Booking Terms and Conditions

October 1, 2026

Please read these terms before you book. They explain what you can expect from us, what we ask from you, and how we handle things when plans change. We have written them in plain language, because a booking works best when both sides understand it.

THE SHORT VERSION

Topic In Short
Your contract It starts when we send you written confirmation of your booking, after you pay the deposit.
Prices In US dollars. Your quote and confirmation show what is included and what is not.
Price changes Only for government taxes and fees, fuel or transport costs, or exchange rates. We tell you at least 20 days before you travel. If the rise is more than 8%, you can cancel for a full refund.
Cancelling or changing See our Cancellation and Refund Policy. It is part of these terms.
Your documents You are responsible for your passport, visa, health documents and the mandatory Zanzibar inbound insurance.
Our responsibility We take reasonable care and put things right fast. Hotels, boats and ferries run their own services, under their own terms.
Problems on your trip Tell us straight away, so we can fix them while you are still there.
ABOUT THESE TERMS

These terms are between you and Summer Vacation Tours and Safaris Partnership (“Summer Vacation”, “we”, “us”), a tour operator in Zanzibar licensed by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism. “You” means the person who makes the booking, and “your group” means everyone travelling on it.

Your contract with us is made up of:

  • your quote and written booking confirmation, including your itinerary;
  • these Booking Terms and Conditions;
  • our Cancellation and Refund Policy; and
  • our Privacy Policy, which explains how we use your information.

You must be at least 18 to book. If you book for other people, you confirm that you have their permission and that they agree to these terms.

We plan and arrange your holiday. Some services we provide ourselves, such as transfers in our own vehicles and guiding by our own team. Others are provided by independent businesses, such as hotels, villas, boat operators, ferry companies and attractions. They run their services under their own terms, and we choose them with reasonable care.

If a supplier lets you down, we will step in, work with the supplier to put it right, and help you make a claim where that is appropriate.

  • We send you a quote with the itinerary, the price and what is included. A quote is not a booking, and it is open to availability.
  • To book, you accept the quote and pay the deposit stated in it. Your contract starts when we send you written confirmation.
  • Please check your confirmation within 48 hours. Names must match each traveller’s passport. If something is wrong, tell us straight away, and we will fix it. Corrections requested after the supplier issues documents may involve a supplier charge.
  • We may decline or cancel a booking if the information you gave us was wrong or incomplete. If we do this before you travel, we refund what you paid minus payment charges.

Prices are in US dollars and apply to the dates and group size in your quote. What is included and what is not is stated in your quote and confirmation. As a general rule:

  • Included: only what your quote lists, such as accommodation, transfers, listed excursions and listed meals.
  • Not included, unless your quote says so: flights, visas, the Zanzibar inbound insurance, your own travel insurance, personal expenses, drinks, tips, meals not listed, optional activities, and entrance, marine or conservation fees.
  • Some properties collect local taxes or fees at check in. Your quote tells you when we know this applies.

Photos and descriptions of hotels, rooms and activities are a guide. A particular room, view or beach condition is not guaranteed unless it is written in your confirmation.

  • The deposit, the balance and the due dates are set out in our Cancellation and Refund Policy and stated in your confirmation.
  • We tell you which payment methods are available when we send your quote. Card payments are made through our payment provider, Pesapal, on its secure payment page.
  • Fees charged by banks or payment providers are not refundable.
  • If a payment is not received on time, we will contact you first. If it stays unpaid, we may treat the booking as cancelled under our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
  • If you have a concern about a payment, please contact us before asking your bank or card provider for a chargeback. We will do our best to solve it quickly.

Once your booking is confirmed, we will not change the price, except for an increase caused by one of the following that is outside our control: government taxes or fees, fuel or transport costs, or exchange rates.

  • We tell you in writing, with the reason and the calculation, at least 20 days before you travel. We cannot increase the price after that.
  • If the increase is more than 8% of your total price, you can accept it, accept an alternative of equal or higher value, or cancel for a full refund within 14 days.
  • If the same costs fall, we reduce your price in the same way.

You can change or cancel your booking at any time. Our Cancellation and Refund Policy explains the fees, the travel credit option and how refunds are paid. Please tell us as early as you can, because that gives you the most choice.

Zanzibar has tides, weather and busy seasons, so sometimes a plan needs to change. We keep changes to a minimum and tell you as soon as we know.

  • Small changes, such as the order of activities, a pickup time or an equivalent supplier, may be needed. We make them to protect your experience and tell you.
  • Major changes, such as a change of hotel category or a loss of a main service, give you the choice to accept an alternative, or to cancel and receive a full refund of the affected services.
  • If we have to cancel, you receive a full refund or an equal alternative of your choice, as set out in our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
  • Check in and check out times, room rules, meal plans and age policies are set by each property. We pass them on in your confirmation.
  • Some properties are adults only, or restrict children. Tell us the ages of everyone in your group before booking.
  • Rooms are booked for the number of guests in your confirmation. Extra guests, extra beds and cots depend on the property and may cost more.
  • Properties may ask for a refundable deposit or card details at check in. You are responsible for extras you order and for any damage caused by your group.
  • The number of passengers and bags must fit the vehicle in your confirmation. Please tell us about extra luggage, sports equipment and child seats before you book, because we cannot guarantee them unless we confirm them.
  • Please give us accurate flight or ferry details, and send changes as soon as you know them. We then adjust your pickup where we can, free of charge. However, if the change means different pickups and drop offs, then extra charge will apply.
  • Our drivers follow road safety rules. Seat belts must be worn where fitted. A driver may refuse to continue if there is a safety risk, or if behaviour makes the journey unsafe.
  • Journey times are estimates. Traffic, road works, weather and ferry delays can change them.
  • Ferry and flight tickets we arrange follow the carrier’s own terms.

Many Zanzibar activities take place on or in the sea, or in nature. They are enjoyable and safe when done properly, but they carry some risk, and you take part voluntarily.

  • Sea conditions, tides and weather decide what is possible. We or the operator may change the time, route or day, or cancel for safety. Our Cancellation and Refund Policy explains what happens then.
  • Tell us if anyone cannot swim, is afraid of water, is pregnant, or has a health condition, mobility need or allergy that could affect an activity. Some activities have age, weight or health limits set by the operator.
  • Follow the instructions of your guide, captain or instructor, and wear the safety equipment provided. If you ignore safety instructions, the operator may stop your participation without a refund.
  • Do not swim, snorkel or take part in activities after drinking alcohol.
  • Look after coral, marine life and wildlife. Do not touch, feed, collect or take shells, coral or animals.

To travel smoothly, we ask you to:

  • give us accurate information, including names, dates, ages, contact details and any health, dietary or access needs;
  • have the travel documents listed below, and keep them valid;
  • arrive on time for transfers and activities;
  • behave in a way that does not endanger or disturb others, and treat our team, suppliers and local people with respect; and
  • tell us straight away if something is not right.
To Travel Smoothly Your Responsibility
Provide Accurate Details Give us accurate information, including names, dates, ages, contact details, and any health, dietary, or access needs.
Maintain Travel Documents Have the required travel documents and keep them valid throughout your trip.
Punctuality Arrive on time for scheduled transfers, excursions, and planned activities.
Respect & Conduct Behave in a way that does not endanger or disturb others, and treat our team, suppliers, and local people with respect.
Prompt Communication Tell us straight away if something is not right so we can address and resolve it quickly.

Entry rules, fees and insurance requirements can change. Please check them with the official sources before you travel, such as Tanzania Immigration and the Zanzibar inbound insurance portal (inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz). We can point you in the right direction, but we cannot obtain these documents for you unless we agree in writing, and we are not responsible if you are refused entry because documents are missing.

  • Please tell us about any medical condition, allergy, dietary requirement or access need before you book. We pass the information to suppliers who need it, and we do our best to meet your needs. We cannot guarantee that a kitchen, boat or vehicle is free of allergens.
  • You are responsible for deciding whether you are fit to travel and for seeing a doctor about vaccinations and medication.
  • If you need medical care, we help you reach it. Treatment, repatriation and evacuation costs are your responsibility, which is why insurance matters.
  • Take the usual precautions with sun, hydration, drinking water and food, and with swimming at low tide.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical care, evacuation, personal accident, baggage and personal liability, including for the activities you plan to do. The mandatory Zanzibar inbound insurance is an entry requirement and does not replace your own cover. If you choose to travel without insurance, you accept the financial risk.

Zanzibar is a welcoming and predominantly Muslim destination. Following local customs helps everyone.

  • Dress modestly in Stone Town, villages and public places. Swimwear belongs on beaches and in hotel grounds.
  • Ask before photographing people, and respect a no. Do not photograph military or police personnel.
  • During Ramadan, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism asks visitors not to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Many restaurants outside hotels close during the day, so the timing of activities and meals may change.
  • Tanzanian law applies to all visitors, including laws on drugs and on public behaviour. Tell us before you bring a drone, because local rules and permits apply.

We are happy to explain local customs and laws before you travel.

We take reasonable care in planning and providing your holiday, and we are responsible for the services we provide ourselves.

  • We are not responsible for loss, injury, delay or damage caused by you, by a person unconnected with your holiday, by a supplier’s failure that we could not reasonably have foreseen or avoided, or by events beyond our control as described in our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
  • If we are responsible for a loss, our liability for any one claim is limited to the price you paid for the affected service, plus any direct, reasonably foreseeable cost you prove. We are not liable for indirect loss, such as lost income or loss of enjoyment beyond the service itself, where the law allows us to exclude it.
  • Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything the law does not allow us to limit.
  • For services provided by carriers, such as ferries and airlines, the carrier’s own terms and any applicable international conventions apply.
  • Your belongings are your responsibility. Please keep valuables with you.
  • During your trip: tell us straight away on +255 777 335 672, so we can fix it while you are there. We cannot put right a problem we do not know about.
  • After your trip: write to us at info@summervacationtours.com within 28 days of your return, with your booking reference and details. We acknowledge your complaint and aim to reply within 14 days.
  • If we cannot agree, either of us may use the courts as described in section 21. This does not limit your rights under applicable consumer law.

If severe weather, a natural disaster, an epidemic, government action, civil unrest, strikes, or an airport, port or ferry closure affects your holiday, section 10 of our Cancellation and Refund Policy applies.

We may take photos or video on your trip and use them in our marketing only with your permission. You can say no, or ask us to remove an image, at any time. If you post a review or send us a photo, you agree that we may share it, with your name only if you agree.

We use your information to arrange your holiday. Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why, who we share it with, and your rights.

  • Booking through a travel agent or tour operator: their terms apply to your agreement with them. These terms apply to the arrangements we make for them.
  • Changes to these terms: we may update them. The version in force on the day you book applies to your booking.
  • Communication: we may send notices to the email address or WhatsApp number you gave us. Please keep them up to date.
  • If a part of these terms is found invalid, the rest still applies.
  • The English version of these terms prevails over any translation.
  • Governing law: these terms and your booking are governed by the laws of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania. If we cannot settle a dispute by talking, the courts of Zanzibar have jurisdiction. This does not take away any consumer rights you have under the law of the country where you live.

By paying your deposit or confirming your booking, you tell us that you have read and accepted these terms, our Cancellation and Refund Policy and our Privacy Policy, for yourself and for everyone in your group.

Contact

Email: info@summervacationtours.com

WhatsApp / Call: +255 777 335 672

Website: summervacationtours.com

Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania