Terms of Service

In these Terms of Service, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings:

"Arrival Date" means the date on which the Customer's stay at the hostel is due to commence, as per the Booking Details.

"Booking" means the reservation by the Customer of accommodation and any other products and services detailed in the Booking which is accepted by Murchison Backpackers.

"Booking Details" means the details of the Booking including the number of Guests, the number of rooms required, the duration of the Guests stay at the Hostel and any other products and/or services to be included in the Booking.

"Charges" means the charges payable by the Customer in connection with the Booking.

"Contract" means the contract between the Customer and Murchison Backpackers in relation to the Booking.

"Customer" means the person who makes the Booking.

"MB" means Murchison Backpackers

"Guests" means the Customer and any third parties they invite to the Hostel in connection with the Booking.

"Hostel" means the hostel owned and operated by Murchison Backpackers.

1. Bookings

1.1 Customers can request Bookings via Murchison Backpackers’ website or by contacting our staff at the Hostel via telephone or email. The quickest and easiest way to make a booking is via our online booking system. For Group Bookings, please contact our Reservations team directly or visit our Group Bookings Page on our website.

1.1.1 Customers booking tours and outdoor activities shall adhere to the following additional terms and conditions. Click here for Terms & Conditions, and Waiver and Liability Form for our tours and activities. 

1.2 When you book via a third party such as HostelWorld, Booking.com, Airbnb etc. you are subject to their pricing, terms and conditions and data privacy policy.

1.3 When requesting Bookings, Customers will be required to provide identification information including, but not limited to, their name, address, ID number, telephone number and email address.

1.4 No request for a Booking should be deemed to be accepted until Murchison Backpackers confirms its acceptance by email and provides a e-booking reference OR in person at check-in, at which point the Contract will come into existence.

1.5 Subject to 'Clause 3' Murchison Backpackers will use its reasonable endeavors to accommodate any request from the customer to change the Booking Details but any request to change the dates or length of stay or add products and/or services will be subject to availability and the customer paying for such increased length of stay and/or products and/or services at Murchison Backpackers' standard rates from time to time.

1.6 Once you have arrived at the Murchison Backpackers and paid for you booking in full, there will be no refunds if you decide to shorten your stay. Please be sure of the dates you would like to stay before paying in full.

1.7 When booking beds in a shared room, Murchison Backpackers will attempt to put people on the same booking in the same room, however this can not be guaranteed.

2. Fees and Payment

2.1 The charges will be as quoted by Murchison Backpackers upon the customer’s request for a Booking.

2.2 Under no circumstances should you send us any credit/debit card details by email. We will never ask for these details by email nor should you offer them. We do not accept payment by cheque or postal order.

2.3 Unless otherwise specified by Murchison Backpackers, the room charges only cover the provision of accommodation with complimentary breakfast at the Hostel and the customer may incur additional charges including, charges for other meals, etc.

2.4 Customers will be informed of the amount of the Additional charges before they are incurred.

2.5 Bookings will be subject to the customer paying a booking deposit at the time of booking. If not prepaid at time of booking you will be charged by Murchison Backpackers on the day of arrival by Cash or Card. Any Additional Charges must be paid either as they are incurred or, at Murchison Backpackers' option, upon the Customer checking out at the Hostel.

2.6 The following payment methods are accepted by Murchison Backpackers:

2.6.1 Credit and Debit Cards: UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard.

2.6.2 Cash if the Customer is paying in person at the Hostel.

2.6.3 MomoPay (via mobile Money) and Bank transfer. 

2.7 The prices agreed include the relevant statutory taxes. Should the TAX be increased by local law Murchison Backpackers will be entitled to adjust the agreed prices accordingly. Furthermore MB shall be entitled to change its prices, should, after conclusion of the contract, the client wish to make changes to the number of rooms reserved, or services provided for the length of the guests’ stay as long as Murchison Backpackers agrees to such changes.

3. Cancellations

3.1 All individual bookings are subject to a flexible booking clause whereby bookings can be rebooked for any date before 30th December 2022. Please note that any modification to existing reservations will be subject to availability and any rate difference.

3.2  For cancellation of group bookings, we ask organizers to either contact our Reservations team or consult our Group Terms of Service document.

3.3 Where the Customer has been offered a discounted rate on condition that the Booking becomes non-refundable upon cancellation then, provided the Customer has been informed of such Condition, in the event of cancellation or modification of the Booking, all Charges applicable to that Booking remain payable in full.

3.4 Where the Customer fails to give sufficient notice of cancellation or fails to arrive (no show) at the Hostel, the entire Booking will be deemed cancelled and the Customer must pay the Hostel an amount equivalent to the Charges applicable to the full amount of the stay at the Hostel.

3.5 Murchison Backpackers may at any time cancel a Booking if the Hostel becomes unavailable due to circumstances outside its control in which case we will offer the customer the option to rebook for the future at no additional charge.

4. Check-in and Check-out

4.1 Check-in time at the Hostel booked is from 11.00 a.m. Check-in prior to that may be available subject to prior arrangement with Murchison Backpackers and subject to the full range of services and facilities at the Hostel not being available until the standard check in time.

4.2 Check-out time at the Hostel booked is 10.00 a.m. Later check-out times may be possible by prior arrangement, and sometimes with an additional charge and subject to availability (In the absence of such prior arrangement, failure to check-out by 10.00 a.m. may result in the Customer being charged for an additional night’s accommodation at the standard applicable rate).

4.3 Out of reception hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

5. Hostel Rules

5.1 Valid photo identification in the form of a National ID for Ugandan citizens or Passport for non-citizens is required at Check-in.

5.2 On arrival, all guests will be given a room or locker key which gives them access to their room or locker. If the key is not returned or lost during your stay, a $10 charge will be added to your bill for a replacement during Check-out. 

5.3 Murchison Backpackers will provide paying guests with clean, comfortable accommodation with bunk beds, mattresses, bedding, storage and linen. Each guest will also have their own individual bedside electric sockets including a light. We do not provide towels however towels are available to hire from the front desk.

5.4 Customers are required to conduct themselves well and ensure that their Guests conduct themselves in a reasonable and responsible manner at the Hostel. Any guest who is deemed threatening, intimidating, physically or verbally abusive or displays unacceptable or inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the property immediately. NO refunds will be given.

5.5 If a guest partakes in any illegal activities, they will be asked to leave the building immediately. NO refunds will be given.

5.6 Smoking is not permitted inside the Hostel and only in the designated smoking areas.

5.7 The Customer will be responsible for any loss or damage caused at the Hostel by Guest or visitor of the Guest. The Guest may be liable for Murchison Backpackers' reasonable cost of repairing, cleaning or replacing any property of Murchison Backpackers which is damaged, soiled or lost by a Guest.

5.8 Disciplined dogs are allowed in private rooms for a fee (15$). Please contact the hotel directly for more information. Dogs are NOT allowed in shared rooms or our public areas. The fees and restrictions do not apply to guide dogs and certified support animals.

5.9 Murchison Backpackers does not accept bookings made by those under the age of 16. Under 18’s cannot stay in any shared rooms, however they can stay in private rooms when accompanied by an adult over 21 years. If you’re between 16-18 and want to stay in a private room, you’ll need written consent from your parent or guardian. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in automatic cancellation with no refund given.

5.10 If a guest brings non-residents into the building after 10pm, they will be asked to leave the building immediately. NO refunds will be given.

6. Food and Drink

6.1 Unless otherwise agreed by Murchison Backpackers, all charges do not include any food or drink unless specified.

6.2 Customers and their guests may consume food and drink purchased outside Murchison Backpackers.

6.3 Guests can drink alcohol in the lounge, kitchen or courtyard, Murchison Backpackers does not allow alcohol to be drunk in the bedrooms.

7. Disabled Guests

7.1 Murchison Backpackers complies with all laws regulating the treatment of, and provision for, disabled guests.

7.2 Customers with any special requirements pertaining to a disability should inform the management team at the Hostel prior to the Arrival Date.

8. Our Liability

8.1 Nothing in these Terms purports to limit or exclude Murchison Backpackers' liability for:

(a) death or personal injury caused by the negligence of Murchison Backpackers its employees, subcontractors or agents;

(b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

(c) any other matter for which it would be illegal for the Hostel to limit or exclude its liability.

8.2 If Murchison Backpackers breaches these Terms of Service or is negligent, it is responsible for the loss or damage suffered by the customer that is a foreseeable result of the breach or negligence but is not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if they were an obvious consequence of Murchison Backpackers' breach of these Terms or if they were contemplated by Murchison Backpackers and the customer when they entered into the contract.

8.3 The customer agrees that Murchison Backpackers is only supplying its facilities, products and services to the customer for private use and have no liability to the customer for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption or loss of business opportunity. 

9. Personal Data

9.1 In accordance with the Immigration (Hotel) order, we will keep a record (name and nationality) of all guests who stay at Murchison Backpackers Hostel for any length of stay. We are also obliged to keep official ID numbers of all foreign guests.

9.2 Murchison Backpackers' treatment of customers data follows the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please review our Website Cookie Policy.

9.3 As a customer of Murchison Backpackers, you agree to receive marketing information via mail, telephone, or e-mail and text messages, and other digital channels.

9.4 Personal information is disclosed to Ugandan authorities only when it is required by law or official order. 

10. General

10.1 The Customer’s rights as a consumer under consumer protection legislation from time to time in force shall not be affected by these Conditions.

10.2 Murchison Backpackers may transfer its rights and obligations under the Contract to another organization but will always inform the Customer if this happens and this will not affect the Customer’s rights under the contract.

10.3 Murchison Backpackers will not be liable to the Customer for any failure to perform or delaying in performing its obligations where such failure or delay is due to an event outside our control (including without limitation, extreme adverse weather, industrial action or natural disaster). If such an event prevents Murchison Backpackers from fulfilling the Booking, either party may cancel the Contract.

10.4 Murchison Backpackers may, from time to time, change these Conditions without notice. However, the version of these Conditions in force at the time of the Booking will continue to apply to the Contract. Customers are advised to check our website for the latest version of these Conditions before making a Booking.

10.5 Murchison Backpackers complies with its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998 (the “Act”) in relation to data protection. Murchison Backpackers will process personal data (as defined in the Act) in relation to Customers and Guests solely for the purpose of performing its obligations and exercising its rights in connection with the Contract. Murchison Backpackers will not provide any such personal data to any third parties apart from third parties who provide services to Murchison Backpackers such as the provision of legal advice.

10.6 No failure by Murchison Backpackers to enforce these Conditions shall constitute a waiver of the right to subsequently enforce that provision or any other provision of these Conditions. Such failure shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach and shall not constitute a continuing waiver.

10.7 If any provision of these Terms of Service is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of the other provisions of these Conditions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.

10.8 This Contract (including any non-contractual matters and obligations arising therefrom or associated therewith) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Republic of Uganda that will have jurisdiction to deal with any disputes (including in relation to non-contractual matters) arising in connection with it.

10.9 No person who is not a party to the Contract will have any rights in connection with it.