Health and Communicable Illness Policy
Purpose
Van Os Photo Safaris operates small-group trips in remote and wildlife-focused environments where medical facilities, pharmacies, and replacement logistics may be limited. This policy exists to protect the health of all participants, trip leaders, and local partners, and to preserve trip safety and continuity when illness occurs.
Scope
This policy applies to all participants on any Van Os Photo Safaris trip. It covers communicable respiratory and viral illnesses, including but not limited to influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and similar airborne or close-contact illnesses, as well as other contagious conditions that may affect group safety or operations.
Pre-trip health responsibility
You are responsible for arriving fit to travel. If you are experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness prior to departure, or receive a diagnosis shortly before the trip, you must notify us immediately.
If you arrive for a trip visibly unwell or unable to participate safely, we may require that you delay travel, obtain medical clearance, or rejoin only once symptoms have resolved and participation is appropriate.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical coverage, trip interruption, and medical evacuation, particularly for international travel and remote destinations.
Reporting illness during the trip
If you develop symptoms of a communicable illness during the trip, you must promptly inform the trip leader. Early reporting allows for appropriate management and reduces risk to others.
Health measures in the field
Depending on the nature of symptoms, the setting, and medical guidance, the trip leader may require one or more of the following measures:
- Use of masks in shared vehicles or indoor settings.
- Temporary distancing or adjustments to seating, activities, or accommodations where feasible.
- Medical consultation with a local clinician or telemedicine provider.
- Testing or medical evaluation when clinically or operationally appropriate.
Leader authority and compliance
The leader’s decisions regarding illness management, protective measures, and participant conduct are final and binding. Failure to comply with reasonable health and safety instructions may result in removal from the trip.
Removal from the trip
If, in the judgment of the trip leader, and where applicable in consultation with a medical professional, a participant’s condition makes continued participation unsafe, impractical, or disruptive to the experience or safety of others, the participant may be required to stop participating in the trip.
This may involve separation from the group, relocation to alternate lodging, private transport to medical facilities, early return travel, or medical evacuation, depending on circumstances.
Costs and refunds
If you are separated from the group, removed from the trip, or choose to depart early due to illness or suspected illness, all resulting costs are your responsibility. These may include additional lodging, meals, transportation, flight changes, medical care, testing, or evacuation.
Refunds are governed by our Terms and Conditions. Travel insurance is the primary means of recovering expenses related to illness or early departure. Participants are responsible for understanding their travel insurance policy requirements and for obtaining any documentation required to support a claim at the time of illness or injury, including medical evaluation and written confirmation from a qualified medical professional when continued participation is not medically advisable.
Privacy
Health-related matters are handled discreetly. You agree that limited information may be shared with relevant medical providers or local partners as necessary to coordinate care and logistics.
Assumption of risk
Travel inherently involves exposure to illness, particularly in airports, flights, shared vehicles, and group settings. By participating in a Van Os Photo Safaris trip, you acknowledge and accept these risks and agree to comply with health-related instructions designed to protect the group.
