At Shiri Adventures, we recognize that life can be unpredictable. While planning a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, unexpected events like serious illnesses, natural disasters, or emergencies in your home country may force you to change your travel plans. We are committed to addressing these situations with empathy and fairness, striving to minimize the financial and emotional stress on our clients while maintaining operational sustainability.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of how we approach flexibility and refunds:

1. Evaluating Individual Circumstances

Every cancellation request is treated uniquely. We understand that no two situations are alike, and we carefully review the details of each case. For instance:

• Medical Emergencies: If a client or their immediate family member experiences a serious illness or injury, we may request medical documentation to validate the claim. Upon receipt, we aim to process refunds or rescheduling options promptly.
• Natural Disasters: For disruptions caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, or floods, we consider the severity and timing of the event and work with our partners to find feasible solutions, including rescheduling or refunding.
• Personal Emergencies: In cases of unforeseen personal challenges, such as family emergencies or sudden financial difficulties, we evaluate how to accommodate your situation while considering our contractual obligations.

2. Negotiating with Our Partners

Once we receive your cancellation request, we immediately reach out to the service providers involved in your trip, such as:

• Hotels and Lodges: These accommodations typically have strict cancellation policies, especially during peak seasons. However, our long-standing relationships often enable us to negotiate reduced penalties or alternative options, like credits for future stays.
• Airlines: Refunds or deferrals for flights depend on the type of ticket purchased and airline-specific policies. We advocate on your behalf to secure the most favorable outcome.
• Tanzania National Parks Authority: Park fees are non-refundable by regulation. While we cannot recover these costs, we may explore other areas of flexibility to offset the impact on your overall refund.

By acting as your advocate, we strive to reduce the financial burden caused by unexpected changes to your plans.

3. Balancing Refunds and Operational Needs

Although refunds are dependent on third-party policies, we make every effort to return as much of your investment as possible. For example:

• Refund Percentages: The amount refundable depends on how far in advance the cancellation occurs. The closer it is to your travel date, the more non-recoverable costs we’ve already incurred, such as food supplies, team preparations, and non-refundable park fees.
• Rescheduling Options: Instead of canceling outright, rescheduling can help reduce financial losses. Many of our partners are more likely to waive penalties or accommodate changes for future dates.

4. Streamlined Refund Process

To ensure a smooth process, we:

1. Process Refunds Efficiently: We aim to evaluate your request and issue refunds (where applicable) within 72 hours. For cases requiring extended negotiations, we keep you informed every step of the way.

5. Rescheduling as a Preferred Alternative

Whenever possible, we encourage rescheduling your trip instead of canceling outright. Benefits include:

• Avoiding Higher Penalties: Rescheduling often incurs lower costs compared to cancellation.
• Flexibility for Future Travel: By holding your deposit as a credit, you can plan your trip for a more convenient time without losing your investment.
• Retaining Your Itinerary: In most cases, we can keep the same itinerary, ensuring your future trip aligns with your original preferences.

6. Compassionate Solutions for Extreme Situations

In cases of severe hardship—such as death in the family, debilitating illness, or natural calamities—we aim to provide 100% refunds whenever possible. While these are exceptional cases, our team goes above and beyond to negotiate favorable outcomes with our partners, ensuring minimal penalties for our clients.

At Shiri Adventures, our flexibility policy is rooted in empathy, fairness, and our dedication to providing the best possible experience—even in challenging circumstances. We are here to support you through any unexpected changes and work tirelessly to make your travel dreams come true, whether now or in the future.