Booking Conditions
These Booking Conditions apply to excursions, tours and related services supplied by St. Lucia Birding & Wildlife Ambassadors (?we?, ?us? or ?our?). By making a booking, paying a deposit or accepting a booking confirmation, the person making the booking confirms that they have read and accepted these conditions on behalf of every participant included in the booking.
1. General
1.1 Agreement
The tour description, booking confirmation, Cancellation Policy, Privacy Policy and these Booking Conditions together form the agreement between the guest and St. Lucia Birding & Wildlife Ambassadors.
1.2 Changes to these conditions
We may revise these conditions by publishing an updated version on our website. The conditions supplied or made available when a booking is confirmed will normally apply to that booking, except where a change is required by law or is expressly agreed with the guest.
1.3 Website and tour information
We make reasonable efforts to keep tour descriptions, schedules, prices and other information accurate and current. Wildlife activity, trail access, weather, transport conditions and other local circumstances can change. Please contact us if information appears unclear or inaccurate.
2. Bookings and payments
2.1 Deposit and confirmation
A booking is confirmed when we receive a deposit equal to 50% of the total booking price and issue a booking confirmation, unless a different arrangement is stated for a particular tour or agreed in writing.
2.2 Remaining balance
The remaining balance is payable on the day of the tour, before the tour begins, unless otherwise agreed between St. Lucia Birding & Wildlife Ambassadors and the guest.
2.3 Payment methods
Payment methods available for a particular booking will be shown during the reservation process or confirmed directly by our team. Depending on availability, payment may be accepted through an approved online payment service or by card through our point-of-sale facility. Guests should not send payment through a method that has not been confirmed by us.
2.4 Booking information
The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that names, contact information, tour dates, pickup details, participant numbers and other information supplied to us are accurate. Any error should be reported as soon as possible. A booking may remain unconfirmed if a required payment fails or cannot be processed.
2.5 Confirmation records
Guests do not need to print their booking confirmation. They should keep the confirmation and any later instructions safe and readily accessible on the day of the tour.
3. Guest cancellations and date changes
3.1 Cancellation refunds
Unless a tour page or written quotation states a different rule, the following standard refund schedule applies:
- 14 days or more before the scheduled start: full refund of amounts paid.
- From 48 hours to 13 days before the scheduled start: 60% refund of amounts paid.
- Less than 48 hours before the scheduled start: no refund.
- Failure to attend or arrive at the agreed time: no refund.
Cancellation charges will be applied subject to any mandatory rights available under applicable law.
3.2 Date changes and transfers
Guests may request a change of tour date by contacting us promptly. We will accommodate a reasonable change without an administration charge whenever possible and practicable, subject to availability and any non-refundable third-party cost already incurred. A request made close to departure may need to be treated as a cancellation under section 3.1.
3.3 How to cancel or request a change
A cancellation or date-change request should be sent by email, telephone or WhatsApp using the contact details in section 15. The request is effective when it is received and acknowledged by us.
4. Cruise-ship bookings
4.1 Ship does not dock
If the booked cruise ship does not dock in Saint Lucia and the excursion therefore cannot operate, we will provide a 60% refund of the amount paid.
4.2 Late ship arrival
If the ship arrives late, our staff will work with the time remaining to provide the best reasonably possible experience. The tour route, duration or stops may be adjusted, but the agreed tour fee remains unchanged.
4.3 Return-to-port planning
Cruise excursions will be planned to allow a return-time buffer of approximately 2.5 hours before the ship?s stated all-aboard time. Guests must provide accurate ship and all-aboard information and follow the guide?s timing instructions.
5. Weather, closures and operator changes
5.1 Ordinary rain
Tours normally operate in ordinary rain. Guests should bring suitable clothing and footwear for the forecast and the environment described on the tour page.
5.2 Unsafe conditions
A tour may be delayed, modified, shortened, relocated or cancelled when a major storm, unsafe trail, official closure or another condition makes the planned activity unsafe or impracticable. The decision will be made by St. Lucia Birding & Wildlife Ambassadors, the assigned guide or the relevant authority.
5.3 Cancellation by us
If we cancel a tour for an operational reason within our reasonable control, the guest may choose a suitable rescheduled date or a full refund of the amount paid.
If a tour cannot operate because of a major storm, official closure, transport disruption or another event outside our reasonable control, the guest may choose a suitable rescheduled date or a refund of the amount paid less any specifically identified, non-recoverable third-party cost already incurred for that booking.
5.4 Minor changes
We may make reasonable changes to a route, meeting point, guide, timing or order of stops when circumstances require it. Whenever possible and practicable, such changes will be made without additional charge to the guest.
5.5 Events outside our control
Events outside our reasonable control may include major storms, dangerous weather, wildfire, flood, earthquake, unsafe trail conditions, road or transport disruption, official forest or attraction closure, government restriction, civil disturbance, public-health emergency, serious illness affecting an assigned guide, or another comparable event that could not reasonably have been avoided. We will act reasonably to offer the alternatives described in section 5.3.
6. Wildlife sightings and natural environments
6.1 No sighting guarantee
Wild animals move freely and their presence, visibility and behaviour cannot be guaranteed. A missed species, including a primary target species, does not qualify the guest for a refund, repeat tour or future discount.
6.2 Inherent environmental risks
Wildlife excursions and outdoor environments involve inherent risks, including uneven ground, slippery surfaces, heat, rain, insects, plants, falling material and unpredictable interaction with wild animals. Our guides follow established safety practices and provide instructions intended to reduce these risks, but they cannot remove every natural hazard.
7. Safety, mobility, age and medical information
7.1 Guest disclosures
Guests are responsible for disclosing, before the tour, any medical condition, allergy, mobility limitation, disability, fitness concern or other circumstance that may affect safe participation. Early disclosure allows us to assess suitability and make reasonable arrangements where possible.
7.2 Medication and personal needs
Guests must carry any medication, mobility aid or personal item they may require during the excursion and must follow relevant medical advice.
7.3 Minimum age
The standard minimum participant age is 6 years, unless a tour page states a different age or our team confirms a different arrangement. A responsible adult must supervise every child.
7.4 Waivers
Guests may be required to review and sign a risk acknowledgement or waiver for certain excursions before participation.
7.5 Guide authority
For safety, the guide may change the pace, route, stops or duration; refuse participation where a disclosed or apparent condition cannot be accommodated safely; or pause or end an excursion. Guests must follow reasonable safety instructions.
8. Guides and itineraries
Our guides have specialist local knowledge and experience relevant to birding, wildlife and natural-history excursions. We may assign a different guide, vehicle or sequence of stops when operationally necessary. Such a change does not by itself entitle the guest to a refund where the booked experience can still be provided to a substantially similar standard.
9. Special requests
Special requests should be disclosed before confirmation or as early as possible. We will advise relevant staff and make reasonable efforts to assist, but noting or acknowledging a request does not guarantee that it can be met.
10. Guest behaviour and responsibility
Guests must behave responsibly, respect other participants, follow guide instructions and avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging habitats, property, vehicles or equipment.
A guest may be removed from an excursion without refund where their conduct creates a safety risk, causes serious disruption, damages property or wildlife habitat, or involves threatening, abusive or unlawful behaviour. The guest is responsible for loss or damage caused by their deliberate or negligent actions, subject to applicable law.
11. What is and is not included
The inclusions for each excursion are listed on the relevant tour page or quotation. Unless expressly included, the booking price does not cover international or local travel to Saint Lucia, accommodation, personal purchases, optional gratuities, personal equipment, meals or refreshments not stated in the tour description, or third-party services booked independently by the guest.
12. Liability
We will provide the booked service with reasonable care and skill. Nothing in these conditions excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limits any mandatory consumer right.
To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for loss caused by a guest?s failure to follow instructions, inaccurate information supplied by the guest, an independent service arranged directly by the guest, or an event outside our reasonable control, except to the extent that the loss was caused by our negligence or breach of duty.
13. Privacy
We use personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, including to process bookings, coordinate pickups, support guest safety, communicate with guests and meet legal or accounting obligations.
14. Governing law
These conditions are governed by the laws of Saint Lucia, without limiting any mandatory right that applies to a guest under consumer or data-protection law.
15. Contact
St. Lucia Birding & Wildlife Ambassadors
Castries, Saint Lucia
Email:
Phone/WhatsApp: +1 (758) 518-8678