PEARL ISLAND PRIVATE GETAWAY

I was originally on the 2020 trip but deferred my challenge to 2021, what are my revised fundraising targets and deadlines?

Your first fundraising deadline was extended to 31st August 2020 for £1,250. This half of the fundraising is required now more than ever to enable us to support vulnerable people in Kenya through this difficult time where clean water, good hygiene and knowledge about hand washing are crucial. Your full fundraising target of £2,500 is due on 19th June 2021.

What are the fundraising targets and deadlines for the 2021 challenge and how will these be amended should I need to defer the challenge to 2022?

Your first fundraising deadline is due on the 31st March 2021 for £1,300 and your full fundraising target of £2,600 is due 19th June 2021. In the event that you defer your challenge to 2022, your first fundraising deadline for £1,300 will be extended to 31st August 2021 at the earliest and your final fundraising target and deadline will be moved in line with your new 2022 arrangments (TBC before March 2021 but approx 8 weeks prior to your new trip date). You will also be able to carry over all of the fundraising that you have done up to the point of deferral to count towards your 2022 fundraising target and no deferral fee will be charged.

How do I stay safe from COVID-19 whilst fundraising?

The following is a summary of guidance provided by the Institute of Fundraising on how you can successfully fundraise whilst keeping yourself and those around you safe. You need to make sure that you are practicing the following:

• Keep up good sanitation practices - cleaning practices and hand hygiene are important in reducing the risk of transmission.

What advice do you have for fundraising with social restrictions?

• See our Virtual Fundraising guide which is a collection of our favourite innovative ideas that will help inspire your fundraising during these unprecedented times.

I need to defer my challenge but I have already bought my flight, what do I do?

The majority of airlines offer flexibility on their bookings to enable you to move the dates of your booking but these can come with associated costs. Under circumstances where the flight is cancelled or the FCO guidance is to avoid non-essential travel, the majority of airlines will offer greater flexibility including no change fees to new available dates, full refunds or a switch of your booking to an open ticket status allowing you to rebook your flight for new dates as and when they are released. The options available to you will be dependent on your individual booking so get in touch with your travel agent or airline or consult the guidance on their websites to find out what is on offer for you and your existing booking.

I need to defer my challenge but I have bought my travel insurance already, can I get a refund?

Some travel insurance providers may allow a free change of dates for your policy to enable you to move your coverage to your new trip dates. Each policy and provider is different though so get in touch with your respective provider to find out what is available to you based on your policy.

I need to defer my challenge but I was only available this summer and can’t do any of the new dates next year, can I get a refund or what are my options?

We appreciate all of the time and effort you have put into fundraising for this challenge and therefore, if you are unable to do one of the new suggested dates we will work with you to find an alternative. This could include deferring for an extra year or using your fundraising to cover or count towards an alternative Dig Deep organised challenge such as Mount Kenya, Walk for Water or Property Dash. It is unfortunately not possible for Dig Deep to refund donations.

I need to defer my challenge but I have applied for my visa already, can I get a refund?

You will need to contact the Tanzanian immigration services (or authority who issued your visa) to see if they are able to refund your visa or change the date range covered by your visa.
You can contact the Tanzanian immigration services via info@immigration.go.tz

What's the current COVID-19 situation in Tanzania?

We are pleased to announce that Tanzania has opened its borders for tourism. To ensure the safety of all visitors to Tanzania, the Tanzanian Government has decided to implement Standard Operating Procedures for COVID security which are being used by our local suppliers. You can find the most up to date UK foreign travel advice for Tanzania here

What steps are being taken to keep everyone safe by our travel supplier?

Our long term trusted suppliers, African Scenic Safaris and Trek to Kili, are following WHO recommendations and protocols as well as local and national government mandates to keep you safe. They are continuously monitoring the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus, meeting regularly on a local and regional basis with the different Government departments and health officials to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of your mountain guides, porters and all other support staff. The measures they are taking include; appropriate social distancing, regular hand-washing/use of hand sanitisers, sanitizing of vehicles/equipment/tents/dining before and after every use, asking everyone involved in the trip to declare recent or new illness, COVID-19 specific safety briefing on arrival, staff wearing face masks and gloves, and working with the COVID centres in the national parks that have been setup to assist incase of emergencies.

What happens if someone gets sick/shows symptoms of COVID-19?

If you or someone in your group shows symptoms of COVID-19 all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure both their safety and the safety of the group. In line with the appropriate COVID-19 prevention protocol they may be quarantined and removed from the itinerary to protect other members of the group. The affected participant will be accompanied to their accommodation or medical facility and provided with any medical assistance they require.

Will I need to quarantine on arrival?

As of 18th May 2020, the 14 day quarantine for all international passengers arriving in Tanzania has been lifted but enhanced screening protocols remain in place. If you do show symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival you may be required to quarantine at a government-designated facility which will be at your own cost. You will need to check with your individual travel insurance policy on whether you will be able to reclaim these costs.

Will travel insurance cover me for any medical costs if I get COVID-19 in country?

Every travel insurance policy is different so we strongly recommend you to check with your respective insurer to understand what you are and are not covered for to ensure you fully understand your specific policy. It is always beneficial to travel with a contingency fund in case of any emergency.

I have already booked onto an extension travel package with the suppliers and paid the $200 first instalment, what do I do about this if my trip is deferred due to COVID-19?

Your suppliers have agreed to hold your $200 first instalment and use this against your future extension travel package on your new trip dates. If you would like to discuss this further then you can contact your supplier directly who will be happy to assist.

Will extension travel packages still be available for the same price as the original ones for the new trip dates?

For our 2020 trips that were postponed to 2021, yes! Your suppliers have agreed to keep the same packages at the same prices available for you on your new trip dates. You can view them and book them now on your respective suppliers websites; African Scenic Safaris and Trek 2 Kili. For those registering for a 2021 challenge the arrangements for the extension packages including their associated costs are reviewed on an annual basis by the suppliers so should you defer your challenge to 2022 the packages and costs could be subject to change.