Thomas Cook Collapses, what it means if you booked Tanzania safaris with Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook safari

What you need to know if you’re on a Tanzania Safari tour with the failed travel agent.

The travel giant company,  Thomas Cook collapses after last-minute bailout plans to save the failing firm which has been running for 178-years. The tour company based in the U.K has ceased to trade with immediate effect, this is according to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority. Thomas Cook has gone ahead to publish travel advice for tourists on holiday with the affected company at the following website thomascook.caa.co.uk.

Apart from Tanzania Safari holiday goers that have booked with Thomas Cook, many tourists around the world have also been affected by this situation either while on holiday or with long term plans of coming to Tanzania for Tanzania Safari tours with Thomas Cook. Fortunately, we can advise you what to do next and to claim a refund on your tour to Kilimanjaro if Thomas Cook goes into administration.

Atol protection for Kilimanjaro climbers

The Atol travel plan protects people who buy Tanzania tour package holidays that are all-inclusive plus a flight, through UK tour operators and agents like in the case of Thomas Cook. If you have booked a Tanzania safari or just a flight to Tanzania through the Thomas cook, Atol protection ensures you do not lose your money or be left stranded in Tanzania as Atol protection means they will be flown back home free of charge.

Clients who have already booked and actually paid for an upcoming Tanzania safari with Thomas Cook should a right to a refund as part of the Atol scheme.

Unfortunately, if you didn’t book your tour as part of a package you might not be Atol protected, but you may still be able to claim a refund of some sort through your travel insurance or credit card issuer – as per your booking terms and agreements.’ For more information about the Atol scheme and protection, read here.

What to do if you’re already in Tanzania for your safari

Now that, unfortunately, Thomas Cook has gone into administration, this is what you should do:

  1. Continue your Tanzania safari as normal.
  2. Arrive for your return flight as normal unless something changes and you receive an official update. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will try their best to get you on a return flight as close to your original departure time as possible.
  3. Your costs for returning home will be covered. Keep receipts of any additional costs you may be asked to pay as a result. Send a claim to The Civil Aviation Authority on your return home so that a refund can be arranged for all reasonable expenses.

Here’s more information on how to make an Atol claim if you’re currently abroad. 

Do I have to pay for my hotel/camp/lodge during and after a safari?

Since most Tanzania safari itineraries include your hotel accommodation in Tanzania (Arusha) before and after your climb it will not be necessary to pay but if you’re experiencing any difficulties with your Atol-protected hotel, or if your hotel is requesting payment from you, you can call the CAA call centre on the following line: +44 1753 330 330. NB: It may take the Civil Aviation Authority a few days to secure new payment arrangements for your accommodation. Do not proceed to pay your accommodation unless given the green-light by the CAA team. If your trip is not covered by the Atol scheme, you are not entitled to make a claim for your extra expenses and additional nights of hotel accommodation under the Atol protection, but you may be able to claim for a refund or payment from your travel insurer as per the booking terms and conditions, bank or your credit card issuer. Here’s more information on how to make an Atol claim if you’re currently abroad. 

What to do if you’re planning to travel soon for a safari in Tanzania

If you’re due to travel with Thomas Cook in the near future, here is what you should do:

From 23 September 2019, all flights and Tanzania safari tours will be cancelled.

All Thomas Cook arline flights will not operate anymore, so if you have booked on a Thomas Cook Airlines flight, please do not go to your UK airport. Please double-check with your accommodation/flight provider to check if your booking is on record. Keep all your booking information and make a record of all emails and replies. If will not continue with your safari in Tanzania, make a claim under the Atol plan to get a refund.

Here’s more information on how to make an Atol claim if you’re currently abroad. 

Why has Thomas Cook collapsed?

The troubled tour company, Thomas Cook tried to secure a £750m cash injection to see it safe for low season of winter 2019-20 when the number of bookings goes down. Thomas Cook’s chief executive, Peter Fankhauser, said the company’s collapse was a ‘matter of profound regret’. Commenting as the company entered compulsory liquidation, Mr Fankhauser also had words of apology to Thomas Cook’s ‘millions of customers and thousands of employed staff’. If the company does go bust it would be the biggest-ever repatriation, with an estimated 150,000 tourists of British origin currently abroad on a variety Thomas Cook holidays that include Tanzania safari holidays. The government has 45  jets ready to bring clients back home and with 64 routes being flown today. The size of the fleet will make it UK’s fifth-largest airline. The collapse has put over 20,000 jobs at risk, including 9,000 in the United Kingdom alone.

 229 total views

Mauritius Travel Advice

There’s nothing like up-to-date, relevant travel information direct from the experts – get Africa joy tours essential Mauritius travel advice before you go.

mauritius-travel-advice

Money & Spending
The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee and you’ll find that your hotel or resort will exchange cash or travellers cheques without any problems. (As a general rule, travellers cheques get a better rate than cash.) Many visitors however tend to pay for any extras with their credit cards as both Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted throughout the island.

Hotel rates generally include breakfast, dinner, all non-motorized water sports and unlimited waterskiing. You can sometimes opt for an all-inclusive rate which also covers lunch and drinks (except imported beers and spirits). Although it’s obviously a slightly higher rate, paying the all-inclusive price upfront means that apart from apart from souvenirs, tips and taxi fares, you won’t have to worry about money on your Mauritius holiday.

Tipping
Although it is not compulsory, tipping is highly appreciated in Mauritius. For good service we recommend a tip of between 10% and 15%, which is the charge that top-end hotels and restaurants will sometimes add to a bill.

For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.

Climate

Average year-round temperatures: 17°C to 30°C

Rainy season: December to April

Refer to “best time to visit Mauritius” for climate charts and more detailed advice.

What to Pack
As most of your Mauritius holiday will likely be spent on the beach, light beach wear and cotton clothing will be most comfortable during the day: shorts and t-shirts, swimming costumes, sun hats, sunglasses and sandals are essential. A pair of walking shoes will come in useful too, and include a few slightly more formal outfits for the evenings.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport: set in the south of the island 4km from the coastal town of Mahebourg, it takes approximately a hour to get to your resort or hotel, regardless of what coast it is on. Fly in direct from Europe or Dubai as well as from Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Nairobi.

Road transfers whisk you from door to door but the manageable size of Mauritius makes it easy to explore the island under your own steam – hire a scooter, car or even a bicycle. If you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving, take one of the many taxis available but be aware that although they all have meters they are seldom switched on. Agree on a price before you start your journey.

Visa & Passport Requirements
Visas to enter Mauritius are not required for citizens of the USA, EU, Canada and Japan, among others. Initial entry is granted for one month but extensions for a further three months are available at Port Louis. Visitors from most other countries can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport for a period of up to 60 days – for a full list of visa requirements, visit the Mauritius Embassy website.

All visitors to Mauritius require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.

 120 total views

Best Time to Visit Mauritius

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. Expect some of Africa’s best beaches, fresh seafood and long, sundrenched days on a Mauritius holiday.

The island has a classic tropical climate with warm weather year-round. Even in winter, from May to October, the temperature drops from hot to balmy. During summer, from November to April, the days are hot and humid.

We don’t recommend visting Mauritius during the wet cyclone season, from January to March, and avoid the east coast in July and August, when the wind is at its strongest.

 138 total views