Terms &
Conditions

• You must be 18 years old or above to participate in the programs, except for high school volunteer groups.
• Travel, medical and indemnity insurance is not included in the program cost. It is the responsibility of the student/volunteer to ensure that they have adequate coverage for the duration of their program.
• It is the volunteer's responsibility to ensure that s/he is in good health and fit to travel and undertake the duties expected of them in their program.
• Elective Africa is not responsible for loss of property, personal injury, illness, accident, delay or expense sustained by the volunteer while participating in our programs.
• Elective Africa and its agents are not responsible for any financial obligations or liabilities the participant may incur including damages to property, or injury to others while participating on this program.
• Elective Africa is not responsible for the cost of extra activities (sightseeing, expeditions etc.) incurred during the course of your stay.
• Participants must acknowledge that possession of illegal substances is a grave violation of Elective Africa policy, and if discovered will result in the immediate cancellation of your program.
• Participants are cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with severe punishment by host country law enforcement.

Once your application has been accepted, a reservation deposit is due immediately in order to find placement. Once paid, the reservation deposit is non-refundable, but will be applied to the student's program fee should they attend in future up to one year from the initial start date.

The Program fee must be paid 90 days before the desired start date. Any change of payment plan and dates must be communicated to us in writing and approved by the accounting team. For programs split between two or more countries, the program fee is due 4 months prior to your start date.

Failure to pay the program fee at the agreed dates will lead to an automatic cancellation of the placement and the Reservation Deposit shall NOT be refunded.

Once the application is accepted and reservation deposit duly paid, the program fee cost is guaranteed and will not change so long as the proposed start date is within one year of the date of application.

Program fee prices on the website are subject to change without warning. All prices including for optional activities such as excursions or safaris are subject to change without notice.

All fees are payable in US Dollars.

Participants agree that no part of the program fee is refundable once the program has commenced.

Any refunds for whatever reason will be sent out within 14 days of the refund decision date.

Elective Africa must be notified of desired changes or cancellations through operations@electiveafrica.com. This is the only binding way to secure a change to your contract with Elective Africa.

We usually charge a change fee of US $50, plus any additional costs we may incur to effect the change. Where these costs exceed US $75, we will give you full details prior to effecting the change.

Once you have made your reservation deposit, you need to provide all requisite documents no later than 2 months prior to your program start date. Failure to do so will incur an additional expedited processing fee of $25.

• Written notice received after making the reservation deposit but more than 60 days from the program start date will incur forfeiture of the reservation deposit.
• Written notice received 30 to 60 days before your program start date will incur a 50% total program fee.
• There will be no refund for cancellation notice received less than 30 days before your program start date.
• Once a participant commences their program, there will be no refund for any reason whatsoever.
• Due to advance preparations, cancellations for optional programs such as Safaris will incur a 25% cancellation fee.

In very rare occasions, program details such as change of placement hospital or accommodation may differ from the original information shared with you. In such a case, we will do everything possible to deliver a program as good as what was contracted.

In the event that a participant is signed up for a location with no other participant signed up two months before their start date, Elective Africa will notify the participant in writing of a change of location.

In case of acceptance of the change, Elective Africa shall organize for a hospital with a similar opportunity for experience. Elective Africa will not be liable for any costs that may arise as a result of this change including flights.

In case of rejection, the client shall inform Elective Africa within 15 days of receiving the information. Elective Africa will organize for the full refund of the program fee paid.

In the very rare occasion that we need to cancel a program, we will inform you at least 45 days before your start date and refund you fully within 30 days. We will not have any further liability beyond the full refund.

Where a cancellation is necessitated by circumstances beyond our control — natural disasters, extreme political instability, security threats, terrorist activities — you will be notified as soon as reasonably possible.

• Follow the rules, advice and policies set by the local Project Coordinator.
• Travel with an open mind; be respectful to the culture and customs of the country you are volunteering in.
• Responsible alcohol consumption is permitted; gross misbehaviour will result in termination. You must not consume alcohol at your project or volunteer site.
• Treat all people with respect and dignity, especially the elders of the community.
• Dress properly with regard to local culture and weather conditions.
• Avoid all political demonstrations and activities. You are guests in the host country and subject to local laws.
• Acknowledge that the program and accommodations are customised for you and not changeable in-country without approval.
• Advise the Project Coordinators of weekend travel plans.
• Seek permission before inviting guests to the residence. Overnight guests are not allowed in the Elective Africa residence.
• Respect the accommodation; you will be liable for any damage you may cause.
• No smoking inside your accommodation.

Elective Africa reserves the right to terminate the program of any student/volunteer who violates these Terms and Conditions, is found to have supplied false information during their application, refuses to fulfil their obligations, or behaves in a manner considered to be gross misconduct.

If a program is terminated, the volunteer is no longer under the care of Elective Africa and is responsible for his/her own passage back home. Elective Africa will not be liable to offer assistance, financial or otherwise.

Volunteers who choose to terminate their program for whatever reason, at any point during their volunteer work, will no longer be under the care of Elective Africa. No refunds will be given.

By accepting to participate in any of our programs, volunteers agree that they have read and accepted our Terms and Conditions and further indemnify Elective Africa from and against all loss, damage and liability which may be suffered or incurred as a result of his/her act, neglect or default while participating in any of the programs.

All Elective Africa participants are required to have valid travel insurance for the duration of their program. Travel insurance should cover medical emergencies, hospitalization, emergency evacuation, trip interruption/cancellation and other unforeseen travel-related circumstances.

Students must obtain appropriate travel insurance before traveling and will be required to provide proof of coverage during the pre-departure process.

Please note: Elective Africa does not provide travel insurance; participants are responsible for ensuring their policy provides adequate coverage for the duration of their program.

Elective Africa does not select, endorse, supervise, or control any vendor, guide, operator, or service provider not formally designated as an “Approved Vendor” by the Company. Participants are strongly discouraged from engaging, booking, or otherwise obtaining services from non-approved third parties including safaris, excursions, side trips, transportation, tours, or similar activities during their time in the program. Any such arrangements are undertaken solely at the participant’s own initiative, discretion, and risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Elective Africa shall not be liable for, and expressly disclaims responsibility for, any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, delay, expense, or other incident of any kind arising out of or in connection with a participant’s use of, or interaction with, any non-approved vendor or independent arrangement, regardless of whether such incident arises from the vendor’s negligence, the condition of equipment or premises, or any other cause. Each participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company, its officers, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to the participant’s engagement of non-approved vendors or participation in independently arranged activities.

Participants remain solely responsible for exercising their own judgment, conducting appropriate due diligence, and taking reasonable safety precautions before engaging any third-party service, whether or not affiliated with the program.