Financial security

Your money is always safe

Simba Tours is affiliated with STO Garant — the recognised guarantee scheme for tour operators. Your travel amount sits in a secured escrow account and is protected at all times.

🛡️STO Garant certified
🏦Escrow (DNB & AFM)
100% travel amount protected
🔍Independently verifiable
🛡️

STO Garant

STO Garant is an independent guarantee scheme, recognised by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). It protects your travel amount if a tour operator encounters financial problems. Participation in STO Garant is not mandatory — it is a conscious choice we make to offer you maximum security.

More about STO Garant →

How does it work?

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📋

Simba Tours is affiliated with STO Garant

STO Garant is a guarantee scheme for tour operators recognised by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). You can verify our participation via the official participants page at sto-garant.nl.

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Your payment goes to an escrow account

Your travel amount is not transferred directly to Simba Tours. The money sits in a secured escrow account of Stichting Derdengelden Certo Escrow — registered with the Dutch National Bank (DNB) and the Financial Markets Authority (AFM). Simba Tours has no access to this money until your trip is complete.

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Your money is protected during the trip

The foundation holds your travel amount until the trip has fully concluded. Only then is the money released to Simba Tours. This means your money is also protected if Simba Tours were to encounter problems during your trip.

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If something still goes wrong

If Simba Tours cannot meet its obligations due to financial difficulties, STO Garant executes the guarantee. You get your money back or the trip is organised through another tour operator. In both cases you are protected from financial loss.

"We consciously chose STO Garant, even though it is not mandatory. Tanzania safaris are significant investments — and travellers deserve the certainty that their money is safe, regardless of what might happen to our company. That is honesty. That is the way we want to work."

— Allard, Simba Tours

What happens if...

Different scenarios — and what STO Garant does for you.

💰

Simba Tours goes bankrupt before your departure

Your travel amount sits in the escrow account — you get it fully refunded via STO Garant.

🔄

Simba Tours cannot deliver the trip during your stay

STO Garant ensures the trip is taken over by another operator, or you receive the remaining value back.

🏥

You have to cancel due to illness or circumstances

This falls under your travel insurance, not STO Garant. Take out good cancellation insurance — we are happy to advise you.

Frequently asked questions about the guarantee

How do I verify that Simba Tours is really affiliated with STO Garant?+
Go to sto-garant.nl/deelnemers and search for "Simba Tours". You will see our participant status and all relevant information. This is the official STO Garant verification page.
What is the difference between STO Garant and travel insurance?+
STO Garant protects your travel amount if the tour operator (Simba Tours) encounters financial problems. Travel insurance protects you as a traveller in medical emergencies, cancellation, baggage loss and other personal risks. Both are needed — they complement each other.
Is my travel amount also protected if I pay a deposit?+
Yes. Both the deposit and the remaining amount go through the escrow account. At no point does your money sit directly with Simba Tours — it is always protected.
What if I want to cancel my booking — do I get my money back?+
Cancellation by the traveller falls under our cancellation terms, not STO Garant. We apply reasonable cancellation periods that we share transparently with you at booking. We always recommend good cancellation insurance for unforeseen circumstances.
How does the guarantee work in practice?+
If STO Garant has to take action, the organisation immediately contacts all affected travellers. They arrange refund or an alternative trip. The process is structured and clear — you do not need to take legal steps.

Verify our participation

Check on the official STO Garant website whether Simba Tours is registered as a participant. Trust begins with transparency.