Book with Confidence

The official terms and conditions of Southern Cape Adventures.

1. Booking & Payment Policy

  • Secure Your Spot: A 15% deposit is required to confirm your adventure.
  • Final Balance: To ensure your boutique accommodation and private experiences are fully secured and finalised, the remaining balance is due 45 days prior to your departure. This allows us to complete all pre-tour arrangements so you can focus entirely on the journey ahead.
  • Last-Minute Bookings: For tours booked within 45 days of departure, full payment is required to confirm.
  • Single Supplements: Solo travelers in a group of 1, 3, or 5 guests will pay a single supplement for the additional cost of a single room.
  • Price Guarantee: While we strive to honor all quoted rates, we reserve the right to apply a surcharge for significant, unforeseen increases (above 2%) in fuel prices or government levies. We will always notify you immediately should this occur.
  • Quote Validity:
    • Tours Quoted in South African Rands – valid for 7 days, subject to availability at the time of deposit.
    • Tours Quoted in Cryptocurrency – Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or Solana (SOL) quotations are valid for 30 minutes from the timestamp of our Whatsapp or email message. Quotes for stablecoins (USDT or USDC) are valid for 2 hours. If payment is received and verified on the blockchain after the quote has expired and the market value has shifted significantly, Southern Cape Adventures reserves the right to issue a top-up invoice for the ZAR difference before the tour is confirmed.
  • Cryptocurrency Payment Responsibility: Southern Cape Adventures will provide a specific wallet address for each cryptocurrency transaction. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to ensure the wallet address and network selection (e.g., ERC-20, Solana, etc.) are entered correctly. Southern Cape Adventures is not liable for the loss of funds due to customer errors, including but not limited to, sending funds to the incorrect address, using the incorrect network, or sending unsupported assets. Lost or misdirected funds will not be credited toward a booking.
  • Currency: All transactions are processed into South African Rands (ZAR).

2. Group Size & Private Departures

  • The Boutique Standard: To ensure an intimate, high-touch experience and to comply with the heritage cottage capacities of our lighthouse partners, we maintain a strict limit of 6 guests per standard departure.
  • Custom Large Groups (7+ Guests): Groups exceeding 6 pax are welcomed as bespoke private bookings. These require additional logistics, including a secondary support vehicle and a registered assistant guide, and will be quoted accordingly.
  • Solo Adventurers & Private Bookings: Our private tours are curated for a minimum of 2 guests, however, individuals are most welcome! Solo bookings are subject to a Single Supplement (at cost-price) or a base rate equivalent to our “2-Pax Minimum” to cover the fixed operational costs of private transport and professional guiding.
  • Exclusivity: Unless otherwise stated, all bookings are treated as Private Departures, meaning your group will have the exclusive attention of your guide and the vehicle.

3. Cancellations & Refunds

We know plans can change. Because we partner with boutique accommodations and local specialists, our cancellation terms reflect their requirements.

  • 41+ days before departure: Cancellations made more than 40 days prior to departure will result in the forfeiture of the full 15% deposit to cover administrative costs and supplier commitment fees.
  • 15 – 40 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee of the total tour price.
  • 7 – 14 days before departure: 75% cancellation fee of the total tour price.
  • 0 – 7 days before departure: 100% cancellation fee (No refund).
  • Peak Season (15 Dec – 15 Jan): Specific terms apply and will be detailed in your custom quote.
  • Refunds: All refunds are processed in South African Rands (ZAR) via your original payment method. Please note that the final amount received in your local currency depends on the market exchange rate at the time of the refund and may differ from your initial payment.

To protect your investment against the unexpected, we strongly recommend that all guests take out comprehensive travel insurance upon booking.

4. Physical Fitness & Safety

Many of our adventures involve active exploration. By confirming your booking, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

  • Fitness Level: You are in good health and possess a level of physical fitness appropriate for the specific tour selected (e.g., coastal hiking, cycling, or multi-day excursions).
  • Lighthouse Access: You acknowledge that ascending lighthouses often involves steep, narrow, or vertical ladders and confined spaces. It is the guest’s responsibility to judge their capability regarding heights and physical exertion in these specific environments.
  • Medical Disclosure: You agree to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies (especially regarding outdoor environments), or mobility restrictions at the time of booking.
  • Right of Refusal: For the safety of the group and the individual, the guide reserves the right to restrict participation in specific activities if a guest’s physical condition appears to pose a risk to themselves or others. No refunds will be issued for missed activities due to undisclosed physical limitations.
  • Safety Protocols: Guests must adhere to all safety briefings and instructions provided by the guide. Failure to follow safety protocols may result in the immediate termination of the tour without a refund.

5. Activity Availability & “Nature’s Logic”

  • The Wild Factor (Sightings): We operate in raw, natural ecosystems. While we visit world-class marine and terrestrial hotspots, sightings of specific wildlife (including whales and dolphins) are influenced by seasonal patterns and biological luck; therefore, sightings are never guaranteed.
  • Third-Party Authority: Access to lighthouses, national parks, and museums is managed by third-party authorities (e.g., Transnet, CapeNature, SANParks). Southern Cape Adventures cannot be held liable for sudden closures, maintenance, or restricted access dictated by these entities.
  • The “Plan B” Commitment: Safety and quality are our priorities. Should an activity or route be unavailable due to weather, safety concerns, or provider closures, we reserve the right to substitute it with an alternative experience of equal heritage, natural, or monetary value.
  • Weather Policy: Tours proceed in light rain or wind. In the event of “Force Majeure” (extreme weather making travel or hiking dangerous), we will attempt to reschedule or provide a credit. No-shows due to “less than perfect” weather are not eligible for refunds.

6. Liability

  • Operator Coverage: Southern Cape Adventures maintains professional Passenger Liability Insurance for all transfers in our registered tourism-accredited vehicles (minimum R5 million per incident) and Broadform Public Liability Insurance (minimum R5 million) for all land-based activities, including coastal hiking and heritage site visits.
  • Assumption of Risk: Guests acknowledge that our tours involve outdoor activities in natural environments with inherent risks, including uneven terrain, coastal weather, and steep lighthouse climbs. By booking, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with these activities.
  • Personal Travel Insurance (Mandatory): Our business insurance covers our legal liability as an operator; it does not serve as a personal medical or travel policy. It is a strict condition of booking that all guests carry comprehensive personal travel insurance covering:
    • Emergency medical expenses and hospitalisation.
    • Aeromedical evacuation and repatriation.
    • Loss, theft, or damage of personal property (cameras, luggage, etc.).
    • Trip cancellation and curtailment.
  • Third-Party Providers: While we only partner with vetted, high-quality suppliers, Southern Cape Adventures acts only as an agent for third-party services (e.g., boat charters, specialised accommodation). We are not liable for any injury, loss, or delay resulting from the acts or omissions of these independent providers.
  • Indemnity: Guests will be required to sign a standard Indemnity & Waiver form before the commencement of any hiking or physical activity.

7. Exclusion of Liability

Southern Cape Adventures, its owners, employees, and agents shall not be held responsible for, and shall be exempt from, any liability in respect of any loss, damage, injury, accident, delay, or inconvenience to any person or their property (including luggage and electronic equipment) arising from any cause whatsoever.

This exclusion applies to all aspects of the tour, including but not limited to:

  • Transportation in tour vehicles.
  • Physical activities such as hiking, cycling, and lighthouse ascents.
  • Decisions made by the guide in the interest of safety or due to weather conditions.

By booking, the guest acknowledges that they participate in the tour at their own risk and waive any claims against Southern Cape Adventures for incidental damages or personal loss.