Booking & Cancellation Policy for Tours to Senegal & The Gambia
Last Updated: March 2026
Company: SHIMA Travel Tours
At SHIMA Travel Tours, we are committed to flexibility, fairness, and transparency in our booking, cancellation, and refund policies.
This policy applies to tours, transfers, and travel services operated by SHIMA Travel Tours across Senegal and The Gambia.
Because each service we provide involves coordination with trusted local partners, drivers, and guides, specific cancellation timelines apply to our tours, airport transfers, and taxi services. Please review the policy below carefully to understand how deposits, payments, and cancellations are handled for different types of bookings.
Booking & Payments
Payments may be made via wire transfer, local mobile money, or approved digital payment platforms.
Debit and credit card payments are not accepted at this time.
For full payment details, please review our Payment Methods page.
Note: SHIMA Travel Tours provides hotel recommendations and introductions only.
We do not handle accommodation bookings or payments, and therefore are not responsible for any hotel-related cancellations, charges, or refunds.
⏳ Price Validity
All prices quoted by SHIMA Travel Tours are valid for 30 days from the date the client confirms acceptance of the itinerary in writing, including via email or WhatsApp.
After this 30-day period, prices may be subject to adjustment due to changes in operational costs, including but not limited to fuel prices, supplier rates, or currency fluctuations.
Prices are guaranteed only upon receipt of the required deposit within the stated validity period.
🔸 1. Tour Booking and Cancellation Policy
To confirm your booking, we require a deposit based on when your reservation is made and where your tour begins (Dakar, other regions of Senegal, or neighboring countries such as The Gambia or Mauritania).
Please note that special payment and refund conditions apply to last-minute bookings made within 48 hours of the tour start time (see Precedence & Non-Refundable Window below)
1.1 Client Abroad – Tour Originates Outside Dakar
(Example: The Gambia or other locations requiring SHIMA to travel from Dakar.)
Booking & Payments:
- A 40% deposit of the total tour cost is required to secure the booking.
- Wire transfers must be initiated at least 7–10 days before booking and received at least 5 days prior to the tour start date.
- For bookings made less than 7 days before the start date, payment must be made via local mobile money or approved digital payment platforms (wire transfer not accepted due to processing time).
- The remaining balance is due at least 24 hours before the start of the tour.
- Clients are responsible for any transaction or processing fees.
Cancellations & Refunds:
Cancellations by Client
- More than 7 days before start of tour:
✅ Full refund of deposit minus an administrative fee equal to 15% of the deposit amount. - 7 to 5 days before start of tour:
🔸 Full refund of deposit minus an administrative fee equal to 20% of the deposit amount. - Less than 5 days before start of tour or no-show:
❌ No refund (all logistics and local costs are confirmed)
Refunds
- Refunds for mobile money payments are processed within 5–10 business days.
- Refunds for wire transfers are processed within approximately 10–15 business days.
- Financial institution transaction and processing fees are the client’s responsibility and are not included in any refunds.
1.2 Client Abroad – Tour Originates in Dakar
- A 40% deposit of the total tour cost is required to secure the booking.
- Wire transfers must be initiated at least 7–10 days before booking and received at least 5 days prior to the tour start date.
- For bookings made less than 7 days before the start date, payment must be made via local mobile money or approved digital payment platforms (wire transfer not accepted due to processing time).
- The remaining balance is due at least 24 hours before the start of the tour.
- Travelers are responsible for any transaction or processing fees.
Cancellations & Refunds:
Cancellations by Client
- More than 7 days before start of tour:
✅ Full refund of deposit minus an administrative fee equal to 15% of the deposit amount. - 7 to 5 days before start of tour:
🔸 Full refund of deposit minus an administrative fee equal to 20% of the deposit amount. - Less than 5 days before start of tour or no-show:
❌ No refund (all logistics and local costs have been confirmed)
Refunds
- Refunds for payment made via local mobile money or approved digital payment platforms are processed within 5–10 business days.
- Refunds for wire transfers are processed within approximately 10–15 business days.
- Financial institution transaction and processing fees are the client’s responsibility and are not included in any refunds.
1.3 Client Already in Dakar – Local Tour Bookings
Booking & Payments:
- A 50% deposit of the total tour cost is required upon confirmation of the tour and before the tour departs from the client pickup location.
- Deposits may be paid in cash or via local mobile money or approved digital payment platforms.
- The balance may be paid in cash at the end of the tour in CFA, Euros, Pounds Sterling, or USD, or electronically in advance.
- Clients are responsible for any transaction or conversion fees.
Cancellations & Refunds:
- Cancellations made less than 12 hours before the tour are refunded minus an administrative fee equal to 50% of the deposit amount.
- No-shows are non-refundable.
- Cash refunds, when applicable, are issued in cash or via another mutually agreed method.
- Financial institution transaction and processing fees are not included in any refunds.
⚠️ Precedence & Non-Refundable Window:
Regardless of the general schedule listed in sections 1.1 – 1.3 above, any booking made within 5 days of the tour start date requires a 40% deposit which is fully non-refundable.
Any booking canceled within 0–4 days of the start date is non-refundable.
Bookings made 48 hours or less before the tour start time require full payment at the time of booking and are fully non-refundable.
Eligible refunds are applied to amounts paid (including deposits) minus applicable bank or processing fees.
🚖 2. Airport Transfers & Local Taxi Services (Dakar Area)
Booking & Payments:
- No prepayment is required.
- Payment is made at the point of service (POS) in cash or via local mobile money only.
Cancellations:
- No cancellation penalties apply.
- If you cancel, simply let us know — no charges or fees apply.
🌦️ 3. Cancellations by SHIMA Travel Tours
If SHIMA Travel Tours must cancel due to weather, safety, or operational issues, travelers may choose between:
- A full refund, or
- A credit for a future tour or transfer of equal value.
We’ll always communicate promptly and offer the most flexible options available.
💳 4. Refunds & Processing
Eligible refunds are issued based on the original payment method:
– Card or mobile money: 5–10 business days
– Wire transfer: 10–15 business days
– Cash refunds, when applicable, may be issued in cash or another mutually agreed form.
Bank, credit card, or mobile money processing fees are non-refundable.
⚡ 5. Force Majeure (Unforeseen Circumstances)
No refunds or compensation will be provided for cancellations caused by events outside our control, such as:
- Natural disasters
- Political unrest or border closures
- Epidemics or government restrictions
Whenever possible, we’ll offer a rescheduled date or credit toward a future service.
🌿 6. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering:
- Trip cancellations or delays
- Medical emergencies
- Lost baggage
- Force majeure disruptions
✉️ 8. Contact Us
For any questions about cancellations or rescheduling, please contact:
📩 info@shimatraveltours.com
(+221) [77 791 65 88](+1) [347 416 1416]
Our team will respond promptly to assist with your request.