Focus Photo Tours – Payment & Cancellation Policy

Focus Photo Tours, LLC, recommends trip insurance that includes travel, medical, and evacuation coverages on all tours.

Payments

     To secure your spot on a Focus Photo Tour, a $500 deposit or 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. If the $500 deposit is chosen, the remaining amount to get to a total of 50% is due 60 days from the time of booking. The remaining 50% (final payment) is due 120 days before departure. All payments must be made in U.S. Dollars through our secure payment system. Please note that we do not accept personal checks or mailed payments.

Cancellation & Refunds

• Cancellations within 60 days of booking and greater than 180 days of departure: You will receive a full refund of the initial deposit less a $500 Administrative Fee.

  • You will receive a refund of deposit paid, less the non-refundable Administrative Fee of $500.00 and any unrecoverable third-party costs (e.g., such as permits, lodging, internal flights, etc.).

  • You will have a one-time option to transfer your deposit (less $500.00 Administrative Fee) to another tour scheduled to take place within 12 months from date of assignment, subject to availability.

• Cancellations after final payment is due (180 days before departure): No refunds will be issued unless we can fill your spot. If we successfully fill your spot, we will refund your payment less a 25% relisting fee and any non-recoverable expenses (such as permits, lodging, or internal flights). 

• No refunds will be issued for late arrivals, missed departures, or early departures from the tour.

If any payment is not received by the due date, your reservation will be canceled, and all payments made will be forfeited. Payments are processed securely through our online payment system, and we do not accept personal checks or mailed payments.

  Changes to Tours & Cancellations by Focus Photo Tours

            While we strive to operate tours as scheduled, we reserve the right to cancel or modify any trip     our discretion for reasons including, but not limited to:

• Insufficient bookings;

• Safety concerns or unforeseen travel restrictions;

• Natural disasters, political unrest, strikes, pandemics, or other force majeure events; and,

• Changes in leadership due to unforeseen circumstances.

In the event that a tour must be rescheduled or modified due to circumstances beyond our control, no refunds will be issued. However, we will make every effort to offer alternative options to affected participants.

If Focus Photo Tours cancels a trip outright, all payments received will be refunded. This refund will be our only liability, and we will not be responsible for any expenses incurred in trip preparation, including non-refundable airline tickets, visas, permits, special gear, or other travel-related costs.

Airfares & Delays

Airfares are subject to change without notice until ticketing is complete. Focus Photo Tours is not responsible for airline schedule changes, cancellations, overbookings, or any loss, damage, or delays related to baggage and property. Any claims for issues related to air travel must be made directly with the airline.

For any in-country flights included in the tour cost or quoted separately, full payment may be required after the initial deposit to secure ticketing, per the airline’s policies. Changes in airline schedules may result in additional nights or itinerary modifications, and any costs incurred due to these changes are the client’s responsibility.

Luggage

Clients are responsible for checking the luggage policies and weight restrictions of all airlines they will be using. For in-country flights included in the itinerary, specific luggage guidelines will be provided in the trip package. Clients must strictly adhere to any weight restrictions or luggage requirements.

Any costs incurred due to exceeding baggage allowances, including excess baggage fees or the need to repack or store luggage, are the sole responsibility of the client. Focus Photo Tours will not cover or reimburse any additional baggage expenses.

Media Release

By participating in our tours, you grant Focus Photo Tours permission to use any photos taken of you or shared by you for marketing purposes, including but not limited to social media, promotional materials, and our website. If you have any concerns or prefer that your images not be used, please contact us at info@phocusphototours.com.

Code of Conduct

At Focus Photo Tours, we are committed to providing a respectful, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all participants. To ensure a positive environment, we expect all guests to treat fellow participants, guides, and staff with professionalism and courtesy.

Disruptive behavior, including rudeness, aggression, or excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, will not be tolerated. A single warning will be issued, and any further misconduct will result in immediate removal from the tour, without refund. If removed, it is your sole responsibility—both physically and financially—to arrange for your departure. No exceptions will be made. Thank you for understanding.

Additionally, the use of tobacco products must be limited to designated areas away from other guests and is strictly prohibited while out in the field.

By booking with Focus Photo Tours, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above.

Travel Protection Requirements 

At Focus Eco Tours, we prioritize your safety and well-being while traveling. We require all participants to have travel protection for our trips, especially international ones, due to the complexities and potential issues that can arise during travel. This includes travel medical and evacuation coverage, which provides essential coverage for unexpected medical emergencies, illness, or injury while you’re away from home.

We will follow up 180 days prior to your departure date to confirm your insurance status. At that time, participants must either provide copies of their protection policies or sign a waiver acknowledging they are taking responsibility for any potential risks associated with not having travel protection.

Travel Protection can cover a range of issues, including trip cancellations due to illness (like COVID-19), unexpected injuries, flight delays, and other unforeseen circumstances that could derail your plans. Travel medical and evacuation insurance ensures you have access to medical care and transportation back home if needed, providing peace of mind while you focus on capturing the beauty of your surroundings.

We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that includes coverage for both medical emergencies and evacuation to protect your investment and well-being during your journey.

If you would like assistance please reach out to Lillian travelinfo@focusphototours.com 

Meet Lillian, Our Amazing Travel Assistant!

Lillian is here to make your travel experience seamless and stress-free! Whether you need assistance with flights, travel protection, or planning your journey, she’s got you covered. With her expertise and dedication, Lillian ensures that every detail before your tour and after your tour is complete is taken care of, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure. Have questions or need support? Lillian is just a message away! ✈️🌍

For some tours, you may be asked to sign and comply with a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA) FOR SENSITIVE WILDLIFE LOCATIONS

This Non-Disclosure Agreement is entered into between Focus Eco Tours and the undersigned participant in order to protect the confidentiality of sensitive wildlife locations and ensure responsible photography practices.

1. CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATION

Participant acknowledges that the locations visited during the tour, including but not limited to nesting sites, dens, migration corridors, and rare wildlife habitats (collectively, “Confidential Information”), are highly sensitive and require strict confidentiality to protect the well-being of wildlife and the environment.

Participant agrees to:
a) Not disclose, share, or publish any specific location details, including but not limited to coordinates, trails, landmarks, or identifying features, in any format (verbal, written, digital, or otherwise).
b) Not mark, pin, or tag locations on any digital or physical map, social media platform, or online forum.
c) Disable all geo-tracking features on cameras, smartphones, and other recording devices before capturing images or footage.
d) Practice delayed sharing on social media by waiting a reasonable period before posting images to allow wildlife to move on safely.

2. ETHICAL PHOTOGRAPHY & SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES

Focus Eco Tours is committed to ethical wildlife photography that prioritizes the well-being of animals and ecosystems. Participant agrees to:
a) Minimize disturbance by maintaining appropriate distances, avoiding stress behaviors, and following all guidelines provided by the tour leader.
b) Respect local conservation laws and guidelines set forth by national parks, wildlife reserves, and environmental agencies.
c) Use discretion when posting images to avoid attracting large crowds or unethical photographers to sensitive locations.
d) Educate others about ethical photography practices and the importance of protecting wildlife habitats.

3. WHY THIS MATTERS

The unauthorized sharing of sensitive wildlife locations leads to increased human traffic, habitat destruction, and stress to animals, potentially forcing them to abandon critical areas such as nesting or feeding grounds. Poachers and unethical photographers often exploit such information, putting wildlife at further risk. By adhering to this Agreement, participants contribute to conservation efforts, promote ethical photography, and help sustain these species for future generations.

4. ENFORCEMENT & LIABILITY

Failure to comply with this Agreement may result in:
a) Immediate removal from the tour without refund.
b) Permanent ban from future tours operated by Focus Eco Tours.
c) Legal action for damages if the disclosure of Confidential Information results in harm to wildlife, habitat, or the Company’s reputation.

5. TERM & SURVIVAL

This Agreement remains in effect indefinitely beyond the duration of the tour. Participant’s obligation to maintain confidentiality extends beyond their time with Focus Eco Tours and applies to all locations visited.

By signing below, Participant acknowledges they have read, understood, and agree to comply with the terms of this Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Participant Name: _______________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________