This policy explains what happens when a booking is cancelled — by you, by us, or because of circumstances beyond either party's control.
1. Deposits
The deposit paid at the time of booking is non-refundable. It secures your seat, covers upfront third-party bookings we make on your behalf (park permits, campsite reservations, cross-border fees), and covers our administrative time to open your file.
2. Cancellation by you — schedule
If you cancel your booking, the following schedule applies (percentage of the total trip price you forfeit, unless otherwise stated on the specific trip page):
- More than 90 days before departure: forfeit the deposit only. Any balance paid is refunded.
- 60–90 days before departure: forfeit 50% of the total trip price.
- 30–59 days before departure: forfeit 75% of the total trip price.
- Less than 30 days before departure: forfeit 100% of the total trip price.
Because of these steep cancellation penalties close to departure, we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation for medical or personal reasons — see the Terms & Conditions.
3. Cancellation by us
We may cancel a trip if it fails to reach the minimum number of paid participants, or if circumstances beyond our reasonable control (see section 5) make it unsafe or impossible to run. In that case:
- You are entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid to us for the affected trip, OR
- You may transfer your payment as credit toward another trip within 12 months, OR
- You may transfer your booking to another traveller (subject to their eligibility and any name-change fees charged by third parties).
We are not liable for any incidental costs you have incurred separately (flights, insurance, visas, connecting arrangements). We strongly recommend booking flexible flights or waiting until we confirm the trip is running.
4. Trip amendments
If we need to change significant aspects of the trip (dates, itinerary, price by more than 10%) we will notify you as soon as reasonably practical. You may then either accept the changes, or cancel with a full refund of amounts paid (less unavoidable third-party costs already incurred).
Minor changes to itinerary that do not materially affect the character of the trip do not qualify for a refund.
5. Force majeure
Neither party is liable for cancellation or non-performance caused by events outside their reasonable control — including but not limited to war, civil unrest, terrorism, pandemic, natural disaster, government travel restrictions, border closures, extreme weather, and industrial action. In force-majeure cancellations we will refund amounts still in our hands, less any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred on your behalf.
6. Shop refunds
For physical products bought through our online shop:
- You may return an unopened, unused product in its original packaging within 7 days of delivery for a full refund of the product price. Return shipping is at your cost.
- Defective products are replaced or refunded per the Consumer Protection Act.
- Perishable goods, food items, and gift cards are non-refundable.
7. How to request a refund
Email letsgo@waypoint-adventures.co.za with your booking reference and the reason for the cancellation. Refunds are paid back to the original payment method within 14 working days of approval.