With the rapidly evolving outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the variants, we know there is much concern and uncertainty related to travel. We are constantly monitoring the situation, and adjusting our approach as conditions evolve. We will keep this page updated as frequently as possible with any changes and new developments. We understand that with this global health crisis comes economic hardship for many people, from travelers like you, to companies like us, to local travel partners in regions we visit who have seen their livelihoods evaporate along with the tourists that normally support their economies. Thank you for bearing with us as we work to ensure that we do what is best for all parties. We feel that it is important we all take steps to be a part of the solution to this pandemic and help “flatten the curve” by minimizing the opportunity for the COVID-19 to spread, giving medical systems a chance to catch up to the growing demand. Our most immediate question to face is, how do we at Wild Focus Expeditions do right by you?
We cancelled/rescheduled many of our trips but have since successfully conducted trips throughout the world including to the Galapagos Islands in December 2020, one safari in Namibia, four safaris in Kenya and one in Uganda between the months of May and August 2021, the Pantanal in September and October 2021 and all of our scheduled departures in 2022. All trip participants were very happy that they went on the trip. Every single traveler returned home safely and Covid-free. Because so few people are traveling, our trip participants especially enjoyed wildlife sightings with very few  other people around as compared to normal times. In fact, several people commented that they felt safer while on the trip than they did while at home in the U.S.  
Moving forward, we will inform you as rapidly as possible about our trips as the course of this pandemic continues to unfold; we are closely assessing each trip about two months before departure. Thank you so much for your patience during this challenging time and please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about future trips.

WILD FOCUS EXPEDITIONS’ APPROACH

We have resumed operating all of our trips in 2021 and 2022, but our position will evolve as conditions change and government policies are updated. We will try to make a decision on whether or not to cancel a trip at least 60 days before the departure date. Please know that we will not hesitate to cancel a departure if that decision seems prudent for the safety of our guests.

What happens if Wild Focus cancels my trip because of COVID-19 travel restrictions?

If we need to cancel a trip because of COVID-19 travel restrictions, we will be in touch and provide more information specific to your trip.

For trips scheduled in 2022, we have set up the following:

  • As of August 31, 2022, all 2022 trips have been safe and successful and are currently scheduled for the remainder of the year.
  • If, due to Covid a trip needs to be cancelled in 2022, we will transfer the itinerary (or as close to it as possible) to a future departure date.
  • Upon rescheduling, we will apply 100% credit to use towards a future trip departing on or before December 31, 2023, less any penalties by hotels or local service providers that we are unable to waive
  • If we are unable to set up the same trip in a future departure, we will provide a refund for the amount that we are able to recover from our operators. We will use good faith efforts to recover and refund as much money as possible in light of these circumstances.

Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible for other expenses incurred like visa fees, inoculations, travel equipment, etc.

What if my departure is canceled and I have already paid for my airfare?

Please work with your travel insurance company, travel agent, airline, or credit card company to see what options may be available to you. Wild Focus cannot be responsible for international airfare; however, in light of these unusual circumstances, many airlines have introduced new policies that allow you to cancel your flight and convert to a travel credit.
 

What does Travelex cover?

For all Travelex related questions, we encourage you to contact them directly. They have also put together their own FAQ page.

What should I do if I’m booked on a trip but I’m not sure if I should travel?

We understand that these are uncertain times, and have introduced more flexible cancellation policies for every trip to give you peace of mind and more time to cancel a trip without penalty as we monitor how this situation evolves.

We highly suggest that travel clients get a Covid-19 vaccine and boosters at their earliest convenience. Consult your physician to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine.

If you are unsure whether to travel due to health concerns, we recommend you consult with your physician. We also highly recommend purchasing CFAR (Cancel for any Reason) insurance.

Please email us if you have any questions about the policies specific to your trip and the region you are visiting. Ultimately, if we do NOT cancel a trip, the decision to travel is up to you.

Where can I find up to date information about travel advisories?

For the latest information, we recommend reviewing updates from the: