Refund Policy
Exactly how refunds work when you book a safari with Imara Africa Safaris — what you get back, what is non-refundable, how long refunds take and how to request one. For the full booking rules see our Safari Booking Terms and Cancellation Policy.
In short
Safari refunds depend on how much notice you give before departure: 90% backwith 61+ days’ notice, down to no refund within 14 days. Non-refundable supplier costs (permits, flights, some park fees) are deducted. Most refunds are paid within six weeks to your original payment method, and a 9-month travel credit is available if you cancel 40+ days out.
Most back
90%
with 61+ days' notice
Refunds in
6 weeks
of written notice
Travel credit
9 months
cancel 40+ days out
No refund
≤14 days
before departure
01Refund Overview
Refunds at Imara Africa Safaris are governed by two things: how much notice you give before departure and how much of your payment we can recover from suppliers (lodges, parks and airlines). The earlier you tell us, the more we can return.
This page explains the refund schedule, what is non-refundable, how deposits and price changes affect refunds, what happens if we cancel, how long refunds take and how to request one. It works alongside our Safari Booking Terms, Cancellation Policy and Financial Protection pages.
02Refund Schedule
If you cancel your booking, the following sliding scale sets how much of your package cost is refunded, based on the written notice period given:
- 61+ days before90% refunded
Lowest cancellation fee (10%). The most you can recover under the standard schedule.
- 31–60 days before75% refunded
Standard mid-window fee (25%). Some supplier deposits become non-refundable inside this window.
- 15–30 days before50% refunded
Cancellation fee of 50%. Many supplier deposits are non-refundable; admin and partner penalties may also apply.
- 14 days or lessNo refund
Full forfeiture (100% fee). Travel insurance with cancel-for-any-reason cover is strongly recommended.
Note: An administrative fee may apply, and supplier cancellation penalties (hotel, flight or park fees) are deducted on top of the percentages above where applicable.
039-Month Travel Credit
Flexible Travel Policy
Credit instead of a refund
If you cancel 40 or more days before departure and choose not to take a refund, we offer a travel credit equal to the amount paid, valid for nine months from the date of cancellation. It can be applied to any future safari with Imara Africa Safaris.
If unused within the nine-month period, the standard refund schedule above applies.
04Non-Refundable Components
Some parts of a safari are paid to suppliers up front and cannot be recovered once lodged — regardless of cancellation timing. These are itemised on your invoice at booking:
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits.
- International and domestic charter flights.
- Certain national-park and conservancy fees once lodged with the authority.
- Exclusive-use camps, single-supplement lodge nights and some peak-season bookings.
- Card processing surcharges (3.5%) — these are the bank's fee, not an Imara charge.
05Deposits & Refunds
Your deposit (typically around 30%, though it varies by safari type and what you agree with your safari curator) confirms your booking. It is refundable for 30 days after booking, less any non-refundable supplier deposits already lodged. After 30 days, the refund schedule above applies.
The balance of your safari is collected on arrival in Kenya by default, or earlier on request — see the payment options. Only amounts actually paid to Imara are within scope of this refund policy.
06No-Show
If you fail to join the tour or cancel on the day of departure, no refund will be provided. Comprehensive travel insurance — which is recommended, not mandatory — is the appropriate cover for these situations.
07Price Changes & Refunds
Safari pricing can change at any time and is only fixed once confirmed in writing. Prices may be affected by factors beyond our control — major global or regional events (such as conflict or natural disasters affecting safari destinations), sudden fuel-price increases, and unexpected government rises in park fees or taxes.
If a confirmed price must be adjusted for such a reason, we communicate the change before final payment is due. You may then accept the adjustment or cancel under the standard refund schedule above.
08If Imara Cancels Your Safari
Imara Africa Safaris may cancel a safari in exceptional circumstances — force majeure (natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, strikes), insufficient participants on a scheduled departure, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
In that event we refund all recoverable amounts or offer an alternative date or travel credit.
The Company is not liable for costs outside the safari package — for example international flights, visas or travel insurance.
09How Refunds Are Processed
- Refunds are returned to your original payment method and to the original payer.
- Most refunds are processed within six weeks of the written request being received.
- Where funds are already paid to partners, your refund is issued after those funds have been recovered. Anything suppliers later release is returned to you with no admin fee.
- Third-party fees (the 3.5% card surcharge and bank transfer charges) are not refundable, as they are charged by the bank rather than by Imara.
10How to Request a Refund
- 01
Email us in writing
Write to info@imaraafricasafaris.com with your booking reference and the reason. The date we receive your written notice is the effective cancellation date used to set your refund tier.
- 02
We confirm your tier
Within 24 hours (excluding weekends) we confirm the applicable refund percentage and itemise any non-refundable supplier deductions.
- 03
Supplier recovery
Where funds are already lodged with lodges, parks or airlines, we recover what we can on your behalf. Anything suppliers later release is returned to you with no admin fee.
- 04
Refund or 9-month credit
Refunds are returned to your original payment method, most within six weeks. Prefer to travel later? A 9-month travel credit can be issued instantly if you cancel 40+ days before departure.
Direct line: info@imaraafricasafaris.com
11Refund FAQ
How long do safari refunds take?+
Most refunds are processed within six weeks of us receiving your written request, returned to your original payment method. If we first need to recover funds already paid to suppliers (lodges, parks or airlines), your refund is issued once those funds have been recovered.
Is my safari deposit refundable?+
Your deposit (typically around 30%, though it varies by safari type and what you agree with your safari curator) is refundable on the sliding scale based on how much notice you give. Non-refundable supplier costs such as gorilla permits, some flights and certain park fees are deducted and are itemised on your invoice at booking.
How much will I be refunded if I cancel?+
It depends on your notice period: 90% is refunded with 61 or more days' notice, 75% with 31–60 days, 50% with 15–30 days, and no refund within 14 days of departure. Non-refundable supplier deposits are deducted from these amounts.
What is non-refundable on a safari booking?+
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, international and charter flights, certain park and conservancy fees once lodged, exclusive-use camps and single-supplement nights, and the 3.5% card surcharge (a bank fee). These items are itemised and communicated when you book.
Can I get a travel credit instead of a refund?+
Yes. If you cancel 40 or more days before departure and choose not to take a refund, we issue a travel credit equal to the amount paid, valid for nine months and usable on any future Imara safari. If unused within nine months, the standard cancellation schedule applies.
Will I get a refund if Imara cancels my safari?+
Yes. If Imara Africa Safaris cancels a safari for reasons such as force majeure or insufficient participants, we refund all recoverable amounts or offer an alternative date or travel credit. We are not liable for costs outside the safari package, such as international flights, visas or travel insurance.
How do I request a safari refund?+
Email info@imaraafricasafaris.com with your booking reference and reason. The date we receive your written notice is the effective cancellation date. We confirm your refund tier and any deductions within 24 hours (excluding weekends).
Are card or bank fees refundable?+
No. The 3.5% card surcharge is the bank's processing fee rather than an Imara charge, so it is not refundable. Bank transfer charges are also borne by the client. Refunds are returned net of these third-party fees.
What happens to my price if global events change costs?+
Safari pricing can change at any time and is only fixed once confirmed in writing. Beyond-our-control factors — major global or regional events, fuel-price spikes, or government-imposed park-fee and tax increases — may still require an adjustment. We communicate any change before final payment, and you can accept the adjustment or cancel under the standard schedule.
12Contact Us
Questions about a refund or a specific booking? Our bookings team replies within 24 hours.
Imara Africa Safaris
Nairobi, Kenya
Related policies
Imara Africa Safaris reserves the right to update or amend this Refund Policy at any time. Updates apply only to bookings made after the change.
Last updated · June 2026