Terms and Conditions

The short version

Drivers: only listed drivers; main driver 25+ with a full licence held 3+ years; never after alcohol or drugs.
Where: approved roads, tracks and booked countries only. No racing, commercial use, or deep-water crossings.
Deposit: the refundable security deposit on your quote is paid with your first payment, held for the hire and tracked on your booking until refunded or used — it is not a cap on what you may owe. Balance released within 5–7 business days after a clean return.
Damage: you pay up to your excess under Standard or Full CDW cover; some losses are never covered.
Late return: 150% of the daily rate for each extra day or part-day after the grace period.
Cancelling: 30+ days before pick-up — full booking-deposit refund; 14–29 days — 50%; under 14 days / no-show — none.

About this agreement

These terms are between The Wild EDGE Safaris (“we”) and the person named on the booking (“you”). Your quote, add-ons, route briefing and handover checklist form part of the contract. “Vehicle” means the vehicle and equipment listed at handover. The rental period runs from pick-up until we have inspected the returned vehicle. Electronic signature has the same effect as signing on paper. Minimum hire: 3 days (day bands and seasonal rates apply as quoted).

Driver eligibility

Main driver: 25+ with a full licence held 3+ years.
Additional drivers: must be listed, approved by us, and meet the same age standard as our booking rules (25+), with a valid licence shown at pick-up.
Licences not in English require an International Driving Permit. Original documents only at handover.
No unlisted drivers. Never drive after alcohol or drugs, or when unwell or exhausted.
You are responsible for your drivers, passengers, and damage they cause.

Permitted and prohibited use

Breaking these rules can void insurance — then you pay in full.

Approved roads, tracks and countries only; no racing, rallies, stunts, or commercial hire/freight without approval.
No illegal use (including smuggling or poaching); no overloading seats or roof racks.
No deep or fast-flowing water crossings; no beaches, tidal flats or salt pans; no ferry/barge without written approval.
No driving with the rooftop tent open or awning out; no tampering with tracker or odometer.
Repairs, tyre swaps or modifications only with our approval (except genuine emergencies).

Off-road and overlanding

Remote 4×4 travel carries risk: rough tracks, limited signal, wildlife and weather. You choose your route and own your safety decisions. Follow the briefing; use low range and recovery gear properly; plan fuel, water and food; follow park rules. Park fees, permits and fines are yours. Natural hazards are your risk except where cover expressly applies.

Collection and return

Standard collection/return is at a Wild EDGE hub (e.g. Nairobi / Johannesburg) as booked.
Vehicle delivery or collect/return outside Kenya is optional relocation: within East Africa USD 1,000; outside East Africa USD 2,000 (admin-configurable).
At pick-up we inspect together, photograph, and you sign the checklist. Damage not listed is treated as occurring during your hire.
Return with all keys, documents and equipment, clean enough to inspect. Early return does not earn a refund.
Out-of-hours returns remain at your risk until we inspect.

Charges, deposits and payments

Rental charges, add-ons, cross-border documentation fees, relocation fees and service fees are as quoted in USD and fixed once confirmed. Balances are due as stated on your booking; we may refuse handover if unpaid. Payments (deposit, balance or full) are processed via IntaSend (card / M-Pesa where available). We do not store card numbers.

The refundable security deposit (included in your first payment for bookings paid through this site) covers damage up to your excess, missing gear, fines, fuel, cleaning, late fees and other amounts owed. Any amount used, and any amount refunded, is recorded on your booking. It is not a limit. Shortfalls remain payable. Clean-return release: 5–7 business days (longer hold if damage or fines are being assessed).

Cancellation and refunds

Booking-deposit cancellations (in writing, email or WhatsApp): 30+ days full refund; 14–29 days 50%; under 14 days or no-show none. See our Return and Refund Policy. If we cancel for vehicle unavailability or safety, we refund prepaid amounts within 5 business days or offer an equivalent vehicle/dates. Online cancel is available only for pre-payment statuses (pending / signed / awaiting payment); after payment, contact support.

Insurance, excess, damage and theft

Standard cover (included): third-party liability; vehicle damage subject to excess. Tyres, rims, glass and underbody typically excluded unless Full CDW applies.
Full CDW (optional daily add-on as quoted): lower excess for covered collision damage; glass/tyres included subject to policy caps.
Never covered: alcohol/drugs, unlisted drivers, prohibited use, water/engine immersion, wildlife/sand-blasting, misuse (wrong fuel, clutch abuse, ignoring warnings), unlocked theft, camping-gear loss, interior beyond fair wear, personal belongings, medical/evacuation, unreported accidents.
Report accidents/theft to us immediately and to police within 24 hours — no police report, no cover. Excess applies per incident.
Take your own travel insurance for medical care, evacuation, cancellation and belongings.

Fines, recovery and mechanical failure

Traffic, park and customs fines (plus admin fees) are yours, including those arriving after return.
Call us first for breakdowns. Not your fault: we arrange repair/replacement where reasonably possible. Your fault (misuse, getting stuck, wrong fuel, lost keys): you pay call-out, towing, recovery and related costs.
We are not liable for lost holiday time, missed flights or trip costs — cover these on travel insurance.

Inspection, fuel and camping gear

Daily checks: oil, coolant, tyres, lights, warnings. Stop and call if something is wrong.
Diesel only. Return at the same fuel level as pick-up or we refuel at cost plus a service fee.
Camping kit and equipment listed at handover must be returned complete; loss or damage may be charged. No smoking inside.

Cross-border permits

Only enter countries approved on your booking. We prepare authorisation letters and cross-border insurance (e.g. COMESA Yellow Card) as applicable. You handle visas, passport validity (6+ months), vaccinations, Temporary Import Permits, border fees and any carnet we advise. Closed borders, delays or seizures caused by your documents or conduct are at your cost; hire charges continue.

Late return and additional drivers

After a short grace period, late return is charged at 150% of the daily rate per extra day or part-day. Extensions need approval and availability. If you are 24+ hours overdue without contact, we may treat the vehicle as unreturned and recover it at your cost. Additional drivers must be declared before handover and remain bound by these terms.

Liability, privacy and law

You travel and drive at your own risk to the extent the law allows. You indemnify us for losses from breach, prohibited use, uncovered damage and penalties, except where caused by our negligence or a defect we should have fixed. Privacy details are in our Privacy Policy. Kenyan law governs; courts of Nairobi have jurisdiction after good-faith attempts to resolve. English text prevails over translations.