Photography Tours
Terms & Conditions
1. Tour Content
Natural World Photography takes great care to describe tours accurately and in good faith. We will make our best endeavours to provide the tour as described. If substantial alterations to the itinerary become unavoidable, for example as a result of changes made by suppliers before the tour departs, we will notify you and where possible give you the choice of keeping your booking or cancelling it and receiving a refund. If such changes arise close to the departure date or during a tour, after funds have been committed to other suppliers, cancellation may not be possible in which case we would substitute alterative photographic opportunities.
It is inherent in photographing the natural world that specific photographic opportunities cannot be completely guaranteed. Despite our careful research and planning, species may unexpectedly change locations or cloud may interfere with a view. You may have heard the adage that “there is no such thing as bad weather for photography”. This is to some extent true as all kinds of weather offer photographic opportunities. However, the weather may necessitate alterations of the itinerary at short notice to make the most of those opportunities. Where possible, any and all adjustments will be discussed openly with participants before implementation, however ultimately the tour leader has authority to put in place any such changes to the itinerary he deems to be in the best interests of the smooth running of the tour. Any changes that are made will always be in the interests of securing the best photographic opportunities, together with the health, safety and wellbeing of tour participants.
On tours that involve boat trips, landings may be subject to sea conditions (as noted in individual itineraries) and are therefore not guaranteed. If boat trips have to be cancelled due to weather, or other reasons beyond our control, we will seek to re-arrange them during the tour. If this is not possible, alternative activities will be substituted and a refund will be made of the cost of the boat trip.
2. Fitness
Outdoor photography, whether of landscapes, wildlife or the night sky, usually involves walking on footpaths and sometimes on steep or uneven terrain. Surfaces may be slippery when wet by the tide or after rain. Typically, Natural World Photography tours involve walks of up to one mile (in each direction) from the minibus or boat landing place, which may include sections of undulating, ascending or uneven terrain. No mountaineering is involved on any of our tours. Please refer to individual tour descriptions for further detail. To fully benefit from all the opportunities of our tours,you need to be able to walk without the aid of another person, carrying your camera gear and tripod. By booking on a tour, you are confirming that you are sufficiently fit and mobile to undertake such walks, as described here and in the individual tour itinerary.
3. Equipment and Clothing
It is your responsibility to be properly equipped for the tour. You should check that you have appropriate camera equipment (including memory cards and batteries), that it functions correctly and is covered by an appropriate level of camera insurance. Please bring your camera manual.
Usually, you will require warm and waterproof clothing, together with hiking boots. You are strongly advised to check your gear in advance of the tour, wear in new boots and ensure that your clothing and footwear is sufficiently robust to last for the duration of the tour.
4. Health and Safety
Your health and safety while on tour is our highest priority and all tours are planned with this in mind. No photograph is worth the risk of injury or ill health. For the health and safety of all participants, by booking on a tour that is residential or involves shared transport you agree to:
(a) Be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 at least two weeks before the tour starts (unless you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, in which case please notify us at the time of booking). This means that you must have received your first and second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, which has been approved for use in the UK, at least 14 days before the tour commences. We reserve the right to ask you for proof of your vaccination status.
(b) Take a lateral flow (or equivalent) test for Covid-19 the day before the tour starts if requested in the tour joining instructions and/or during the tour if requested by the tour leader.
(c) Not attend the tour if you or a member of your household tests positive for Covid-19 in the 10 days prior to the tour starting, or if you have symptoms of Covid-19 within five days of the tour.
(d) Notify the tour leader immediately if you experience any injury or symptoms of illness (no matter how slight).
(e) Follow reasonable instructions of the tour leader designed to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all participants and their enjoyment of the tour.
(f) Accept that it is your responsibility to be fit and healthy for the tour.
We recommend that you bring and carry with you a First Aid kit and hand sanitisers/antibacterial wipes, as well as any personal medical equipment that you need.
The tour leader has the right to exclude from the tour, or from elements of the tour, any participant whose health or behaviour jeopardises the health or safety of other participants. In such a case no refund would be made.
5. Payment
We request a deposit of between 30% and 50% of the tour price (depending on the tour) at the time of booking to secure your place. The balance is payable around three months before tour departure, as stated on the booking form. For your financial protection, all funds paid to Natural World Photography in advance for tours are held in a dedicated client account and used only to pay for services required for that tour, until the tour is fully delivered.
6. Cancellation and Curtailment
We will advise you when a tour has sufficient booked participants to operate, after which time you may wish to make your arrangements such as travel to the start point and home from the finish point.
If a tour is cancelled by Natural World Photography at any time up its departure, you will be offered the option of receiving a full refund or re-booking on a different tour (subject to any difference in price being payable). No reimbursement will be made of any other costs you have incurred in relation to the tour, such as transport to the start point or from the finish point. We aim to give at least 60 days’ notice if a tour has to be cancelled but there are some circumstances in which this may not be possible.
If a tour has to be curtailed by Natural World Photography after it has started, you will be offered a proportionate refund in relation to complete tour days missed.
If after booking you are unable to attend the tour, please notify us and we will endeavour to sell your place to someone else. If your place is re-sold, we will offer you (at our discretion, depending on your reason for cancellation) either a refund of the money you paid (less a £25 administration charge and any costs involved in re-selling your place) or a transfer to a future tour (subject to any difference in price being payable). If we do not re-sell your place then no refund will be made, as we will be committed to making payments to hotels and other suppliers on your behalf. If you are concerned about the possibility of having to cancel your place on a tour or being unable to attend a tour, we advise you to take out insurance to cover such eventualities.