Terms & Conditions

1. Definitions & Interpretation

2. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to MO EXPEDITIONS. By accessing our website at www.moexpeditions.com, making a Booking, utilizing any of our Services, or engaging in any communication with the Company that results in a contractual relationship, you irrevocably acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions in their entirety. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company and supersede all prior oral or written representations, agreements, or understandings.

Should you not agree with any provision contained herein, you must refrain from using our website and from making any Booking. The Company reserves the right to decline service to any person who fails or refuses to accept these Terms.

3. Bookings & Reservations

3.1 Booking Procedure

All Bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation. A Booking shall only be deemed valid and binding upon the Company's issuance of a written confirmation — whether delivered via email, WhatsApp, or other electronic means — expressly acknowledging the Booking and specifying the Services reserved, the total price, and the scheduled dates. No oral representation by any employee or agent of the Company shall constitute a binding confirmation.

Clients may initiate a Booking through any of the following channels: the "Book Now" buttons present on our Destinations, Services, and Fleet pages; the Plan Your Expedition form; direct telephone communication at +256 786180997; or WhatsApp messaging at +256 703731303.

3.2 Accuracy of Information

The Client bears sole responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of all information furnished at the time of Booking, including but not limited to full legal names, passport details, contact information, dietary requirements, medical conditions, and any special requests. The Company shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, delay, or additional cost arising from inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the Client.

3.3 Group Bookings

For group bookings exceeding six persons, a dedicated group contract may be issued. The individual making the group booking shall be deemed the "Group Leader" and accepts full responsibility for communicating these Terms to all members of the group and for all payments due from the group collectively.

4. Payment Terms

4.1 Deposit

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a non-refundable deposit equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the total invoice value is required to confirm any Booking. The remaining balance must be settled no later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the scheduled commencement of Services. For Bookings made within seven days of the departure date, full payment is required immediately upon confirmation.

4.2 Accepted Payment Methods

The Company accepts payment via the following methods: MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, direct bank transfer to the Company's designated account (details provided upon Booking), and major credit and debit cards including Visa and Mastercard. Please note that the Company does not process payments directly through its website. All financial transactions are handled personally between the Client and a dedicated expedition consultant to ensure security, clarity, and a verifiable audit trail.

4.3 Currency & Additional Charges

All prices are quoted and payable in United States Dollars (USD) unless expressly stated otherwise. The Client shall bear all bank charges, transfer fees, and currency conversion costs associated with their payment. Any increase in government taxes, park fees, or third-party supplier costs arising after the date of Booking confirmation but before the date of service delivery shall be passed on to the Client.

4.4 Late Payment

Failure to remit the balance by the due date shall entitle the Company, at its sole discretion, to treat the Booking as cancelled by the Client and to apply the cancellation penalties set forth in Clause 5. The Company may, but shall not be obliged to, reinstate a cancelled Booking upon receipt of late payment plus a reinstatement fee.

5. Cancellation & Refund Policy

5.1 Cancellation by the Client

All cancellations must be communicated in writing via email to [email protected] and shall be effective from the date of receipt by the Company. The following cancellation charges shall apply:

• More than fourteen (14) days before departure: Seventy-five percent (75%) of the total invoice value shall be refunded, less the deposit and any non-recoverable third-party costs.
• Between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days before departure: Fifty percent (50%) of the total invoice value shall be refunded, less the deposit and any non-recoverable third-party costs.
• Fewer than seven (7) days before departure: No refund shall be payable. The full invoice amount shall be retained by the Company.

5.2 Cancellation by the Company

The Company reserves the right to cancel any Booking in circumstances where it reasonably believes that the safety, security, or wellbeing of the Client, staff, or third parties may be compromised, or where events beyond the Company's control render the performance of Services impracticable or unsafe. In such instances, the Company shall offer the Client, at the Client's election, either a full refund of all monies paid or a credit towards an alternative expedition of equivalent value.

5.3 No-Show

Should the Client fail to arrive for the commencement of Services at the agreed time and location without prior written cancellation (a "No-Show"), the full invoice amount shall be forfeited, and no refund shall be payable.

6. Gorilla Trekking Permits

Gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and are subject to UWA's statutory regulations, which the Company neither controls nor influences. Permits are strictly limited in number, date-specific, and person-specific. Once a permit has been purchased in the Client's name, it is absolutely non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances whatsoever, including but not limited to illness, injury, flight delays, change of plans, or any Force Majeure Event. The Client acknowledges and accepts this inherent risk.

The Company strongly and unequivocally recommends that the Client procure comprehensive travel insurance that expressly covers gorilla trekking permit costs in the event of cancellation.

7. Vehicle Rental & Use

7.1 Self-Drive Rentals

Clients electing self-drive rental must present a valid, current driving license issued by a recognized authority and must be a minimum of twenty-three (23) years of age. The Client acknowledges that driving conditions in Uganda may differ substantially from those in their country of origin and assumes full responsibility for navigating Ugandan roads.

The vehicle shall be provided with a full tank of fuel and must be returned with a full tank. The Client is strictly prohibited from subletting, lending, or otherwise permitting any unauthorized person to operate the vehicle. The Client shall bear full financial responsibility for all traffic violations, tolls, parking penalties, and any damage to the vehicle resulting from negligence, reckless driving, or use of the vehicle in contravention of these Terms or the laws of Uganda.

7.2 Vehicle Condition & Maintenance

Every vehicle in the Company's distinguished fleet undergoes a rigorous, documented pre-departure inspection. The Client is obliged to inspect the vehicle at the point of handover and to note any pre-existing damage on the vehicle condition report. Failure to note damage at handover shall result in the Client being deemed to have accepted the vehicle in satisfactory condition.

7.3 Breakdown & Mechanical Failure

In the event of a mechanical breakdown not attributable to Client negligence, the Company shall deploy a replacement vehicle or repair team with all reasonable speed. The Company's liability in such circumstances is strictly limited to the provision of a replacement vehicle or repair; no consequential loss, including but not limited to missed flights, accommodation, or activity costs, shall be borne by the Company.

8. Chauffeur-Driven Services

Where the Client elects chauffeur-driven Services, the Company shall provide a professional, English-speaking driver trained in defensive driving, first aid, and guest hospitality. The driver shall exercise reasonable discretion regarding route selection, speed, and stops, prioritizing the safety and comfort of all passengers. The Client shall not compel or request the driver to exceed speed limits, drive in restricted areas, operate the vehicle in a manner inconsistent with Ugandan traffic law, or work beyond legally permissible driving hours.

The Company reserves the right to replace any driver at its discretion, whether for operational reasons or in response to Client feedback, provided such replacement does not materially disrupt the expedition itinerary.

9. Insurance & Liability

9.1 Company Insurance

The Company carries comprehensive insurance coverage for all vehicles in its fleet, encompassing passenger liability, third-party liability, and vehicle damage. The Company maintains a 100% safety record since its inception in 2019.

9.2 Client Travel Insurance

The Client is strongly and unconditionally advised to procure comprehensive travel insurance covering, at minimum: medical expenses, emergency evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation and curtailment, loss or damage to personal property, and personal liability. The Client acknowledges that the Company does not sell, endorse, or warrant any particular insurance product and that the selection and purchase of travel insurance is the Client's sole responsibility.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the Republic of Uganda, the Company shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, delay, or expense arising from:

• Any act, omission, or negligence of the Client or any member of the Client's party;
• Any Force Majeure Event as defined in Clause 10;
• The acts or omissions of third-party suppliers, including but not limited to accommodation providers, activity operators, airlines, and government authorities;
• Any pre-existing medical condition of the Client not disclosed to the Company at the time of Booking;
• Loss of, or damage to, personal property, baggage, or valuables — the safekeeping of which remains the Client's responsibility at all times.

The Company's total liability, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall in no event exceed the total amount paid by the Client for the specific Services giving rise to the claim.

10. Force Majeure

The Company shall not be held liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations where such failure or delay arises from or is attributable to a Force Majeure Event. For the purposes of these Terms, a "Force Majeure Event" shall mean any act, event, omission, or circumstance beyond the Company's reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Acts of God, including earthquakes, floods, storms, landslides, and epidemics or pandemics (including COVID-19 and any future public health emergencies);
• War, threat of war, civil commotion, insurrection, terrorism, or sabotage;
• Fire, explosion, or structural collapse;
• Closure of airports, ports, or borders by government decree;
• Industrial disputes, strikes, or labour unrest;
• Any action or regulation by any governmental or supranational authority that renders performance illegal or impracticable.

Upon the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, the Company shall notify the Client with all reasonable promptness and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the impact on the Client's expedition.

11. Client Conduct & Obligations

The Client undertakes to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of Ugandan laws, customs, and cultural sensitivities at all times during the expedition. The Company reserves the absolute right to terminate Services and remove from any expedition, without refund, any Client whose behaviour is, in the reasonable opinion of the Company's guide or driver, endangering the safety of others, causing distress or offence, disrupting the expedition experience, or violating any applicable law. The costs of any such removal, including repatriation, shall be borne solely by the Client.

The Client shall comply with all instructions given by the Company's guides and drivers, particularly those concerning safety, wildlife interaction, and environmental conservation within Uganda's national parks and protected areas.

12. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

12.1 Reporting

Should the Client have cause for complaint during an expedition, the matter must be raised immediately with the Company's guide or driver, who shall use all reasonable efforts to resolve the issue on the spot. If the matter cannot be resolved during the expedition, the Client must submit a formal written complaint to [email protected] within fourteen (14) calendar days of the expedition's conclusion. Complaints submitted beyond this period may not be entertained.

12.2 Mediation & Arbitration

The Company and the Client shall first seek to resolve any dispute amicably through good-faith negotiation. Should negotiation fail, the parties agree to submit the dispute to mediation administered by a mutually agreed mediator in Kampala, Uganda. If mediation does not resolve the dispute within sixty (60) days, either party may refer the matter to binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of Uganda (Cap. 4), with the seat of arbitration being Kampala.

13. Privacy & Data Protection

The Company's collection, processing, and storage of Client personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By entering into a Booking, the Client consents to the processing of their personal data as described therein. The Company shall not sell, rent, or share Client data with unaffiliated third parties for marketing purposes.

14. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions, and any contractual relationship between the Company and the Client, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Uganda. The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda for any matters not resolved through mediation or arbitration as provided in Clause 12.

15. Amendments & Severability

The Company reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. Amendments shall be effective upon publication on the Company's website. It is the Client's responsibility to review the Terms prior to each Booking. Continued use of the Company's Services following any amendment constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Should any provision of these Terms be found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

16. Contact & Notices

All notices, queries, and communications relating to these Terms shall be directed to:

Notices to the Client shall be sent to the email address or telephone number provided at the time of Booking. The Client is responsible for maintaining current contact information with the Company.