Ethical Ethiopian Experiences Ltd

Booking Terms & Conditions

Last updated: October 2026

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These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made directly with Ethical Ethiopian Experiences Ltd (“we”, “us” or “our”), unless different terms are expressly agreed in writing. Where you book through a third-party booking platform, that platform’s applicable booking terms will also apply. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions removes any rights you have under applicable consumer law.

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Company details

Ethical Ethiopian Experiences Ltd
Company registration number: 16560444
Registered office: Flat 7 Cygnet Court, Stort Road, Bishop's Stortford, England, CM23 3EG
Registered in England and Wales
Email: bookings@ethicalethiopia.com

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1. Making a booking

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When you make a booking request, we will confirm whether the requested tour and dates are available. Your booking is confirmed when we accept it in writing and the required deposit or other initial payment has been received, unless your booking confirmation states otherwise.

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The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that all travellers in the booking have read and accepted these Terms & Conditions and that the information supplied to us is accurate.

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The person making the booking must be at least 18 years old and confirms that they have the authority to make the booking on behalf of everyone included in it. The lead booker is responsible for ensuring that all members of the party receive the relevant booking information and agree to these Terms & Conditions. Unless we agree otherwise in writing, the lead booker is responsible for ensuring that payments due for the booking are made

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Before you book, please read the itinerary, inclusions, exclusions, accommodation information, physical requirements and any other tour-specific information carefully. If anything is unclear, contact us before paying.

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For bookings made through a third-party platform, the booking process and payment arrangements may be governed partly by that platform’s terms. Your booking confirmation will explain the arrangements applicable to your booking.

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Please check your booking confirmation and any other documents we send you carefully. Tell us as soon as possible if any information is incorrect or missing, particularly traveller names and dates of travel. Names supplied for travel arrangements must match the relevant passports. Changes may involve additional costs, particularly where tickets or other arrangements have already been made.

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2. Prices and payments

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The total price, currency, deposit and payment deadlines will be stated on the relevant tour page, quotation or booking confirmation.

For private and bespoke tours, unless we agree a different schedule in writing, the usual payment schedule is:

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• 30% deposit when booking.

• 40% of the total tour price payable 60 days before departure.

• Remaining 30% payable 30 days before departure.

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If you book within 60 days of departure, the deposit and any instalments already due will be payable when you book. The full balance must be paid before departure.

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Scheduled group tours may have a different payment schedule, including fixed deposits and instalments. The schedule stated on the relevant tour page and in your booking confirmation will apply to that booking.

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You are responsible for making payments by the stated deadlines. If a payment is overdue, we will contact you and give you a reasonable opportunity to resolve the issue. If payment remains outstanding, we may cancel your booking where permitted by law and apply the relevant cancellation terms.

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The price confirmed at booking will not be increased unless an increase is expressly permitted by applicable law and the contract. Where the law permits a price adjustment, we will provide the required information and notice and respect any rights you may have to a corresponding price reduction or to terminate the contract.

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3. What is included

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Your booking confirmation and itinerary will set out what is included in your tour. Depending on the tour, this may include accommodation, ground transport, guiding, activities, meals and other services.

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Unless your booking documentation expressly says otherwise, the following are not included:

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• International flights and domestic flights.

• Visas and passport costs.

• Travel insurance.

• Personal purchases and other personal expenses.

• Any meals, drinks, activities, transfers or services expressly listed as excluded.

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We can provide guidance about arranging flights, but we do not book or sell flights for you unless your booking documentation explicitly states otherwise.

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Every EEE tour includes meals and snacks as specified for the tour, non-alcoholic drinks, a LifeStraw bottle (unless it’s a budget backpacker tour), a tree planted per traveller, a contribution towards local charitable projects and carbon offsetting, as described in the relevant tour information. Please check your individual itinerary for the precise arrangements.

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Any optional activities or excursions that are not included in your booking are separate from your package unless we expressly confirm otherwise in writing. If you choose to arrange an additional activity independently with a local provider, your agreement for that activity may be directly with that provider. This does not affect our responsibility for the services included in your package.

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4. Changes requested by you

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If you want to change your dates, itinerary, accommodation, traveller details or other arrangements, contact us as soon as possible.

We will consider requests individually, taking account of availability, existing commitments, local arrangements and any costs involved. We cannot guarantee that a requested change will be possible, and we may decline a request if we cannot reasonably accommodate it.

If we agree to a change, additional costs, supplier charges or a difference in tour price may apply. We will explain any additional charges before confirming the change.

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A request to change your booking is not automatically treated as a cancellation. If we cannot accommodate the change and you decide not to travel on the original arrangements, our cancellation policy will apply. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

Transferring your booking to another traveller

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You may request to transfer your booking to another person, subject to the requirements of applicable law, reasonable notice and any eligibility requirements for the tour. The replacement traveller must meet the tour’s relevant requirements and agree to the applicable booking terms.

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We may charge the reasonable, actual additional costs arising from the transfer, where permitted by law. We will explain these costs before proceeding.

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5. Cancelling your booking

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If you need to cancel, you must tell us in writing at bookings@ethicalethiopia.com. Your cancellation takes effect when we receive your notice. We will confirm the cancellation and explain any refund due.

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The following is our standard proposed cancellation schedule for direct bookings, unless a different schedule is expressly stated in your booking documentation or applicable law requires a different outcome.

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These percentages are calculated against the total tour price, not automatically against the amount of the deposit paid. The actual amount refunded will also take account of the terms that apply to your booking and any rights you have under applicable law.

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Where the law requires a lower cancellation charge or a refund, those requirements take precedence. We will not charge a cancellation fee that is prohibited by law. Where relevant, the charge must be appropriate to the circumstances, taking account of factors such as the time of cancellation, costs we can save and whether services can be resold.

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If you booked through a third-party platform, its cancellation and refund process may also apply. We will explain the relevant arrangements where possible.

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Credits and rescheduling

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Where a refund is not legally required, we may offer a credit or rescheduling option at our discretion. Any credit or alternative arrangement must be agreed with you. We will not substitute a credit for a refund that you are legally entitled to receive.

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6. If we cancel a tour

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We make every reasonable effort to operate tours as planned. However, we may need to cancel a departure in certain circumstances, including where a scheduled group departure does not reach its stated minimum number of participants or where circumstances make the tour impossible or unsafe to operate.

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Minimum numbers for group tours

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Unless the relevant tour page states otherwise, scheduled group tours require a minimum of two participants to operate.

We aim to make a decision about whether a group departure will go ahead around 30 days before departure where possible. This is our planning target, not a replacement for any statutory deadline. If we cancel because the minimum number has not been reached, we will notify you within the deadline required by applicable law.

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For packages lasting more than six days, the statutory notification deadline for cancellation due to insufficient numbers is generally at least 20 days before departure. For packages lasting between two and six days, it is at least seven days before departure. For packages lasting less than two days, it is at least 48 hours before departure.

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If we cancel, we will explain your options. Where the law requires a refund, we will provide it within the applicable legal deadline. We may offer an alternative tour or credit, but you do not have to accept a credit in place of a legally required refund.

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Where applicable law provides a right to compensation, that right is not removed by these Terms & Conditions.

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7. Changes made by us before departure

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We may occasionally need to make changes to an itinerary or other arrangements because of weather, transport disruption, local events, supplier availability, safety concerns or other circumstances.

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Where a change is minor, we will inform you as soon as reasonably practicable. If a change significantly affects a main characteristic of your package, we will explain the change and any options available to you under applicable law. These may include accepting the revised arrangements, accepting a suitable alternative package or terminating the contract without a termination fee where the law provides that right.

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Where a price reduction, refund or compensation is legally due, we will meet our obligations.

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8. Community activities and changes to the itinerary

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Our tours are built around real community life in Ethiopia. We do not stage cultural activities for tourists or expect communities to perform on demand. The experiences we share depend on what is happening locally, the availability and wishes of community members, and the circumstances at the time of your visit.

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For this reason, individual community activities, cultural encounters and opportunities to observe particular events cannot be guaranteed, even where they are described in your itinerary. A planned activity may not be possible if a community event does not take place, people are unavailable, local priorities change or community members decide that they do not wish to receive visitors at that time.

We believe respecting these decisions is an essential part of responsible travel. We will not pressure community members to participate in an activity or continue an encounter that they do not wish to take part in.

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Where a planned activity cannot take place, we will seek to arrange a suitable alternative that reflects the character and purpose of your tour, taking account of the circumstances and what is available locally. We will explain material changes to you as soon as reasonably practicable.

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We will make reasonable efforts to preserve the overall quality and purpose of your experience. However, we cannot guarantee that a substitute activity will be identical to the original or that every planned encounter will be replaced by an equivalent experience.

We ask our guests to approach these experiences with openness, flexibility and respect for the people who make them possible. The opportunity to experience real community life, rather than a performance arranged for visitors, is central to what makes our tours distinctive.

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9. Accommodation, transport and local conditions

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Accommodation standards and facilities vary across Ethiopia. Depending on your tour, you may stay in locally owned guesthouses, hotels, lodges or campsites. Some locations have simple facilities, and camping may involve limited or no toilets, showers or other amenities. The relevant itinerary will describe the expected arrangements.

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Travel in Ethiopia can involve long journeys, rough roads, delays, changes in local conditions and limited facilities in remote areas. Journey times are estimates and may change.

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We will make reasonable efforts to deliver the arrangements described in your itinerary. Where changes are necessary, we will act in accordance with our legal obligations and the provisions of these Terms & Conditions.

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The nature of travel in remote areas means that some flexibility may be necessary. Our guides and tour team may make reasonable adjustments to the route, timings or activities where required by safety, weather, road conditions, local circumstances or the wishes of community members. We will explain significant changes as soon as reasonably practicable and respect your rights under applicable law.

 

10. Your responsibilities

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You are responsible for:

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• Ensuring that your passport is valid and obtaining the visas and entry permissions required for your trip.

• Checking any health, vaccination and other entry requirements relevant to your circumstances.

• Obtaining suitable travel insurance before departure.

• Providing accurate information about dietary requirements, allergies, mobility, medical needs and other circumstances that may affect your participation.

• Following reasonable safety instructions from your guides and tour team.

• Respecting local laws, customs, communities, fellow travellers, wildlife and the environment.

• Taking reasonable care of your belongings and personal documents.

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Please tell us before booking about any accessibility needs, mobility limitations or other requirements that could affect the suitability of the tour. We will discuss the practical arrangements and any relevant limitations with you before you commit to booking.

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Please also tell us about dietary requirements, allergies, medical needs or special requests as early as possible, ideally when you enquire or make your booking. We will make reasonable efforts to communicate these requirements to relevant suppliers and accommodate them where possible. A request is not guaranteed unless we have expressly confirmed it in writing. If a requirement is essential to your ability to travel safely or comfortably, please discuss it with us before booking so that we can consider whether the tour is suitable.

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You are responsible for checking the entry requirements that apply to your nationality and circumstances, including passport validity, visas, permits and any required health documentation. You should ensure that the names and personal details provided for your booking match your travel documents. We can provide general guidance where possible, but the final responsibility for obtaining the correct documents and meeting entry requirements rests with you.

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We may need to remove a traveller from an activity or make alternative arrangements if their conduct creates a serious safety risk or significantly affects other travellers or local communities. We will act reasonably and in accordance with applicable law. Any decision to end participation or cancel arrangements will take account of the circumstances and any relevant legal rights.

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You are responsible for any loss or damage you cause to accommodation, vehicles, equipment, property or other people through your actions or negligence. Where we or a supplier incur reasonable costs as a direct result, you may be asked to reimburse the actual cost of the damage or loss. We will explain the basis of any amount requested.

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If you choose to leave a tour early or stop participating in some of the arrangements for personal reasons, unused services will not automatically be refundable. You will also be responsible for any additional costs arising from your decision, including alternative transport or accommodation. This does not affect any refund, assistance or other remedy you may be legally entitled to where we have failed to provide the package as agreed or where other statutory rights apply.

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11. Health, safety and travel insurance

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Some tours involve walking, hiking, camping, remote locations, variable weather and limited access to medical facilities. You should assess whether the tour is suitable for your health, fitness and circumstances.

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You must tell us about relevant requirements or limitations before booking so that we can discuss suitability and reasonable arrangements. We may not be able to accommodate every requirement in every location.

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We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, cancellation, curtailment, personal belongings and activities relevant to your itinerary. Check the policy carefully to ensure it covers the actual activities and destinations on your tour.

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Travel insurance does not replace our own legal responsibilities as the tour organiser.

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12. Emergency contact and assistance during your tour

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Your booking confirmation or pre-departure information will provide the emergency contact details for your particular trip. If you need urgent assistance during the tour, use those details and explain your location and the nature of the problem.

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If a call does not connect, try WhatsApp using the same number. If you still cannot reach the team, try another contact listed in your trip information and send a message or email to bookings@ethicalethiopia.com where possible.

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If there is an immediate threat to life or safety, contact the relevant local emergency services first.

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We will provide appropriate assistance to travellers who encounter difficulty during their package, as required by applicable law. The contact details are provided to help you reach the team; they should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every number will connect immediately in every location.

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13. Complaints and problems during your trip

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If a service included in your package is not being provided as agreed, please tell your guide or contact us as soon as reasonably possible so we have an opportunity to address the issue during the trip.

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We will make reasonable efforts to resolve problems and, where required by law, remedy a lack of conformity within a reasonable time. If an appropriate alternative arrangement is needed, we will explain the options available.

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If a problem remains unresolved, contact bookings@ethicalethiopia.com with details of what happened. We will review your complaint and respond as soon as reasonably practicable.

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Nothing in this section limits any right you have to a price reduction, compensation or other remedy under applicable law.

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14. Circumstances beyond our control

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Some events are outside our control, including severe weather, natural disasters, conflict, political unrest, government restrictions, public health emergencies, transport disruption and other serious events.

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If such circumstances affect your tour, we will assess the situation, prioritise safety and communicate with you about the available options. We may need to change arrangements, offer alternatives or cancel the tour where necessary.

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Where the law gives you a right to terminate the contract or receive a refund because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, that right remains unaffected. We will not replace a legally required refund with a credit unless you agree to that alternative.

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15. Our responsibility

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We are responsible for the proper performance of the travel services included in your package in accordance with applicable law.

If a travel service is not performed as agreed, we will take the steps required by law, which may include arranging a remedy, offering suitable alternatives, providing a price reduction or paying compensation where applicable.

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Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful. In particular, nothing excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

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Where a limitation of liability is permitted by law, it will apply only to the extent allowed by law and will not remove any mandatory rights you have under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 or other applicable legislation.

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16. Personal information

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We use personal information to manage your booking, make arrangements with relevant suppliers, communicate with you and meet our legal obligations. We handle personal information in accordance with our privacy notice and applicable data protection law.

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Please provide only the information we reasonably need and tell us promptly if important booking details change.

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17. Photography and marketing

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During your tour, we or other members of the group may take photographs and videos. We may use photographs or videos featuring guests for Ethical Ethiopian Experiences’ marketing and promotional purposes, including on our website, social media, brochures and other promotional materials.

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If you do not want us to use identifiable images showing your face in our marketing, please let us know verbally or in writing at any time. We will respect your request and will not use identifiable images of your face for our marketing purposes. You do not need to give a reason, and opting out will not affect your booking or your experience.

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If you are booking on behalf of a child or another person who cannot make this request themselves, you may also tell us that you do not want us to use identifiable images showing their face.

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We will continue to respect the privacy and dignity of local people and communities. We will not use identifiable images of community members or children in our marketing without appropriate permission.

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18. Package travel protection

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Where your booking is a package within the meaning of applicable law, we will provide the required information about the financial protection arrangements that apply to your booking, including the relevant protection provider and contact details.

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The applicable protection details will be included in the pre-contract information and/or booking documentation. Please check these documents carefully and contact us if anything is unclear.

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19. Applicable law

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These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory consumer protection rights that apply to you.

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20. Questions

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If you have questions about these Terms & Conditions or your booking, contact:

Ethical Ethiopian Experiences Ltd
Email: bookings@ethicalethiopia.com
Company registration number: 16560444
Registered office: Flat 7 Cygnet Court, Stort Road, Bishop's Stortford, England, CM23 3EG