Book with confidence

Your Money, Protected.

Every shilling you pay Imara Africa Safaris is held in a segregated client trust account until your trip is delivered. We are licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority, bonded members of KATO, and use PCI-compliant payment processing — so your safari funds are ring-fenced, encrypted, and insured from deposit to departure.

Six layers of protection

From the moment you pay your deposit to the day you land home, every part of your booking is underwritten by regulated, independently-audited systems.

Client trust account

Every payment — from deposit to final balance — is held in a segregated client trust account at a regulated Kenyan bank until services are delivered. Your money is never used for anything other than your safari.

Licensed & bonded operator

We are fully licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and are active members of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO), both of which require members to meet strict financial, safety, and ethical standards.

PCI-compliant payments

All online payments are processed over encrypted connections (TLS 1.3) through PCI-DSS compliant providers — Stripe, Pesapal, and bank wire. We never see or store your full card details.

Supplier failure protection

If an included lodge, camp, or airline fails between booking and departure, we rebook you into an equivalent or better option at no extra cost — guaranteed, in writing.

Transparent paperwork

You receive a detailed confirmation of every inclusion, an itemised invoice, and a booking receipt with our company registration and trust account details. No hidden fees, ever.

Flexible payment schedule

20% refundable deposit to confirm, 30% 90 days before departure, and the 50% balance 60 days out. Pay by card, bank transfer, or M-Pesa — all receipts clearly issued.

Licensed, bonded, and audited

Every badge below can be verified with the issuing body. We're happy to share our registration numbers on request.

KATOKenya Association of Tour Operators

Active member, bonded under KATO Tourism Rescue Fund.

TRATourism Regulatory Authority of Kenya

Licensed tour operator (category A).

PCI-DSSPayment Card Industry Data Security Standard

All card processing via Stripe and Pesapal.

IATAAirline e-ticketing partner

Flight segments issued via an IATA-accredited consolidator.

How the client trust account works

Your safari payments don't go into Imara's operating account. They flow directly into a segregated, bank-audited trust account — legally the property of the client until services are rendered.

1. You pay

Deposit and balance payments settle into our trust account at a regulated Kenyan bank, held under your booking reference.

2. We reserve

We pay suppliers (lodges, parks, charters) from operating cash flow — never from your trust-held balance. Your funds remain ring-fenced.

3. Services delivered

Only once a service is delivered (e.g. a night at a lodge, a park entry) is the corresponding share released from trust to our operating account.

4. You travel home

On your return, the trust balance reaches zero and a full reconciliation statement is available on request.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if Imara Africa Safaris ceases trading?: Because client funds are held in a segregated trust account, they are legally ring-fenced from the business's operating accounts. In the unlikely event of insolvency, funds for future trips are returned to clients in full before any other creditor.
Is my safari deposit refundable?: The initial deposit (20% of your trip value) is refundable for 14 days after booking, less any non-refundable supplier deposits (e.g. gorilla permits, some charter flights). See our Cancellation Policy for full details.
Do you recommend travel insurance?: Yes — travel insurance is mandatory for all safaris. We recommend a comprehensive policy covering medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and curtailment. World Nomads, SafariSafe, and Allianz all provide suitable cover.
How do I pay securely?: Use the secure payment link in your booking confirmation (hosted by Stripe or Pesapal), pay by direct bank wire to our trust account, or pay via M-Pesa paybill. We never ask for card details by email or chat.
What if a supplier raises their rates after I book?: Once your booking is confirmed with a deposit, the price is locked in. Any supplier increases are absorbed by us, not passed on — except for statutory changes (e.g. park-fee increases) which are only applied if they exceed 2% of the total.

Continue exploring the Imara world

Safari Destinations

Safari Experiences

Wildlife of East Africa

Safari Lodges & Camps

About Imara Africa Safaris

Safari Planning Tools

Get In Touch

Your Money, Protected.

Six layers of protection

Client trust account

Licensed & bonded operator

PCI-compliant payments

Supplier failure protection

Transparent paperwork

Flexible payment schedule

Licensed, bonded, and audited

How the client trust account works

1. You pay

2. We reserve

3. Services delivered

4. You travel home

Frequently asked questions

Ready for the trip of a lifetime?

Join Our Newsletter

Your Money, Protected.

Six layers of protection

Client trust account

Licensed & bonded operator

PCI-compliant payments

Supplier failure protection

Transparent paperwork

Flexible payment schedule

Licensed, bonded, and audited

How the client trust account works

1. You pay

2. We reserve

3. Services delivered

4. You travel home

Frequently asked questions