Important Booking Information

Here you will find important information to think about when considering your holiday. (Lots of info/suggestions/help is provided when your booking is confirmed). Please note we do need the minimum  people stated to operate  our holidays.

Passport
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 full months after the return flight date of your holiday.

Visas
UK Nationals need a visa for Ethiopia and China, but do not need a visa for Morocco or Rwanda.  Nationals from other countries are responsible for obtaining any necessary visa prior to their holiday.  Visas are the travellers responsibility.

Insurance - Travel, Supplier and Flight Failure, and Camera
It is a condition of booking that all travellers with Responsible Photography Holidays obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers 'adventure travel' and is valid  for travel to your choice of holiday destination, from the date your holiday booking is made.  Please note that travel insurance provided with, for example, a credit card, may not provide adequate cover.  A copy of your travel insurance and emergency contact details  will be required by Responsible Photography Holidays prior to your holiday departure date.  We recommend that you purchase supplier and flight failure insurance so that all elements of your holiday are insured. Camera insurance is the travellers responsibility.

Jabs, Health & Safety
The Jabs, Health & Safety page has info and links to check the recommendations/requirements for the necessary medical considerations /jabs -  there are quite a few needed for Rwanda, Ethiopia and China - so please check sooner rather than later.  We suggest going to see the nurse at your local Doctor's surgery.

CRB Checks

Checks are required for anyone joining a Volunteer holiday or for anyone who is interested in assisting with our photography projects. You may already have a CRB check (depending on your job, or through being a volunteer). Please discuss with Gail.

Disabled Travellers
Please talk to us in confidence so that she can provide appropriate information to help you decide whether our holidays are suitable, depending on your  individual circumstances.  We will do our best to assist, but due to the nature of most of our holidays, if you have limited mobility, or are a wheelchair user then it is likely that some of our holidays will not be able to provide adequately for your special needs. The reason for this is that we are supporting local people rather than larger organisations with the means to facilitate the necessary services.  Most of our accommodations are therefore very small, do not have lifts and are reached via steps or along unmade paths.  Rooms can be compact and some do not have electricity and facilities are shared. However, please talk to us and we will do our very best for you.

Not included
Passport, visa, vaccination, medical and insurance costs.  Travel to and from holiday start location, flights and all associated costs (taxes,  excess baggage, airport  costs, meals).  All drinks, laundry, porterage, personal tipping (a way of life  and expected) and other personal items during your holiday.  Any optional tours or activities, tipping of the local driver and/or local guide. Most meals are included; check each holiday description for full details.

Flights
Organising, booking and paying for flights are the responsibility of the traveller.  We are able to discuss flight options and assist with flight suggestions, but do not make flight bookings on your behalf.

Flights to Marrakech, Morocco   -  direct flights with Royal Air Maroc, easyJet, and Ryanair  Note that most airlines charge for baggage,  meals etc. 
Flights to Kigali, Rwanda   -   Brussels Airlines or Kenya Airways.  Kenya Airways can involve a lengthy stopover at Nairobi airport on the return journey and Brussels Airliness is via Belgium
Flights to Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airways direct to Addis Ababa                        
Flights to China - Air China  direct to Beijing

Holiday Money
Credit Cards are not widely accepted in the places we go to. Please plan to take sterling or euros.  A guide on what to budget for/local costs will be provide

Personal Fitness- medical, assistance etc
Please note that to enjoy your holiday it helps to be reasonably fit.  If you have any concerns, or special requirements then please discuss these, in confidence, with us.  Because some of the places we go to have no, or unreliable, electricity it isn't always possible to store medical supplies, for example, in a fridge.  Access in a wheelchair would be difficult in many of the places we go to - but please talk to us and we will do our very best to overcome any challenges.

Accommodation and Meals
All Responsible Photography Holidays are costed on shared accommodation which is local standard and varies from place to place. Single accommodation is not always available but can be requested/and  additional cost advised.  People travelling as an individual share with someone of the same sex. In Morocco we stay in small guest houses, auberge, kasbahs, riads.  In Rwanda we stay in a mix of local guesthouses and hotels,  in Ethiopia we stay in guesthouses, camp sites and hotels, if you are looking for luxury then these holidays are not for you!  Our emphasis is on the location and experience.   Most meals are included in the holiday price - see individual holiday descriptions. Please discuss/advise any dietary requirements prior to booking.

Travel Light
It's best to travel light- suggestions on what is needed or would be good to take are provided.  Deodorant and clean socks are top of the list! Rwanda does not permit plastic bags to be taken into the country, and we encourage reducing their use because of the problems they cause the natural environment. We suggest using cloth bags, drysacs or waterproof bags.

Camera Gear
You'll need to be self sufficient with your camera equipment.  Inevitably you'll always need more film or cards than you think you will!  A back up camera is recommended - just in case! Please note that some of the places we stay in do not have electricity - see each holiday description for further information.

What to think about when planning a trip to Rwanda .
Allow time for the vaccinations that are required, and malaria tablets are a necessity.  Please check with your Doctor and please buy your malaria tablets from a reputable source, preferably your Doctor.  On arrival at Kigali airport, any plastic bags will be confiscated; the country is trying to reduce their use. Make sure you use cloth bags, drysacs or waterproof bags.

'share and care' Volunteer projects
For travellers joining a share and care holiday, details about anything special that might be needed or suggestions for materials you might like to take for the projects will be discussed with you. 

No Smoking Policy
There is a 'no smoking' policy when travelling in our vehicles, at meal times and in many of the places we stay at.

Mobile Phones - There is a 'no phones' policy when travelling in vehicles (unless in case of emergency). We also ask you to be considerate of fellow travellers when using a mobile.

Private Groups
A Responsible Photography Holiday can be arranged for your private group, family, camera club or association. We also organise Corporate and Professional events. Please contact Gail to discuss your group's requirements.

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