Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions apply to all tours, expeditions, and experiences operated by Andres Novales Wildlife Photography. By paying a deposit or making any payment toward a tour, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms in full. Please read them carefully before booking.

1. Booking & Payment

Deposit: To reserve your spot on any tour, a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total tour price is required at the time of booking. Your spot is not confirmed until your deposit has been received and you have received written confirmation from us via email. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion.

Balance Payment: The remaining balance of 70% of the total tour price is due 60 days before the tour departure date. You will receive a payment reminder in advance of this deadline. If full payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without notice and your deposit will be forfeited.

Late Bookings: For bookings made within 60 days of the tour departure date, the full tour price is due immediately at the time of booking. No spot will be held without full payment in these circumstances.

Payment Methods: Deposits are accepted via credit card or debit card through our secure online payment system. Balance payments are accepted via international bank wire transfer. All wire transfer fees and any currency conversion costs are the responsibility of the participant. Payment details will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Currency: All tour prices are listed in US Dollars (USD). If you are paying from a country with a different currency, the exchange rate applied will be determined by your bank or payment provider at the time of transaction. We are not responsible for any losses arising from currency fluctuations.

Pricing: Tour prices are confirmed at the time of booking and will not change after your deposit has been received, except in exceptional circumstances such as significant increases in government-mandated fees, permits, or taxes beyond our control. Any such changes will be communicated to you as early as possible.

2. Cancellation Policy - By the Guest

We understand that life is unpredictable. However, as a small independent operation with limited group sizes, late cancellations have a significant financial impact on our ability to operate. Our cancellation policy reflects the costs we incur when a spot cannot be filled on short notice.

Cancellation timeline and fees:

  • More than 90 days before departure: Deposit is forfeited. Any balance paid beyond the deposit will be refunded in full within 14 business days.

  • 60 to 90 days before departure: 50% of the total tour cost is forfeited. The remaining 50% will be refunded within 14 business days.

  • Less than 60 days before departure: 100% of the total tour cost is forfeited. No refund will be issued.

  • No-show: If you fail to appear at the designated meeting point on the tour start date without prior written notice, 100% of the total tour cost is forfeited. No refund will be issued.

How to cancel: All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to contact@andresnovales.com. Verbal cancellations including those communicated by phone, WhatsApp, or social media will not be accepted. The official date of cancellation is the date on which your written notice is received and acknowledged by us.

Spot transfers: If you are unable to attend and wish to transfer your booking to another participant, we may allow this at our discretion provided the replacement participant meets any tour requirements and the request is made no later than 30 days before departure. Please contact us as early as possible if this is a possibility. An administration fee of $150 USD may apply.

Partial attendance: No refunds will be issued for any unused portion of a tour, including missed days, activities, meals, or accommodation, for any reason.

3. Cancellation Policy - By Andres Novales

We are committed to delivering every tour as planned and will only cancel in the following circumstances.

Cancellations within our control: If a tour is cancelled for reasons within our control such as insufficient bookings to operate the tour viably, or the unavailability of the tour leader due to illness or injury, all payments received from participants will be refunded in full within 14 business days. We will notify affected participants as early as possible, and a minimum of 45 days notice will be given wherever possible.

Cancellations outside our control: If a tour must be cancelled or significantly altered due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control including but not limited to natural disasters, extreme weather events, wildfires, earthquakes, government-imposed travel restrictions, political instability, civil unrest, pandemics, disease outbreaks, airline cancellations, permit revocations, or other force majeure events, we will offer each affected participant a full credit of all payments made, valid for use toward any future tour within 24 months. Cash refunds in these circumstances are at our sole discretion and cannot be guaranteed.

Our liability in the event of cancellation: In the event of a cancellation by us, our liability is strictly limited to the refund or credit described above. We are not responsible for any additional costs incurred by participants including but not limited to flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance premiums, accommodation booked independently, or equipment purchased in preparation for the tour. This is one of the key reasons we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.

4. Changes to the Itinerary

Wildlife photography tours by their very nature operate in wild, dynamic, and often remote environments. Conditions change rapidly and unpredictably. While we design every itinerary with care and will always do everything in our power to deliver the experience as described, we reserve the right to make changes where necessary.

Reasons for changes may include: adverse or dangerous weather conditions, wildlife behaviour and movement patterns, road or trail closures, permit or access restrictions, accommodation issues, local guide availability, safety concerns, or any other factor beyond our reasonable control.

What we will do: We will communicate any significant changes to the itinerary as early as possible and will always seek the best available alternative that preserves the spirit and quality of the original experience.

What this means for refunds: Changes to the itinerary including changes to specific locations, activities, accommodation, or daily schedules do not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The absence of a specific species or photographic opportunity does not entitle participants to any compensation.

5. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all participants on our tours. You must obtain a comprehensive policy before your departure date and be prepared to provide proof of coverage upon request. We reserve the right to deny participation to anyone who cannot provide evidence of adequate insurance.

Your policy must cover at minimum:

Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Reimbursement for non-refundable tour costs if you are unable to travel or must cut your trip short due to illness, injury, family emergency, or other covered reasons. We strongly recommend a policy that includes Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage, which offers the broadest possible protection for your investment regardless of the reason for cancellation. Note that our deposits are non-refundable and CFAR coverage is the only way to recover this cost in the event of a last-minute cancellation.

Emergency Medical Coverage: Full coverage for medical treatment, hospitalization, and physician fees incurred while traveling internationally. Your standard domestic health insurance will typically not cover you abroad, and medical costs in some countries can be extremely high. We recommend a minimum of $100,000 USD in emergency medical coverage. Some of our tours operate in countries with limited medical infrastructure so please factor this into your policy selection.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: Coverage for emergency medical evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility and if necessary repatriation to your home country. Many of our tours take place in remote locations far from major hospitals, and evacuation costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars without coverage. We recommend a minimum of $250,000 USD in emergency evacuation coverage.

Baggage & Equipment Loss: Coverage for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings and photography equipment during travel. Given the significant value of the camera gear most of our participants carry, we strongly recommend verifying that your policy covers professional or high-value photography equipment specifically. Many standard travel policies cap equipment payouts at amounts well below replacement cost so check your limits carefully and consider a specialist photography equipment policy if needed.

Travel Delay: Coverage for additional accommodation, meals, and transport costs incurred due to significant travel delays. Delays are common when travelling to remote destinations and can result in missed tour days.

It is your sole responsibility to research, select, and purchase a policy that adequately covers your specific circumstances, health history, nationality, and all destinations visited on your trip. Andres Novales Wildlife Photography accepts no financial responsibility for any losses including medical costs, evacuation costs, trip interruption losses, or equipment losses arising from a participant's failure to obtain adequate travel insurance coverage.

6. Health & Fitness

Fitness requirements: Each of our tours is assigned a fitness level described in detail on the tour page. By booking a tour, you confirm that you have read the fitness description and that you are in good physical health and capable of meeting the demands of the tour as described. If you are unsure whether a tour is suitable for you, please contact us before booking.

Medical conditions: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, physical limitations, dietary requirements, allergies, or are taking any medications that may affect your participation or require special consideration, you must disclose this to us in writing before completing your booking. We treat all medical information with complete confidentiality. Failure to disclose relevant medical information may result in the cancellation of your booking without refund or may compromise your safety in the field.

Fitness during the tour: We reserve the right to ask a participant to withdraw from a tour, or from specific activities within a tour, if in our judgment their physical condition poses a risk to their own safety or the safety of others. In such circumstances no refund will be issued.

Pregnancy: We recommend that pregnant participants consult their physician before booking any of our tours, particularly those involving remote locations, long travel days, or physically demanding activities.

Vaccinations & entry requirements: It is the sole responsibility of each participant to research and obtain any vaccinations, medications, or health documentation required by the countries visited on their tour. We recommend consulting a travel medicine clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure.

7. Participant Conduct

We take great pride in creating a respectful, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for every member of our groups. All participants are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.

Respect for fellow participants and staff: We operate in small, intimate groups. Behaviour that disrupts the experience of other participants, or that is disrespectful toward fellow guests, local guides, drivers, accommodation staff, or any other person encountered on the tour, will not be tolerated.

Wildlife ethics: Our tours operate under strict ethical wildlife viewing principles. The welfare and natural behaviour of the animals we encounter always takes priority over photographic opportunity. Participants must follow the instructions of the tour leader at all times when in the presence of wildlife. This includes maintaining safe and respectful distances, refraining from using flash photography where prohibited, avoiding loud noises or sudden movements, and never attempting to attract, feed, bait, or interfere with wildlife in any way. Violations of these principles are taken extremely seriously.

Local laws and customs: Participants are responsible for familiarising themselves with and adhering to the local laws, customs, and regulations of every country visited. This includes regulations regarding photography in sensitive areas, dress codes at cultural sites, and any restrictions on the movement or import of equipment.

Removal from a tour: We reserve the right to remove any participant from a tour at any time if in our sole judgment their behaviour poses a risk to the safety of themselves or others, disrupts the experience of the group, or violates these terms. In such circumstances the participant will be responsible for all costs associated with their early departure, and no refund will be issued for any unused portion of the tour.

8. Liability

Inherent risks: Participation in wildlife tours and outdoor expeditions involves inherent risks that cannot be fully eliminated. These include but are not limited to encounters with wild animals, remote locations with limited access to medical care, extreme weather conditions, rough terrain, physical exertion, travel by boat, vehicle, or aircraft in developing countries, and exposure to tropical diseases or altitude sickness. By booking a tour, you acknowledge that you are aware of these risks and accept them voluntarily.

Limitation of liability: Andres Novales Wildlife Photography, its guides, partners, subcontractors, and local operators accept no liability whatsoever for:

  • Personal injury, illness, disability, or death sustained during a tour, howsoever caused

  • Loss of, theft of, or damage to personal property or photography equipment

  • Losses arising from delays, cancellations, or changes to the itinerary beyond our control

  • Any costs, losses, or damages arising from a participant's failure to hold valid travel documents, visas, health certificates, or vaccinations

  • Any costs, losses, or damages arising from a participant's failure to obtain adequate travel insurance

  • Acts or omissions of third-party operators, accommodation providers, airlines, or local guides

Third-party operators: Some components of our tours are operated by third-party local operators and guides. While we select our partners carefully, we cannot accept responsibility for the acts or omissions of third parties. Any complaints relating to third-party services should be raised with us in writing as soon as possible during or after the tour.

Maximum liability: In the event that we are found liable for any loss or damage despite the above, our maximum liability to any participant is strictly limited to the total amount paid by that participant for the tour in question.

9. Travel Documents & Entry Requirements

It is the sole responsibility of each participant to ensure that they hold a valid passport with sufficient validity for all countries visited. Most countries require at least 6 months of passport validity beyond your return date. Participants are also responsible for obtaining all necessary visas, entry permits, and any other documentation required for their nationality.

We strongly recommend checking entry requirements well in advance of departure, as these can change with little notice. We are not responsible for any losses including forfeited tour payments arising from a participant's failure to hold valid travel documents or meet entry requirements.

10. Photography & Media

Our photography: Andres Novales retains full copyright and all rights to photographs and video footage captured by him during tours. This may include images in which participants appear incidentally as part of the environment or scene.

However, we want to be absolutely clear: we will never publish, share, or use any image in which a participant appears as a subject — whether on our website, social media, promotional materials, or anywhere else — without first asking that person directly and receiving their explicit permission. The absence of a written opt-out does not constitute consent. If for any reason we would like to use an image featuring a participant, we will always reach out personally before even considering it. If that person declines for any reason, we will simply not use the image. No exceptions.

Participant photography: All photographs taken by participants during our tours belong entirely and exclusively to the participant who took them. We hold no rights whatsoever over images captured by participants, regardless of the subject matter, location, or circumstances in which they were taken.

We will never use, publish, reproduce, share, or claim any right over a participant's images for any purpose — including promotional, editorial, or commercial use — without first requesting permission explicitly. Participants have no obligation whatsoever to grant that permission, and declining will have absolutely no bearing on their experience or our relationship with them.

Your images are yours. Always.

11. Privacy

Any personal information collected during the booking process including name, contact details, passport information, and medical disclosures is used solely for the purpose of administering your booking and communicating with you about your tour. We do not sell, share, or distribute your personal information to third parties, except where required by law or necessary for the operation of the tour such as sharing details with local guides or accommodation providers.

12. Governing Law

These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of Canada. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Canada.

13. Amendments

We reserve the right to update or amend these terms and conditions at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation is the version that applies to your booking. We recommend saving or printing a copy of these terms at the time of booking for your records.

14. Contact

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, or about any aspect of your booking, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are always happy to talk through any concerns before you commit.

Email: contact@andresnovales.com Website: www.andresnovales.com

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.