Booking
How Can I Pay and When Will I Be Charged?
Payments with Gotukio.com are simple and transparent. When you book, you’ll receive a Stripe check-out link to authorize your credit card. You won’t be charged right away—once your itinerary is confirmed, you’ll receive another link to pay your deposit (50% or more, as you prefer). The remaining balance is due 30 days before your trip, and you’ll get reminders along the way to keep everything on track. Need more info? Just check your Gotukio.com profile for all your payment details.
Am I getting charged extra when booking on Gotukio?
We work directly with local tour operators, activity and accommodation providers and have agreements with each of them on how each service is priced. There are no hidden fees when booking with us: what you see is what you pay and get.
Is a booking on Gotukio instantly confirmed?
No. We receive your booking once we have authorized your payment method, however this is not a final confirmation. You will receive a separate confirmation and link to pay your deposit once all partners on your itinerary have confirmed availability.
What happens if something on my booking declines availability?
In the case a service on your booking declines the availability, we will do our best to propose the nearest available alternative. If this means an upgrade, whenever we can, we will honor your original booking price. If this means a downgrade, we will review the booking price to the new price. We will only proceed to charge you once you have accepted the revised booking.
Planning
Can I Add or Remove Activities Later?
Yes, we understand that plans evolve! You can easily make changes to your booking—just note that activities can be removed up to 30 days before your check-in. After that, no refunds will be available for pre-booked activities. If your group wants to add activities, you can do this directly at the lodge or with your driver, though we recommend booking early to ensure availability. Any changes in payment or refunds will be handled directly by the lodge, but don’t hesitate to contact us at bookings@gotukio.com with any concerns.
Can I choose who operates my transportation and activities?
In order to ensure the best possible experience, at the moment the actual operators of most activities and transportations are directly assigned by our algorithm. This is to ensure that everything on your itinerary runs smoothly. If you know a specific operator, driver or guide that you would really like to have on your trip, you can let us know in the special requests or by contacting us, and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Can I get a full breakdown of my itinerary with the activities on each day?
Our team and your guides will definitely be able to recommend the best timings for each activity and how to spread them out on your itinerary for the best experience. Depending on the length of your trip, we do recommend to keep the precise timing of each activity to be decided as you go.
Plans Changed? No Problem!
We know that plans can change. If you need to adjust or cancel your booking, simply contact us at bookings@gotukio.com, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. While we can’t guarantee full refunds due to the nature of our partner arrangements, we’ll work with you to provide the best possible solution. You can also review our full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.
The Destination I want isn’t Listed. Can You Still Help?
We’re constantly expanding our offerings! If there’s a specific lodge, activity, park, or destination you don’t see in our selection, let us know. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request or suggest an amazing alternative that matches your vision for the perfect safari.
How do park fees work and do I have to purchase them in advance?
Park fees are the tickets you have to pay to enter each park or conservancy. The rules vary based on the park and country. In some cases these do need to be purchased in advance while in others they can be purchased at the gate. In case you want to remain flexible, please ask us and we will let you know if you can skip the purchase of a park fee in advance. Unfortunately as these are set, we are not able to offer discounts on them (and we also make no commission on them either).
Can I book my international flights on Gotukio?
We do not offer international flights on our platform for a very simple reason: It is easy to find and book them at a much better price. At Gotukio.com we focus on the parts of the trip that you cannot easily plan and book directly and make sure to make it as easy as possible.
Are the prices on Gotukio the best I can find?
While we do our best to be competitive, we cannot guarantee the cheapest rates. In fact we are very transparent about the fact that you can definitely get cheaper packages if you reach out to local operators in each destination. What we do guarantee though is that by booking with Gotukio.com, you will receive a service from our vetted and trusted partners, transparency on the cost breakdown of your trip and a smooth booking and payment process that most local operators cannot. We are all about convenience and transparency!
During the Trip
Who Can I Contact During My Trip?
No need to worry—we’re right there with you! Before your trip starts, we’ll set up a dedicated WhatsApp group connecting you directly with your hosts and Gotukio.com support. Whether it’s a quick question, an itinerary change, or assistance on the go, you’ll have a direct line to us at all times. You can also reach out through live chat, WhatsApp, or help@gotukio.com whenever needed.
Does Gotukio Operate the Trips?
Gotukio.com is your platform for finding and booking the perfect safari, and we partner with the best local operators in each destination to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive detailed information about every part of your itinerary, including contact info for your guides and hosts.
Lodges & Accommodation
What types of accommodations are available on safari?
Options include tented camps (luxury and semi-permanent), lodges, budget camping, and exclusive-use villas. On Gotukio.com you will find the entire range except budget camping options.
Are safari accommodations safe?
Yes, accommodations are designed with safety in mind. Many have security measures like fences, night guards, and protocols for wildlife encounters. If you explicitly want your lodge to be fenced, please mention it when booking so that our team can guide you appropriately.
Is Wi-Fi available at safari lodges or camps?
Most mid-range to luxury lodges and camps provide Wi-Fi, though it might be limited to communal areas and slower due to remote locations.
What’s the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?
A lodge is a permanent structure with modern facilities, while a tented camp offers a closer-to-nature experience with canvas tents that may include luxurious amenities.
How far in advance should I book safari accommodations?
For peak seasons (e.g., migration or holidays), booking 6–12 months in advance is recommended. Off-peak seasons may offer more flexibility.
Is the availability on Gotukio live?
No. Once we receive your booking request, our accommodation partners have 24h to confirm availability or offer an alternative to your choice.
Do safari accommodations have electricity?
Most luxury and mid-range lodges have electricity, often via solar power or generators. Budget camps may rely on lanterns or limited hours of generator power. In many remote locations, lodges and camps do not have the capacity for 24h electricity and may turn their generators off between midnight and dawn, and while their guests are out on game drives. In case you require a 24h electricity accommodation, please mention it when booking so that our team can guide you appropriately.
Are there en-suite bathrooms in safari accommodations?
Luxury and mid-range options usually include en-suite bathrooms with running water, flush toilets, and hot showers. Basic camps may have shared facilities. All lodges and room options available on Gotukio.com have en-suite bathrooms.
About Gotukio
What is Gotukio and why should I trust them?
We are passionate travelers just like you. Gotukio.com was created out of a desire to make African safaris accessible, seamless, and stress-free. We work directly with trusted local operators and carefully select our partners to ensure you have the best possible experience. Our team on the ground will be available to help throughout your trip to make sure everything goes as planned. We’re here for you every step of the way, ensuring that the trip you book matches the adventure you’ve been dreaming of.
Why are you able to provide transparency that others do not?
We are working closely with our partners and combining the use of technology in order to minimize the lag between the information that is displayed to you and reality. We are also not working with markups on bookings, which is why all the prices are pre-determined and listed directly on our site.
How can I contact customer support?
We’re here for you in multiple ways. Whether it’s a quick question or a detailed inquiry, you can contact us via:
Email: help@gotukio.com
WhatsApp: +254 (0) 710185874
Schedule a Call: Book a call
Live Chat: Available 24/7 through our Whatsapp
