Terms and conditions
Philosophy and group size
The trips organized by Birding in Egypt’s tour operator are 'small group adventures', with a maximum of 20 people. Small groups are more 'environmentally-friendly' and their effect is less disruptive.
Our natural history tours always have their scientific side; for example, we always try to spend some time at less known areas or habitats and to discover new populations of less well-known species.
Travelling as a small group also means we have the chance to visit those remote, wild and wonderful places that are 'far from the madding crowd' and excite our imagination. Small groups also help minimize disturbance. We ask all participants to leave the environment as they found it for others to enjoy.
There is no age limit, but we don't accept travellers under 16 unaccompanied by an adult, or under 18 without the written consent of their parents or guardians.
Usually our groups consist of mixed nationalities, with about half the group made up of couples or friends and about half who are travelling alone.
Tour Leaders
All our local guides and contacts are highly experienced experts in their field. Years of co-operation with locals also ensures we have access to up-to-date top-quality local information. All of the guides have an Emergency First Responder Degree.
Language of correspondence and guiding
English
Transport
4x4s: usually Suzuki Vitaras and Toyota Landcruisers. Sometimes we use Mercedes, Ford or Toyota minibuses.
Dates
Our trips usually cover the main season from April to October, but we have winter trips to Egypt, Yemen and to some other countries as well. Trips are also available on request for individual travellers and tailor-made groups all year round.
Duration
Trip duration varies from day trips up to the 30-day complete program, depending on which tours and trip extensions you choose.
We respectfully ask clients who smoke to be sensitive to non-smokers, and not to smoke when with the group is in a confined area. We also ask that smokers do not smoke in our vehicles or at the table during meal times.
We also ask that clients please accept any instructions given by our tour leaders, especially safety instructions.
We regret to say that we have a "no pets" policy on our trips, except on tailor-made VIP trips.
Please be aware that when you sign our booking form you are entering a contract made with us. This means that you accept all the conditions and terms of booking. Our written confirmation of your booking means that we agree to operate your tour as stated in the itinerary and to the "Conditions and Terms" set out on this page.
If you have a complaint, please notify the leader in person as soon as possible in order that we may assist you and, we would hope, that we can deal with it to your full satisfaction. If it is not dealt with to your satisfaction on the spot, then the nature of the complaint should be stated promptly and preferably within 30 days after the date scheduled for your return from the holiday.
We cannot accept responsibility for any expenses incurred in cases of late arrival.
Responsibility
All tours are organized as a voluntary grouping of independent travellers, sharing vehicles & equipment.
The Birding in Egypt Egyptian tour operator undertakes to provide organization and travel advice (including procurement of provisions & supplies, and selection of suitable vehicles) and guidance on the trip. The tours are organized on a cost-sharing basis, with the major cost items being the vehicles, fees for arranging permits, cost of escort, fuel & supplies and drivers.
Birding in Egypt assumes no responsibility for any accidents or medical emergencies during the trip, including any trip cut short by an emergency. Participants agree to fully indemnify both Birding in Egypt and fellow travellers for possible adverse effects of administered first aid or other medication. All participants must confirm in writing beforehand that they have full medical and accident insurance. (See the Insurance section below.)
Birding in Egypt can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses incurred due to delays or changes in air services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other causes beyond their control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger because the tour agreement provides for arrangements only for the pre-agreed time and service stated.
Baggage, personal equipment, goods and other valuables are taken on trips entirely at the owner's risk.
Passport & Visas
Valid passports and visas are required for all our guests. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the stated completion date of the tour. Please carry a photocopy of your passport and all your personal papers and documents, and keep them separately from the originals. Please provide another photocopy for your trip guide.
Each guest is personally responsible for checking in ample time beforehand the visa requirements for each destination country they visit on their tour or may transit through before or after the tour (Birding in Egypt tours visit the following countries: Egypt and Yemen).
Birding in Egypt does not handle visa bookings or air tickets for guests.
Insurance
Every tour member must provide proof of valid insurance for the duration of the trip.
Travel insurance is an absolute essential. If you don't wish to take out travel insurance, you must provide us with a witnessed signed statement as a liability waiver for Birding in Egypt. Without such a declaration to protect Birding in Egypt, you will not be permitted to join the trip. Subject to the Booking Conditions to which a participant has agreed, late refusal to provide this waiver would be taken as grounds for Birding in Egypt to decline any refund.
Personal travel insurance is not included in our price. Birding in Egypt will not undertake any travel insurance marketing for any participant.
Booking conditions
Before you make any bookings, please read carefully the "Booking Conditions" and all other information pages on the Birding in Egypt website, especially Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Reservations
Once you make a reservation, it will keep its place on the list for the trip, provided that the deposit is received. Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of a deposit of $350 US, 40 days before the start of your trip.
Tour price
The tour price is based on maximum group size and shared rooms. Participants will be informed of the latest group-size in circulated e-mails or via telephone.
Our prices are always based on the currency rates on 1st April or 1st September of the relevant year.
We reserve the right to change the total cost according to the currency rates. You will receive timely information should this be the case.
Price includes
All transportation from airport to airport.
Accommodation - based on shared rooms - with private bath or shower and toilet facilities, in comfortable hotels as stated in the itinerary.
All meals and all soft drinks at meals if not stated otherwise.
The services of all leaders, drivers and escorts.
Reserve permits, entrance fees, entrance tickets.
Your hassle-free trip is guaranteed!
Price excludes
All expenses incurred before arrival and after departure at airports.
Passport and visa costs.
Flight tickets, airport and other departure taxes.
Baggage charges at the airport.
Insurance and immunization costs.
A'la carte dishes, snacks and drinks, except those provided.
Single room supplement.
Personal laundry or anything of a purely personal nature.
Optional programs and private excursions.
Telephone calls.
Room service.
Payment
Payment has to be made in GBP (£), USD ($) or EURO (€).
We cannot accept credit cards.
Payment should be made via bank transfer or in cash.
Please note that we do not accept part payment of deposits.
Cancellation & Refunds
Cancellation by participants: the refund scale is proportionate to the number of days any cancellation is made before the start of the booked trip.
Refundable amounts
30-40 days' notice: $ 600
10-30 days' notice: $ 300
0-10 days' notice: $ 150
$150 is non-refundable in all cases.
Cancellations, bearing your signature (not by e-mail), should be made in writing.
Some trip operators have different minimum number of bookings for different trips. Our minimum number is three!
We reserve the rights to cancel your trip, refund to you all the money you have paid, and to offer you an alternative excursion.
Health conditions
If you have health problems, you need to inform us before your departure date on the booking form.
Our expeditions basically designed for people of 50 years of age and over. There is no difficult physical exertion on our trips, especially nothing dangerous! On some days you will need to be able to complete walks of 1-4 hours duration, or climb light slopes.
Most tours to mountains involve more walking, because usually we like to try and take you to places that vehicles cannot reach. Please assume up to 3-5 miles walking on the most difficult day.
Accommodation
All accommodation is within easy reach of the best wildlife areas.
The accommodation is always based on shared rooms with private facilities.
We stay in comfortable, well-located hotels and private pensions, always with a private facility that can offer local cuisine and wines of the region. Our main criteria for choosing accommodation are: comfort, tranquillity, landscape, approach and rural places in eco- or agro-tourism pensions.
We always select some hotels close to shopping spots or city centres to give you the opportunity to go out for a stroll or a coffee on your own. For VIP trips, we use luxurious 4- or 5-star hotels.
If you are travelling alone and are prepared to share a room, we will try to select the most suitable person for you to share with. However, if there is no other single person who wants to share, you have to pay the single room supplement.
We advise you to use the hotel safe at all times and to keep cash and all your personal papers with you. Don’t leave them in the rooms!
Records
Birding in Egypt reserves the right to take and use photographic or film records of any of its trips for promotional and commercial purposes.