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PANTANAL PHOTO TOUR WWW.C4PHOTOSAFARIS.COM 2015
iNdexsAfARi deTAiLs & PRiciNG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3iNTROdUcTiON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4iTiNeRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7BReAKdOwN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7YOUR sAfARi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8YOUR GUide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12AccOmmOdATiON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13TRAVeL cHecKLisT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17fReQUeNTLY AsKed QUesTiONs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18PAYmeNT & cANceLLATiON TeRms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22TeRms & cONdiTiONs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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sAfARi deTAiLs & PRiciNG
Cost (US Dollar)Per person (sharing) $ 7 150Per person (single) $ 7 950
30% deposit confirms your booking
Inclusive: All local road and flight transfer, all meals, drinks and accommodation, daily park entrance fees.
Not included: International flight, visas, purchases of a personal nature and items not included in the itinerary.
The above costs include
• Accommodation in all the locations listed• Private transfers and transportation in air conditioned vehicles• Private boat trips for the group with only 3 photgraphers per boat• All meals included• Entrance fee to Transpantaneira• Excellent English-speaking naturalist guide at all our locations
Costs not included
• Gratuities to staff and guides..• Extra activities not included.• Personal expenses• Travel insurance• Travel visas
Don’t have all the equipment you want? Ask us and we send the relevant information.
iNTROdUcTiON
There are a few places in the world that house wildlife so abundant that it keeps you awake at night. The Pantanal is one of these phenomenons. Known for many years as a bird lovers paradise the region has now developed into a wildlife photographers paradise of abundant birdlife, languid rivers,
amazing mammals, caiman and of course, the enigmatic but now very attainable, Jaguar. If it is not the noise of the birds in the morning that awake you, it will surely be the thought of the jaguars prowling around the jungle and river course that you will be searching for.
The last few years has seen an increase in jaguar numbers to the point that it is now quite common to see a few in one afternoon drive. Coupled with the amazing birdlife and other mammals the Pantanal now offers the wildlife photographer unlimited photographic opportunities. Macaws and toucans are heard and seen in many locations along the road enabling you to get excellent images of them. Additionally in some locations the caimans cover the road blocking our path and in others you can creep right up to the Capy-baras for intimate portrait images. Other species such as giant anteaters and armadillo’s ensure that your shutters will remain moving while your amazement will increase at the uniqueness of the species that you see.
The jaguar is the keystone specie of the pantanal and you will spend 4 nights on the Cuiba river in the bets location and the best season searching for them. This is a fitting end to your pantanal safari as the location could not be a better one. After all, the Jaguar is master of the river and jungle and in the Pantanal you will be viewing both in equal measure.
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iNTROdUcTiON (cONTiNUed)
Paul Donahue - local Pantanal expert and guide.
On our travels through the Pantanal C4 will have local expert Paul Donahue as our local guide. Paul is an ornotholigist who first visited the Pantanal 15 years ago. He became obsessed with the neotropics and visits it and the Amazon every year. Paul has now become a leading authority on the birds of the Pantanal as well as the Jaguars. He has personally collected the data of all the know jaguars in the national parks and compiled them into a data base for researchers to use. There are fewer people in the Pantanal that know its animals and birds as well as Paul does. Paul will share his intimate knowledge and experience of the fauna with us while we travel through the area. His presence will greatly enrich your visit and help you experience the region in ways not many people can.
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iTiNeRARY
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BReAKdOwN
Day 1:
Arrive in Cuiabá Airport
Road Transfer Road transfer to the Pantanal Hits hotel.
Day 2:
Road Transfer Road transfer to the Pouso Alegre Ranch
Day 4:
Road transfer to St Teresa lodge
Day 6:
Water based on Flotel
Day 9:
Charter flight back to Cuiabá Airport. Interna-tional flights home.
Dates Tranfers AccommodationDay 1 Road transfer from Cuiaba Airport. Pantanal Hits HotelDay 2 Road transfer. Pouso Alegre RanchDay 4 Road transfer. St Teresa LodgeDay 6 Road transfer. FlotelDay 9 Flight transfer to Cuiaba Airport. -
YOUR sAfARi
Day 1
Cuiaba, South America.
You will arrival at Cuiabá Airport. Your tour starts upon your arrival in Cuiba.You will be met by a C4 Photo Safaris representative who will transfer to your hotel, the Pantanal Hits. Dinner is included on the first evening.
Day 2 - 3
Pouso Alegre Ranch, Pantanal.
After breakfast we will drive out of Cuiba and head south along the Transpantaneira highway, with several stops in route for shooting wildlife such as spectacled caimans, capybaras, Chaco chachalacas, scarlet-headed blackbirds, capped herons, etc. Arrive at lunchtime to Pouso Alegre, a cattle ranch located inside the Pantanal which thanks to the protection is also a wildlife paradise. Here we can expect to see many excellent and varied birds, many of them easily photographed. Also expect to see many caiman and capy-baras along the sides of the road leading to the ranch.
We will spend a full day exploring the savannahs, wetlands and forests. We will navigate Claro River for photographing spectacled caimans, white-lipped peccaries, red-collared hawks, Amazon kingfishers, wat-tled jacanas, and many other species. Spectacled and broad-nosed caimans, yellow anacondas, capyba-ras and marsh deer frequent the ponds and flooded areas, and the savannahs and forests are the habitat of the giant anteater, greater rheas, coatis and several black-and golden howler monkeys. Very close to the lodge nest two pairs of tame hyacinth macaws, the largest parrots on Earth. These birs move in and out of the lodge gardens throughout the day so we should have decent photo opportunities with them. We will have access to blind/hide exclusively located on the property that has a very active pond in front of it. It is visited by Brazilian tapirs, red brocket and marsh deer, white-lipped peccaries and other mammals. This is a fantastic way to get really close to these animals and photograph them from a lovely low perspective that the hide/blind offers.
Note: Pouso Alegre was a working cattle ranch that has converted to tourism. We will be accommodated in comfortable en suite rooms that are part of the ranch. These rooms are very new, built in 2014. You can expect a typical ranch feel to Pouso alegre but accommodated in a comfortable surrounds.
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YOUR sAfARi (cONTiNUed)
Day 4
Pixaim River, South America.
This morning we continue the drive along the Transpantaneira up to our next accommodation along the Pixaim River. From St Teresa lodge we will take a boat trip for photographing fishing black-collared and great black hawks, jabirus, ringed kingfishers and families of giant river otters habituated to photogra-phers. A walk along the trails will allow us to get close images of howler monkeys. We will stay in the St Teresa Lodge right on the river. Bird feeders and Caimans ensure there is a host of life and activity around the lodge all day.
Day 5
St Teresa Lodge, Porto Jofre.
Toco toucans and chestnut-eared aracaris, together with colorful tanagers, visit the hotel’s feeders at breakfast time before our departure southwards. Here we should be able to get intimate portrait images of these iconic species before we continue the trip towards Cuiabá River with stops in route for photograph-ing marsh deer, caimans, white-necked herons, Cerrado macaws, Amazon parrots, roseate spoonbills and other species. Arrive at Porto Jofre, where we will transfer into small boats and cruise up the river to the Floating Hotel (Flotel) where we will stay for our next 4 nights. In the afternoon we will take our first boat trip in search of wildlife and in particular the endangered jaguar.
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YOUR sAfARi (cONTiNUed)
Day 6 - 8
Cuiaba River.
Based in our floating lodge, we will navigatethe Cuiabá River and its tributaries at Parque Estadual En-contro das Aguas (Meeting of the Waters State Park), where jaguars live and hunt spectacled caimans, capybaras, tapirs, anacondas and other preys along the riverbanks during the dry season.jpge Pantanal jaguar subspecies is the largest one in the Americas, and its population has been growing in the region due to its protection. We will use excellent local boatsmen and guides to help us find the Jaguars.
We will depart in motorboats very early in the morning and also after 3:30 PM in search of these spec-tacular felines that usually hunt caimans and mammals without being afraid of photographers. In addition to the Jaguars, we will also focus in other wildlife such as Brazilian tapirs, capybaras (the World’s Largent rodents), broad-nosed and spectacled caimans, Chaco chachalacas, giant river otters, collared peccaries, anhingas, giant sloths, howler monkeys, ospreys, black-collared hawks and red-breasted toucans, among many other species.jpgis area is a fantastic location to spend the last 4 days of our safari and we should expect to find a number of Jaguars here.
Day 9
Porto Jofre, Cuiaba.
After breakfast we will return to Cuiabá via a charter flight in a Cessna Caravan airplane that will take us in a panoramic flight over the Pantanal ecosystems up to the Cuiabá Airport.jpgis is a fitting way to end the safari. Seing the Pantanal from the air is a marvel of winding rivers and floodplains.
When we arrive at Cuiaba airport this will be the end of the safari and where we will say goodbye.
There are a number of daily flights all the major cities in Brazil.
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JaguarsThe meerkat or suricate (Suricata suricatta) is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family (Herpestidae). It is the only member of the genus Suricata. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a “mob”, “gang” or “clan”. A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. In captivity, meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years, and about half this in the wild.
“Meerkat” is a loanword from Afrikaans (pronounced [ˈmeə̯rkɐt]). The name has a Dutch origin, but by misidentification. Dutch meerkat refers to the “gue-non”, a monkey of the Cercopithecus genus. The word “meerkat” is Dutch for “lake cat”, but although the suricata is a feliform, it is not of the cat family;[5] the word possibly started as a Dutch adaptation of a derivative of Sanskrit markaţa “ape”, perhaps in Africa via an Indian sailor on board a Dutch East India Company ship.
YOUR GUide
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Shem Compion is the founder and owner of C4 Photo Safaris. He uses his intricate knowledge of travel in Africa, its wildlife and the best photographic locations to give you the best photo-graphic tour experience you will ever have.
A self-taught wildlife photographer, Shem quickly established himself as one of the best wildlife photographers in South Af-rica. His work is regularly published worldwide in magazines, calendars and books. In 2010, he supplied all 72 images to the extremely popular Africa Geographic calendar.
PHOTOGRAPHeR/SHEM COMPION
sHem cOmPiON
André grew up in the African bush with literally one hand on his binoculars and the other hand on the camera. An avid bird-watcher at that young age, he was given his first SLR in 1990. The passion of birding turned into one of photography and in 2004 Andre Founded C4 Photo Safaris with Shem Compion.
PHOTOGRAPHeR/ANDRE CLOETE
ANdRe cLOeTe
AccOmmOdATiON
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Flotel
South Wild Jaguar offers the unique experience of observing Jaguars in the wild.
Our South Wild Jaguar team consists of expert South Wild- trained jaguar scout boat drivers and a team of English speaking wildlife guides. Since 2011 we operate from the Transpantanal Flotel, which is anchored 2.5 kilometres downstream from the mouth of the Three Brothers River, thus permitting our location in the middle of the Jaguars and our special scout boat system to produce an average of 1.8 Jaguar sightings per day.
In 2011 and 2012, all guests who spent 3 nights and 4 days with South Wild Jaguar saw Jaguars and Giant Otters. Built in 2010, the Flotel is an air-conditioned, floating hotel with 10 double-occupancy rooms with split air conditioners and en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and never-ending, hot showers. The Flotel’s large, air-conditioned dining room/lounge has picture windows that look out over the wild Pantanal on the mighty Cuiabá River.
Additionally, guests can relax in hammocks, sunbathe, or enjoy breakfast, lunch, or after-dinner drinks on the Flotel’s expansive, partially roofed top deck. Generators run the Flotel. The night time generator is located on a separate craft downstream, thus eliminating noise and vibration.
AccOmmOdATiON
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Pantanal Hits
This hotel is not far from the city of Cuiabá and Marechal Rondon Airport. It features spacious accommo-dation with free Wi-Fi, plus a large pool, sauna and gym. The 4-star rooms at Hits Pantanal Hotel provide air conditioning, TV and minibar. For guests´ convenience, room service and a 24-hour front desk are available.
A daily tropical buffet breakfast is served, including a variety of fruits and local specialities. The restau-rant offers regional and international dishes, while snacks and drinks can be ordered from the bar. Hits Pantanal is located 200 metres from Várzea Grande´s Marechal Rondon Airport and 5 km from the city of Cuiabá. The beautiful Chapada dos Guimarães National Park is 73 km away. Airport shuttle services and free on-site parking are available.
AccOmmOdATiON
Pouso Alegre Ranch Hotel
A wild traditional cattle ranch of 9,000 hectare. The location is very pleasant in spacious building with just 20 rooms and a panoramic veranda looking out onto the savannah from where a constant breeze blows.Is surrounded by palm trees that provide food and shelter to many Hyacinth Macaws.
The most versatile form of exploring the Pantanal is on horseback, which makes it easier to cross the forests and the flooded areas. Well-known dishes plus delicious local specialties are served. Rooms - 20 spacious rooms with private toilet and ceiling fan. Air-conditioning is to be installed shortly. When you book the special tour you stay on this place for one day.
Swarms of macaws are found in an immediate proximity of the Fazenda now, one already hears her of far and must only locate to the voices to then find her in the oil palms, just in the lunchtime they retire in this to evade the heat. Excellent possibilities of watching and taking of a photograph the birds result with that.
Other species of animals, how toco toucan, rhea, Jabiru, noses, wash and anteaters, water pigs, otters and great collections of caymans have to be watched frequently. This Fazenda is must one for nature lov-ers and photographers.
The Lodge disposed about 20 clean ones, rooms very simply fitted out, of this 12, room with air condi-tioner, other rooms only with ventilator, all rooms with bath/shower, restaurant. Of the surroundings of the Pantanal as well as the destinations of the outing of this Fazenda it is one of most beautiful accommoda-tions in the Pantanal although accommodation meals are not particularly and very simple.
AccOmmOdATiON
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St Teresa Lodge
Located in central-western Brazil, the Pantanal is a UK-sized mosaic of seasonally flooded savan-nahs and tropical forests that offers the finest wild-life viewing in Latin America. This area harbours a world-record 82 species of large birds, 3,000-5,000 of which can be seen during a 1 h car ride on the raised Transpantaneira Road, the only all-year route that penetrates the heart of this enor-mous wild land. This uniquely fauna-rich route starts only 90 min by car from Cuiabá.
The Lodge has 10 double-occupancy rooms with air conditioning and private, hot-shower bath-rooms. The largest rooms easily accommodate up to four single beds, which is ideal for families. The large, screened dining room and lounge features a full bar and specializing in caipirinhas, the Bra-zilian national cocktail. Three meals are included per day. They also have laundry service, and offer drinking water for free. Upon request, guides are available in German, English or Portuguese.
The activities offered by the hotel propose a con-tinuous interaction with Pantanals fauna and flora in different situations and environments: trekking, motorboat ride, horseback ride, fishing, bicycle.
Travel documents
• Passport• ID Documents• Flight ticket/s• Itinerary
Accommodation and travel
• Foreign exchange• Credit card/s• Cash
Personal items and clothing
• Hat • Sunscreen (one low factor and one
higher factor SPF)• Sunglasses• Cotton shirts• Warm top/s• Wind breaker/rain jacket• “Inners” thin light gloves to wear on • cool early mornings• Travel sandals• Closed shoes
Personal medical items
• Malaria prophylactics if you are travelling in a malaria area
• Contact lens cleaning fluid• Copy of any medical prescriptions• Copy of prescription glasses• Note of any allergies to any medication• Mosquito repellent
TRAVeL cHecKLisT
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Camera Equipment
• Camera bodies• Lenses• Tele-converters• Body and lens caps• Plastic zip lock bags• Filters (UV, Polariser and graduated)• Batteries • Battery chargers• Camera bag• Binoculars• Digital card wallet• Cable ties• Flash-gun• Batteries for flash gun• Big Blower brush• Sensor cleaning fluid• Laptop/External hard drive • Power for external hard drive• Power adaptors • Camera manuals• Tripod• Tripod head and quick release plate• Lens cleaning cloth/s• Camera vest• Digital memory cards
1. What should I know about vehicle etiquette?
Vehicle etiquette and consideration for fellow photographers:
On all our tours we may ask participants to rotate seats in the vehicles, taking it in turn to sit in the more popular seats in the front and the less popular ones in the rear. This requirementapplies to everyone. If there is some reason why you can’t take your turn in the back of a vehicle (e.g. a bad back or travel sickness) please inform our office at the time of booking to see if we can accommodate you. We regret that anyone failing to inform us of such limitations before the tour will be expected to rotate seats in the same way as everyone else.
There is also other vehicle etiquette that we would like to ask you to adhere to. We give these guidelines to ensure a positive experience for all when on safari.
• Please keep noise levels low at an animal sighting. This allows people to enjoy the set-ting and listen to sounds that the animals may be making. Often these alert us to somebehaviour and allows us to anticipate any action that may occur.
• If you are seated in the front of the vehicle, please have consideration for the peoplebehind you. A pre-arranged chat at the start of the safari is an excellent way to work out how you will be photographing and working around each other. It provides a positive workingenvironment and allows everyone to photograph happily in the vehicle.
• When photographing, keep movement to a minimum. If you are going to shift places, then alert the others and do so as swiftly and directly as possible.
• Please do not do anything to effect the behaviour of the animals.
• Your driver/ranger has to adhere to certain rules and etiquette at sightings that you may not be aware of. This may mean you cannot stop exactly where you would like. Please bear this in mind at sightings, especially when there are other vehicles from other camps around.
2. What technical equipment or requirements do I need for the workshops?
For workshops a Digital SLR camera is recommended, with at least a 200mm lens to capture wildlife im-ages. A laptop for downloading is also helpful, although we can download image if necessary. On a Photo tour, two DSLR camera bodies and lenses are advised. The type of lenses you take depend entirely on the destination. We will advise according to each tour should you need advise.
3. Are there any extras I need to bring on a trip?
Most of our tours are all inclusive and we offer advice as to what to bring along. This is due to the differ-ent seasons and conditions of each safari. C4 Photo Safaris will always advise if you will be traveling in a Malaria area. If the tour is not all-inclusive, it will be clearly stated.
fReQUeNTLY AsKed QUesTiONs
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4.Whydoyouchoosesuchspecificdestinations for theToursandWork-shops?
Each destination is hand picked by us for the beauty and photographic potential it holds. C4 Photo Safaris only travel to destinations that offer the best of what we are looking to photograph. If we know an area holds excellent wildlife, we will take tours there. There are many factors to consider- Seasonal variation can have a large impact on wildlife movements, animal and bird migrations, localalised animal movements etc. We of course take all this into consideration, ensuring that our tours are going to the best locations at the best times.
5. Is there any cell phone reception in the areas?
In most game reserves and wild areas there is no cell/mobile phone reception.
6. How safe am I in the game reserves in Africa?
C4 Photo Safaris only operate with lodges and reserves that use the best rangers. They ensure your safety whilst on safari and use very strict procedures when dealing with dangerous animals. Each lodge has a safety briefing on arrival which, if adhered to, makes your stay very safe.
7. What insurance/coverage do I need?
Your normal travel insurance covers you for safaris in Africa. C4 Photo Safaris are comprehensively in-sured for medical emergencies on safaris.
8. For Malaria, which tablets should I take, if any?
C4 Photo Safaris are not allowed to prescribe medical advice to clients. We will advise if the area visited is in a malaria area. You will need to consult with your local GP for medical advise on Malaria and prevention.
9. What about allergies?
Most safari camps are able to handle food allergies but not with the degree of skill that five star hotels do. The best way to handle an intolerance, is to simply avoid eating that particu-lar food as the menus in camp are quite diverse. If you have a more uncommon allergy, like beingallergic to eggs, and you know of a solution (like a powder substitute), then bring it along on sa-fari. If you have a deadly allergy, then be sure to travel with your own medication and request in camp that that ingredient be removed from the kitchen and the store. As a side note, it ishelpful to remember that many safari camps have to fly produce in or truck it in, overhundreds of miles. Furthermore, the camps, although impressive looking, actually have minimalinfrastructure behind the scenes. If you assist the camp in managing your allergy, it will be agreat help.
fReQUeNTLY AsKed QUesTiONs (cONTiNUed)
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10. What about medicine, diseases and vaccinations?
Please check in with your local travel clinic or doctor for advice. From my experience, ayellow fever and hepatitis vaccination is a must, while the plethora of others areoptional. Our safaris are conducted in low risk malarial areas but for your own peace of mind, werecommend that you take a prophylactic. In areas where you get tsetse flies in East Afri-ca, humans are not the primary disease carries, and contracting Tryps is very rare. There isnothing you can do about these flies except to dress appropriately (keep reading) and to ap-ply mosie-guard. None of our current safari destinations carry significant amounts of tsetsi flies. The camps do have medicine kits and there is always an evacuation plan. We do howev-er find it practical to always travel through Africa with the following items: Immodium (keep this handy when traveling) - Buscopan (for tummy cramps) - Pain killers (that contain par-acetamol and a muscle relaxant) - Antihistamine cream and tablets for any allergic reactions - Melatonin to help speedy recovery from jetlag - Any medicine or ointments that you would normally take at home - Mosquito repellant - A product called Mosie-guard for areas where Tsetsi Flies occur (manu-factured in the UK and Deet does not work) - Tweezers for any thorns or splinters - Re-hydrants sachets (very important) - Disinfectant or antibiotic cream (just for nicks, cuts or grazes) - Plasters (to cover nicks, cuts or grazes)
11. Can I drink water and eat fresh produce on safari?
We advise that you only drink bottled water, which is always available in camps. Avoid ice as this is often made from local water which although is generally safe to drink, your foreign tummies might disagree! It is safe to eat fresh produce.
12. What about food on safari?
Both East and much of Southern Africa was a British colony and as such, you can expect that type of cuisine. The breakfasts usually consist of cereals and a hot English breakfast. Lunch-es are usually light with a variety of salads and always a meat option. Dinners are traditionalEnglish affairs usually with a soup starter and freshly baked camp bread. The main course will usually be a roast of sorts, with vegetables. Dessert is usually a simple affair consisting of fruit or a baked pudding. You will not go hungry! (A side note to mention is that between meals there are often not snacks readily available and breakfast is often only later in the morning. You might want to bring a few snacks or energy bars if you have a problem keeping your sugar levels up.)
13. Any luggage restrictions?
The reality is that on any scheduled charters in Africa, there will be luggage restrictions. Short of charter-ing your own flight (which we can do), our advice is to bring only the essential camera equipment. Having too much equipment can actually hinder your photography. Also, you can get washing done in camp and with a fairly moderate to hot climate, you can afford to pack light. In short, bring fewer clothes so that you can bring more camera gear! Depending on the safari you book, we will be able to advise you on exact weight restrictions.
fReQUeNTLY AsKed QUesTiONs (cONTiNUed)
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14. What amount of spending money should I bring along?
Our tours cover all travel, food and accommodation costs (unless otherwise stated). This means that spending money can be kept to souvenirs, curios and books. This normally amounts to Euro 10.00 per person per day.
15. Commercial representation and wildlife photography consulting
C4 Photo Safaris has the full capacity to plan and run commercial photo shoots for professional clients. We are able to supply you with the best guides in the wildlife photography industry as well as organize and run all your ground handling logistics for the shoot. Our know-ledge of African travel logistics combined with our specialized knowledge of wildlife and the best places to photograph them, places us in the perfect position to plan and run your commer-cial shoot. Please contact Shem with your request. Additionally we can supply photographers for the shoot where they would work under the production name. On all tours with c4 images andsafaris, our guides have the right to take photographs. Their goal is to get you into the right position and tutor you into getting the best photograph. Once they have done so, they have full rights to take their own photographs. The rights of the guides and all of their images remains with the individual guide who took the photographs. No other person has any rights over the photographs taken by a guide representing C4 Photo Safaris.
fReQUeNTLY AsKed QUesTiONs (cONTiNUed)
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Please read the following terms through.
The client who signifies his acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of himself and persons under his authority, which means that all are bound by the terms and conditions (‘these terms’) of C4 Photo Safa-ris CC (‘C4 Photo Safaris’) as if they had made the application themselves.
Payment
1. All estimates or quotations provided by, or bookings made with C4 Photo Safaris are subject to these terms.
2. A non-refundable deposit of 40%(private tour)/ 30%(scheduled tour) of the LAND arrange-ment cost, plus the full amount including the taxes for the air travel portion, for each person is required when booking. This booking fee is accepted as part of the inclusive fare as specified in the booking confir-mation form (‘the fare’) and will only be refunded if the application cannot be accommo-dated. (Most airlines stipulate that tickets have to be issued within 3 working days of a booking being made).
3. The full amount due by the client to C4 Photo Safaris shall be payable not less than four weeks (scheduled tour)/ 8 weeks (private tour) prior to the date of departure. If the full amount is not paid in due time, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled. Bookings made within eight weeks of the departure date must be paid in full immediately.
4. Should the client amend his booking at any stage, either in the form of a date change, itinerary amendment or any other change whatsoever, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to charge an amendment fee per booking. Booking changes may be made only up to 8 weeks in advance of the booked tour/workshop. One itinerary amendment is free, thereafter each change will be charged at R300 per booking over and above the tour cost.
Cancellation
If a booking is cancelled, then, over and above such cancellation fees as each airline may charge and for which the client will be liable, the following will apply:
1. With the consent of C4 Photo Safaris, the latter shall retain the full deposit but the amount paid in excess thereof will be reimbursed to the client;
2. Deposit is non-refundable, cancellation of booking, once deposit is paid, forfeits the deposit.3. less than 40 days prior to departure C4 Photo Safaris shall retain the full deposit and a cancellation
fee will be payable equal to 65% of the land arrangement plus up to the full amount of the air ticket and any Credit card surcharges will apply if the fees were paid by credit card.
4. less than 20 days prior to departure C4 Photo Safaris shall retain the full deposit and a cancella-tion fee will be payable equal to 100% of the land arrangements plus up to the full amount of the air ticket;
5. by C4 Photo Safaris, who reserves the right to and shall be entitled to cancel any tour or product sold prior to departure, C4 Photo Safaris shall be obligated to refund all amounts received by it and the client, who shall have no further claim of any nature whatsoever against C4 Photo Safaris arising out of such cancellations.
6. Should a client fail to join a tour, or fail to use the accom-modation/services booked by C4 Photo Safaris on their behalf, for any reason whatsoever, no refund or liability will be accepted by C4 Photo Safaris.
PAYmeNT & cANceLLATiON TeRms
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1. The client who signifies his acceptance of a book¬ing does so on behalf of himself and persons under his authority, which means that all are bound by the terms a¬nd conditions (‘these terms’) of C4 Photo Safaris CC (‘C4 Photo Safaris) as if they had made the applica¬tion themselves.
2. All estimates or quotations provided by, or bookings made with C4 Photo Safaris are subject to these terms.
3. A non-refundable deposit of 40% of the LAND arrange¬ment cost, plus the full amount including the taxes for the air travel portion, for each person is required when booking. This booking fee is accepted as part of the inclusive fare as specified in the booking confirmation form (‘the fare’) and will only be refunded if the applica-tion cannot be accommo¬dated. (Most airlines stipulate that tickets have to be issued within 3 working days of a booking being made).
4. The full amount due by the client to C4 Photo Sa-faris shall be payable not less than four weeks prior to the date of departure. If the full amount is not paid in due time, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled. Bookings made within eight weeks of the departure date must be paid in full immediately.
5. Should the client amend his booking at any stage, ei-ther in the form of a date change, itinerary amendment or any other change whatsoever, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to charge an amendment fee per booking. Book-ing changes may be made only up to 8 weeks in advance of the booked tour/workshop. One itinerary amendment is free, thereafter each change will be charged at R300 per booking over and above the tour cost.
6. If a booking is cancelled, then, over and above such cancellation fees as each airline may charge and for which the client will be liable, the following will apply:
6.1. With the consent of C4 Photo Safaris, the latter shall retain the full deposit but the amount paid in excess thereof will be reimbursed to the client;
6.2. Deposit is non-refundable, cancellation of booking, once deposit is paid, forfeits the deposit.
6.3. Less than 40 days prior to departure C4 Photo Safa-ris shall retain the full deposit and a cancellation fee will be payable equal to 65% of the land arrangement plus up to the full amount of the air ticket and any Credit card surcharges will apply if the fees were paid by credit card.
6.4. Less than 20 days prior to departure C4 Photo Sa-faris shall retain the full deposit and a cancellation fee will be payable equal to 100% of the land arrangements plus up to the full amount of the air ticket;
6.5. By C4 Photo Safaris, who reserves the right to and shall be entitled to cancel any tour or product sold prior to departure, C4 Photo Safaris shall be obligated to refund all amounts received by it and the client, who shall have no further claim of any nature whatsoever against C4 Photo Safaris arising out of such cancellations.
7. Should a client fail to join a tour, or fail to use the accom¬modation/services booked by C4 Photo Safaris on their behalf, for any reason whatsoever, no refund or liability will be accepted by C4 Photo Safaris.
8. C4 Photo Safaris provides clients with travel and/or other services either itself or acting as agents for prin-cipals engaged in or associated with the travel industry, such as airlines. C4 Photo Safaris represent such prin-ciples as agents only accordingly and accept no liability for loss, damage, injury or death which any client may suffer as a result of any act or omission on the part of or the failure of such principals to fulfill their obligations, whether in relation to travel arrangements, accommoda-tion or otherwise.
TeRms & cONdiTiONsThe contract in use by such principals (which is often constituted by the ticket issued by the principal), shall constitute the sole contract between the principal and the client and any right of recourse the client may have, will be solely against the principal.
9. Cancellation, medical & repatriation insurance is com-pulsory for all C4 Photo Safaris bookings, and it is the clients responsibility to arrange such insurance through the client’s broker. It is strongly recommend¬ed that cli-ents also take out insurance to cover emer¬gency travel and accommodation, lost baggage and any other cover the clients deem fit.
9.1. Due to the remote destinations in these photo sa-faris, participants are required to purchase emergency evacuation insurance coverage at their expense. C4 Photo Safaris and its agents do not represent that in-surance will cover such risk of loss of deposit and other payments.
9.2. If you pay for this photo safari using your credit card and you opt to use the general travel insurance associ-ated with major credit cards, we urge you to check that this cover provides fully for emergency evacuation. Also, please ensure that all pre-existing medical conditions, if any, are made known to the insurance underwriter at the time of application for your insurance for this photo safari. These precautions will assist avoid any delays in the event that an emergency evacuation or other medical services are called upon, under your policy. You should disclose your participation in this photo safari to your in-surer.
10. The client acknowledges that the fare (see above clause (3) and itinerary specified in the Booking Confir-mation Form, may be varied by C4 Photo Safaris, without notice to the client, at the discretion of C4 Photo Safaris and provided the itinerary and price is not substantially different from the itinerary that the client anticipated en-joying, the client shall not be entitled to cancel the con-tract. Fare increases may occur inter alia due to any in-crease in airline tariffs, fuel costs, game reserve fees, or fluctuation of exchange rates. Should the group number fall below the minimum number required for the booking, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to re-cost the fare and raise a surcharge.
Should any clients refuse to accept and pay such sur-charge, C4 Photo Safaris reserves the right to cancel the tour and retain full payment.
11. This photo safari is designed to be within the capabil-ities of average people in good health. Some of the time participants may be required to walk over uneven terrain or trails, stepping into an out of Land Cruiser type vehi-cles, occasionally hiking over short distances - while car-rying an assortment of sometimes heavy camera equip-ment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to this trip, please enquire with C4 Photo Safaris before booking for a trip.
By forwarding a signed Registration Form and paying the initial non-refundable deposit, you warrant that, to the best of your knowledge, you do not have any physical or other disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants. C4 Photo Safaris’ agent judgment will ul-timately determine an individual’s ability to embark upon the photo safari. Once a booking has been accepted, medical circumstances will not be considered as excep-tions to the cancellation policy. C4 Images and Safari as-sumes no responsibility for medical care.
11.1. If you sustain an injury or become ill on the photo safari, C4 Images reserves the right to continue the photo safari for the benefit of other participants. C4 Images will make every effort to assist you while at the same time trying to minimize interruption to the photo safari. C4 Images reserve the absolute discretion, in the event of behaviour detrimental to other persons, to decline any person’s participation at any time during the photo safari and cancel that person’s participation in the photo safari, in which case any refund will be on a recoverable cost basis only.
12. The client acknowledges that it is solely his/her re-sponsibility to ensure that he/she is in possession of the necessary travel documents and vaccinations that may be required in respect of the proposed tour and itinerary as well as all health and other certificates that may be required from time to time. C4 Image and Safaris will en-deavor to assist the client but such assistance will be at C4 Image and Safaris’ discretion and the client acknowl-edges that in doing so, C4 Photo Safaris is not assuming any obligation or liability and the client indemnifies C4 Photo Safaris against any consequences of non-compli-ance.
13. It is recommended that the contract may contem-plate a tour/journey to an area(s) where the client may be exposed to danger and the client has agreed to execute a waiver of rights against C4 Photo Safaris, its principals and others as an integral part of those terms. The client (which shall be deemed to include the heirs, executors administrators and assigns of the client (does irrevoca-bly waive and abandon all and whatsoever rights which the client may have against C4 Photo Safaris in con-sequence of any act of omission or commission by C4 Photo Safaris or any other in consequence of the conclu-sion of the contract and the client undertaking the tour/journey contemplated in the contract (which will comprise of these terms and the Booking Confirmation Form). In no way derogating from the foregoing, the client hereby indemnifies, holds harmless and absolves C4 Photo Safaris, its principals or others, from all and whatsoever claims which may be tenable by the client as aforesaid, irrespective of the nature thereof and however arising.
C4 Photo Safaris and/or its agents act only as agents for the participants in this photo safari, in regard to travel arrangements including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging and transportation, whether by railroad, vehicle, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft. To the full-est extent permitted by law, C4 Photo Safaris and/or its agents, disclaim liability for injury, damage, loss, or delay which may be occasioned by reason of a defect in any vehicle or for any other reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the participant or in carrying out the arrange-ments of the photo safari.
C4 Photo Safaris and/or its agents accepts no respon-sibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine or other causes.
All such losses or expenses are borne by the participant, as the photo safari costs provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage, including photographic equipment is at the participant’s risk en-tirely, and as an insurable risk.
Reasonable care has been taken to compile the informa-tion in this and the other documents pertaining to this photo safari but circumstances change. For example, airline schedule changes, airline fuel charges, taxes and operational costs are subject to change. C4 Photo Safa-ris and/or its agents are not responsible for changes that occur and reserve the right to change the price up to the date of commencement of the photo safari. Changes in price may also include adjustments for adverse currency exchange fluctuations.
The right is reserved by C4 Photo Safaris to (i) substitute hotels/lodges/tents/camps of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary or caused by chang-es in schedules or equipment substitution; (ii) cancel the photo safari prior to departure, in which case a refund of all payments received for the land package will be given. (However, in such event C4 Photo Safaris and/or its agents will not be, responsible for any other trip prepara-tion expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses); (iii) sub-stitute photo safari leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund, and (iv) accept or refuse any person as a participant in the photo safari.
In the event that, at the sole discretion of C4 Photo Sa-faris, it is necessary or advisable for the photo safari to be cancelled due to such events as outbreak of conflict, government intervention, or withdrawal of access/traffic rights, or in the event of insufficient numbers being avail-able, the refund of all monies paid, pro rata if applica-ble after commencement, shall constitute a full and final settlement by C4 Photo Safaris and their agents of any obligations to participants. The operation of the photo sa-fari is at the sole discretion of C4 Photo Safaris, having in mind the welfare of all participants and the safe and prudent operation of the itinerary and program.
The Registration Form must be completed and signed by each participant at the time of paying the first deposit. Participation will be declined in the absence of a com-pleted and signed form. No modification to the Terms and Provisions of Registration, detailed on page 3 of the Registration Form, will be accepted.
14. The client agrees that he/she will at all times comply with C4 Photo Safaris’ or in regard to his/her conduct.
15. When the client is travelling with persons under his/her authority, he/she warrants that he/she is authorized to bind every member to the terms of the contract.
16. Where C4 Photo Safaris has its own guide lead-ing the safari; even with other tour leaders, all authority for leading the trip will be held by the C4 Photo Safaris’ guide. The C4 Photo Safaris guide will always collabo-rate with the other tour leaders on the safari, but authority on the running of the safari, the behaviour of the other tour leaders and the management of the clients during transfers as well as game drives remains with the C4 Photo Safaris’ guide.
17. These terms constitute the entire terms of the rela-tionship between parties. There exists no other terms, conditions, warranties, representations, guarantees, promises, undertaking or inducements of any nature whatsoever regulating the relationship, and the client ac-knowledges that he/she has not relied on any matter or thing stated on behalf of C4 Photo Safaris or otherwise that is not included herein.
18. Clients, who have special requests, must specify such requests to C4 Photo Safaris in the Booking Reser-vation Form. Whist C4 Photo Safaris will always endeav-or to accommodate such requests; it does not guarantee that it will always be possible.
19. No amendment, cancellation or waiver of any term or right referred to herein shall be valid or binding unless reduced to writing and signed by both the client and a duly authorized representative of C4 Photo Safaris.
20. No refunds will be considered in any circumstances whatsoever, although C4 Photo Safaris may, in its sole discretion, consider a refund in the event of death or seri-ous illness of the client.
21. C4 Photo Safaris will under no circumstance be li-able for any claim whatsoever, unless such claim is due to the gross negligence of C4 Photo Safaris and such claim is lodges in writing with C4 Photo Safaris within 30 (Thirty) days after the end of the tour. Such Liability will be subject to a limitation of R10 000,00 per client and under no circumstances will C4 Photo Safaris be liable far any indirect or consequential loss or damage.
22. Any payments due by the client will incur interest from the due date at a rate of 2% (two per centum) above the prime rate charged by C4 Photo Safaris’ bank.
23. South African laws and the jurisdiction of South Afri-can courts will govern the relationship between the client and C4 Photo Safaris.
24. The client will be liable for all legal fees on an at-torney and own client scale in the event that C4 Photo Safaris has to engage a lawyer to enforce any of its rights or otherwise.
TeRms & cONdiTiONs (cONTiNUed)25. C4 Photo Safaris is a registered Closed corporation. Under South African Law, we are obliged to charge 14% VAT for all services provided.
26. Payment received from clients in the form of a de-posit and/or full payment for a service forms a binding agreement between the client and C4 Photo Safaris for the agreed services and is bound by C4 Photo Safaris’ terms and conditions.
27. All image and intellectual rights of C4 Photo Safaris employees and subcontractors are the property of those individuals. These rights will remain with the individual till perpetuity and cannot be impinged on. Sub-contractors working for C4 Photo Safaris have the right to take photo-graphs while working. C4 Photo Safaris will not enter into discussion regarding image rights. Clients will not have the right to impinge on C4 Photo Safaris employees from taking photograph.
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sHem cOmPiON (sOUTH AfRicA)
Local: +27 (0) 87 805 7641International: +27 (0) 12 993 1946Fax: +27 (0) 86 551 9447Email: [email protected] www.c4photosafaris.com
