Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions listed below form the contract between Worldwide Birding Tours and its clients.

Reservation
A reservation is made when the booking form and deposit have been confirmed by Worldwide Birding Tours. Bookings by telephone should be confirmed in writing or e-mail and received within seven days and accompanied by the appropriate deposit. To secure hotels, transport and other services we require the balance of payment twelve weeks before the holiday is due to commence. We agree to operate your holiday as stated in our confirmation literature. The contract is deemed to have been made at Apartado de Correo 375, Ronda 29400, Malaga, Spain and is therefore governed by Spanish law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Spanish courts.

Balance
The balance for all bookings is twelve weeks before the holiday is due to commence. If the balance is not paid by the appropriate date we regard your holiday as being cancelled. Cancellation charges would be levied. Please note that costs for transfers on all amounts are for the account of the payee. Please further note that a charge of 4% is levied should you wish to pay by using PayPal.

Cancellations
A cancellation can only be accepted in writing or by e-mail and takes effect on the date we receive it. Cancellations received twelve weeks or more before the holiday commencement will involve the loss of deposit. Thereafter, the following charges will apply:

Over 84 days before departure – deposit only.
40-83 days before departure – 50%
Under 40 days until the day of departure – 100%

Tours
We do everything in our power to ensure all our tours are operated as advertised. However, situations may arise which are outside our control and these may necessitate change. If such circumstances arise, we reserve the right to alter the tour or substitute leaders/guides or accommodation if necessary. You will be informed if this action takes place. If major changes of the tour take place, we will inform you and advise the following: 1/ accept the new arrangements 2/ an alternative holiday if available (with you paying any additional sums or alternatively Worldwide Birding Tours refunding the difference) 3/ cancelling your chosen holiday for a full refund 4/ compensation of a major change made by Worldwide Birding Tours is above 75 days – nothing, 14-74 days £30, under 14 days £50. A major change is defined as a significant change of itinerary. At the time of advertising our holidays airlines are currently flying to the stated destinations on the days quoted. It is beyond the control of Worldwide Birding Tours if Airlines change their schedule, which may necessitate us amending the stated itinerary. No compensation is due from Worldwide Birding Tours where cancellation or change results from unforeseeable or unusual circumstances beyond our control. This includes war or threat of war, terrorist activity, riots, civil disorder, natural or nuclear disasters, epidemics, fires, adverse weather conditions, strikes by air traffic controllers in the European Union and elsewhere in the world, no fuel availability preventing carriers, hoteliers and other suppliers from carrying out their duties. In addition to the above, no compensation is payable if the balance is not paid on time or the tour is cancelled due to insufficient bookings. Save for the above compensation in (4) we will be under no further liability to you.We reserve the right to change any of the prices advertised before entering into a contract with you. If there is a change, we will notify you by e-mail or in writing.
Worldwide Birding Tours reserves the right to cancel tours up to 8 weeks before departure if insufficient numbers are not obtained. In this event, we can offer you an alternative holiday or a full refund of monies paid.

Party Size
The minimum size of group necessary for our tours to operate is indicated in the tour-description page If party size is not attained, the client will be informed in writing twelve weeks before holiday commencement.

Fauna and Flora
The birds, mammals, insects and flora mentioned in our advertising are only a guide to what you might expect to see on the tour you have selected. Whilst many additional species will be seen, we are unlikely to see every species mentioned in our text. However, you should see a good proportion of them if you participate fully in the tour and reasonable eyesight.

Liability
We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure holidays advertised have been properly arranged. The travel agents, vehicle hire operators, hotels, motels and restaurants we use are all reputable. We will accept liability as a direct result of our negligence or breach of contractual duty in making arrangements for you, including acts or omissions by our agents. We will accept liability for death, bodily injury or illness arising out of our proven negligence or that of our employers or sub-contractors or suppliers or their servants and/or agents, providing they were acting in the scope of their employment at the time. Claims in respect of the above matters shall fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Spain. All claims must be made in writing to us within 28 days of your return from holiday. We do not accept liability for animal or snake bites, as we have no control over them. We cannot accept liability for claims arising out of carriage by air and sea. We have no control over the carriers concerned and you are subject to their terms and conditions, some of which exclude or limit liability in respect of death, injury, delay and loss of baggage. We do not accept liability for delays in air flights, ship sailing times, or other conveyances used in carrying out our tours. We accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in flights or lost airline or ferry tickets, other services, weather, strikes, war or Acts of God. All such losses will be borne by the passenger. Worldwide Birding Tours is not responsible for loss, damage or theft of luggage, cameras, binoculars, telescopes and personal belongings, or for personal injury, accidents or illness or death. We accept no claims arising out of your own acts or omission or those of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday. For your own protection it is highly advisable to have adequate insurance cover. This is a legal requirement.

Visiting countries
At all times it is advisable to follow the customs of the country you are visiting and comply with the laws and regulations which may be in force. You must conduct yourself in a manner deemed by the leader to be compatible with the tour. Worldwide Birding Tours reserves the right to send any client home, at their own expense, if they disrupt the tour through unreasonable behaviour. We will make no refund nor pay or be liable for any compensation.

Currency
The prices of our tours are given in the currency, in which we have to do payments to local Sub-contractors. However all final payments have to be done in Euros. We will apply the currency-exchange rate as it is on the day of the final payment. This rate will by applied in the final invoice you will receive 12 weeks before the trip starts. Please note that costs for transfers on all amounts are for the account of the payee. Please further note that a charge of 4% is levied should you wish to pay by using PayPal.

Bookings and Financial Security
Anybody booking a holiday with Worldwide Birding Tours can do so with complete financial security. Our bonding arrangements guarantee your holiday will continue in the unlikely event of our insolvency. In regards to land based travel, your monies are kept in a separate account and will only be withdrawn after the holiday has concluded.

Hand Luggage on Aircraft
Please note many airlines are extremely strict about the amount you can take on board with you. The maximum weight can vary between airlines and you should check beforehand with your carrier for the latest allowance permitted. To keep weight down, pack your tripod in your main case, in addition to any books you do not need in transit. Any sharp implements such as scissors, penknives, and screwdrivers should also be packed in your hold luggage.

Complaints
If you have any complaints on tour, please notify the leader so that they can be addressed immediately. If this is not done to your satisfaction please notify us by writing or e-mail within 28 days of your return.

Names and Addresses
We keep your details on computer systems solely for use by Worldwide Birding Tours and no other parties. If you wish to be removed from our database please contact us at the relevant address.

Travelling together as friends