Rockjumper tours typically include:

• Expert guiding throughout the tour
• All ground transport during the tour
• Accommodation (usually en suite, unless stated otherwise)
• All meals (depending on tour type)
• Park fees, permits (excluding those for Gorilla & Chimpanzee trekking), and reserve entry fees
• Tips for drivers, hotel staff, and restaurants (on most tours)
• Bottled Drinking Water (unless the water is potable)

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The following items are typically not included in the tour price, and you should budget separately for:

• International flights
• Visa costs and entry requirements
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
• Souvenirs and laundry
• Tips for your Rockjumper tour leader(s)
• Internal flights (we book these for you and add to your final invoice)

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A note on variation

• Tours led by local leaders may sometimes include fewer meals and exclude extras such as tips
• Some tours have specific inclusions/exclusions, so it’s always best to check your itinerary or quote carefully

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Simple summary

“Almost everything from arrival to departure is included except for flights, insurance, visas, and personal expenses.”

International flights

• These are always excluded
• You’ll need to book your own flights to and from the tour start/end point

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Internal (domestic) flights

• Usually excluded from the tour price but quoted as a dollar amount separately
• The Rockjumper office will book these flights for you with the final cost added to your final invoice

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Why this approach?

For international flights it gives you flexibility to:

• choose your preferred airline and routing
• use loyalty points or specific travel arrangements
• arrive early or stay on after the tour

For internal (domestic) flights:

• you get charged the price for the flight at the time of booking
• the flight isn’t a built-in, estimated figure, sitting within the tour price

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Simple summary

“International flights are not included; internal flights may be included if specified but are usually booked for you and invoiced for accordingly.”

Rockjumper’s deposit policy is straightforward, but it’s important to understand how it works.

Deposit to secure your booking

• A deposit is required to confirm your place on a tour
• Your booking is only secured once:
  • you submit your booking form, and
  • payment (deposit or full amount) is received
  • Your booking is confirmed by the Rockjumper Office via email

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How much is the deposit?

• For most international tours a fixed deposit amount (typically US$800 per person for a Main Tour and US$500 for an Extension) is required
• Tailor-made typically has a similar deposit requirement although the actual deposit required is far more variable depending on the location and accommodations booked

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Is the deposit refundable?

• If the tour is confirmed and you cancel more than 4 months before departure:
  • US$495 of the deposit is non-refundable
• If you cancel within 4 months of departure:
  • the full tour price becomes payable

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If the tour is not yet confirmed

• You can usually cancel without penalty before the tour is confirmed

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Special case – cruises

• Cruise deposits are higher (typically around 30%) and non-refundable once paid

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Simple summary

“A deposit secures your booking which is usually US$800 for a main tour and US$500 for an Extension. This becomes non-refundable once the tour is confirmed.”

Full payment timing depends on how close you are to the start date of the tour

Standard payment timeline

• The balance is typically due 4 months before the tour starts

This is the key deadline for most international tours

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If booking closer to departure

• If you book within 4 months of the start date the full tour price is payable immediately

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Why this matters

• Many tour costs (accommodation, permits, internal flights) need to be secured in advance
• This ensures everything runs smoothly for your departure

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Simple summary

“Pay a deposit to secure your place, and the full balance is due 4 months before the tour or immediately if you book close to the departure date.”

A single supplement is an extra cost applied if you prefer to have your own private room during the tour (where applicable).

Why it exists

Tour prices are usually based on two people sharing a room (twin or double)

If you travel alone and want your own room:

• the hotel charges more
• this additional cost is passed on as the single supplement

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Your options

If you’re travelling solo, you typically have two choices:

1. Share a room (no supplement)

• We try to pair you with another same-sex guest
• No extra cost
• A good way to keep the trip more affordable

2. Private room (single supplement applies)

• You have your own room throughout the tour
• Pay the additional single supplement fee

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Important to know

• Single supplements vary substantially depending on the destination
• In some remote areas, single rooms may be limited or not available at all
• If you do choose to share and a rooming partner cannot be found you will be placed in a single room and will need to pay the associated single supplement.

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Simple summary

“A single supplement is the extra cost for having your own room instead of sharing.”

A small group supplement is an additional cost applied when a tour runs with fewer participants than usual.

Why it exists

Rockjumper tours are priced based on a typical group size (usually around 6 to 10 people).

If fewer people join:

• the fixed costs (guides, vehicles, fuel, logistics) are shared among fewer guests
• this increases the cost per person

The small group supplement helps cover that difference so the tour can still run.

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When it applies

• Only on certain tours where numbers are lower than expected
• Always discussed in advance with you, not added unexpectedly during the trip

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The upside

• You get a smaller, more personalised experience
• More guide attention
• Easier logistics in the field

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Important to know

• Not all tours have this
• Most departures run at normal group sizes (6 to 10 guests) with no supplement required
• Some tours are guaranteed departures, meaning no supplement even with small numbers

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Simple summary

“A small group supplement is an extra cost when fewer people join a tour, helping cover fixed costs, but it also means a more intimate experience.”

Rockjumper’s tipping policy is designed to be simple and mostly inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about it day-to-day.

What’s included

On most scheduled tours:

• Tips for drivers, hotel staff, porters, restaurant staff, and local guides are included in the tour price

This means you don’t need to tip routinely during the trip for standard services

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What’s not included

• Tips for your Rockjumper tour leader(s) are not included
• These are entirely voluntary, but appreciated if you feel they’ve provided excellent service

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Exceptions

On some tours with a local-leader only:

• tips may not be included at all
• you may need to budget separately
• you will be clearly notified in advance

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General guidance

• Tipping is not compulsory
• It’s a personal way to say thank you for good service

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Simple summary

“Most tips are included, only your Rockjumper tour leader’s tip is optional and left to your discretion.”

The short answer is that tours with leading birding companies (like Rockjumper) cost more because they deliver a much higher level of expertise, planning, and overall experience

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1. Expert guides (the biggest factor)

• Highly skilled birders who know:
  • calls, habitats, and behaviour
  • exactly where to find difficult species
• This dramatically increases your chances of seeing key birds

You are not just travelling, you are learning and maximising your sightings

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2. Carefully designed itineraries

• Routes are refined over years of expereince
• Sites are chosen for maximum success and efficiency
• Timing is planned around seasonality and bird activity

This level of planning takes significant time and expertise

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3. Quality logistics and support

• Reliable transport and experienced drivers
• Well-located accommodation (often close to key birding areas)
• Seamless organisation from start to finish

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4. Small group sizes

• Typically 6 to 10 participants
• More personal attention
• Better access to birds and scopes

Smaller groups cost more to run, but greatly improve the experience

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5. Access to top sites

• Permits, reserves, and remote locations
• Local knowledge and long-standing relationships
• Ability to reach places independent travellers often can’t

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6. Responsible and ethical birding

• Careful use of playback
• Respect for wildlife and habitats
• Support for conservation and local communities

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7. Peace of mind

• Pre-departure support
• Experienced leaders managing the trip
• Clear expectations and backup plans when things change

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Honest perspective

You can travel more cheaply:

• self-guided trips
• with local guides only

But you’ll likely trade off:

• efficiency
• species success
• ease of travel
• some level of comfort
• overall experience

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Simple summary

“You’re paying for expertise, planning, access, and a smoother, more successful birding experience, not just transport and accommodation.”

We don’t generally offer broad, automatic discounts, but there are a few situations where savings or special pricing may apply (to the main tour prices only).

1. Early booking or special offers

We offer:

• early bird specials on select tours booked at least 12 months in advance
• limited-time promotions on certain tours

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2. Loyalty Discount

If you book and travel with Rockjumper frequently:

• there is a discount on your 5^th full tour

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3. Referral Discount

If you refer someone to Rockjumper who has not travelled with us before:

• there is a discount of US$400 per referral
• the person referred must sign up for a qualifying scheduled tour

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4. Go Club

From time to time, there may be:

• last-minute availability offers

Sign up to our Go Club (free) to hear about all last-minute specials on selected tours

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5. Tailor-made / Birding Direct options

• Tours through Birding Direct or through our tailor-made department can sometimes be:
  • more cost-flexible
  • adjusted to suit your budget

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Honest expectation

• Rockjumper focuses on quality and value, rather than heavy discounting
• Pricing reflects:
  • expert guides
  • small groups
  • carefully planned logistics

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Simple summary

“Discounts are not standard, but we do offer savings in certain cases, especially for loyal guests, referrals, or occasional promotions.”