It's the Small Print, but We Think It's Important
Small Groups—Our Specialty
NHA's focus is on small-group nature and wildlife experiences. The average number of travelers on our trips is approximately eight or nine. In some regions it’s less (seven in Africa) and in some places it’s more (13 in Canada), but in all areas, it is substantially fewer than any other company we know of, even the companies that say they run small groups. We are committed to genuinely small groups because we believe the best wildlife encounters can only be experienced in the company of very few people. If you want an intimate experience of the natural world, we're confident that we're the travel company for you!
Carefully Selected Accommodations
NHA takes the selection of our accommodations very seriously, as the places we stay can often add to the delight and authenticity of a nature travel experience. We generally choose the best accommodations available that are close to wildlife and wild places. We won’t, for example, travel for miles to a fancy hotel if there is a simple and classic accommodation that will place us “where the action is.” In fact, we mostly choose accommodations that have been specifically designed to place us in wild places in a comfortable and authentic manner, often including such features as verandas overlooking the African veld, or special viewing platforms for watching wildlife. There have even been times when we have funded the construction of such facilities to be certain that our travelers can comfortably visit our planet’s wild areas. On some trips, we have included stays at classic lodges (like national park hotels in Yellowstone and Glacier) that are larger but well worth the relative crowds, as they are on lifetime “must-see” lists of travel experiences. In hub cities where our trips start and end, we try to choose accommodations that balance comfort, charm and authenticity—an important combination, as we have learned through our many years in business. All of our accommodations have private toilet and shower facilities unless otherwise noted. Single, triple and quad accommodations are not always available. Double accommodations have twin beds or one bed that sleeps two, such as a double, queen or king.
NHA's Air Travel Department
Natural Habitat Adventures employs our own full-time air and travel department to assist our guests with air transportation from their home cities to the starting point of their trip, plus any required additional nights' accommodations. Some guests prefer to peruse online booking engines such as Orbitz or Expedia in search of cheaper rates, and that is fine. These companies often gain last-minute fares or "special" hotel deals that cannot be obtained through our services. We encourage our guests to select the booking method that best suits their needs. We are always happy to help!
Signing On to NHA's Adventures
Included in NHA’s Expeditions
Unless otherwise noted in the “Included” section of our website, our trips include: accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day, services of NHA’s professional Expedition Leader(s), transportation within the trip, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, gratuities for airport transfers provided by NHA, baggage porterage, permits and parks fees while on the trip. Some trips also include air transportation within the itinerary and many other items. Please see “Included” sections of our website.
Trip Deposit, Cancellation & Refund Policies
We at NHA understand how disappointing it is for travelers in the event they are forced to cancel their adventure, especially one which they have been looking forward to for a long time. But we, too, plan for these adventures for quite a long period prior to departure and continuously send non-refundable payments to hotels and suppliers of transportation. Therefore we must strictly adhere to our Cancellation & Refund Policy for all travelers – we hope you understand. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance in case of cancellation. The following are cancellation policies for our adventures:
Custom Departures
Some of NHA’s trips are customized for independent travelers, allowing our guests to travel in the company of established local guides and operators who also focus on nature expeditions. Each trip is different in its inclusions – some may include a Natural Habitat Adventures Expedition leader and some may not, depending on the travelers’ requests. Options for independent trips include: Custom Southern Africa, Namibia, Custom Kenya & Tanzania, Custom Costa Rica, Independent Antarctica and Independent Galapagos trips. Other destinations may be included as well. Please call us. Many of our extensions are also operated in this manner. On some trips we offer both Natural Habitat Adventures scheduled departures and the option for travelers to participate in independent trips with custom inclusions as requested and detailed in our custom proposals. With our custom departures our guests have the flexibility to travel as a private group exactly when and where they want. All custom trips and custom extensions require a 25% nonrefundable deposit.
Travel Insurance
NHA strongly suggests purchasing travel insurance, so we have contracted to provide to our guests travel insurance with some of the most comprehensive benefits possible. It may cost slightly more, but it is well worth it! Because we must send your payment to suppliers well in advance of our departure dates, we cannot offer refunds beyond those described in our Cancellation & Refund Policy. We even have a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. Please see our website for more details. We will include the cost of our Full-Coverage Travel Insurance protection in your confirmation letter along with information on specific coverage. We will charge the insurance premium with your final balance unless we receive a written decline of insurance. All insurance is nonrefundable. Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered if payment is made for your insurance within 14 days of NHA processing your initial reservation. Medical Evacuation Insurance purchased through NHA, either as a part of our Full-Coverage Insurance or on its own, is required for all Africa, some Small-Ship Voyages, China, and all Natural Habitat Expeditions trips. In the future other trips may be added to this list with little or no notice.
Singles
NHA encourages single travelers to join our trips! Travelers who would prefer a single room (not available on some trips or portions of some trips) may have one at a single-room surcharge. We cannot always guarantee single accommodations even after reservations and confirmations have been made. We apologize for having to charge the single-room fee, but our program costs are based on two people sharing the expense of a hotel room. We will be happy to attempt to make a roommate match for those who choose. If we cannot arrange a match, only 50% of the single supplement fee will apply (except on certain trips where matches are guaranteed and on all custom trips where there is no opportunity to arrange a match). To accommodate our single travelers, we have made a concerted effort to keep our single-supplement fees as low as possible.
Gratuities
NHA's Expedition Leaders, staff and drivers are all paid salaries for their work. They will go out of their way to make your trip special and do not perform their jobs just for money. However, they do accept gratuities should you determine that they performed their jobs at an outstanding level. Gratuities should reflect your satisfaction with their level of service.
Our Quality & Value Guarantee
NHA has committed to you that our trips are of the highest quality at the best value, and we’ll back that up:
The Habitat Club
NHA has created the Habitat Club to reward those travelers who dedicate their vacation time to traveling with us. We truly appreciate your patronage. Trip discounts are retroactive, meaning that discounts on our Special Club departures will be offered to all travelers who have, over the last 25 years, participated in two or more trips. The count for receiving Special Habitat Club Gifts begins with all trips departing after Jan. 1, 2002 (regardless of when they were booked). Restrictions: Trips booked through affinity groups and Habitat Club departures are not included in the trip count. Should a trip be placed on the Habitat Club and you’re already booked on that trip, you will receive the Habitat Club discount, so feel free to go ahead and book— you’ll be protected. NHA reserves the right to change the benefits of the Habitat Club and/or cancel the program with little or no notice. All other normal booking terms apply.
Referrals
Only NHA Habitat Club members are eligible for this program. When you refer a traveler to NHA, we will send them a catalog with a letter indicating that you thought they might be interested in one of our adventures. To receive the $200 referral card you must provide us with the referral’s name and physical mailing address either by calling your Adventure Specialist, filling out the online referral form, or providing the name and address on your post-trip evaluation form. Then that referral must book a trip. Referrals must be first-time NHA travelers who were not already in our database prior to the referral and must book with NHA directly or through their travel agent within one year of being referred. While we sincerely appreciate past referrals, those made prior to Sep. 1, 2007, are not eligible for this program. The $200 gift card will be awarded per booking party referred, not on the number of passengers booked. For example, if you refer a friend who eventually books a trip for herself and her family of four, you will receive one single $200 gift card. Trip participants living in the same household or who are traveling on the same departure as the referring person are not counted toward rewards. Guests may only use two gift cards per trip booked ($400 discount). Gift cards are transferable from one past guest to another. Gift cards will be sent within 30 days of travel completion.
Booking Adventure Cruising with Natural Habitat
Over the past three decades Natural Habitat staff has been on many adventure cruises, inspecting ships and company operations so that we can assist our travelers in booking these adventures. Should you book an adventure cruise through Natural Habitat (such as an Antarctica trip aboard a large ship or a custom Galapagos trip) please know that these trips are run through a third party and that Natural Habitat is acting only as a consultant to recommend which ship and which type of operations would best suit your needs. The company that operates the trip is responsible for delivering their product as well as for any refunds should their trip fail to depart or to meet your standards.
Pre-Trip Documents
Educating and preparing our NHA travelers is a priority for us. Approximately two to three months prior to departure, you will receive a comprehensive Pre-Departure Briefing detailing your trip, the history and wildlife of the region, what to pack and how best to prepare. Depending on the specific trip, you may receive other documents at this time or at a later date. Air tickets purchased through our NHA Travel Department to get to the starting point of your trip will generally be included at this time, but may, in some instances, arrive at a later date.
Family Travel & Age Limits
NHA welcomes families on certain trips and often arranges special departures for them. Some trips have minimum age requirements. Please call our office for these details. On all of our trips, guardians of children under 18 must sign a minor permission waiver requiring them to make certain that the children do not place themselves, other travelers or wildlife in harm’s way, or jeopardize the enjoyment of the trip for the group as a whole. We also want travelers to understand that we accept minors with the understanding that parents or guardians believe that their child/children is/are unusually mature and capable of acting like an adult.
Family Trips
We generally welcome children ages six and older on our family adventures. However, while some six-year-olds are well-suited for some or all of our family adventures, others may not be ready for the requirements of structured group travel. For this reason, we believe it is more useful to consider this age limit a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. We believe that you, as a parent or guardian, are best qualified to decide whether or not your child would enjoy the experience without compromising the comfort of others. We strongly encourage you to call our office to speak with an Adventure Specialist about the specific requirements of the trip you’re considering so that you can make an informed decision about your child’s participation. We are unable to allow children younger than six on scheduled departures due to safety regulations, physical limitations, and concerns regarding group dynamics.
Luggage Restrictions
Some of NHA’s trips have enforced luggage weight restrictions for our guests’ comfort and safety. Many of our vehicles have limited space, and when traveling in light aircraft, overweight conditions create a serious safety hazard. Baggage exceeding specified limits is subject to being left behind or forwarded to the ending point at your expense. “All carry-ons” includes camera equipment. Please pack lightly and follow the guidelines in your Pre-Departure Briefing. Please visit www.nathab.com/luggage for more up to date information.
Documents & Vaccinations
NHA will provide details on visa and vaccination requirements in your Pre-Departure Briefing. For up-to-date vaccine information, please visit www.cdc.gov.
Viewing Wildlife & Itinerary Changes
Because NHA programs specialize in viewing wildlife, every effort is made to plan programs where wildlife is known to exist. However, the animals we visit live wild and free, and we cannot fully predict or control their migratory patterns (nor would we want to). In an attempt to locate wildlife, which may have deviated from its normal pattern, or in the interest of traveler comfort or safety, we may be required to make changes in itineraries. If we feel it is necessary to change hotels, boats or other facilities, we will make reasonable efforts to substitute comparable accommodations wherever possible. If such changes or fluctuations in exchange rates occur, additional costs may require the program fee to change with little or no notice. Additionally, an increase in the cost of fuel may require that NHA enforce a fuel surcharge upon travelers booked on an existing trip, particularly on small-ship voyages. Should NHA be required to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances, travelers will be granted trip credit in the amount of their trip cost already paid, but NHA will not be liable for accompanying expenses (such as gear purchases, airline tickets, etc.). It is very important for our guests to have realistic expectations for their wildlife encounters on our trips, so we try to portray accurate accounts of our wildlife viewing activities in our itineraries. Of course, weather conditions may preclude us from participating in any or all activities as listed. The images shown in our printed materials and our website represent what our guests have regularly seen on “normal” trips in the past (or in the case of a new trip, what our staff and researchers have seen). Due to the weather and/or wildlife conditions, some trips naturally will have fewer close encounters with wildlife than we normally anticipate, and we ask our guests to sign onto our adventures knowing this. Also, be aware that some images in our materials are taken with a telephoto lens, and guests should not assume that they will get this close to the wildlife. For example, we may show a close-up shot of a wolf, but nearly all of our encounters with wolves are at some distance. Please note: due to the nature of the programs we provide, hotels, modes of transportation and, in some cases, itineraries are all subject to change.
Getting to the Starting Point of NHA’s Trips
NHA’s travelers are responsible for getting to the starting point of our trips, and should airlines fail to deliver them on time to participate, there will be no refund made for missed services. Our Air Travel Department is happy to assist guests with their air tickets, though travelers booking through Orbitz.com can often gain better fares for travel within North America.
Currency, Fuel & Other Fluctuations
Out of respect for our guests, only in an extreme situation would Natural Habitat Adventures consider increasing a trip price due to fluctuations in exchange rates, energy prices and government surcharges.
Cell/Satellite Phone Usage on Our Trips
Guests who require access to an emergency cellular or satellite phone may carry one during their trips with us. However, we do not allow guests to use those phones in the presence of other guests, especially in closed areas. We hope you understand.
Terms & Conditions
It is NHA’s, our cooperating agents’ and representatives’ goal to select reliable suppliers and contractors to provide air and other transportation, hotels, guides and other travel-related services; we do not assume responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such services. Each traveler agrees not to hold NHA, its owners, employees, agents and representatives liable, in the absence of their own gross negligence, for any loss or injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission of any person or firm which is to or does provide goods or services in connection with the trip or with any available option. You agree that NHA and its cooperating agents and representatives shall not be liable for circumstances arising as a result of acts of God, weather, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, military, political or terrorist action, civil disturbances, government restrictions, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have no control. NHA reserves the right to change the program fee, dates or itinerary with little or no notice. If such changes do occur, no refunds will be made beyond those described in our cancellation policy, and NHA will not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of the change (such as air ticket change fees, etc.). Should you book an independent custom trip through Natural Habitat Adventures (such as an expedition cruise, a custom Galapagos trip or a custom safari) with a third party, please remember that NHA is acting only as a consultant to recommend which cruise company would best suit your needs in terms of ship features. That third party is responsible for the delivery of their product as well as any and all refunds should their trip fail to depart or to meet the standards they have set.
Safety & Trip Enjoyment
Natural Habitat Adventures plans these trips in natural areas where the environment can sometimes lead to unpredictable conditions. To avoid possibly dangerous situations, both for our travelers and the animals, it is extremely important that all travelers obey the rules and regulations set forth by the Expedition Leaders and/or Local Guides and demonstrate reasonable consideration for all staff and travelers. We reserve the right to prohibit any traveler from continuing on a journey if, in our opinion, that traveler’s actions pose a threat to the safety of her/himself, others, or to the wildlife, or if that traveler’s actions or behaviors are seriously jeopardizing the enjoyment of the trip for others, determined by NHA’s staff. Should a guest be asked to leave a trip, there will be no return of unused funds nor will NHA be responsible for additional expenses incurred by the guest for accommodations, return transport, etc. Participation in the program will require that travelers sign releases and covenants not to sue NHA or its participating agents and representatives. On advancement of a deposit, the traveler agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Smoking on NHA’s Trips
Travelers may not smoke in areas where others are affected (in our vehicles or within enclosed areas or while others are around). Most of the rooms we secure do not allow smoking, and smokers should be aware that even if we try to secure them a “smoking room” we cannot guarantee that one will be provided. Please sign on to our trips knowing that there may be times when you will not be able to smoke.
Important Form Information
NHA must receive in its Boulder, Colorado office traveler(s)’ Booking and Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Forms within 14 days of making an initial booking or deposit (all forms can be completed on our website). Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the booking by NHA with no refund beyond those listed in our cancellation policy. If a traveler’s Booking and Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Forms are received later than 14 days after initial booking/deposit and the forms indicate, in our estimation, that a traveler or travelers may not be able to perform the physical requirements for their selected trip, NHA reserves the right to cancel the booking with no refund made beyond those listed in our cancellation policy. It is very important for us to ensure the quality of our trips for all participants, and one or more travelers who cannot perform the required physical activities, however limited those activities may be, may adversely affect the experience for the entire group. The earlier we can know of physical limitations, the better chance we have of a) handling the situation, and b) getting some refund for the guest, though neither of those are guaranteed.
Small Aircraft on NHA’s Trips
On many NHA trips we use small aircraft to access our planet’s most pristine wild areas. Please consult the individual web page for each trip to find more information on aircraft sizes.
NHA's Exploratory Adventures
Our Exploratory Adventures, a select small group of travelers takes an exhilarating inaugural journey to a new destination. While these trips tend to be very exciting (and often include surprises that even we are unaware of), we ask travelers to “go with the flow” and expect the unexpected. These departures are for those true explorers who enjoy a free-spirited adventure, as our itineraries will most likely change. The flexibility in our itineraries allows us to give our travelers the best travel opportunity for each region. Since these are Exploratory Adventures, they may be canceled by NHA if we deem it necessary. Exploratory Adventures will only depart with a minimum of five travelers. We hope you will join us for a truly thrilling adventure off the beaten path!
World Wildlife Fund
Natural Habitat Adventures is a proud supporter of World Wildlife Fund and will donate $307,000 by June 30, 2013, in support of WWF’s mission to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. Further information is available from Natural Habitat Adventures. World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (“WWF”) does not own, operate or control Natural Habitat Adventures or any of the companies or individuals that supply goods or services for the travel described in this publication, including without limitations, hotels, restaurants and transportation whether by air, boat, bus, train, automobile or other vehicle. As a result, WWF is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such company or individual not within its control.
NHA's focus is on small-group nature and wildlife experiences. The average number of travelers on our trips is approximately eight or nine. In some regions it’s less (seven in Africa) and in some places it’s more (13 in Canada), but in all areas, it is substantially fewer than any other company we know of, even the companies that say they run small groups. We are committed to genuinely small groups because we believe the best wildlife encounters can only be experienced in the company of very few people. If you want an intimate experience of the natural world, we're confident that we're the travel company for you!
Carefully Selected Accommodations
NHA takes the selection of our accommodations very seriously, as the places we stay can often add to the delight and authenticity of a nature travel experience. We generally choose the best accommodations available that are close to wildlife and wild places. We won’t, for example, travel for miles to a fancy hotel if there is a simple and classic accommodation that will place us “where the action is.” In fact, we mostly choose accommodations that have been specifically designed to place us in wild places in a comfortable and authentic manner, often including such features as verandas overlooking the African veld, or special viewing platforms for watching wildlife. There have even been times when we have funded the construction of such facilities to be certain that our travelers can comfortably visit our planet’s wild areas. On some trips, we have included stays at classic lodges (like national park hotels in Yellowstone and Glacier) that are larger but well worth the relative crowds, as they are on lifetime “must-see” lists of travel experiences. In hub cities where our trips start and end, we try to choose accommodations that balance comfort, charm and authenticity—an important combination, as we have learned through our many years in business. All of our accommodations have private toilet and shower facilities unless otherwise noted. Single, triple and quad accommodations are not always available. Double accommodations have twin beds or one bed that sleeps two, such as a double, queen or king.
NHA's Air Travel Department
Natural Habitat Adventures employs our own full-time air and travel department to assist our guests with air transportation from their home cities to the starting point of their trip, plus any required additional nights' accommodations. Some guests prefer to peruse online booking engines such as Orbitz or Expedia in search of cheaper rates, and that is fine. These companies often gain last-minute fares or "special" hotel deals that cannot be obtained through our services. We encourage our guests to select the booking method that best suits their needs. We are always happy to help!
Signing On to NHA's Adventures
- Call us to check availability!
Our groups are small - sometimes very small - and they can fill quickly, so call us to check availability.
- Reserve your spot
Most of our trips require a $500 deposit to reserve space. The exact amount for each trip is listed on tour pages of our website and can be made by Visa, Mastercard and Discover over the telephone. Some deposits are nonrefundable. Custom itineraries require a 25% nonrefundable deposit. When signing on to one of our adventures, you agree to sign our Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Form, which states that you and your party have read and understand the important information on these pages, including a release of liability prior to and/or during your trip. Deposits are due upon making your reservation. Your reservation is neither guaranteed nor considered complete if we do not receive an Acceptance of Terms & Conditions form from you. All fees are in U.S. dollars.
- Receive confirmation
You will receive a confirmation letter upon booking, along with a reading list prepared exclusively for your expedition. You will also receive an insurance form and brochure detailing the service we offer, as well as booking forms requesting additional vital information. These forms can conveniently be completed on our website.
- Final balance for all scheduled tours including Antarctica and Small-Ship voyages
Your final balance will be automatically charged to your credit card 90 days prior to departure unless you return your booking form prior to final balance due date indicating you prefer to pay by personal check. At this time we will charge the insurance premium with your final balance unless we receive a written decline of insurance. If payment is not received by the due date, the reservations are subject to cancellation.
- Custom Individual & Group Departures: If you are booking on a custom trip, the payment, cancellation and refund policies that have been provided to you by our office supersede the policies listed above. Note: Some Adventure Cruises require final payment 120 days prior to departure. Please ask your Adventure Specialist.
- Receive your Pre-Departure Briefing & preparation materials
Your Pre-Departure Briefing will arrive approximately two to three months prior to your trip. This booklet will inform you on how to prepare for your trip, what to bring, what to leave home and what to expect. It will be accompanied by further material that will help you prepare for your expedition. We can now send your Pre-Departure Briefing electronically to your e-reader!
- NHA Pre-Trip forms
In order to enhance our service to our guests and to reduce paper waste, Natural Habitat Adventures provides pre-trip forms online. Links to these forms will be sent by email with your confirmation letter upon booking your adventure. Please submit these forms online after booking.
Included in NHA’s Expeditions
Unless otherwise noted in the “Included” section of our website, our trips include: accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day, services of NHA’s professional Expedition Leader(s), transportation within the trip, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, gratuities for airport transfers provided by NHA, baggage porterage, permits and parks fees while on the trip. Some trips also include air transportation within the itinerary and many other items. Please see “Included” sections of our website.
Trip Deposit, Cancellation & Refund Policies
We at NHA understand how disappointing it is for travelers in the event they are forced to cancel their adventure, especially one which they have been looking forward to for a long time. But we, too, plan for these adventures for quite a long period prior to departure and continuously send non-refundable payments to hotels and suppliers of transportation. Therefore we must strictly adhere to our Cancellation & Refund Policy for all travelers – we hope you understand. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance in case of cancellation. The following are cancellation policies for our adventures:
- All cancellations must be made in writing and delivered to NHA at the following address: P.O. Box 3065, Boulder, Colorado, 80307. You may also email to info@nathab.com. The Travel Protection services purchased through NHA are completely nonrefundable once purchased.
- All cancellations processed before 90 days prior to departure require a $100 cancellation fee per person. Some of our trips have nonrefundable deposits.
- Please refer to specific trip pages to learn if the trip you’re interested in has a nonrefundable deposit.
- Cancellations made 45 to 89 days prior to departure require a loss of 50% of the entire program fee, including all extensions.
- Cancellations made within 44 days of departure require a loss of the entire fee.
Terms for Adventure Cruises
On Adventure Cruises travelers contract and make payments directly with the ship operator and must adhere to their specific terms & conditions and payment policies. Some adventure cruise companies require personal checks for final payments or charge a processing fee to use credit cards. NHA provides the service of Adventure Specialists who are intimately familiar with adventure cruise options and will guide you to the best ship choice for you.
Custom Departures
Some of NHA’s trips are customized for independent travelers, allowing our guests to travel in the company of established local guides and operators who also focus on nature expeditions. Each trip is different in its inclusions – some may include a Natural Habitat Adventures Expedition leader and some may not, depending on the travelers’ requests. Options for independent trips include: Custom Southern Africa, Namibia, Custom Kenya & Tanzania, Custom Costa Rica, Independent Antarctica and Independent Galapagos trips. Other destinations may be included as well. Please call us. Many of our extensions are also operated in this manner. On some trips we offer both Natural Habitat Adventures scheduled departures and the option for travelers to participate in independent trips with custom inclusions as requested and detailed in our custom proposals. With our custom departures our guests have the flexibility to travel as a private group exactly when and where they want. All custom trips and custom extensions require a 25% nonrefundable deposit.
Travel Insurance
NHA strongly suggests purchasing travel insurance, so we have contracted to provide to our guests travel insurance with some of the most comprehensive benefits possible. It may cost slightly more, but it is well worth it! Because we must send your payment to suppliers well in advance of our departure dates, we cannot offer refunds beyond those described in our Cancellation & Refund Policy. We even have a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. Please see our website for more details. We will include the cost of our Full-Coverage Travel Insurance protection in your confirmation letter along with information on specific coverage. We will charge the insurance premium with your final balance unless we receive a written decline of insurance. All insurance is nonrefundable. Pre-existing medical conditions can be covered if payment is made for your insurance within 14 days of NHA processing your initial reservation. Medical Evacuation Insurance purchased through NHA, either as a part of our Full-Coverage Insurance or on its own, is required for all Africa, some Small-Ship Voyages, China, and all Natural Habitat Expeditions trips. In the future other trips may be added to this list with little or no notice.
Singles
NHA encourages single travelers to join our trips! Travelers who would prefer a single room (not available on some trips or portions of some trips) may have one at a single-room surcharge. We cannot always guarantee single accommodations even after reservations and confirmations have been made. We apologize for having to charge the single-room fee, but our program costs are based on two people sharing the expense of a hotel room. We will be happy to attempt to make a roommate match for those who choose. If we cannot arrange a match, only 50% of the single supplement fee will apply (except on certain trips where matches are guaranteed and on all custom trips where there is no opportunity to arrange a match). To accommodate our single travelers, we have made a concerted effort to keep our single-supplement fees as low as possible.
Gratuities
NHA's Expedition Leaders, staff and drivers are all paid salaries for their work. They will go out of their way to make your trip special and do not perform their jobs just for money. However, they do accept gratuities should you determine that they performed their jobs at an outstanding level. Gratuities should reflect your satisfaction with their level of service.
Our Quality & Value Guarantee
NHA has committed to you that our trips are of the highest quality at the best value, and we’ll back that up:
- Satisfaction Guarantee
NHA guarantees that your trip will meet your expectations or we will gladly give you a credit toward a future trip! We’re so confident that our trips offer a life-enhancing experience that we’re happy to stand behind their quality with what we believe is the best guarantee in the travel industry. Of course, as with any guarantee, we are required to present you with the restrictions. Our travelers tend to be very sophisticated and honorable people, but we must cover ourselves should someone attempt to take unfair advantage of our making such a bold promise. This satisfaction-guarantee can apply to an entire trip or to a portion of a trip. For example, should you find that the accommodations do not match the standards that we had promised in our printed materials but the rest of the trip was great, we will apply the accommodations portion of your fee to a future trip. Some items cannot easily be quantified, so, in the off chance that you are dissatisfied with an item that does not have a straight dollar value, we’ll work with you to come up with a credit amount. Our operations department will make all final decisions on values. The important part of this guarantee to remember is that the trip must meet expectations set by our printed materials, not by unreasonable expectations that do not match these promises we’ve made. As you read our catalog you’ll see that we’ve made some pretty bold promises, so the standards we’ve set are already very high. - The Best Trip at the Best Fee!
If you book a trip with NHA, and, in the off chance you find a trip that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a better rate, we will gladly refund the difference. Here are the restrictions: You must notify us within 30 days after your initial booking with us; the other company must be a U.S.-based tour operator (not a travel agency) that is actually participating in the operations of the trip (i.e., using their own guides) rather than just booking a foreign company’s product; you must fax or send us the brochure from that company indicating who that company is (or direct us to their website); the trip must be of equal quality and the same or very similar itinerary; the departure dates must be the same or very similar, not dates that are what we would consider off season; the trip must be available from the company offering it, not a “base price” that they offer on one single departure. The trip cannot be a “fire sale” offer of unused inventory. Here are the parameters within the trip itself: all inclusions must be similar; the accommodations must be similar; the group size must be the same; the level of training of the Expedition Leader must be comparable; if the itinerary is a slightly different length, we will pro-rate it. Should the other trip include airfare where ours does not, you must ask the other company to quote you a land-only rate. - NHA Will Never Cancel
NHA has created our “no cancellation policy” so our travelers can feel comfortable in their travel plans. On rare occasions outside of our control, local ship or hotel owners may cancel departures. Should this occur, we will do everything we can to move you to a comparable trip, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Should traveler numbers on a specific departure be below a certain level, some activities and services, including the size of vehicles and the guiding service, may be altered to be more consistent with a smaller group size. (We also reserve the right to cancel Exploratory and Natural Habitat Expeditions trips, although we do not anticipate that this will happen.) Furthermore, included activities or excursions within a trip itinerary could conceivably be cancelled or rearranged with little or no notice as a result of factors out of our control (e.g., inclement weather leading to safety concerns). In some cases where a comparable activity or trip cannot be arranged, NHA may provide a trip credit. Please remember this is adventure travel, and even the best-laid plans can be fluid.
The Habitat Club
NHA has created the Habitat Club to reward those travelers who dedicate their vacation time to traveling with us. We truly appreciate your patronage. Trip discounts are retroactive, meaning that discounts on our Special Club departures will be offered to all travelers who have, over the last 25 years, participated in two or more trips. The count for receiving Special Habitat Club Gifts begins with all trips departing after Jan. 1, 2002 (regardless of when they were booked). Restrictions: Trips booked through affinity groups and Habitat Club departures are not included in the trip count. Should a trip be placed on the Habitat Club and you’re already booked on that trip, you will receive the Habitat Club discount, so feel free to go ahead and book— you’ll be protected. NHA reserves the right to change the benefits of the Habitat Club and/or cancel the program with little or no notice. All other normal booking terms apply.
Referrals
Only NHA Habitat Club members are eligible for this program. When you refer a traveler to NHA, we will send them a catalog with a letter indicating that you thought they might be interested in one of our adventures. To receive the $200 referral card you must provide us with the referral’s name and physical mailing address either by calling your Adventure Specialist, filling out the online referral form, or providing the name and address on your post-trip evaluation form. Then that referral must book a trip. Referrals must be first-time NHA travelers who were not already in our database prior to the referral and must book with NHA directly or through their travel agent within one year of being referred. While we sincerely appreciate past referrals, those made prior to Sep. 1, 2007, are not eligible for this program. The $200 gift card will be awarded per booking party referred, not on the number of passengers booked. For example, if you refer a friend who eventually books a trip for herself and her family of four, you will receive one single $200 gift card. Trip participants living in the same household or who are traveling on the same departure as the referring person are not counted toward rewards. Guests may only use two gift cards per trip booked ($400 discount). Gift cards are transferable from one past guest to another. Gift cards will be sent within 30 days of travel completion.
Booking Adventure Cruising with Natural Habitat
Over the past three decades Natural Habitat staff has been on many adventure cruises, inspecting ships and company operations so that we can assist our travelers in booking these adventures. Should you book an adventure cruise through Natural Habitat (such as an Antarctica trip aboard a large ship or a custom Galapagos trip) please know that these trips are run through a third party and that Natural Habitat is acting only as a consultant to recommend which ship and which type of operations would best suit your needs. The company that operates the trip is responsible for delivering their product as well as for any refunds should their trip fail to depart or to meet your standards.
Pre-Trip Documents
Educating and preparing our NHA travelers is a priority for us. Approximately two to three months prior to departure, you will receive a comprehensive Pre-Departure Briefing detailing your trip, the history and wildlife of the region, what to pack and how best to prepare. Depending on the specific trip, you may receive other documents at this time or at a later date. Air tickets purchased through our NHA Travel Department to get to the starting point of your trip will generally be included at this time, but may, in some instances, arrive at a later date.
Family Travel & Age Limits
NHA welcomes families on certain trips and often arranges special departures for them. Some trips have minimum age requirements. Please call our office for these details. On all of our trips, guardians of children under 18 must sign a minor permission waiver requiring them to make certain that the children do not place themselves, other travelers or wildlife in harm’s way, or jeopardize the enjoyment of the trip for the group as a whole. We also want travelers to understand that we accept minors with the understanding that parents or guardians believe that their child/children is/are unusually mature and capable of acting like an adult.
Family Trips
We generally welcome children ages six and older on our family adventures. However, while some six-year-olds are well-suited for some or all of our family adventures, others may not be ready for the requirements of structured group travel. For this reason, we believe it is more useful to consider this age limit a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. We believe that you, as a parent or guardian, are best qualified to decide whether or not your child would enjoy the experience without compromising the comfort of others. We strongly encourage you to call our office to speak with an Adventure Specialist about the specific requirements of the trip you’re considering so that you can make an informed decision about your child’s participation. We are unable to allow children younger than six on scheduled departures due to safety regulations, physical limitations, and concerns regarding group dynamics.
Luggage Restrictions
Some of NHA’s trips have enforced luggage weight restrictions for our guests’ comfort and safety. Many of our vehicles have limited space, and when traveling in light aircraft, overweight conditions create a serious safety hazard. Baggage exceeding specified limits is subject to being left behind or forwarded to the ending point at your expense. “All carry-ons” includes camera equipment. Please pack lightly and follow the guidelines in your Pre-Departure Briefing. Please visit www.nathab.com/luggage for more up to date information.
Documents & Vaccinations
NHA will provide details on visa and vaccination requirements in your Pre-Departure Briefing. For up-to-date vaccine information, please visit www.cdc.gov.
Viewing Wildlife & Itinerary Changes
Because NHA programs specialize in viewing wildlife, every effort is made to plan programs where wildlife is known to exist. However, the animals we visit live wild and free, and we cannot fully predict or control their migratory patterns (nor would we want to). In an attempt to locate wildlife, which may have deviated from its normal pattern, or in the interest of traveler comfort or safety, we may be required to make changes in itineraries. If we feel it is necessary to change hotels, boats or other facilities, we will make reasonable efforts to substitute comparable accommodations wherever possible. If such changes or fluctuations in exchange rates occur, additional costs may require the program fee to change with little or no notice. Additionally, an increase in the cost of fuel may require that NHA enforce a fuel surcharge upon travelers booked on an existing trip, particularly on small-ship voyages. Should NHA be required to cancel a trip due to unforeseen circumstances, travelers will be granted trip credit in the amount of their trip cost already paid, but NHA will not be liable for accompanying expenses (such as gear purchases, airline tickets, etc.). It is very important for our guests to have realistic expectations for their wildlife encounters on our trips, so we try to portray accurate accounts of our wildlife viewing activities in our itineraries. Of course, weather conditions may preclude us from participating in any or all activities as listed. The images shown in our printed materials and our website represent what our guests have regularly seen on “normal” trips in the past (or in the case of a new trip, what our staff and researchers have seen). Due to the weather and/or wildlife conditions, some trips naturally will have fewer close encounters with wildlife than we normally anticipate, and we ask our guests to sign onto our adventures knowing this. Also, be aware that some images in our materials are taken with a telephoto lens, and guests should not assume that they will get this close to the wildlife. For example, we may show a close-up shot of a wolf, but nearly all of our encounters with wolves are at some distance. Please note: due to the nature of the programs we provide, hotels, modes of transportation and, in some cases, itineraries are all subject to change.
Getting to the Starting Point of NHA’s Trips
NHA’s travelers are responsible for getting to the starting point of our trips, and should airlines fail to deliver them on time to participate, there will be no refund made for missed services. Our Air Travel Department is happy to assist guests with their air tickets, though travelers booking through Orbitz.com can often gain better fares for travel within North America.
Currency, Fuel & Other Fluctuations
Out of respect for our guests, only in an extreme situation would Natural Habitat Adventures consider increasing a trip price due to fluctuations in exchange rates, energy prices and government surcharges.
Cell/Satellite Phone Usage on Our Trips
Guests who require access to an emergency cellular or satellite phone may carry one during their trips with us. However, we do not allow guests to use those phones in the presence of other guests, especially in closed areas. We hope you understand.
Terms & Conditions
It is NHA’s, our cooperating agents’ and representatives’ goal to select reliable suppliers and contractors to provide air and other transportation, hotels, guides and other travel-related services; we do not assume responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such services. Each traveler agrees not to hold NHA, its owners, employees, agents and representatives liable, in the absence of their own gross negligence, for any loss or injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission of any person or firm which is to or does provide goods or services in connection with the trip or with any available option. You agree that NHA and its cooperating agents and representatives shall not be liable for circumstances arising as a result of acts of God, weather, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, military, political or terrorist action, civil disturbances, government restrictions, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, discrepancies or changes in transit over which they have no control. NHA reserves the right to change the program fee, dates or itinerary with little or no notice. If such changes do occur, no refunds will be made beyond those described in our cancellation policy, and NHA will not be liable for expenses incurred as a result of the change (such as air ticket change fees, etc.). Should you book an independent custom trip through Natural Habitat Adventures (such as an expedition cruise, a custom Galapagos trip or a custom safari) with a third party, please remember that NHA is acting only as a consultant to recommend which cruise company would best suit your needs in terms of ship features. That third party is responsible for the delivery of their product as well as any and all refunds should their trip fail to depart or to meet the standards they have set.
Safety & Trip Enjoyment
Natural Habitat Adventures plans these trips in natural areas where the environment can sometimes lead to unpredictable conditions. To avoid possibly dangerous situations, both for our travelers and the animals, it is extremely important that all travelers obey the rules and regulations set forth by the Expedition Leaders and/or Local Guides and demonstrate reasonable consideration for all staff and travelers. We reserve the right to prohibit any traveler from continuing on a journey if, in our opinion, that traveler’s actions pose a threat to the safety of her/himself, others, or to the wildlife, or if that traveler’s actions or behaviors are seriously jeopardizing the enjoyment of the trip for others, determined by NHA’s staff. Should a guest be asked to leave a trip, there will be no return of unused funds nor will NHA be responsible for additional expenses incurred by the guest for accommodations, return transport, etc. Participation in the program will require that travelers sign releases and covenants not to sue NHA or its participating agents and representatives. On advancement of a deposit, the traveler agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Smoking on NHA’s Trips
Travelers may not smoke in areas where others are affected (in our vehicles or within enclosed areas or while others are around). Most of the rooms we secure do not allow smoking, and smokers should be aware that even if we try to secure them a “smoking room” we cannot guarantee that one will be provided. Please sign on to our trips knowing that there may be times when you will not be able to smoke.
Important Form Information
NHA must receive in its Boulder, Colorado office traveler(s)’ Booking and Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Forms within 14 days of making an initial booking or deposit (all forms can be completed on our website). Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the booking by NHA with no refund beyond those listed in our cancellation policy. If a traveler’s Booking and Acceptance of Terms & Conditions Forms are received later than 14 days after initial booking/deposit and the forms indicate, in our estimation, that a traveler or travelers may not be able to perform the physical requirements for their selected trip, NHA reserves the right to cancel the booking with no refund made beyond those listed in our cancellation policy. It is very important for us to ensure the quality of our trips for all participants, and one or more travelers who cannot perform the required physical activities, however limited those activities may be, may adversely affect the experience for the entire group. The earlier we can know of physical limitations, the better chance we have of a) handling the situation, and b) getting some refund for the guest, though neither of those are guaranteed.
Small Aircraft on NHA’s Trips
On many NHA trips we use small aircraft to access our planet’s most pristine wild areas. Please consult the individual web page for each trip to find more information on aircraft sizes.
NHA's Exploratory Adventures
Our Exploratory Adventures, a select small group of travelers takes an exhilarating inaugural journey to a new destination. While these trips tend to be very exciting (and often include surprises that even we are unaware of), we ask travelers to “go with the flow” and expect the unexpected. These departures are for those true explorers who enjoy a free-spirited adventure, as our itineraries will most likely change. The flexibility in our itineraries allows us to give our travelers the best travel opportunity for each region. Since these are Exploratory Adventures, they may be canceled by NHA if we deem it necessary. Exploratory Adventures will only depart with a minimum of five travelers. We hope you will join us for a truly thrilling adventure off the beaten path!
World Wildlife Fund
Natural Habitat Adventures is a proud supporter of World Wildlife Fund and will donate $307,000 by June 30, 2013, in support of WWF’s mission to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. Further information is available from Natural Habitat Adventures. World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (“WWF”) does not own, operate or control Natural Habitat Adventures or any of the companies or individuals that supply goods or services for the travel described in this publication, including without limitations, hotels, restaurants and transportation whether by air, boat, bus, train, automobile or other vehicle. As a result, WWF is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such company or individual not within its control.
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