There are certain things we can not forget especially from the outfitters side.
Preparations that have been done for such a safari, I for one feel that if a safari is cancelled 90 or less days no deposit refund is available (there could be extreme cases but each should be taken on merit), ph's in some cases have been contracted and in my opinion such a ph still needs to be paid for said safari, as mentioned maybe a partial return...... Up to each and every outfitter.
It also happens that a client cancels a safari due to health/wealth/family or personal reasons/ as already mentioned this is up to the outfitter, but lets say a reimbursement is agreed upon,..... What if there was another hunter in the party that cancels his safari purely because his friend can not make it??????
99% of outfitters are straight shooters, the deposit reimbursement issue will always be a big one, I have had clients cancel Limpopo based safaris and swing reimbursed deposits to an Eastern cape outfitter....
In the end it comes down to you the outfitter if a partial reimbursement is what you can do then it should be relayed to the client, clients should also be flexible and understanding as understanding as outfitters should be, in my mind it makes no sense to hurt someone that's already hurting, wether it be from a sudden loss of health or business,
Every situation can be taken on merit and a decision made accordingly.
There is simply no way that an outfitter can advertise a deposit return policy it will undoubtedly open doors to needles cancelations.
Most outfits have a FORCE MAJURE on the back of their contract, I would like to urge potential clients to read this but also ask very direct questions to their outfitter with regards to deposit returns it will remove any uncertainty with regards to this subject, also if you do not agree mention it, and see if you can find a middle road.
It will most definitely avoid incidents like these.
My very best always