Everything you need to know before booking. If your question isn't answered here, get in touch — we reply within 24 hours.
Booking & Payment
How do I book a tour? +
Click "Book this tour" on any tour page — it opens a pre-filled email to us. Tell us your preferred date, group size, and any questions. We'll confirm availability and send you a booking confirmation with payment details. No third-party booking system, no admin fees.
How do I pay? +
We accept bank transfer, PayPal, and most major credit cards. A 30% deposit secures your booking; the remainder is due 7 days before departure. For last-minute bookings (within 7 days), full payment is required upfront.
What is the cancellation policy? +
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure for most tours. The 3-Day Tara Expedition requires 72 hours notice. Cancellations inside the notice window forfeit the deposit. If we cancel due to weather or safety concerns, you receive a full refund or free rebooking.
What happens if the weather is bad? +
Light rain doesn't stop us — most tours run in all but the worst conditions. We monitor forecasts closely and will contact you 24 hours before if we anticipate a problem. Dangerous weather (electrical storms, extreme river levels) triggers automatic cancellation with a full refund or rebooking.
Can I book for a private group? +
Yes — all tours can run as private departures. Private groups get the whole guide and departure to themselves. Pricing for private groups is on request. See our custom tours page for more on private options.
Fitness & Experience
Do I need rafting experience? +
No prior experience needed for our daily and 2-day Tara tours, Una, Neretva, or Vrbas rafting. Our guides brief you fully before launch. The 3-Day Tara Expedition suits people who are physically strong and comfortable in challenging environments — prior rafting experience is a bonus but not required.
What fitness level do I need? +
It depends on the tour. Moderate tours (Zelengora Lakes, Tara Daily, Una) require regular exercise but no athletic training. Challenging tours (Maglić, Sutjeska) need solid hiking fitness — you should be comfortable hiking 6+ hours with elevation. See our difficulty guide for specifics.
What is the minimum age? +
Una Rafting: 10 years. Most other tours: 12 years. Tara 3-Day Expedition: 14 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Under-18s require parental consent.
Is there a maximum age? +
No upper age limit — we've had guests well into their 70s. What matters is your current fitness, not your age. If you have any health conditions, let us know when booking and we'll advise honestly.
Can non-swimmers join rafting tours? +
Yes. Life jackets and helmets are provided and worn at all times. Our guides are trained in swift-water rescue. However, you should be comfortable in water — genuinely strong fear of water is something to discuss with us before booking.
What to Pack
What should I bring for a rafting day? +
Swimwear under your clothes, a complete dry change of clothes for after, secure footwear that can get wet (old trainers or sandals with straps — no flip-flops), sunscreen, a water bottle. Wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, and paddles are all provided.
What should I bring for a hiking tour? +
Sturdy hiking boots (ankle support strongly recommended on Maglić and Sutjeska), moisture-wicking base layer, fleece or mid-layer, waterproof jacket, sunscreen, hat, at least 2 litres of water, trail snacks. For multi-day tours, a 40L+ backpack and your personal gear — specific kit list sent on booking.
Is there luggage storage at the starting points? +
Yes. At all rafting start points you can leave bags securely while on the water. For multi-day hiking tours, we arrange safe storage for any bags you don't take on the mountain.
Logistics & Practicalities
Is transport to the starting point included? +
Transport to the starting point is not included in base tour prices. We can arrange private transfers for booked guests at an additional cost. See our travel info page for how to get to each starting point independently.
What languages do your guides speak? +
All WildBalkans guides are fluent in English. Several also speak German or Italian. Guiding in Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian is available for regional guests.
What is the maximum group size? +
Group sizes vary by tour — between 8 and 16 people. See each tour page for specifics. We keep groups intentionally small to maintain quality. For larger groups, we split into parallel sub-groups with multiple guides.
Is travel insurance required? +
Travel insurance is not included in tour prices and is not technically required to book — but we strongly recommend it. Make sure your policy covers adventure activities (whitewater rafting and/or mountain hiking at altitude) and includes medical evacuation cover.
Do I need a visa for Bosnia? +
Most Western passport holders (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and many others) enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free for up to 90 days. Always verify your specific requirements before travelling — see our travel info page.