Booking terms and cancellation policy.

These Booking Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all retreats, nature experiences, wellness experiences and related services offered by The Unwinding Retreats and Nature Experiences (Pty) Ltd (“The Unwinding”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

By making a booking with The Unwinding, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms, together with our Cancellation & Refund Policy and Privacy Policy.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude or limit any right or protection that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law.

The Unwinding creates and facilitates retreats and nature experiences designed to provide opportunities for rest, connection, self-discovery, wellbeing and connection with nature.

Our retreats may include, depending on the particular retreat:

• accommodation;

• meals and refreshments;

• yoga;

• meditation;

• breathwork;

• somatic movement;

• creative activities;

• walks and gentle hikes;

• beach swims and visits;

• tidal-pool experiences;

• kayaking or other water-based activities;

• fire ceremonies;

• drumming;

• massage or wellbeing experiences;

• excursions;

• restaurants and dining experiences; and

• other nature, wellness or creative activities.

The exact activities included in each retreat will be described in the relevant retreat information provided to guests.

A booking becomes confirmed once:

1. you have provided the information reasonably required by The Unwinding;

2. the required deposit or payment has been received; and

3. The Unwinding has confirmed your booking in writing.

By completing a booking, you confirm that the information you have provided is accurate and complete.

You are responsible for notifying us promptly if any information relevant to your booking changes.

The price of each retreat will be communicated at the time of booking.

Unless otherwise stated:

• a 60% deposit is required to secure your place;

• the remaining balance is payable 30 days before the retreat; and

• bookings made within 30 days of the retreat may require full payment at the time of booking.

All prices will be stated in South African Rand currency (ZAR) and will include the inclusions specifically described for the retreat.

Additional personal expenses, unless expressly included, remain the responsibility of the guest.

These may include:

• flights;

• travel to and from Cape Town or the arrival city of the retreat;

• personal travel insurance;

• additional meals or drinks;

• personal purchases;

• optional activities not included in the retreat;

• visa costs;

• personal medical expenses; and

• other personal expenses.

If you need to cancel your booking, you must notify The Unwinding in writing as soon as possible.

Cancellation charges may apply depending on the amount of notice provided and the costs already incurred in relation to your booking.

Our full cancellation provisions are set out in our Cancellation & Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

Cancellation charges will be applied in accordance with applicable South African law.

In particular, the Consumer Protection Act provides consumers with a right to cancel advance bookings, while allowing suppliers to require a reasonable deposit and impose a reasonable cancellation charge.

Guests are strongly encouraged to obtain appropriate travel insurance before attending a retreat.

Where appropriate, insurance should cover:

• cancellation;

• curtailment;

• illness;

• injury;

• medical expenses;

• lost or delayed luggage;

• travel disruption;

• personal belongings; and

• other risks relevant to your circumstances.

The Unwinding is not responsible for losses that could reasonably have been covered by appropriate travel or cancellation insurance.

For your safety and wellbeing, you may be asked to provide information about relevant health conditions, injuries, allergies, medications, mobility requirements, pregnancy, dietary requirements or other circumstances that may affect your participation.

You are responsible for providing accurate and relevant information.

You should notify us before the retreat if there is anything that could reasonably affect your ability to participate safely in an activity.

The Unwinding may recommend that you seek medical advice before participating in particular activities where we reasonably consider this appropriate.

We are not a medical service and our retreats are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical or psychological conditions.

Where we provide wellbeing, meditation, breathwork, movement, massage or similar experiences, these are offered as complementary wellbeing experiences and are not a substitute for professional medical care.

Health information is treated with particular care because health information constitutes special personal information under POPIA.

Some retreat activities involve physical activity, outdoor environments, uneven terrain, water, weather conditions or other inherent risks.

Examples may include:

• hiking or walking;

• swimming;

• tidal pools;

• kayaking;

• beach swimming or activities;

• yoga or movement;

• breathwork;

• outdoor excursions; and

• other nature-based experiences.

You participate voluntarily and should consider your own physical abilities and limitations before participating.

You must follow reasonable safety instructions given by The Unwinding, its facilitators, guides, activity providers and other authorised persons.

We may refuse or restrict participation in an activity where we reasonably believe that participation may create a significant safety risk to you or another person.

Where kayaking, swimming, tidal pools or other water-based activities are included, participation may be subject to:

• weather;

• tides;

• currents;

• sea conditions;

• operator requirements;

• safety requirements; and

• the participant's ability and suitability for the activity.

The activity may be changed, postponed or replaced where conditions are considered unsuitable.

Where a third-party activity operator is used, guests may also be required to accept that operator's own terms and safety requirements.

Many of our experiences take place outdoors.

Weather, sea conditions, environmental conditions, venue availability and other circumstances may require us to alter the planned itinerary.

We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to activities, venues, restaurants, facilitators or timings where necessary.

Where reasonably possible, we will provide an alternative experience of a similar nature.

An alteration to one activity does not automatically entitle a guest to a refund of the full retreat price.

Accommodation arrangements will be described in the retreat information provided to you.

Guests are expected to treat accommodation, furnishings and property respectfully.

Any damage caused intentionally or through negligent or reckless behaviour may be charged to the responsible guest where legally permissible.

Accommodation providers may have their own house rules, safety requirements and terms, which guests are also required to observe.

Where shared accommodation is selected, guests acknowledge that they may be sharing a room and bathroom facilities with another retreat participant, unless otherwise specified.

The Unwinding will endeavour to make suitable room allocations based on the accommodation arrangements available.

Specific room requests cannot always be guaranteed.

We want The Unwinding to be a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment.

Guests are expected to treat other guests, facilitators, suppliers, accommodation staff and members of the public with respect.

We do not tolerate:

• threatening behaviour;

• harassment;

• bullying;

• discrimination;

• violence;

• abusive behaviour;

• deliberate property damage; or

• behaviour that creates a serious or unreasonable risk to others.

Where a guest's behaviour materially affects the safety or wellbeing of others, The Unwinding may take reasonable steps to address the situation, including requiring the guest to leave an activity or, in serious circumstances, leave the retreat.

Where a guest is required to leave due to serious misconduct, any refund will be considered in accordance with applicable law and the circumstances.

Where alcohol is permitted at a retreat, guests are expected to consume alcohol responsibly and in accordance with applicable law and the rules of the accommodation or venue.

Illegal drugs are not permitted.

A guest who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of a substance may be prevented from participating in an activity where participation could reasonably create a safety risk.

Guests remain responsible for their personal belongings throughout the retreat.

We recommend that valuable items are not brought unnecessarily and that guests use any available secure storage provided by the accommodation.

The Unwinding is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to personal belongings except where liability arises under applicable law.

The Unwinding may take photographs or videos during retreats.

Where an identifiable guest is intended to be used in promotional material, we will seek appropriate permission.

Guests may notify us if they do not wish to appear in promotional photographs or videos.

Photography or filming by guests is permitted provided that it respects the privacy, dignity and wishes of other participants.

Guests should not photograph, film or publish images of another participant without their permission.

We carefully plan each retreat, but circumstances may occasionally require changes.

These may include changes to:

• accommodation;

• activities;

• restaurants;

• facilitators;

• venues;

• transportation arrangements;

• timings; or

• itinerary.

We will endeavour to provide reasonable notice where possible.

Where a change is necessary, we will seek to maintain the overall quality, character and purpose of the retreat.

Some retreats may be subject to a minimum number of confirmed participants.

If a retreat cannot reasonably proceed because minimum numbers have not been reached, The Unwinding may cancel or postpone the retreat.

Where this occurs, affected guests will be informed and the available options will be communicated to them in accordance with applicable law and our Cancellation & Refund Policy.

The Unwinding may work with independent third-party providers, including:

• accommodation providers;

• restaurants;

• transport companies;

• kayaking and activity operators;

• guides;

• facilitators;

• wellness practitioners; and

• other service providers.

We select suppliers with reasonable care, but third-party services may be subject to their own terms, conditions, safety requirements and limitations.

Where appropriate, guests may be required to sign or accept the third party's terms before participating in an activity.

The Unwinding will provide its services with reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by South African law.

Subject to applicable law, The Unwinding will not be responsible for loss or damage arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including events caused by third parties, weather, natural events, transport disruption, changes in sea conditions, government restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude liability for circumstances where the law does not permit such exclusion.

Participation in activities is generally voluntary.

You are encouraged to listen to your body and participate at a level appropriate to your own abilities.

You may choose not to participate in an activity.

However, where an activity is an integral part of the retreat package and you choose not to participate, this does not automatically entitle you to a reduction in the retreat price.

Some retreats may include meditation, breathwork, yoga, somatic movement, massage, energy or other wellbeing practices.

These experiences are intended to support relaxation, self-awareness and personal wellbeing.

They are not medical treatments or psychological therapy unless expressly provided by an appropriately qualified professional acting in that professional capacity.

Guests should inform the facilitator of any relevant condition or limitation that may affect their safe participation.

You remain responsible for deciding whether an activity is appropriate for you.

In an emergency, The Unwinding may take reasonable steps to obtain assistance for a guest, including contacting emergency services or an emergency contact provided by the guest.

Where necessary, we may disclose relevant information to medical or emergency personnel where permitted or required by law.

Guests remain responsible for their own medical expenses unless otherwise covered by applicable insurance or law.

International guests are responsible for ensuring that they have:

• a valid passport;

• any required visa;

• appropriate travel documentation;

• appropriate travel insurance; and

• sufficient time to meet immigration and travel requirements.

The Unwinding cannot guarantee entry into South Africa or responsibility for decisions made by immigration or other authorities.

Personal information collected during the booking and retreat process will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy & POPIA Notice.

This may include information necessary to arrange your booking, accommodation, meals, activities, emergency assistance and other retreat services.

The Unwinding will take reasonable steps to protect personal information in accordance with applicable data-protection law.

If you have a concern during a retreat, we encourage you to raise it with us as soon as reasonably possible so that we have an opportunity to address it.

After the retreat, complaints should be submitted in writing to:

The Unwinding Retreats and Nature Experiences (Pty) Ltd
Email: contact@theunwinding.co.za

We will endeavour to investigate and respond within a reasonable period.

The Unwinding will not be responsible for failure or delay in performing its obligations where this results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

Such circumstances may include:

• natural disasters;

• extreme weather;

• fire;

• flood;

• epidemic or pandemic;

• government action;

• civil unrest;

• transport disruption;

• power or infrastructure failure;

• closure of venues;

• serious illness or unavailability of essential personnel;

• supplier failure; or

• other circumstances that could not reasonably have been prevented or anticipated.

Where such circumstances occur, we will communicate with affected guests and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Nothing in these Terms limits any mandatory rights or protections available to consumers under applicable South African law.

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to our business, retreat offerings or applicable legal requirements.

The Terms applicable to a particular booking will generally be the version provided or made available at the time the booking is made, subject to mandatory changes required by law.

By making a booking with The Unwinding, you acknowledge that you have:

• read these Booking Terms & Conditions;

• read or been given access to the Cancellation & Refund Policy;

• read or been given access to the Privacy Policy & POPIA Notice;

• provided accurate information relevant to your booking;

• understood that some retreat activities may involve inherent risks; and

• agreed to comply with reasonable instructions and requirements during the retreat.