What a crazy year it has been. Our amazing and dedicated Head of Reservations, Viv McFarlane, otherwise known as the Bookings Boss, has been on the receiving end of all the postponed trips, queries, tears and frustrations. Many of you know her well, some of you don’t, but this empathetic, brave women has been there throughout 2020 answering question, supporting travellers and helping all our guests. We are extremely grateful for her commitment, time and support.
We decided to ask Viv a few questions, not only about the atrocities faced by the Tourism Industry over the past year, but also about her as a person. So, you could get to know her a bit better and appreciate the trials she has faced this year on behalf of all of us at Tanda Tula.
What have you learnt in a personal capacity from the past year?
It’s been an interesting and stressful year – everyone I know has suffered the effects of Covid : friends, family and colleagues. I guess this has made it easier for us all to put ourselves in other people’s shoes, see that they too are suffering on some level. I have learned to practice empathy on all levels.
From a work perspective what has surprised you the most in 2020?
What has blown me away, has been the phone calls from so many of our return guests, from all over the globe, to say how they miss the special Tanda Tula team. They have supported us from so far telling us how they long for the smell of the Bushveld, they cant wait to see all the staff again and be in a place they love so much. What is also incredible is they all promise to get back as soon as they can, some have postponed their bookings two or three times, and they just don’t give up!
If you had to choose between the bush or the beach which would it be?
Definitely the Bush. I do love to get to the beach once in a while, but the African Bush runs through my veins, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to explore and live.
When you feeling down what is your comfort food?
I love cooking, and it brings me so much joy. I am a huge Mexican food fan, and I make a mean Burrito, its quick and easy and never fails. So, that would have to be my happy place: in the kitchen making Mexican!
What do you think 2021 holds?
I think if 2020 has taught me anything, it is to expect the unexpected! We remain cautiously optimistic that we will see tourism improve towards mid to late 2021. We can’t wait to have a full camp again and be busy with bookings. I have to end off by saying a huge thank you to everyone that has remained so loyal and kind throughout this awful time, we are extremely humbled by your support and grateful beyond measure.
Rates are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and include VAT. Rates are reviewed quarterly and are subject to change.
PROVISIONAL:
Bookings can be held as provisional for up to 14 days, after which the booking is required to release or confirm. A 20% refundable deposit is required to confirm the booking.
CONFIRMED:
Once confirmed with a 20% deposit, the booking is held on a status of ‘confirmed with refundable deposit’ until any of the following becomes true:
Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival. Any outstanding balance on the total reservation value shall be required to be settled at 60 days prior to arrival.
All refundable deposits, commitment fees and full payments are held in a separate call account and do not become part of the operational cash flow until the guest has stayed.
The amount stated on the invoice is what must be received by Tanda Tula nett of bank charges.
CANCELLED
Cancellations must be received and acknowledged by Tanda Tula in writing.
‘Confirmed with refundable deposit’: bookings carry no cancellation fees up to 61 days prior to arrival.
‘Confirmed with commitment’ or ‘Confirmed with full-payment’: in the event of any reservation being cancelled after Tanda Tula has issued a confirmation, for any reason other than a WHO-recognised pandemic that impacts the booking, the following cancellation fees will apply:
All cancelled bookings that qualify for a refund, will be refunded less a handling fee valued at 5% of the refund amount.
PANDEMIC DISCLAIMER
Tanda Tula will allow postponement of a booking for up to 12 months, if travel is cancelled with a commitment fee or 60 days or less prior to arrival due to a WHO-recognised pandemic directly impacting the guests’ ability to travel (e.g. lockdown, no flights, guest not allowed to board a flight, guest falls ill due to a pandemic and unable to travel).
In the event of a WHO-recognised pandemic directly impacting the ability of Tanda Tula to meet its obligations with respect to the booking, all monies received, including the commitment fee, will be fully refunded (e.g. lockdown in RSA, government restrictions on trade).
Any refund is given at the discretion of Tanda Tula management and will be charge a handling fee valued at 5% of the refund amount.
All travellers are advised to take out fully comprehensive travel insurance with ‘cancellation for no reason’. This insurance must be able to fully cover cancellation of travel fewer than 60 days prior to arrival.
The Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.
