VangoPhotos: (“us” or “we”) Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven dba VangoPhotos, its parent, subsidiaries, and their respective employees, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, representatives, and assigns.

Guest: (“You” or “Your”) Any individual(s) booked on and participating in a VangoPhotos Tour.

Tour: (“Trip”, "Workshop" or “Travel”) The specific Tour arranged and organized by VangoPhotos in which the Guest participates, which may include Extensions, if applicable.

Extensions: Pre- or post-Tour experiences arranged by VangoPhotos that typically include accommodations, transportation, and/or group activities.

Tour Leader: The individual(s) guiding a VangoPhotos Tour, responsible for leading the Tour and overseeing the day-to-day activities on the Tour.

Tour Operator: Any vendor responsible for organizing and/or operating events, activities, lodging, and transportation at the destination(s) for VangoPhotos.

Local Guide: Guide(s) who assist in the specific country(ies) or locations included in the Tour.

Beneficiary: The non-profit organization(s) for which the Tour raises money.

Physical Requirements: The physical expectations required of Guests as a condition of participation in a Trip.

The cost of any VangoPhotos Tour is shown per person, assuming double occupancy. Single occupancy, where available, requires an additional payment listed as a “single supplement” in our pricing. All our prices and fares are quoted in US Dollars. Under normal circumstances, the cost is guaranteed at the time of booking.

Price Changes: In some cases, factors outside the control of VangoPhotos may make a specific tour economically infeasible, including but not limited to increases in the price of fuel, currency fluctuations, increases in government taxes or levies, or other increased costs; we reserve the right to pass on these costs to You to cover such unexpected increases. In the event of a price increase, Guests may cancel without charge upon written notice to VangoPhotos within 72 hours of receipt of notice of such increase. We will always provide a transparent accounting of the reason for the cost increase no later than thirty (30) days before the event.

Inclusions and Exclusions: Each VangoPhotos itinerary includes features and elements unique to that specific tour. Guests should consult the individual tour pages on our website or review the trip information document for a full list of inclusions and exclusions.

Deposits: Most VangoPhotos workshops require a non-refundable deposit to reserve a space. However, some tours, usually those with waiting lists from previous years, shorter Tours, or tours with payments made directly to the Beneficiary, may require a larger deposit. The exact payment schedule for each Tour and the cancellation policy are listed on the individual Tour pages on the VangoPhotos website.

Final Payment: The balance is due 45 days before the Tour's start date. You will receive a reminder approximately two months before the start of the Tour. You can also pay the total tour price upon booking. 

Payment Methods: For VangoPhotos travel, payments are made directly to VangoPhotos. We accept payment by check, wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. 

For some Tours raising funds for a conservation or other nonprofit organization, deposits and final payments are made to the Beneficiary, who determines the payment methods.

Confirmation of Booking: Once your reservation and payment(s) are confirmed, You will receive a confirmation email. 

In the event of Your cancellation, You will be charged cancellation fees as outlined in more detail below. If VangoPhotos cancels a trip for any reason, either (i) the trip will be rescheduled or (ii) You will be refunded the tour price, as outlined in more detail below.

Guest Cancellations and Revisions: This section applies to any cancellations and revisions you make after paying your deposit for any VangoPhotos travel.

Most VangoPhotos Tours follow the cancellation policy in the chart below. However, some tours, usually where bookings must be secured far in advance, may have more restrictive cancellation policies. The exact cancellation and payment policy are listed on the individual Tour pages on the VangoPhotos website.

The effective date of any cancellation will be the date when VangoPhotos receives Your cancellation notice. Cancellations may be made by contacting VangoPhotos via email at [email protected]. 

Guest cancellation more than 90 days prior to travel: forfeiture of 25% of the Tour cost or the deposit amount, whichever is less.

Guest cancellation 90 days or less prior to travel: forfeiture of 100% of the Tour cost. *

* Where another guest fills the space, a portion of Your fees may be eligible for an additional partial refund, subject to VangoPhotos' sole and exclusive discretion.

No refunds are available once a tour has started or for any package, accommodation, meals, or other services utilized.

If VangoPhotos purchased an airline and/or train ticket(s) on Your behalf, we will arrange for a refund or credit where possible. If You bought your own airline and/or train ticket(s), You are solely responsible for notifying Your airline and/or train provider. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.

VangoPhotos Cancellations: While VangoPhotos makes reasonable efforts to hold advertised events, specific circumstances, including force majeure events, travel restrictions, and lack of guest interest in a specific trip, may result in VangoPhotos' cancellation or rescheduling of any advertised travel.

If a scheduled Tour is canceled by VangoPhotos, a full refund of any fees or payments made will be provided. We will notify you as soon as possible and any and all payments will be returned in the manner that they were made wherever possible. VangoPhotos will ensure payments are returned expeditiously.

If a Tour is rescheduled, You will be notified via email and given the option to travel on the new dates or receive a full refund as outlined above. You must provide an affirmative response to the new dates, or your reservation will be automatically canceled and your payments returned.

Concerning cancellation or rescheduling of any VangoPhotos travel, we are not responsible for any airline or train ticket fees, other costs, or reimbursements due to cancellation under any circumstance. Note that airline and train cancellation policies vary by carrier, as well as the type of fare used to issue your airline and/or train ticket, and there is no guarantee that the costs of such ticket(s) will be refundable. If VangoPhotos purchased an airline and/or train ticket(s) on your behalf, we will arrange for a refund or credit where possible. If you bought your own airline and/or train ticket(s), you are solely responsible for notifying your airline and/or train provider. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.

Regardless of Your passport origin, you must check with the appropriate consulates or authorities to determine the applicable passport, visa, governmental entry or exit requirements, health certificates, testing, vaccinations, or other requirements. Entry, exit, and health requirements are subject to change without notice; you are solely responsible for compliance with all requirements. We advise You to verify requirements well in advance of Your travel.

Additionally, Guests are responsible for knowing and meeting the entry and transit requirements of all countries they will be visiting or traveling through while traveling to, during, and from their tour. Certain countries do not allow entry (even for a layover or transit) to travelers with criminal records or who have been charged with certain crimes (e.g., driving under the influence).

Guests will not receive a refund of any portion of the Tour price, used or unused, nor will VangoPhotos be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest due to not having the required or valid documents, the necessary vaccines, or not meeting the entry or transit requirements.

For current passport and visa requirements, please visit travel.state.gov and individual country websites and/or embassies in the countries visited. For up-to-date vaccine information, please visit cdc.gov/travel. Please visit the individual country websites and/or embassies for individual country entry requirements.

We strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy at the time of the booking, which includes “cancel for any reason” or “cancel at any time” type coverage.

For international tours, each Guest is required to have a minimum level of travel insurance coverage for medical emergency evacuation and repatriation of $200,000 (USD or equivalent in other currency). You may already have coverage through your work, credit card, or annual travel policy. If Your existing coverage does not meet these needs, you must purchase travel medical insurance.

VangoPhotos Tours are intended for persons with generally good physical and mental health and reasonably good mobility. Guests must be ready and willing to make a reasonable physical effort in line with the Tour chosen.

Each Tour page on the VangoPhotos website outlines the general physical requirements for that Trip. Please read this information carefully.

Guests must meet the Physical Requirements for a Tour to participate, as determined solely by VangoPhotos. Should any condition that inhibits a Guest’s ability to meet the Physical Requirements, whether physical or mental, become apparent at any point before or during a Tour, VangoPhotos reserves the right to deny the Guest’s participation or continuation on a Tour, at the sole discretion of the Tour Leader and subject to the terms of VangoPhotos' cancellation policy.

Specific Tours may require that Guests obtain medical approval before departure, and VangoPhotos reserves the right to request additional medical information and/or a physical examination before or during any Trip as a condition of a Guest’s participation.

You are responsible for informing VangoPhotos or its Tour Leader of any known illness, disabilities, allergies, medical conditions, or other limitations before travel. Guests must also communicate the severity of their dietary restrictions and allergies to VangoPhotos.

If VangoPhotos cannot reasonably accommodate a Guest’s dietary restrictions or allergies, We reserve the right to deny the Guest’s participation or continuation on a Trip. Should a Guest not be permitted to join a Tour or be excluded from a Tour in progress, there will be no refund of any portion of the Tour price, used or unused, beyond that which is listed in our cancellation policy, nor will VangoPhotos be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest as a result of their exclusion.

Prescriptions: If You have a medical prescription, You must always have your medication in your immediate possession during the tour and should inform the tour leader of your condition. You should also carry a copy of the prescription, including your doctor’s contact information, with your travel documents.

Dietary Restrictions and Allergies: VangoPhotos can generally accommodate common dietary restrictions, such as vegetarianism, dairy-free, and gluten-free, on most tours, although food variety may be limited. However, given the nature of wildlife travel and the often remote areas we visit, VangoPhotos cannot guarantee that allergens or items on a Guest’s restriction list will not be present at restaurants, accommodations, or elsewhere during a Tour.

We recommend and may require, for specific Tours, that Guests bring along their preferred snacks, especially if their dietary restrictions are extensive, as options that meet specialized dietary needs in the remote areas we travel can be limited.

Travel for wildlife viewing is inherently prone to complications and alterations. Changes in accommodations, transportation, activities, or other services may be necessary during a Tour. VangoPhotos will make all reasonable efforts to provide comparable substitutions wherever possible. The Trip Leader will update Guests on any changes, especially those that may affect their arrival or departure.

Wildlife is wild; we cannot fully predict nor control wildlife movements. Wildlife viewing may vary significantly due to numerous factors, including wildlife movements and behavior, weather conditions, human interference, climate change, and species biodiversity and density changes in the various locations visited. While VangoPhotos, along with Tour Operator(s) and Local Guides, makes its best effort to provide an outstanding wildlife viewing experience, we cannot guarantee the availability, diversity, and/or quantity of wildlife, including what is described on our website, in promotional materials, or depicted in related imagery.

The images shown in our printed materials and on our website represent what our Guests have regularly seen on “typical” Tours in the past (or, in the case of a new trip, what our staff and researchers reasonably expect to see.) Due to weather and/or shifting wildlife conditions, some Tours may have fewer encounters with wildlife than usually anticipated. Also, be aware that some images in Our materials are taken with a telephoto lens, and Guests should not assume that they will get very close to wildlife in such circumstances.

VangoPhotos Tours may, by their very nature, involve an element of risk beyond the level of risk generally associated with travel packages. Guests must accept these attendant risks and be aware that providers' safety standards (hotels, excursions, transports) may differ from those in their home country. Due to political and cultural differences and generally more challenging physical conditions, travel to many destinations involves risks other than those Guests may take in their daily lives and make travel decisions accordingly. Additional risks may arise, including, but not limited to, hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas, hazards of travel by boat, train, bus, car, truck, aircraft, and other means, wildlife, forces of nature, unrest, differing levels of sanitation, differing safety standards, risks associated with water, drinks, food, plants, insects and animals, diseases and transmission of disease, accident or illness in areas of difficult evacuation or poor medical facilities, and travel in areas where transportation and lack of infrastructure may prevent rapid evacuation; including occurring during the Tour or while coming to or returning from the Tour. You are voluntarily participating, knowing there are risks. You agree to accept any and all risks.

You acknowledge and accept that VangoPhotos, its agents and suppliers, in making arrangements for hotels, Tours, transportation, or any service in connection with the itineraries of individual Guests, shall not be liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity, liability or expense to person or property due to act of default by any hotel, carrier or other company or person providing services included in the Tours. Further, VangoPhotos, its agents, and suppliers accept no responsibility for any sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restrains, acts of war, civil disturbance, terrorism, weather conditions, defect in any vehicle of transportation, other force majeure event, or for any misadventure or casualty or any other causes beyond VangoPhotos' or its leaders’, agents’ or suppliers’ control.

In all booking arrangements, the person making the booking is deemed to have accepted the booking conditions on behalf of all the Guests named in the booking. All Guests’ participation will be governed by and subject to these General Terms and Conditions. No variation to these General Terms and Conditions shall be of any effect unless made in writing by and with the authority of VangoPhotos.

All baggage and personal property are at all times and in all circumstances at the risk of the Guest. We recommend that You obtain appropriate insurance to cover the cost of any loss or damage.

Participation in VangoPhotos travel requires compliance with certain standards of behavior. Any guest exhibiting behavior determined, at the sole and exclusive discretion of VangoPhotos, its Tour Leaders, or other agents, to be: (i) verbally abusive or offensive language towards anyone; (ii) uninvited physical or sexual contact, harassment, violence, or threats of violence; (iii) excessive consumption of alcohol; (iv) possession or carriage or use of restricted substances or illegal or non-prescription drugs; (v) failure to comply with a Tour Leader’s reasonable direction to maintain health, order, and/or safety of the trip or its guests; (vi) conduct that disrupts, in the Tour Leader’s opinion, other Guests general enjoyment, well-being or the operation of the trip for any reason; (vii) possession or use of dangerous items such as fireworks or weapons; (viii) violates the laws the country in which the trip is operating; (ix) conduct that damages the reputation of VangoPhotos or its Tour leaders, agents or suppliers or otherwise damages the goodwill of VangoPhotos, may result in immediate suspension from the trip.

Wildlife: VangoPhotos follows principles of Responsible Wildlife Tourism. Harassment of wildlife and/or the willful destruction of habitat are grounds for immediate suspension from the trip. Do not feed, call, or interact with wildlife unless expressly approved by the Tour Leader or Local Guide. Specific Tours may allow for wildlife interactions; where interactions are allowed, the Local Guide’s rules and instructions must be followed precisely.

Smoking: The use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, or any other such item in areas where others are affected, such as in vehicles, within enclosed spaces, or in the presence of others, is prohibited. Most accommodations do not allow smoking, and trips generally have limited opportunities where smoking is permissible. VangoPhotos will not alter or change activities or adversely affect other Guests to accommodate those who smoke.

Alcohol, Prescription Medications & Illegal Drugs: Guests of legal drinking age (defined as illegal in the country or region visited) may enjoy alcohol in moderation on VangoPhotos Tours. Excessive intoxication or other behaviors resulting from alcohol or other substance use, including prescription or over-the-counter medications, which pose or could pose a threat to a Guest’s safety or enjoyment, or that of other Guests or staff, or the safety of wildlife, will not be tolerated. The Guest may not be excluded from the remainder of the Tour.

The use of illegal drugs (defined as illegal in the country or region visited) is never permitted on any VangoPhotos Tour and is grounds for immediate dismissal from a Tour. Guests are responsible for knowing and observing the licensing and other drug possession laws, including prescription medications and illegal drugs, for all countries and states visited. The use of recreational marijuana, even where legal, is also never permitted on any VangoPhotos Tour and is grounds for immediate dismissal from a Trip.

Should a Guest be asked to leave a Tour in progress, there will be no refund of any portion of the Tour price, nor will VangoPhotos be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Guest due to their exclusion.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: VangoPhotos discourages the use of mobile phones or tablets/computers in the presence of other guests unless such use is an integral component of the trip, as when a phone is used as a camera or on special photography departures where Guests may come together to edit photos on computers in the evenings. This policy applies especially in secluded or enclosed areas, during presentations, or at mealtimes.

Camera Use: Cameras and related equipment must be used safely and appropriately at all times. All camera users must act in a manner that provides fair and balanced photography and wildlife or bird-viewing opportunities for all Guests. If Your camera use appears to endanger a Tour's safe and sound progress, adversely impact the enjoyment of other Guests, or negatively affect wildlife or habitat, You may be excluded from the Tour at the sole and exclusive discretion of the Tour Leader.

All VangoPhotos travel is subject to the General Terms and Conditions set forth herein. VangoPhotos warrants only that the services shall generally be, though in connection with changes and uncertainties of travel, not necessarily precisely, as described. To the maximum extent permitted by law, all other warranties, whether express or implied, including warranties of fitness for a specific purpose and merchantability, are expressly excluded. No warranty extends beyond the description of the face hereof.

These General Terms and Conditions are deemed to be entered into in Veguita, New Mexico. The exclusive venue for any action concerning the interpretation, enforcement, or breach of any term, obligation, or duty as contained or related to these Booking Conditions or any grievance relating to the trip shall be solely in the state and federal courts within the State of New Mexico. These General Terms and Conditions shall be construed according to the internal laws of the State of New Mexico without regard to conflicts of law principles. All claims must be submitted in writing and received by VangoPhotos no later than sixty (60) days after completion of the date of travel. Guest claims not submitted and received within this time shall be deemed to be waived and barred. In any legal action, arbitration, or other proceedings to enforce, interpret or construe the terms of these General Terms and Conditions of VangoPhotos, or concerning any grievance relating to the trip, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover actual reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses.

We reserve the right to take photographs, videos, audio, and otherwise capture images of guests during the operation of any Tour for promotional and related use by VangoPhotos in publications and digital media without compensation to you. Copyright of all photos, videos, audio, and related materials is the exclusive property of VangoPhotos. Any photographs, videos, or related materials you took and shared with VangoPhotos remain your copyright.

Our Privacy Policy governs all guest information collected by VangoPhotos. All health information is confidential unless the Tour Leader or other VangoPhotos representative reasonably believes releasing the information may assist in Your medical care.