PURA VIDA! THE MAGIC OF COSTA RICA NESTING SEA TURTLES, HOWLER MONKEYS & THE RESPLENDENT QUETZAL

Transcription

1 PURA VIDA! THE MAGIC OF COSTA RICA NESTING SEA TURTLES, HOWLER MONKEYS & THE RESPLENDENT QUETZAL DESIGNED FOR THE COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM FEATURING TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK ARENAL NATIONAL PARK MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE CARARA NATIONAL PARK JULY 13-21, 2018

2 YOUR HOST IN COSTA RICA DR. MICHAEL KREGER I invite you to travel with me to one of the most exciting and diverse wildlife destinations in the Western Hemisphere Costa Rica. Traveling with our own professional bi-lingual guide throughout our journey, we will visit four of the most intriguing destinations this magical country has to offer for those who love to explore the natural world: the beaches of Tortuguero, the Arenal volcano, Monteverde s famous cloud forest and the tropical forest of Carrara. The diversity of life is stunning and, along the way, we ll meet partners in the field who are supported by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, see lots of wildlife (bring your binocs and field guides!), learn together, and, most of all, we will have fun! Mike Kreger Dr. Michael Kreger is the Vice President of Conservation at the Columbus Zoo. He works with all the departments at the Zoo, Safari Golf, and The Wilds to develop and promote programs that save animals worldwide. He sits on the Conservation Management Committee (CMC) that distributed over a million dollars in 2016 to conservation projects in 36 countries. His 20-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program and International Affairs has taken him all over the world. He served on endangered species recovery teams and U.S. delegations for wildlife-related treaties. He also loves being in the field and visiting projects supported by the Columbus Zoo or doing research. Mike has a soft spot for Central America having been a Peace Corps Volunteer biologist in Honduras in the mid- 1980s. THREE-TOED SLOTH

3 THE MAGIC OF COSTA RICA Within a country that is slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia, there is a diversity of habitats and wildlife unsurpassed in Central America. Costa Rica literally means rich coast - a fitting name for a land blessed with an abundance of natural beauty that has protected over 25% of its lands within national parks and wildlife reserves a record unmatched by any other country in the world. With just 0.1% of the world s landmass, Costa Rica is home to 5% of the Earth s biodiversity. Independent since 1847, Ticos (the nickname Costa Ricans call themselves) have enjoyed the most stable democratic government in Latin America for decades, ever since disbanding their army in Their focus on Pura Vida! has resulted in Costa Rica consistently being named one of the happiest countries in the world. While pura vida can be translated as simple life or pure life, the words defy a simple translation. Some describe pura vida as an emotion or an attitude. To others, it s a way to describe their way of life. To truly understand pura vida, you have to visit Costa Rica and experience it for yourself. Tortuguero, on the Caribbean coast, is often described as Costa Rica s little Amazon, because of its rich wildlife diversity and its beautiful isolation. Accessible only by boat or aircraft, Tortuguero is primarily explored by boat - for there are no roads. Its beaches are renowned as one of the world s top destinations for nesting sea turtles and we will be there in the midst of the prime nesting season! Then we will turn west, entering the mountainous world of Costa Rica s volcanoes, six of which have remained active over the past 75 years. Our destination is the town of La Fortuna, from which we will look up to see Arenal perhaps the country s most famous volcano. Although Arenal has been quiet since 2010, it is surrounded by tropical rainforests, which we will explore as we search for howler monkeys, three-toed sloths and collared peccaries, as well as the forest s incredible birdlife. Heading higher into the Tilaran Mountains, we then travel on to the Monteverde, home of one of the most unique wildlife habitats in the world a cloud forest. Monteverde s climate is cool and damp, giving rise to a very different variety of wildlife that have adapted to life among the clouds. Hummingbirds top the list of fascinating species, along with toucans and Costa Rica s national bird, the resplendent quetzal. Returning to the country s capital San Jose we ll travel south to Carara National Park for a morning tour. Carara sits in the middle of the transition between Costa Rica s hot, dry northwest and the wet regions of the southwest, providing yet another unique habitat to explore. Several airlines serve San Jose, providing a variety of options to choose from. Our journey within Costa Rica will take place in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with the exception of our time within Tortuguero, where boats are the only means of travel. Our Costa Rican adventure is limited to just 16 registered travelers. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is pleased to offer you this opportunity to travel to one of our most intriguing southern neighbors. We hope you will be among those who will join Dr. Michael Kreger as he returns to Costa Rica a land rich with an amazing diversity of wildlife and a life style that can only be described using two magical words: Pura Vida!

4 ITINERARY SUMMARY: JULY 13 ARRIVAL AT SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA (FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED) PRIVATE TRANSFER TO OUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA - ORIENTATION BRIEFING AND DINNER (D) JULY 14 PRIVATE OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK BOAT DOCK VISIT AT THE TOUCAN RESCUE RANCH LUNCH EN ROUTE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT BOAT TRANSFER TO OUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT EVERGREEN LODGE VISIT TORTUGUERO VILLAGE & THE TURTLE MUSEUM (BLD) JULY 15 PRIVATE EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON BOAT EXPLORATIONS OF THE TORTUGUERO CANALS AFTERNOON BEACH EXCURSION ACCOMMODATIONS AT EVERGREEN LODGE (BLD) JULY 16 - OPTIONAL BIRDWATCHING ON THE LODGE GROUNDS (6AM) BOAT TRANSFER TO LA PAVONA PRIVATE OVERLAND JOURNEY TO OTS LA SELVA, INCLUDING A NATURE WALK AFTER LUNCH PRIVATE OVERLAND TRANSFER TO ARENAL NATIONAL PARK AND OUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE ARENAL OBSERVATORY LODGE NIGHT WALK ON THE LODGE GROUNDS (BLD) JULY 17 EARLY MORNING BIRD WATCHING WALK ALONG THE ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES VISIT THE ASIS PROJECT RESCUE CENTER TRADITIONAL COSTA RICAN DINNER AT ARENAL VISA CAMPESINA - ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE ARENAL OBSERVATORY LODGE (BLD) JULY 18 EXPLORATION OF THE ARENAL RAINFOREST TRAILS PRIVATE OVERLAND JOURNEY TO MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE LUNCH EN ROUTE AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT AFTERNOON WALK ON THE GROUNDS OF OUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT FONDA VELA (BLD) JULY 19 MORNING HIKE IN THE MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST AFTERNOON VISIT TO THE TOWN OF SANTA ELENA NIGHT TOUR OF THE CURI-CANCHA RESERVE - ACCOMMODATIONS AT FONDA VELA (BLD) JUL 20 PRIVATE OVERLAND TRANSFER TO CARARA NATIONAL PARK EXCURSION IN THE TROPICAL FOREST PRIVATE OVERLAND DRIVE BACK TO SAN JOSE AND OUR ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA FAREWELL DINNER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT (BLD) JULY 21 PRIVATE GROUP DEPARTURE TO THE SAN JOSÉ AIRPORT* (FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED) (B) B=BREAKFAST L=LUNCH D=DINNER ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE *IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO USE THE GROUP TRANSFER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT SCARLET MACAWS

5 YOUR ITINERARY: July 13: Welcome to San José, Costa Rica The Hotel Bougainvillea (D) Upon your arrival in San José, Costa Rica and after passing through immigration you will be met by a member of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) who will give you a sticker that will make it easy for our representative to identify you after exiting the airport building. As you exit the airport terminal, you will be met by your World Safaris team, including your private naturalist guide, who will travel with you throughout your adventure, until you return to San José for your departure. Your accommodation this evening will be at The Hotel Bougainvillea, a family-run hotel. Located just 10 minutes from downtown San José, the Bougainvillea offers the perfect place to rest among its 10 acres of lush, tropical gardens. At 6pm, you ll meet for your orientation briefing before enjoying dinner in the Bougainvillea s Vitrales Restaurant. July 14-15: Toucan Rescue Center Tortuguero National Park (B,L,D) Leaving San José, you ll venture through Costa Rica s Central Valley, providing your first views of the beauty of this tropical paradise. As you drive to the Caribbean coast, you ll stop at the Toucan Rescue Ranch (TRR) to learn about its mission which focuses on the care, rehabilitation and study of Costa Rican toucans and other wildlife. Receiving confiscated, sick and injured wildlife from government agencies. TRR gives them a loving home with the goal of providing appropriate medical treatment, rehabilitation and, when possible, returning them to its natural environment. As a rescue center, TRR is not open to the general public and access is only granted to those who make special arrangements to assist them in their mission. In addition to toucans, TRR specializes in preparing hand-raised orphan sloths for reintroduction into the rainforest. As you continue on toward the coast, you ll stop at a restaurant for a delicious taste of Costa Rican fare.

6 Continuing on, you ll arrive at the Tortuguero boat dock, where you ll board your boat for your entrance to the national park, which has no roads. All of your explorations of this coastal wonderland will take place in boats or along jungle paths and the beach. Tortuguero National Park is widely known as Costa Rica s little Amazon. Wildlife-rich Tortuguero will allow you the chance to see a large diversity of bird species, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and iguanas as you tour the navigable rainforest canals by boat. And the tropical beaches around Tortuguero are world-famous for their key nesting sites for green sea turtles during July to September. THREE-TOED SLOTH RIVER OTTER SPECTACLED CAIMAN

7 The list of wildlife to be found here is seemingly endless. As you venture into the coastal forest, you ll look up into the trees to find an amazing variety of birds, including King Vulture, Great Curassow, Golden-hooded Tanager, Great Green Macaw, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Green Ibis, Chestnut-mandibled & Keel-billed Toucans and a number of hummingbirds and kingfishers. Among the mammals often seen are mantled howler monkeys, Geoffroy s spider monkeys, white-faced capuchins and two-toed & three-toed sloths. Looking along the canal banks you ll search for river otters and collared peccaries, along with two members of the crocodile family the American crocodile and the spectacled caiman. You ll also visit the colorful town of Tortuguero, meet some of its 500 residents a fascinating mix of Miskito, Miskito-Zambo and Afro-Caribbean cultural groups GREAT GREEN MACAW and learn about the history of the community, from its beginning as a wood sawing center to today s focus on the preservation of nature and tourism. The environment of Tortuguero is unique and the builders of Evergreen Lodge consciously designed their accommodations to comfortably reside within the forest, without altering its ecosystem. The name comes from the Spanish siempre verde the term used to describe the year-round state of the forest. The comfortable rooms come complete with two double beds and an ensuite bath with hot water. The offshore breezes keep the average daytime temperature in the 70s, while ceiling fans provide a bit of cooling when temperatures rise. July 16-17: La Selva Arenal National Park (B,L,D) Returning to the dock via boat, you ll turn west and travel through the Costa Rican countryside and on to Arenal National Park. During your journey, you ll stop at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) La Selva Biological Field Station. Known as one of the world s premier rainforest research sites, its scientists have published thousands of papers based on their studies of the tropical ecology of these Caribbean lowlands. You ll have time to explore La Selva along one of its trails in search of its multitude of resident species. While La Selva boasts an exceptionally high number of bird species, it is the opportunity to spot one of its five feline species that sets it apart. Although seeing one of its resident cats is a rare occurrence, this may be your best opportunity to see jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay and jaguarundi.

8 After lunch at La Selva, you ll continue westward to your destination: the majestic Arenal volcano. Beneath the volcano s steaming peak, the area offers an impressive display of natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Located less than two miles from the volcano, the Arenal Observatory Lodge provides a spectacular view of the volcano and Lake Arenal. The Lodge s extensive well marked and well-groomed trails will take you through primary forest, open pasture land, secondary forest and hardened lava flows offering you numerous habitats and birding opportunities. Some of the more spectacular local birds include Three-wattled Bellbirds, Fasciated Tiger-Herons, Sunbitterns, Laughing Falcons, Red-lored Parrots, Great Curassows, Northern Jacanas, Steely-vented Hummingbirds and five species of Toucans. Monkeys abound, including white-faced capuchin and spider monkeys. The Arenal Observatory Lodge is recognized as one of the best places in the region to see and hear mantled howler monkeys. Other mammal species often seen include collared peccaries, brocket deer, white-nosed coati and tamandua a small anteater. WHITE HAWK YELLOW-EARED TOUCANET MANTLED HOWLER MONKEYS TAMANDUA

9 During your stay at Arenal, you will visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges. This is a complex of suspension bridges and trails through an amazingly beautiful rainforest. The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano. A visit to the ASIS Wildlife Rescue Center will introduce you to the some of the wildlife species that you may have missed during your excursions. More than just a wildlife rehabilitation and protection facility, Proyecto Asis also provides positive cultural exchanges through is Spanish school and volunteer center. ASIS VOLUNTEERS Perhaps the most unique opportunity you ll enjoy at Arenal will be a nocturnal tour of the forest. Night in the tropics offers different opportunities for wildlife encounters and the Arenal Observatory grounds are a great place to experience this activity. Walking with your guide, flashlights in hand, you may find night birds such as Black-andwhite Owl and Common Pauraque, or amphibians like the giant toad, smoky jungle frog, the famous red-eyed tree frog, noisy dink frogs and delicate glass frogs. With great luck you may encounter night mammals, like paca, moving sloths, nine-banded armadillo, woolly opossum, kinkajou, olingo or even a wild cat. July 18-19: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (B,L,D) After breakfast, your morning trek will take you into yet another part of the Arenal Observatory landscapes to add to the discoveries you ve already enjoyed. Then, bidding farewell to the volcano and its beautiful forests, you continue your journey westward. After a delightful Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant, you ll venture into the Tilaran mountain range. Your destination is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve perhaps Costa Rica s most famous wildlife destination described by National Geographic as the jewel in the crown of could forest reserves..

10 A cloud forest is an especially beautiful and rare type of rain forest created by frequent mists from low lying clouds. This cool and moist environment is characterized by massive trees covered by thick carpets of small plants. Much of the resident wildlife is unique to these habitats. This is the home of Costa Rica s most famous bird the Resplendent Queztal. The forest is dominated by trees densely covered with mats of small plants known as epiphytes that include mosses, lichens, orchids, ferns and bromeliads. This cool, very green and often misty forest is home to a variety of wildlife. On your walk you may encounter monkeys (including white-faced capuchins), coatis, agoutis and numerous bird species such as Toucanets, Chlorophonias and seasonally the Bellbird and legendary crimson and green Resplendent Quetzal. WHITE-FACED CAPUCHIN MONKEYS RESPLENDENT QUEZTAL WHITE-NOSED COATIS

11 Monteverde is also justly famous for its amazing hummingbirds. The cooler temperatures of the cloud forest have led to the evolution of hummingbirds becoming the primary pollinators of Monterverde s flowering plants. It s simply too cool for most insects to fill their usually ecological niche. GREEN VIOLET-EAR GREEN HERMIT PURPLE SABREWING In addition to your explorations of the cloud forest, you ll visit Santa Elena, a small town located just north of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Santa Elena is the closet township to the reserve and is often used by visitors as a stopover when exploring this stunning region and its spectacular vistas. Sharing its name with the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve that is found nearby, the town of Santa Elena is has a tiny downtown area. Founded by the Quaker community who came here from the United States in the 1950 s, Santa Elena is known throughout the region for its incredibly delicious cheese and its local handicrafts market. The differences between the lowland forest and the highland cloud forest are also seen at night. You will also explore the Curi Cancha Reserve at night, with its combination of primary and secondary forests as well as its sections of open ground. The more open landscape offers more opportunities to find some of the more elusive creatures. But the highlight of a night tour isn t always visual. The night is filled with the calls of frogs and insects creating a delightful nocturnal symphony. Your temporary home, the Hotel Fonda Vela, is our favorite place to stay when we visit Monteverde. Build on land that was the family s farm, the hotel reflect the gracious customs of its founders, Sylvia and Paul Smith, Sr. Mr. Smith is an accomplished artist in many mediums and his works are displayed throughout the hotel. He is also a violinist and a craftsman of fine violins and violas. Don t be surprised if you hear the sweet sounds of a violin during one of your meals. Paul, Jr. and Steven Smith carry on the hospitality traditions of their parents. The hotel s rooms combine spaciousness and comfort with an elegance that compliments its beautiful setting among its lush gardens.

12 July 20: Carara National Park & San José (B,L,D) Rising early will give you once last opportunity to look for those birds you may have hoped to find but hadn t, yet. Following breakfast, you ll venture south to Carara National Park, which is particularly rich in its flora and fauna due to its transitional position between the hot dry northwest and wet regions of the southwest. Park habitats include marshes, primary and secondary forests. Carara is home to parrots, parakeets, toucans, trogons, and three species of monkeys. It is, perhaps, most famous for its population of Scarlet Macaws. The nearby Tárcoles River also harbors additional wildlife. One of the highlights at Carara is a stop on a nearby bridge, where you may see a score of American Crocodiles basking along the Tárcoles riverbanks. AMERICAN CROCODILE SCARLET MACAWS Today, you ll also have an opportunity to experience the true warmth of Costa Rican hospitality during lunch at doña Miriam. Miriam lives with her husband, Urbano, and daughter, Yahaira, in the small pacific coast town of Tarcoles. Miriam, a native of the area, and her daughter are home makers, while her husband works as a security guard at the nearby hotel Villa Lapas and also works as a fisherman in his free time. They have two sons, one working as a tour guide and the other as a hotel chef. You ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican home cooked meal at Miriam s - a truly unique local experience. After a nature walk in Carara National Park, you will return to San José and the Hotel Bougainvillea. At 6:30pm, you will be taken to a local restaurant for your farewell dinner. Following a delicious meal and lots of stories about your adventures, you ll lift a glass in celebration of and gratitude for the magical memories you ll take home from the land of Pura Vida! July 21: Departure (B) After breakfast, you ll finish packing and preparing for your departure. At the appropriate time, your World Safaris team will transfer you to the airport, in time to check in for your flight home. B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner CONSERVATION THROUGH RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

13 THE MAGIC OF COSTA RICA DESIGNED FOR THE COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM HOSTED BY DR. MICHAEL KREGER $3,695 per traveler in shared double or twin accommodations. Single room supplement is $1,195 subject to availability. A maximum of 16 travelers may register for The Magic of Costa Rica. A minimum of ten travelers are required to maintain these prices. A non-refundable deposit of $1,195 per traveler is required no later than December 15, 2017 to confirm your reservations. To give you maximum flexibility, international air transportation to and from San José is not included, as shown in the above itinerary. We recommend you make your international travel arrangements through Cathy King, an independent air travel professional, so she may coordinate everyone s flight schedule. You may contact Cathy at or adventuretrips@hotmail.com. Included in the Safari Price: The hosting services of Dr. Michael Kreger, with 10 paid travelers. Transportation in Costa Rica: All ground transportation in a private vehicle, as shown in the above itinerary, is included. Accommodations and Meals: All hotel accommodations are based on two people sharing a room, unless shown otherwise in the above itinerary. Meals are included as shown in the above itinerary. Safari Activities: All tours and wildlife activities are included, as shown in the above itinerary, unless listed as optional. A private guide will accompany you throughout your safari. Miscellaneous Fees and Tips: All service charges, hotel taxes as imposed by government agencies and park and reserve entrance fees are included. Pre-departure Preparation: You will receive extensive, personalized information on all aspects of your safari, including health and safety, passports and visas, packing recommendations, electricity, currency, and local customs. Not included in the Safari Price: Transportation between your home and Costa Rica, passports, tips and gratuities, travel insurance, immunizations, excess airline baggage charges, airline fuel surcharges, guide tips, beverages and items of a personal nature, such as medical expenses, laundry and room service; souvenirs; telephone, WiFi and internet charges; and any activities not included in the safari itinerary or those activities listed as optional. For the comfort of all safari travelers, smoking is not permitted in vehicles.

14 WORLD SAFARIS REGISTRATION FORM The Magic of Costa Rica Hosted by Dr. Michael Kreger, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium July 13-21, 2018 The price of this safari, as shown in the above itinerary, is based on twin or double occupancy, with a minimum of ten registered travelers. A $1,195 per person non-refundable deposit is required no later than December 15, 2017 to reserve a place for each traveler on this safari. The balance is due no later than March 15, Enclosed is $ as a deposit for a total of persons on this safari. Accommodations Requested: ( ) Double two travelers sharing a room in a double bed sharing with ( ) Twin two travelers sharing a room in a twin bed sharing with ( ) Single Air transportation to and from San José, Costa Rica is not included in the safari price. You may make your own flight arrangements. If you would like us to assist you in purchasing your international air tickets, please let us know. ( ) Please assist us with our air transportation arrangements. SCHEDULES & FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY RESULT IN PRICE INCREASES I certify that I have read, understand and accept the terms of the "Cancellations" and "Terms and Conditions" included on this sheet, and; 1. I am aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available during all or part of my trip. This includes emergency medical care, presence of physicians, and adequate medication. I hereby release World Safaris, Safari Professionals, their staff and safari escorts from liability in case of accident or illness while I am participating in this safari and do further agree to absolve from all responsibility World Safaris, Safari Professionals and their staff from all loss, damage or expense which I may incur by reason of any such accident or illness. 2. I shall be responsible for all uninsured medical expenses. 3. I hereby authorize necessary hospitalization and/or treatment while I am participating in this safari. 4. I assume the risk for traveling in countries where standards of safety, maintenance, and health may not be common to those in the United States. 5. I understand that weather and other conditions may necessitate changes in the activities and schedule of this safari. Signature: Today's Date: Signature: Today's Date: Please note: Your signature on this form indicates that you understand and accept the terms and conditions of this safari. Registrations cannot be accepted without a signature. The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for anyone under 18 at the time of registration. Make checks payable to World Safaris and mail to: World Safaris, P.O. Box 1254, Clemmons, NC Please read the other side and complete the personal information form. We are unable to finalize your registration without a completed personal information form and a copy of your passport.

15 COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM DISCLAIMER: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (hereafter Zoo ) is not the tour operator. Zoo is not responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or car rental reservati ons, delays, losses, injuries, inconveniences, cessation of operations, airline or tour operator bankruptcies, acts of God, or any other event beyond Zoo s control. Zoo acts only as agent for participants with respect to travel services, and it shall not be responsible for changes of flight times, fare changes, dishonor of airline, hotel or other reservations, injury, damage, loss of baggage, accidents or for the acts or defaults of any person or entity engaged in conveying participants or in carrying out other arrangements of the tour. Further, Zoo shall not be responsible for losses or additional expenses of any participants due to sickness, weather, strike, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, quarantine, acts of God, or o ther causes beyond its control. Zoo shall not be responsible for alteration of the itinerary as deemed necessary for carrying out the tour and the right is res erved to substitute hotels of similar quality. The right is further reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure; in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on Zoo s part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour should such person s health, actions or general deportment in the opinion of Zoo impede the operation of the tour or the rights or welfare of the other participants. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour. Applicants for participation in this tour accept in full all the conditions set forth above. TRAVEL INSURANCE: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance which covers baggage, medical costs, trip interruption and cancellation. World Safaris nor the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are liable for an y accident, injury, or illness, and are not liable for theft, damage, or loss of personal effects or baggage. The Col umbus Zoo and Aquarium offers a comprehensive insurance package which allows the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion to be waived if purchased within 21 days of the initial trip payment. Information will be sent to you upon receipt of your reservation and deposit. For details you can call the Zoo at , or go to the Zoo s website at: TERMS AND CONDITIONS World Safaris, Safari Professionals and our representatives agree to work for you in the making of reservations and/or other arrangements with travel service providers on the following terms: We do not own, manage, control, or operate any of the travel service providers with whom we make your travel arrangements. We serve as agents for certain travel service providers, including Airlines Corporation carriers and in-country operators and we make your travel arrangements with these travel service providers in accordance with their terms and conditions. Should you have any questions concerning those, please contact either the travel service provider or World Safaris. All coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets issued by us or a travel service provider are subject to applicable tariffs as well as any terms or conditions imposed by the travel services provider. We are not responsible for eve nts of force majeure including disease, acts of war, terrorist attacks, unfavorable weather conditions, earthquakes, political instability or for inadequate visas or passports. Any and all controversies, claims or disputes of any nature arising before, on and after the date of this agreement and claims brought by or against the client, this travel agency, or a third party, shall be settled by a single arbitrator in For syth County, North Carolina in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. You acknowledge that this agreement involves interstate commerce. Our sole knowledge and the expertise on which you may rely are in the making of travel arrangements. In the case of all travel arrangements the contract in use by the provider of such transportation or lodging, shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and such travel supplier. World Safaris reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the safari prior to departure and to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant of the safari if their actions impose upon or disturb the other participants of the safari. The right is also reserved to amend the itinerary should it be found necessary for the benefit of the participants of the safari or for other reasons. By a ccepting these travel arrangements you confirm that you have read this agreement and understand that it is the sum total of our agreement with you and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings. This agreement cannot be changed except in writing and signed by Michael Hutchins or Thomas LaRock. CANCELLATION: All cancellations must be submitted in writing and are subject to the following cancellation fees: The deposit generally covers the costs of canceling the services already booked, if the cancellation is received in our office no later than December 15, If the fees charged by our suppliers exceed the deposit, an extra charge may apply. Cancellations received in our office after March 15, 2018 are subject to cancellation fees of 100% of the safari price. Refunds for any services that are voluntarily not used will not be issued. HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS: To enjoy your travels to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported in writing to World Safaris when the reservation is made. World Safaris reserves the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of World Safaris, in such physical or mental condition as to be incapable of group travel or who may require care and attention beyond that which World Safaris can provide. To assist you in preparing to make the most of your safari, you will receive a detailed personal Safari Guide after you regis ter for your safari. We strongly recommend you read it thoroughly when you receive it and, again, a few weeks before your departure. You may call us at any time for answers to your questions.

16 TRAVELER INFORMATION: Please complete the following for each traveler. PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT Name Address: Date of Birth Phones: Home/Office Mobile Nickname Passport Number Country of Issue Date of Expiration Person to contact in case of emergency & relationship (spouse, child, parent, friend?) Their phone numbers Their address List the names of medications you are currently taking, dietary preferences or requirements, allergies (including food allergies), disabilities or special health care needs that may affect your ability to fully participate in this safari: Please give us any other information you feel would be helpful: Health Insurance Company: Policy # Signature: Today's Date: Please note: Your signature on this form indicates that you understand and accept the terms and conditions of this safari. Registrations cannot be accepted without a signature. The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for anyone under 18 at the time of registration. PLEASE ENCLOSE A COPY OF THE PHOTO PAGE OF YOUR PASSPORT