How do I go about booking a trip or tour on Garden Route Explorers?

Most people do some background research on hiking trips or tours before they are ready to make a booking, but what should you do once you are satisfied with what you have seen and/or read?

Let’s cover the various stages off one by one.

Do your homework first

What I mean here is first do some research on hiking trips, operators, their location, pricing and what is included, dates, flexibility, and convenience. Most credible operators will have a website, information on trips offered, pricing and Google reviews, so check these out and e-mail the ones you prefer and request further information if you require that.

I am ready to book, what now?

E-mail the contact e-mail address or send a WhatsApp message and advise them of your intentions in terms of your preferred adventure or tour date, the number of people wanting to do the trip (adults and children under 16 years of age), special dietary requirements, if you are single or part of a group, when you need to pay the deposit, as well as the balance, and ask for clarity on anything that’s not clear. It’s a clever idea to ask about the refund and cancellation policy as well, so that you understand what the expectations are. Once everything is clarified, you can request a proforma invoice and pay the deposit or you can book your space on our website.

No bookings are confirmed until the deposit is received. The outstanding balance is payable 14 days before the adventure starts.

I have paid the deposit, so what happens now?

Once you have confirmed a date, we advise that there is availability for you or your group, you pay the deposit and send through proof of payment or book online. Once payment is received, your booking is confirmed, and you will receive all the information and instructions in connection with the trip by e-mail or WhatsApp. Please don’t forget to advise us of your dietary requirements ASAP. An indemnity form will also be sent to you to complete it, so once you receive it, it’s important to complete and return it as soon as possible too.

Something has come up and I cannot make the date of the adventure anymore, so what now?

Once you have made a commitment to a tour or hiking adventure and paid the deposit, you are expected to do it. If there is a serious reason you cannot make the tour or adventure date, you need to communicate this ASAP and then arrange a postponement. In most instances, you will have 12 months to do the event from the date your hiking adventure or tour would have started.

Garden Route Explorers has a no refund policy once you have paid a deposit, or in full for a trip, unless we are unable to do a specific trip and the alternative dates given to you are unworkable. The only other instance where a full or partial refund will be considered is when there are justifiable medical reasons preventing your participation in the adventure. In the latter instance, your medical practitioner will need to support your inability to participate in the current or future tours or adventures.

So, to summarize, please make 100% sure you can commit to the date/s chosen before you book and pay, as you cannot cancel a trip once you have paid the deposit. It can be postponed, and you will then have 12 months in which to do it. If you are unable to do the trip within the 12-month period, you will forfeit any deposit or monies paid. We therefore ask that you understand and accept these terms and conditions when you make the bookings.

I hope this article has clarified how you make a booking to do a tour or hiking trip, and what our expectations are to make it an enjoyable experience for you.