoveries will provide the traveler with the flight itinerary used by the Afro Discoveries’ owners, who will also be travel with the guests, in order to help you coordinate flight plans. While we offer limited support in booking your flights, including recommendations and assistance with preferred routes, we are not responsible for any costs or inconveniences incurred due to flight delays, cancellations, or changes. For your protection, we highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers flight-related disruptions.

Hotel Accommodations: All Afro Discoveries travel package includes hotel accommodations as specified in the final itinerary. 

Hotel Selection: The specific hotels included in your travel package have been selected for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Please note that some of the hotels and optional homestays included in your travel package are located in African villages. We kindly ask you to be mindful of local customs, traditions, and the unique environment to ensure a respectful and enriching experience. Detailed information about the hotels, including their names, locations, and amenities, will be provided in your detailed itinerary.

Hotel Changes: While we strive to provide the accommodations as listed in the final itinerary, circumstances may arise that require us to substitute a hotel of a similar or higher standard. In such cases, we will ensure the replacement meets our quality standards.

Incidental Charges: Guests are responsible for any incidental charges (e.g., minibar, room service, telephone calls, etc.) incurred during their stay. These charges must be settled directly with the hotel upon check-out.

Hotel Policies: Guests must comply with the policies and regulations of the hotels and optional homestays. Failure to adhere to hotel policies may result in additional charges or expulsion from the hotel without a refund.

Damage to Hotel or Homestay Property: Guests are responsible for any damage caused to hotel or homestay property during their stay. Any charges for damage will be billed directly to the guest.

Liability: Our company acts as an intermediary between guests and hotels and is not responsible for any issues arising from the hotel’s services or facilities. Any disputes or claims related to hotel accommodations must be addressed directly with the hotel management.

Meals & Dietary Requests: Included meals are based on the restaurant, hotel, and excursion’s set menu or buffet and usually represent local cuisine. Vegetarian options are available in most locations. Other special dietary requests cannot be guaranteed.

Excursions & Activities: Times listed in itineraries are approximate and meant only as guidelines. It is your responsibility to arrive on time for all scheduled excursions, meals, and other scheduled activities. Arriving late may be considered a “no-show”, in which case you will not be eligible for refund for the unused service(s). 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, including weather conditions, there may be last-minute changes, sometimes after arrival, affecting the sequence of the tour and/or locations visited. Therefore, we reserve the right to adjust the sequence, substitute, and/or cancel any scheduled activity. In such cases there will be no cost adjustment. 

Changes are periodically made to the information which appears on Afro Discoveries website. The content of the site is not guaranteed to be complete and may be changed at any time without notice.

Group Harmony: To ensure the desired group synergy, Afro Discoveries reserves the right to accept, reject or expel any individual who is deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the group, including, but not limited to, (a) if it is reasonably believed that an individual is dangerous to others or to themselves; (b) has engaged in or threatening to engage in behavior that may adversely affect the safety, security, well-being or enjoyment of other individuals; (c) who are intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs (d) who has failed or refused to follow Afro Discoveries’s rules and procedures or the instruction of its representatives and tour partners. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans or to return home, will be the responsibility of the passenger. All unused services are non-refundable. Afro Discoveries  shall be entitled to recover from the individual any cost or expenses incurred by Afro Discoveries  or its representative in the removal of the individual.

Special Requests: Any special requests (e.g., dietary requirements, room preferences) must be communicated to us at the time of booking. While we will make every effort to accommodate your requests, we cannot guarantee that all special requests will be fulfilled.

Travelers Needing Special Assistance: In order to fully enjoy your Afro Discoveries trip, we recommend that you select the trip suitable to your physical capabilities. Tour participants requiring any form of assistance, including travelers with physical disabilities, sight, hearing or mobility impairments, must be accompanied by a companion who is capable of and fully responsible for providing the assistance. Any participant requiring assistance, Afro Discoveries, tour managers, guides, drivers or other tour, hotel, transfers or personnel are not able to provide individual services such as assisting with walking, pushing a wheelchair or helping with getting off and on motor coaches and other vehicles.

In order to participate in our tours, passengers must be able to understand and follow instructions given by the guides at all times, both for the successful operation of the tour and as well as for their own personal safety and the safety of other participants. 

Afro Discoveries reserves the right to reject participation or remove any individual from a tour in the event that, in our sole judgment, continued participation would significantly hinder the services to be provided to all guests. Expenses, including cancellation fees and/or costs for alternate travel plans, will be the responsibility of the passenger. All unused services are non-refundable.

Please be aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is only applicable within the United States and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside of US borders. Facilities outside of the United States may not have ramps, wide entryways or elevators/lifts to accommodate disabled passengers or devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and motorized scooters. Due to physical constraints and space limitations, wheelchairs, walkers and motorized scooters may not be taken aboard motor coaches or other forms of transportation.

Service Animals: Service animals cannot be accommodated on any international Afro Discoveries tours. 

Medical Services: Afro Discovery tours do not include a doctor or nurse. Should professional medical attention be required, local services will be contacted upon the passenger’s request. All costs associated with medical treatment and related expenses such as additional hotel nights or transportation not included in the original itinerary, will be the responsibility of the passenger. Travel protection plans will only consider coverage with documentation and receipts for services provided by legally qualified health care facilities, and in accordance with policy terms.

Health Requirements: Check with your healthcare provider for up-to-date requirements. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) for their recommendations. Required inoculations, if any, must be recorded by clients’ health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate which the client must carry for proof of inoculation where required. 

Travel Safety Advice: At Afro Discoveries, your safety and security are our top priorities. We have established a robust network of tour managers, local offices, ground operators, and colleagues to stay well-informed about the destinations we operate in. We closely monitor local conditions to make informed operational decisions that ensure our tours run safely. While millions of people travel the world each year and enjoy safe trips, it is important to remain vigilant as crimes against people and property can occur. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Remember, you have the same responsibility for your personal safety and possessions abroad as you do at home.

To prepare for a safe and healthy journey, we strongly recommend visiting the U.S. Department of State’s website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html for up-to-date travel advice on the countries you will be visiting. This website offers valuable information on safety and security, health precautions, medications, health insurance, and additional travel tips.

Please note that weapons are not permitted on any tour. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, knives, mace, brass knuckles, and other types of weapons.