International Photo Tour - Terms and Conditions

This agreement is made between the participant (hereafter referred to as "the Participant") and Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd (Company Number: 17092334), trading as Marc Humphrey Photography (hereafter referred to as "the Company"). It is agreed that the terms set out below constitute the entire agreement between the parties and that no variation or modification shall be effective unless agreed by both parties in writing.

1. Booking, Payments, and Your Financial Protection

1.1 A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure the Participant's place on an international photography tour.

1.2 The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 12 weeks prior to the tour start date. Failure to pay the balance by the due date may result in the cancellation of the booking and the automatic forfeiture of the deposit.

1.3 In accordance with the UK Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations, all passengers booking with the Company are fully protected for the monies paid as a result of our insolvency. This protection has been arranged through the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) and underwritten by Travel & General Insurance Services Limited (t&g). In the unlikely event of our insolvency, ABTOT ensures a complete refund of your prepayment or safe repatriation if you are already out in the field.

2. Cancellations and Refunds

2.1 All cancellations must be made in writing by the Participant via email to photography@marchumphrey.com.

2.2 The booking deposit remains strictly non-refundable under all circumstances. If the Participant cancels within 12 weeks of the scheduled tour departure date, the full tour cost remains payable and no refund will be issued.

3. Amendments and Cancellations by the Company

3.1 The Company reserves the right to make significant amendments to or cancel an international tour itinerary prior to departure due to operational constraints, safety concerns, or low group booking numbers. Where a pre-departure change materially alters the core tour offering, the Participant will be offered the option to accept the changes, transfer to an alternative tour date or destination, or request a full refund of all monies paid to the Company.

3.2 In the event that an international tour must be cancelled entirely by the Company due to unforeseen circumstances or failure to reach minimum numbers prior to the start date, Participants will be offered a full transfer to another departure or a complete refund of all monies paid. The Company is not responsible for any losses on independently booked international flights or travel arrangements.

4. Mandatory Personal Insurance & Liability

4.1 Comprehensive personal travel insurance is a mandatory condition of booking for all international itineraries. Your policy must be active from the time of booking and must explicitly cover emergency medical expenses, repatriation, personal liability, cancellation cover, and full baggage/photographic equipment curtailment.

4.2 The Participant must provide their active insurance policy details and emergency insurer contact numbers to the Company prior to departure.

4.3 The Company holds full Tour Operators Liability Insurance through Travel & General Insurance Services Limited (t&g) and Touchstone Underwriting. This covers the Company's operational liabilities but does not substitute for the Participant's personal travel or equipment insurance.

5. Passports, Visas, and Health Requirements

5.1 The Participant is solely responsible for ensuring they hold a valid passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining beyond the tour end date), alongside all required visas, entry permits, and health or vaccination documentation required by the destination country.

5.2 The Company accepts no liability or financial responsibility if the Participant is denied boarding, transit, or entry by any airline or immigration authority.

6. Flights and Independent Travel

6.1 Unless explicitly stated by the Company in writing, international and domestic flights are not included in the tour price. The Company is not responsible for any delays, cancellations, financial losses, or itinerary disruptions caused by changes to flights arranged independently by the Participant. Any additional transport costs required for the Participant to catch up with the tour group due to flight delays or cancellations will be borne entirely by the Participant.

7. Health, Fitness, and Field Adaptation

7.1 The Participant acknowledges that wildlife photography involves working with completely wild animals in their natural environment. Sightings and specific animal behaviours can never be 100% guaranteed, field flexibility is required, and no refunds or compensations will be issued based on wildlife activity.

7.2 The Company acts as an expert photography guide and coordinates ground logistics with local suppliers. We reserve the right to amend itineraries or alter schedules at short notice due to local weather, safety concerns, road closures, or sudden shifts in wildlife activity to ensure the safety of the group and maximise the photographic opportunities of the tour. Minor changes - such as a change of equal-standard accommodation, adjusted daily travel timings, or alternate hide rotations - do not constitute a material alteration of the tour and do not entitle the Participant to a cancellation or refund.

7.3 The Participant confirms that they meet the physical and mental fitness levels required for the specific itinerary as detailed on the respective tour webpage.

8. Force Majeure

8.1 The Company cannot accept liability or pay compensation where a tour is delayed, cancelled, or altered due to events outside our reasonable control (Force Majeure), including but not limited to war, threat of war, natural disasters, industrial disputes, border closures, or pandemics.

9. Location Confidentiality & Commercial Restrictions

9.1 Participants agree to keep specific field coordinates, land-owner data, and sensitive habitat locations strictly confidential to protect local wildlife and environments.

9.2 To protect the Company's business assets and proprietary scouting, the Participant agrees not to use the specific field locations, local guides, or ground suppliers established by the Company to run, promote, or market their own independent commercial workshops or tours.

10. Field Behaviour and Dismissal

10.1 The welfare of our wildlife subjects always comes first. The Company reserves the right to immediately remove any Participant from a session or the tour entirely if their behaviour violates wildlife safety metrics, causes unnecessary stress to animals, or compromises group safety.

10.2 In the event of dismissal under clause 10.1, no refunds will be given, and the Company is not liable for any return travel, transit, or alternative accommodation expenses.