Tern & Meridian Group Travel Terms
These terms apply to every hosted group journey with Tern & Meridian. They sit alongside the trip details on your journey's page, which set the price, payment dates and deadlines for your departure. Please read both before you book.
Tern & Meridian is a travel advisory owned and operated by Piper Eskridge, an independent contractor and independent affiliate of Christopherson Andavo Travel. California Seller of Travel No. 2100177; Washington Seller of Travel No. 604092566. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
Throughout these terms, "Tern & Meridian," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Tern & Meridian, its advisor and its host agency. "You" and "your" refer to each traveler on the journey and the person making the booking. "Host" refers to Piper Eskridge or another Tern & Meridian host named for your departure. "Trip Details" means the published page and booking confirmation for your departure.
How Group Journeys Work
Each group journey is designed by Tern & Meridian and travels with a host from arrival to departure. Lodges, camps, guides, ground operators, airlines and other providers named in your Trip Details ("Suppliers") deliver the services on the ground.
Tern & Meridian acts as a sales agent for those Suppliers. I carefully vet every partner, but Suppliers are independent businesses outside my control. Tern & Meridian is not responsible for the acts, omissions, schedule changes, service failures, financial default, or refund and credit decisions of any Supplier. Each Supplier's own terms also apply to your journey, and I am happy to share them on request.
Some Suppliers may display their own branding on vehicles, signage or uniforms. That branding identifies the Supplier and does not mean Tern & Meridian owns, manages or controls its services or staff.
Booking, Eligibility and Pricing
Eligibility. By booking, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal authority to agree to these terms. Some departures are designed for a specific group, such as women-only journeys, and eligibility is listed in the Trip Details. You confirm that the information you provide is true and accurate, and that each traveler's name matches her passport exactly.
Your booking is confirmed when your deposit is received and you receive written confirmation from Tern & Meridian. Spaces are limited and confirmed in the order deposits are received.
Price. Prices are per person, based on two travelers sharing a room, and are set out in your Trip Details. Group pricing is based on the expected group size and on Supplier rates at the time of publishing. Once your deposit is received, your price is locked, except for government-imposed taxes, park fees or fuel surcharges introduced after booking, which may be passed on. I will always tell you in writing before any increase is charged.
Errors. We reserve the right to correct obvious errors in published prices or invoices.
What's included and not included is listed in your Trip Details. Unless listed as included, your price does not cover international flights, visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, gratuities, premium drinks, optional activities, spa treatments, laundry beyond what a camp provides, or personal expenses.
Payments
Payment schedule. A non-refundable deposit secures your place. Further payments and the final balance are due on the dates listed in your Trip Details. I will send a reminder before each due date.
Late payments. If a payment is more than 7 days past due, your place may be released and the cancellation terms below will apply.
Late bookings. Bookings made after a payment date require every payment due to that point at the time of booking. Bookings made after the final payment date require full payment and depend on Supplier availability.
Payment methods and any card processing fees will be listed on your invoice.
Rooms and Roommate Matching
Sharing. Prices are based on two travelers sharing a room. You may book with a friend or family member, or ask me to match you with another traveler of the same group.
Roommate matching. If you request a roommate, I will pair you with another guest at the sharing rate. If no roommate is found by the roommate deadline in your Trip Details, you may keep your place in a private room by paying the single supplement, or cancel and receive a full refund, including your deposit, before the final payment date.
If your roommate cancels, I will try to find you a new roommate. If none is found, you may keep a private room by paying the single supplement, or cancel under the terms below.
Private rooms. A private room is available for the single supplement listed in your Trip Details, subject to availability.
Room assignments and room types are set by each property and may vary between camps.
Minimum Group Size
Each departure needs the minimum number of travelers listed in its Trip Details. If the minimum is not reached by the commitment deadline, Tern & Meridian may cancel the departure. In that case, you may choose a full refund of all payments made to Tern & Meridian, or a private journey quoted for you separately.
Please wait until your departure is confirmed before buying non-refundable flights. Tern & Meridian is not responsible for flights, visas, insurance or other costs you arrange yourself.
If You Cancel
All cancellations must be sent to Tern & Meridian in writing and take effect on the date received. Unless your Trip Details say otherwise:
Your deposit is non-refundable.
If you cancel before the final payment date, all payments beyond your deposit are refunded.
If you cancel on or after the final payment date, no refund is given. No refunds are given for unused services, including late arrivals, missed activities or leaving the journey early. Travel insurance premiums are non-refundable.
Transferring your place. You may transfer your place to another eligible traveler before the final payment date, as long as the Supplier allows the change and no flights have been booked in your name. Any Supplier fees for the change are paid by you or the new traveler. After the final payment date, a name change is treated as a cancellation and a new booking.
If We Cancel or Change the Journey
Cancellation by Tern & Meridian. We may cancel a departure if the minimum group size is not reached, or for safety, Supplier failure or events beyond our control. If we cancel for any reason other than a Force Majeure Event, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to Tern & Meridian, or you may apply them to another Tern & Meridian journey.
Force Majeure. Tern & Meridian is not responsible for any failure or delay caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, extreme weather, epidemics, pandemics, war, terrorism, civil unrest, strikes, government action or travel restrictions (a "Force Majeure Event"). If a departure is cancelled for a Force Majeure Event, refunds depend on what Suppliers return to us, and I will work hard to recover as much as possible for you.
Itinerary changes. Weather, wildlife movement, park rules, flight schedules or safety may require changes to activities, timing or routing, sometimes on the day. Your host and guides will make these decisions in the group's best interest. No refund or price reduction is due for necessary changes.
Accommodation substitutions. If a property becomes unavailable, Tern & Meridian will provide a comparable alternative. Substitutions of similar standard are not grounds for a refund.
Flights
International flights are not included unless your Trip Details say so. I am happy to help you book them. Please plan to arrive in time for the group's first scheduled transfer, and wait until your departure is confirmed before buying non-refundable fares. Tern & Meridian is not responsible for missed connections, delays or costs caused by flights you arrange yourself.
Bush and light aircraft flights have strict luggage limits, set out in your Trip Details. Excess luggage may be refused or held for an extra fee.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance with emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage is required for every group journey, and I strongly recommend trip cancellation, interruption and Supplier default coverage as well. Please send proof of coverage before final payment.
I am happy to help you compare plans. Each policy's own terms decide what is covered, so please direct coverage questions to the insurance provider. Tern & Meridian is not responsible for any claim an insurer denies. If you choose to decline cancellation coverage, you accept responsibility for any loss it would have covered.
Passports, Visas and Health
Each traveler is responsible for a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the journey, with blank pages, and for any visas, vaccinations or health documents required by each destination and connecting country. I will share know-before-you-go guidance, and you remain responsible for confirming and meeting these requirements. Travelers without proper documents may be denied boarding or entry at their own expense, with no refund.
Health and fitness. Group journeys may include early starts, long drives on rough roads, light aircraft, walking, altitude and remote areas far from medical care. Please consult your doctor before booking and confirm you are fit for the activities described. Share any health, mobility, dietary or allergy needs when you book so I can confirm what each Supplier can provide. Suppliers cannot always guarantee special diets, and Tern & Meridian is not responsible for the suitability of any part of a journey for travelers with disabilities.
Group Conduct
Group journeys work best when everyone looks out for one another. You agree to treat fellow travelers, your host, guides, staff and local communities with respect, and to follow the instructions of your host, guides and Suppliers, especially around wildlife.
Your host or any Supplier may remove a traveler whose behavior endangers themselves or others, disrupts the group, or breaks local law. No refund is given, and any costs of leaving the journey early are the traveler's responsibility. Illegal drugs and weapons of any kind are not permitted. You are responsible for any damage you cause to property.
Risks of Travel
Travel to remote regions, wildlife viewing, game drives, walking safaris, balloon flights and light aircraft all carry inherent risks, including weather, wildlife, accidents, illness, civil unrest and limited medical facilities. The decision to travel and to join each activity is yours, and you travel with an understanding of these risks. Some activities, such as balloon flights, may ask you to sign the Supplier's own waiver.
For current safety information, visit travel.state.gov and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). For health guidance, visit cdc.gov/travel.
Your Host
Your host travels with the group from arrival to departure to help with logistics, answer questions and make sure the journey runs smoothly. Your host is not a medical professional or licensed guide. In an emergency, your host will help coordinate with Suppliers, local services and your insurance provider.
Photos and Privacy
Your host may take photos and video during the journey and share them with the group. Tern & Meridian may use group photos in its marketing. If you would prefer not to appear, just let me know in writing and I will respect that.
The personal details you share, such as your passport, dietary and health information, are passed to Suppliers and authorities only as needed to deliver your journey. Some of these may be in countries with different privacy laws than the United States.
Liability, Claims and Governing Law
Limitation of liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Tern & Meridian is not liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay or expense caused by any Supplier or by events outside its control. Tern & Meridian's total liability for any claim related to a group journey is limited to the amounts you paid that Tern & Meridian has received and not passed on to Suppliers. Tern & Meridian is not liable for indirect or consequential damages, including lost enjoyment or extra travel costs. Where an international convention limits a carrier's or hotel's liability, our liability is limited in the same way.
Chargebacks. Please contact me to resolve any concern before disputing a charge. You agree to reimburse reasonable costs, including legal fees, incurred in responding to an unauthorized chargeback.
Claims deadline. You agree to notify Tern & Meridian in writing of any claim within 30 days after your journey ends and to file any lawsuit within one year of the event giving rise to the claim. Claims may be brought only individually, not as part of a class action.
Governing law and venue. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Dawson County, Georgia, and you consent to the jurisdiction of those courts.
Severability. If any part of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining terms stay in full effect.
Acceptance
By paying a deposit for a Tern & Meridian group journey, you confirm that you have read and agree to these terms and your Trip Details, on behalf of yourself and anyone you book for. Tern & Meridian may update these terms, and the version in effect on the date of your deposit applies to your journey. Where these terms and your Trip Details differ, your Trip Details apply.
Trip Details: Under African Skies
These details apply to the Under African Skies departure, November 9 to 20, 2027, alongside the terms above.
Eligibility: Women only, 18 and over
Price: $14,465 per person, sharing
Single supplement: $5,157
Deposit: $500, non-refundable, due at booking (refunded in full if the trip doesn’t run)
Remaining 20% deposit: $2,393, due April 23, 2027
Final balance: $11,572 due July 27, 2027
Roommate deadline: April 16, 2027
Minimum group size: 6 travelers, confirmed by April 23, 2027
Maximum group size: 12 travelers
Luggage: 20 kg (44 lb) per person in a soft-sided bag, including carry-on
Required insurance: Emergency medical and medical evacuation
Questions are always welcome. Reach me at piper@ternandmeridian.com and we will talk it through.
Last updated: October 21, 2026