More information? Here is a list of some of the questions we have been asked.

Of course, if you have any questions of your own please do not hesitate to give us a call or send us an mail.

Why are international flights not included?

There are many reasons but the main ones are;

1. Most people can use the internet to book flights more efficiently and cost effectively than most agencies or operators. Some even use the same airlines regularly and choose to redeem air miles.
2. To include a fixed price for an international flight assumes that everyone departs from the same airport. Even within the UK there are numerous departure points and of course participants coming from the USA, Europe or anywhere else in the world will have a different cost base for their flights.
3. If you have family, friends or other contacts in the region you may decide to stay on or arrive earlier, or perhaps go via some other place on the way or way back.
4. Everyone has different criteria with flights. Some prefer the most economical tickets that may have multiple stops while others are prepared to pay a little extra for a direct flight at a more convenient time.
5. There is an administrative burden for us to comply with a myriad of regulations in order to be able to book flights on other people’s behalf, which we feel does not offer any benefit.

So, as is common practice with many niche travel providers, we find its more beneficial all round to design our tours based on a fixed start and finish location.

Do you accept credit card payment?

Yes we do. We have not implemented an online system for payment yet so if you would like to pay by credit or debit card please call us (we prefer you do not send your details to us via email as it’s not secure). For the deposit payment there is no surcharge, however if you wish to pay your full trip balance by credit card there is a 3% surcharge on the balance due. There is no extra for debit card or bank transfer.

Do you accept payment in other currencies?

Yes we accept $USD and Euros. The price will be calculated based on our banks buy in rate on the day of payment. Please contact us if you would like to receive our current prices in $USD or Euros.

What is a recce trip?

All of our tours are offered on the basis of having a deep knowledge of the location, accommodation and local guides we work with. If we are not yet at that point we will go on recce trips to do a dry run of our proposed itinerary. These trips are ideal for the more adventurous who like the idea of combining a bit of exploring with their trip and with the opportunity to put direct feedback in to designing and improving our tour. These trails are offered at a reduced price and with smaller groups although are more subject to change on the ground.

Who owns copyright in any photographs I take while on a Creative Trail?

You do. If you press the shutter button you own the copyright. If we ask you if we can use one of your images for promotional purposes you will get full credit.

I don’t know anything about photography and don’t have much equipment, is that ok?

Yes. When you come on a Creative Trail you will learn about creating your vision and developing how you see pictures. There is not much technical knowledge needed but we will give you that if you need it. Our trips are about passion for travel and the natural world just as much are they are about photography (the two are inextricably linked).

Can my partner or friend come if they are a non photographer?

They are most welcome. As mentioned above, we are travelling and seeing wonderful sights and non photographers can absorb themselves in the enjoyment of that equally as well as a photographer. They only thing to bear in mind is that our itineraries are based around the best times for photography so that may involve early starts and late finishes with down time during the middle of the day.

Do you offer discounts for late/early booking?

No. One of the principals of our trips is that they are open equally to everyone. We prefer not to have a group that have all paid different amounts for exactly the same tour. We do offer discounts where a client is clearly booking something different. These include;

1. Discounts for booking more than 1 trip at the same time combined within the same continent.
2. Discounts for groups of 3 or more when they can share accommodation.
3. Reduced prices on our recce trails.
4. Any voucher or competition prize that is redeemed on the cost of a tour.

Contact us for further information.

I don’t want to share; can I pay extra for my own room/berth/camp bed?

Yes you may be able to. Where it’s possible we list a single supplement for those that prefer not to share. However, on some of our trails it’s not always possible, for example on boats and places where there is restricted availability, such as lodges or remote camps, operators often restrict single occupancy of rooms.

All sharing is based on same sex in twin rooms and in our experience although some people can be a little apprehensive of this before a trip, it can often turn out to be a key ingredient that makes a trip so memorable.

I have a project or book in mind, can you help with that?

Yes we can. Your tour leader will give you advice and guidance on developing any projects you are working on. We also have a good understanding of the publishing and magazine industry for anyone looking to move that way.

How do you count the days of your trip?

From arrival day to leaving day in the joining location. We do not include flight days from your point of origin to our joining location as part of your trip. If you are booking time off work for one of our trails please take this into account. A typical 9 day trip may actually be 11 or even 12 days away from home.

Can we get very close to wildlife?

Yes it is possible but more accurately the wildlife can get very close to us. We always follow our responsible travel code and this includes not disturbing or aggravating any wildlife for the benefit of taking a photograph. We also follow local guidelines in National Parks and other protected areas in terms of where and when we are permitted to go. For instance, there is a growing problem in the Maasai Mara where over eager guides are driving off prescribed tracks in order to get very close to a subject sometimes causing distress or disruption to the animals. This is something we do not do.

Do you really know the places Creative Trails visits?

Yes we do. We have been there, sometimes for multiple visits, and know the best places, most reliable and professional local guides as well the best ways to get around. This means you get the maximum amount of time shooting at the best locations. If we don’t know a destination intimately that trail will be listed as a recce trip. As an example, Mike has visited Cusco in Peru at least 8 times and has trekked in the Andes as well as leading groups to Machu Picchu.

I’m really keen on photography and want to travel. Do I have to join in with all of the planned shoots?

No not at all. It’s your time and if you prefer not to get up before dawn on a particular day or come out on one of the shoots you are free to do so. If we arrive at a location and you want to go and do your own thing that is perfectly ok too. As long as you are at an agreed departure point on time when we leave you utilise as much or as little of the planned itinerary that you want.