Travel FAQs
Updated May 2023
As well as being confident in booking with us, you can also be confident in travelling with us and as we begin to live with covid, you may find the answers to any specific questions you have about travel at this time. Of course, our travel experts are always available and on-hand to discuss any queries you may have in more detail.
If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch via +44 (0) 20 3944 7846 (UK & EU) or 1-857-415-6615 (US)
Pre-Travel FAQ
Q: Do I need to be fully-vaccinated to travel with you?
We continue to suggest that for everyone’s peace of mind and safety all non-medically exempt clients on our Group Tours be fully vaccinated, regardless of any country’s requirements. However we are no longer making this a condition of travel with us but depending on the destination you should be aware that you may need to show the authorities on arrival that you have been fully vaccinated against covid, although this is becoming increasingly rarer.
Q. I am booked on a trip with you, what are my options?
In line with our Flexible Booking Promise you have the right to transfer* without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Travel Ready.
If your trip is not Travel Ready, we will not guarantee it or ask you to pay your final balance.
If your trip is not Travel Ready, by 6 weeks prior to departure at the latest, you can cancel your holiday and either transfer your funds to another trip without any amendment fees, or have a full refund, which you will receive within 14 days of cancellation.
*We are very happy to offer free transfers as per our Flexible Booking Promise but it is subject to fair usage as often transfers involve a lot of work on our part. Please note that while Wild Frontiers will not charge any admin fees, some changes may still be subject to 3rd party transfer fees, such as those imposed by airlines, which lay outside of our control and will be passed on.
Q: What does Travel Ready mean?
We will only consider a trip Travel Ready* if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
- There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
- Destinations on the tour do not have any notable entry restrictions in place, such as closed borders or mandatory arrival quarantine requirements.
- No destinations visited on the tour have in place any restrictions for travellers that would be likely to significantly impact your holiday enjoyment.
- Tourist visas (if required) are available.
- There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
- Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner. If a destination, that we have deemed to be Travel Ready, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Flexible Booking Promise to transfer without any fees.
*Since our HQ is in London, Travel Ready status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. For tailor-made trips, we may also be able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is viable, so please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
Q: What happens if after we book a country has an outbreak of Coronavirus, or brings in a mandatory quarantine for foreign visitors?
If a destination, that we have deemed to be Travel Ready, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria then no later than two weeks prior to departure you will have the right to cancel your holiday and either transfer your funds to another departure or have a full refund within 14 days. If you wish to transfer to another trip before that time, then we will be as flexible as possible and will not apply any transfer fees ourselves for the tour. However you should be aware that other costs (such as flights and other on-tour services) might incur transfer fees.
Q: Will there be changes made to my trip if there are any Covid-19 restrictions in place locally?
We are in constant contact with our partners in-country and it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our planned itineraries to comply with local covid restrictions that may be in place at the time of your visit. We will endeavour to keep you fully informed prior to and during your trip, but we ask that you travel with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Q: What if at least one of the destinations that I’m due to visit announces that they will not accept travellers from my country of residence or a country to which I have recently visited?
If this scenario would mean that your trip was no longer Travel Ready (see above) then please see “I am booked on a trip with you, what are my options?" above for what this would mean to you. If the trip were still Travel Ready then we would be as flexible as we could and consider each situation individually.
Q: What if Wild Frontiers consider the trip to be Travel Ready, but we nevertheless want to cancel our holiday?
To ensure the safety of our clients and our staff, we have set stringent criteria before we would consider a trip to be Travel Ready. If however you choose not to travel then our standard transfer and cancellation fees will typically apply. Our Booking Conditions outline the costs you’ll incur when you cancel or transfer, but we will always be as flexible as we could and will consider each situation individually.
Q: What if the trip is Travel Ready but we want to transfer our holiday to a later date?
We are happy to look at transferring your holiday to a later date and we will do our best to keep the costs to a minimum. However, please bear in mind that the closer to departure the more likely that we will incur costs transferring your trip.
Q: Will my travel insurance cover Coronavirus?
Travel insurance policies vary and it is unlikely that any policy will cover you for every possible scenario. You should check your travel insurance cover and the policy wording carefully to ensure it matches your requirements. Visit our insurance page for more information.
Q: What are my options if I need to self-isolate upon return to my home country?
Needing to self-isolate upon your return to your home country is not by itself something that would affect our assessment of the tour as being Travel Ready. As such, if you wanted to transfer or cancel off a trip for this reason, we would aim to be as flexible as we could but our standard Booking Conditions would apply. Obviously if you still wanted to travel then we would assist you with obtaining all the necessary tests and authorisations required.
On-Tour FAQ
Q: What precautions can I take to protect myself and others from Covid-19?
As we learn to live safely with coronavirus, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching Covid-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help reduce the spread of other respiratory infections, such as flu.
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and (ideally hot) running water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands or use hand sanitiser. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, then sneeze or cough into the crease of your elbow.
- Carry hand sanitiser with you at all times and use frequently when soap and water are not available.
- Wear a face mask or face covering when in crowded and/or enclosed spaces.
The latest WHO advice can be found here
Q: What precautions will you be taking on trips to ensure we are safe from Coronavirus?
Our criteria for a trip to be Travel Ready includes a comprehensive risk assessment taken in conjunction with our local partners to ensure we can run your trip in both a safe and enjoyable manner. We will follow the local regulations in every country we visit, which may include wearing facemasks in public places and/or social distancing. Each destination has its own set of rules (such as enhanced cleaning practices and testing/vaccination requirements etc) to minimise risks associated with Covid-19. We will take all reasonable steps as part of our duty of care to both you and our local team abroad to ensure your safety and wellbeing at all times. More specific information on what health and hygiene measures we are taking on our trips can be found on the Travel With Confidence section of our Flexible Booking Promise page
Q: What precautions will I need to follow when travelling?
We will need everyone who travels with us to take an equal share of responsibility in following guidelines and taking whatever precautions they can to help us keep you and any fellow travellers safe. You will be required to comply with local covid regulations, as well as with any local health and safety measures we have in place.
Q: Will I need to take a Covid test before returning home
The UK Government has removed all COVID-19 international travel restrictions for arriving passengers, but you may be required to take a test to return to your country of residence if you live outside of the UK. You can stay up to date with all official government-issued requirements for travel. For the UK, these can be found on the British, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website; for the US, it’s the Department of State website. Clients of other nationalities should check their own government’s website.
Q: Will I be screened for Covid -19 while travelling?
Possibly. Each country is approaching screening measures in their own way based on their unique situation, so you should allow for extra time at entry and exit ports on your journey.
Q: What should I do if I start to feel unwell whilst on our tour and think I may have COVID-19?
As with any illness, if you start to develop any symptoms, please let your tour-leader or local guide know as soon as possible, so we can arrange medical treatment if needed. We will provide you with all the necessary help and support you require including arranging testing locally and assisting you with contacting your travel insurance provider if needed, so please be sure to keep these details with you. For peace of mind, you can also contact Wild Frontiers 24/7 on our emergency numbers, details of which will be given to you with your pre-departure documentation. Lots of good general advice for travellers can be found here
Q: What happens if my tour gets curtailed?
In the unfortunate event that we need to curtail your tour due to issues in the destination country relating to coronavirus, we will refund all recoverable costs less any additional costs incurred. No compensation will be payable. For anyone who has booked flights through Wild Frontiers, we will pay any additional flight costs required for repatriation purposes (on flights chosen by us). If additional accommodation is required for those with flights booked through Wild Frontiers, we will pay up to a maximum of 3 nights on a half-board basis. Any additional costs beyond this will need to be paid directly by you or your insurer.
Q: Will happens if someone on my group tour tests positive for coronavirus?
We would follow the guidance of the medical authorities of the destination at that time and arrange further testing and medical treatment if needed. In all cases, we will provide the necessary support and assistance and arrange hotel quarantine or isolation, if required by local regulations. At all times we would consider the safety and wellbeing of the rest of the group and our local crew alongside that of the infected individual and with this in mind, we reserve the right to require that if a client tests positive for Covid-19 while on-tour, they leave the tour and that the rest of the group take a precautionary test. Where a tour is curtailed for this reason, we will refund any recoverable costs from our suppliers. Further details can be found in our Booking Conditions here