Safety, Hygiene and Liability Waiver

By booking and participating in any activity, tour, or accommodation arranged through the Vourigo Platform, you expressly acknowledge that:

(a) Adventure tourism and wildlife activities inherently involve risks of personal injury, illness, property damage, emotional distress, and death that cannot be eliminated without fundamentally altering the nature of the experience;

(b) These risks include, but are not limited to: terrain hazards (slips, falls, rockfall), animal encounters (gorillas, elephants, primates), water hazards (rafting, kayaking), altitude sickness (Mount Cameroon: 4,095 m), tropical diseases (malaria, yellow fever, typhoid), foodborne illness, road traffic incidents, equipment failure, and acts of nature;

(c) You are voluntarily choosing to engage in these activities with full knowledge of the risks involved;

(d) You assume all risks, both known and unknown, arising from your participation, except where such negligence constitutes gross negligence, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard under Cameroonian civil law and OHADA standards.

Medical Fitness Declaration:

You warrant that you are in good physical and mental health capable of undertaking the booked activities; have disclosed all material medical conditions, allergies, physical limitations, and medications to Vourigo; have consulted a physician regarding your fitness for the specific activities; and have purchased comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation (minimum USD 100,000).

Vourigo and all contracted Vendors adhere to the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism and WTTC Safe Travels Protocols:

• Health Screening: Temperature checks where required by Ministry of Public Health directives; symptom self-reporting.
• Hygiene: Enhanced cleaning of vehicles, accommodation, and equipment; high-touch surface disinfection.
• PPE: Availability of masks and sanitiser; guides trained in proper PPE use.
• Contactless Operations: Digital payments, e-tickets, online check-in where feasible.
• Staff Training: All guides and drivers certified in first aid (Red Cross or equivalent); annual safety recertification.
• Emergency Response: 24/7 emergency coordination line; established evacuation protocols for each region.

Activity-Specific Safety Standards:

Gorilla Tracking (Southwest Region)

Minimum age: 15 years (strictly enforced per wildlife regulations).

Maximum group size: 8 tourists plus guides (park regulation).

Distance requirement: Minimum 7 metres from gorillas.

If a gorilla charges: Follow guide instructions; crouch down slowly; do not run.

Flash photography is prohibited. Persons with contagious diseases are prohibited from tracking.

Mount Cameroon Hike (4,095 m)

Grade: Strenuous; prior hiking experience strongly recommended.

Guides: Mandatory local guides with summit certification.

Equipment: Proper hiking boots, rain gear, warm layers (near freezing at summit).

Evacuation: No helicopter rescue; evacuation by foot or porter to nearest road.

Korup National Park Trek

Nearest hospital 3+ hours; basic first aid only in park.

Terrain: Dense rainforest, river crossings, slippery trails.

Wildlife: Elephants, buffaloes, venomous snakes; guides carry deterrents.

Malaria: High-risk zone; prophylaxis mandatory.

Sea Turtle Watching (South Coast)

Night activity: Flashlights with red filters only.

Beach safety: Rip currents possible; follow guide instructions.

Wildlife interaction: No touching turtles or nests; maintain 5-metre distance.

Baka Community Visit

Cultural sensitivity: Photography only with explicit consent.

Health: Remote village; basic sanitation; bring personal water purification.

• All vehicles inspected quarterly and certified by Cameroonian transport authorities.
• Seat belts mandatory; no standing in moving vehicles.
• Driver rest periods enforced (maximum 8 hours driving per day).
• Road conditions: Some routes (for example, Bamenda to Mamfe) are unpaved and seasonally impassable; alternative routes or delays may be necessary.
• Night driving on rural roads is minimised and avoided where possible.

Food and Water:

• Bottled or purified water provided on all tours; do not drink tap water unless explicitly confirmed safe.
• Vendors must hold valid Ministry of Public Health hygiene certificates.
• Declared dietary restrictions are communicated to all meal providers, but cross-contamination in remote kitchens is possible.
• Street food consumption outside the curated Vendor network is at your own risk.

Accommodation:

• Properties are vetted for: fire exits, electrical safety, structural integrity, and basic security.
• Safety standards vary by tier; Luxury properties maintain higher security and medical preparedness.
• Emergency contacts posted in all rooms; staff trained in evacuation procedures.

• Hand sanitiser available in all vehicles and at activity sites.
• Regular handwashing encouraged, especially before meals.
• Waste disposal: Pack-it-out policy in national parks.

Infectious Disease Prevention:

• Malaria: Prophylaxis strongly recommended; mosquito nets provided in all accommodations.
• Yellow Fever: Vaccination certificate required for entry to Cameroon; carry certificate.
• COVID-19: Follow current Ministry of Public Health directives; masks may be required in enclosed spaces.
• Other: Typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis vaccines recommended per CDC and WHO guidance.

Medical Emergencies:

• All guides carry comprehensive first aid kits; guides trained in wilderness first aid.
• For serious emergencies, evacuation to Douala or Yaoundé hospitals.
• You must have medical evacuation coverage minimum USD 100,000.
• Carry sufficient medication for trip duration plus 3 days buffer.

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

(a) Vourigo's liability for personal injury, death, or property damage arising from participation in booked activities is limited to USD 50,000 per person for personal injury, USD 2,000 for property damage, and USD 5,000 for other damages, per traveller, consistent with Article 13(2) of the International Convention on Travel Contracts (CCV, Brussels 1970);

(b) Vourigo is **not liable** for injuries or damages caused by:

• Your own negligence or failure to follow safety instructions;
• Third parties unconnected with the services;
• Force majeure events (natural disasters, war, pandemics, government actions);
• Vendor failures where Vourigo exercised diligent selection and monitoring;
• Risks inherent to adventure tourism that were disclosed and acknowledged;

(c) Consequential damages (lost enjoyment, missed flights, emotional distress without physical injury, lost profits) are excluded.

Gross Negligence Exception: Nothing in this Waiver limits liability for death or personal injury caused by Vourigo's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or reckless disregard; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or liabilities that cannot be excluded under Cameroonian mandatory consumer protection law or EU Package Travel Directive.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Vourigo, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and Vendors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

(a) Your breach of this Waiver or the Terms and Conditions;

(b) Your negligence, misconduct, or violation of laws during the trip;

(c) Your failure to disclose material medical conditions or fitness limitations;

(d) Damage you cause to property, wildlife, or cultural sites;

(e) Claims brought by third parties arising from your actions.

Emergency Contacts:

• Police: 117
• Fire: 118
• Medical Emergency (SAMU): 119
• Vourigo 24/7 Emergency Line: [Number to be confirmed]

Evacuation Protocol:

1. Guide assesses situation and provides immediate first aid.
2. Guide contacts Vourigo emergency coordinator via satellite phone or radio.
3. Coordinator activates evacuation plan (vehicle, air ambulance if available or insured, or foot evacuation).
4. Nearest medical facility notified.
5. Family or emergency contact informed.
6. Insurance provider notified by Tourist or coordinator.

Communication in Remote Areas:

Satellite communicators carried on all multi-day treks. Mobile coverage is limited in Korup, Alantika, and parts of Mount Cameroon. Daily check-ins required for remote expeditions.

You agree to comply with all Cameroonian laws, including:

• Immigration and visa requirements.
• Wildlife protection laws (no feeding, harassing, or removing animals or plants from national parks).
• Cultural heritage protection (no removal of artefacts from archaeological sites).
• Photography restrictions (military installations, border areas, some indigenous communities).
• Currency regulations (declaration of amounts over XAF 1,000,000 or equivalent).

National Park Regulations:

• Gorilla tracking permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• Littering, smoking, and loud noises are prohibited in all national parks.
• Guides' instructions are mandatory for safety and conservation.
• Violations may result in immediate removal from the park without refund and potential criminal prosecution.

You acknowledge that remote eco-lodges, village encampments, and regional restaurants operate under local Cameroonian health and safety frameworks, which may differ from Western regulatory standards. You waive all claims against the Platform regarding local illnesses or digestive reactions to local food and water where Vendors hold valid Ministry of Public Health certifications and the illness is not attributable to proven negligence. You understand that sanitation facilities in remote areas may be basic and that water purification is your responsibility outside the curated Vendor network.

You grant the Platform and its partners full legal authority to coordinate medical evacuation, emergency surgery, or hospitalisation in the event of an unexpected medical crisis. You assume 100% of the economic liability for these emergency services, making primary international travel insurance a mandatory prerequisite for booking approval.

If emergency evacuation costs are incurred that are not covered by your insurance provider, Vourigo will issue a formal invoice to your registered email address within 14 days of the evacuation event. You agree to settle any such invoice within 14 days of receipt. The maximum amount recoverable under this clause is USD 25,000 per incident. Vourigo reserves the right to pursue recovery through civil proceedings under Cameroonian law and applicable OHADA enforcement mechanisms if payment is not made within the agreed period.

Note: This clause constitutes a contractual payment obligation and a right to invoice. It does not constitute authorisation to initiate a card charge without your direct action. You remain responsible for submitting all evacuation costs to your travel insurer in the first instance.

By checking the "I have read and agree to the Safety, Hygiene and Liability Waiver" box during booking, you:

(a) Confirm you have read, understood, and agree to all terms in this Waiver;

(b) Acknowledge that you are at least 18 years of age (or the legal guardian of a minor, signing on their behalf);

(c) Confirm you have consulted your physician regarding fitness for the booked activities;

(d) Confirm you have purchased adequate travel insurance;

(e) Understand that this Waiver is binding and affects your legal rights;

(f) Agree that this electronic acknowledgment constitutes a valid signature under Cameroon Law on Electronic Commerce and OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Law.

For questions regarding safety protocols: safety@vourigo.com

Version 1.0. Effective 19 May 2026