Safari terms and conditions

1. Booking and payment terms

• A non-refundable deposit, as communicated in the safari proposal, is required to confirm the booking.
• The remaining balance must be paid according to the schedule outlined in the safari proposal.

2. Accommodation

• Chags Photography handpicks all accommodation partners and is highly selective in choosing where guests stay.
• Wherever possible, we prioritise eco-friendly, boutique-style camps and lodges that offer a closer connection to nature, personalised service, and an intimate safari experience.
• Our preference is always for smaller, character-rich camps rather than large resorts or hotels with standardised setups aimed at low cost tourism.
• While every effort is made to align accommodation with these principles, final availability may vary depending on season, group size, and destination.

3. Safari arrangements

Inclusions: The safari price includes all specified activities, accommodation, meals, and transportation during the safari, including domestic flights where listed in the itinerary. Where accommodation is not full board, the itinerary states which meals are extra.

Exclusions: The price does not include international flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, gratuities, or any other services or activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary inclusions.

Wildlife viewing: While every effort is made to maximise wildlife viewing opportunities, no specific animal sightings are guaranteed. Wildlife is unpredictable and sightings depend on factors including season, weather, and animal movements.

Changes to itinerary:

• If you wish to change your booking, we will do our best to accommodate, but changes are not guaranteed and may incur additional costs.
• The organiser reserves the right to alter the itinerary in response to unforeseen conditions such as weather, safety concerns, or logistical issues. Every effort will be made to maintain the integrity of the safari experience.

4. Health, insurance and liability

Health and fitness: By booking the safari, guests confirm they are in good health and physically able to participate in safari activities. Any pre-existing medical conditions or special requirements must be disclosed to the organiser at the time of booking.

Travel and health insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for every safari, and on some journeys it is a condition of booking, as set out in your safari proposal. It should cover cancellation, medical emergencies, evacuation, and loss of or damage to personal belongings. Guests are solely responsible for ensuring their insurance is valid and sufficient for the nature of the safari.

Liability waiver: Participation in the safari is undertaken at the guest's own risk. Whilst Chags Photography / Endangered Encounters Ltd will take all reasonable care to ensure the safari is conducted safely, comfortably, and substantially in accordance with the safari proposal, Chags Photography / Endangered Encounters Ltd, its affiliates, representatives, guides, and partners act only as agents for independent accommodation providers, transport operators, and other third-party service providers.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chags Photography / Endangered Encounters Ltd shall not be held liable for:

• Personal injury, illness, death, accident, or emotional distress arising during the safari
• Loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings, luggage, photography equipment, or valuables
• Delays, cancellations, changes, or interruptions caused by weather conditions, airline schedules, road conditions, government actions, strikes, mechanical failures, or any circumstances beyond our reasonable control
• Wildlife-related incidents or hazards inherent to travel in remote wilderness environments
• Incidents resulting from a guest's failure to follow park regulations, guide instructions, safety briefings, or local laws

5. Travel documents and vaccinations

• Guests must ensure they have all the appropriate documentation for travels. The coordinator can provide guidance if any doubts or concerns arise.
• Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the travel dates.
• Guests are responsible for obtaining any required vaccinations and medical advice for travel to the safari destination. Yellow fever and COVID-19 vaccination certificates may be required depending on the destination.
• Guests are responsible for obtaining any required visas, permits, or electronic travel authorisations (e.g., Kenya requires an ETA for most foreign nationals: etakenya.go.ke).
• Guests are responsible for compliance with all entry requirements of the safari destination and any countries transited en route. The organiser cannot be held liable for denied boarding or entry due to incomplete or incorrect documentation.
• Guests must comply with any government-imposed travel restrictions, health regulations, or testing requirements in effect at the time of travel.

6. Cancellation and modifications

Cancellation by guest after booking confirmed:

• Cancellations must be made in writing. The deposit is non-refundable.
• Before the balance due date set out in your safari proposal: we keep the deposit and refund anything paid above it.
• On or after the balance due date: the full safari cost is non-refundable.
• Permits bought on your behalf, such as gorilla or chimpanzee permits, are non-refundable once issued.

Transfers: If you can't travel, you may transfer your place to another person, subject to any supplier charges (for example, name changes on permits or flights).

Cancellation by the organiser: If we cancel a safari for reasons within our control, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us, or the option to move to another date. We are not responsible for international flights or other arrangements made independently.

Modifications: Any changes to the booking requested by the guest once confirmed may incur additional charges. The organiser will provide a modified payment plan if required.

Guests are strongly advised to take comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.

7. Photography and media release

A separate Image Rights & Consent Agreement applies to the photo collage, photography memory book and taking images of the guests.

8. Code of conduct, behaviour and responsibility

• Respect for wildlife, guides, local communities, and fellow travellers is essential.
• Guests must not leave any litter in natural areas or camps. All waste must be disposed of responsibly in designated bins or carried back to camp for proper disposal. Leave no trace.
• Guests are expected to behave respectfully toward wildlife, fellow travellers, local communities, and safari guides.
• The organiser reserves the right to remove any guest without refund for behaviour deemed unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful. Proper conduct includes the responsible disposal of litter and adherence to park and camp rules.

9. Force majeure

The organiser shall not be liable for failure or delay in performance due to acts of God, war, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, or any other circumstances beyond its reasonable control. If a safari has to be cancelled or significantly changed for these reasons, we will offer an alternative date or refund any amounts we are able to recover from suppliers. Travel insurance is the guest's main protection against these events.

10. Equipment and photography gear

Equipment care: If Chags Photography provides any photography equipment, cameras, lenses, tripods, or other gear for guest use, guests are responsible for handling it with appropriate care.

Damage liability: Guests will be responsible for any damage beyond normal wear and tear to provided equipment. In case of damage, guests may be liable for repair or replacement costs as determined by the equipment's market value.

Personal equipment: Guests using their own photography equipment do so at their own risk. Chags Photography cannot be held responsible for damage, loss, or theft of personal photography gear or other equipment. Guests are responsible for ensuring their personal equipment is covered under their own travel insurance policy.

Storage and transport: Guests must follow all instructions provided regarding proper storage and transport of sensitive photographic equipment, especially during game drives or in adverse weather conditions.

Last updated November 2026.