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Refund Policy
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Leopard Yala Safaris is committed to providing a transparent and fair cancellation process. Please read our policy carefully before finalizing your booking.
1. Overview of Cancellation Deadlines
This policy applies to all safari bookings made through our website. All refund calculations are based on the full tour price and the time elapsed between the cancellation request and the scheduled safari start time (Sri Lanka Standard Time – GMT+5:30).
| Cancellation Window | Refund Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Days or More before the tour date | 100% Refund | Full refund processed back to the original payment method. |
| 48 Hours to 7 Days before the tour date | 50% Refund | 50% retained to cover administrative costs and early park permit processing. |
| Less than 48 Hours before the tour date | 0% Refund (No Refund) | Permits are purchased and cannot be canceled, and driver/jeep resources are allocated. |
| No-Show on Tour Day | 0% Refund (No Refund) |
2. Special Conditions and Exceptions
A. Non-Refundable Park Permits
Please note that once a booking is confirmed, we immediately process the mandatory Yala National Park entrance tickets. These tickets are non-refundable by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC). The fees we retain in case of late cancellation primarily cover this non-refundable cost.
B. Park Closure (Force Majeure)
In the rare event that Yala National Park is officially closed by the DWLC (e.g., due to severe weather, maintenance, or national emergency) on your booked date:
- We will immediately notify you and offer an alternative date.
- If no suitable alternative date can be found, you will receive a 100% full refund, regardless of how close to the tour date the closure occurs.
C. Booking Amendments
If you wish to change your tour date or time, please contact us as soon as possible. Amendments are subject to availability and the following conditions:
- 7 Days or More: One free date change is permitted.
- Less than 7 Days: Changes may incur a nominal amendment fee to cover re-processing of park permits, if applicable.
D. Bad Weather Conditions
Safaris operate year-round and continue in light rain. Refunds will not be issued due to bad weather unless the rain is so severe that the park authorities officially close the gates (see Section 2.B).
3. How to Request a Refund
All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted in writing via email.
- Email Subject: CLEARLY state “CANCELLATION REQUEST – [Your Booking Reference Number]”.
- Include: Your full name, the date of the booking, and the reason for cancellation.
- Submit To: hello@leopardyala.com
Once received, we will review your request and confirm the eligible refund amount within 48 hours. Refunds will be processed back to the original payment method and may take 5-10 business days to appear in your account, depending on your bank.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact our booking support team before making your reservation.