Trip questions, answered
What people ask before reserving a place on one of our journeys.
Booking and payment
How do I reserve a place?
Fill in the reservation form for the trip you want. That is a request rather than a confirmed booking: we come back to you in writing, confirm the place is available, and tell you exactly what to pay and when.
How much is the deposit?
25% of the trip price. It reserves your place and it is non-refundable, because we commit it straight away to hotels and local operators.
When is the balance due?
Before departure. We confirm the exact date in writing when we accept your reservation, so you always know it well in advance.
What currency are the trips priced in?
US dollars, per person. Trips currently range from about $1,700 to $3,800 depending on the destination and the length of the journey.
Can I pay by card?
Yes, by card through Stripe or through PayPal.
What is included
Are flights included?
No. International flights to and from the destination are not included, and neither are visas, vaccinations or travel insurance. Please do not book flights until we have confirmed the departure is running.
So what is included?
Accommodation, the guided activities on the itinerary, and local transport during the trip. Each trip page lists anything specific to that journey.
Are meals included?
Some are, and it varies by trip. The trip page tells you which. Assume you are paying for some meals yourself.
The trips themselves
How big are the groups?
Small and premium by design. These are not coach tours: the group is small enough to eat together and to be welcomed somewhere as guests rather than as traffic.
Where do the trips go?
Ghana, Benin, Togo, Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Sao Tome and Principe, and Bahia in Brazil.
Open departures and dates are on the trips page.
Do I need to be fit?
These are cultural journeys rather than expeditions, but they involve full days, walking and travel between places.
If you have a specific concern, email us before you reserve and we will describe the days honestly.
Can I travel alone?
Yes, and plenty of people do. Where a trip offers single occupancy the price is shown separately, because a room to yourself costs more than sharing.
Practical
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your nationality and the destination. We will tell you what we know, but only you can confirm your own requirement with the relevant embassy, and it is your responsibility to have it in order before you travel.
What about vaccinations?
Some destinations require or recommend them. Check with a travel clinic well before departure, since some courses take weeks.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend comprehensive cover including medical treatment, repatriation and cancellation, and we may ask you to confirm you have it before departure.
Changes
What if I have to cancel?
Tell us in writing as soon as you can. The deposit is not refundable. Beyond that, what you can recover depends on what we have already committed on your behalf, and we will show you those costs openly.
You can also transfer your place to someone else up to 14 days before departure. Full detail is in the trip terms.
What if you cancel the trip?
If we cancel a departure you choose between a full refund of everything you have paid us, including the deposit, and moving to another departure. This is exactly why we ask you not to book flights until the trip is confirmed as running.
Can the itinerary change?
Occasionally, yes. Weather, closures and local conditions happen, and we may swap an activity or a hotel for something comparable. If a change is significant and you no longer want to travel, you can cancel with a full refund.
Still not sure?
Ask the chat assistant, or email info@africanlisbontour.com. For anything about visas or health we will tell you what we know and where to confirm it, rather than guess.