Indemnity

Please note: The form is available from Heinrich Neumeyer and will be provided to you and will need to be completed before any tour departures.

Effective Date: September 9, 2025

Operator: Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours, owned and operated by Heinrich Neumeyer, a FGASA-registered guide, offering tours across South African national parks, reserves, and international destinations using a minibus or open safari vehicle (OSV).

By signing this indemnity form, you (the “Client”) acknowledge and agree to the following terms, which must be accepted before participating in any tour or activity with Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours. This form complements our Terms and Conditions. 

1. Acknowledgment of Risks

• The Client acknowledges that tours and activities, including but not limited to customised minibus or OSV safaris, photography workshops, night drives, bush walks, and cultural tours across South Africa and international destinations, involve inherent risks, such as: 1.2.

• Wildlife Encounters: Potential for unpredictable behaviour from wild animals, which may result in injury, death, or property damage.

• Vehicle Travel: Risks associated with travel in a customised minibus or OSV on reserve or international roads, including accidents, breakdowns, or delays due to terrain, weather, road conditions, or border crossings.

• Outdoor Activities: Exposure to environmental hazards, including extreme weather, uneven terrain, insects, and potential for slips, trips, or falls.

• Photography Activities: Risks related to operating cameras or equipment in dynamic environments, including distractions or equipment damage.

• Sightings: The Client understands that Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours cannot guarantee wildlife sightings or specific tour outcomes due to the unpredictable nature of wild animals and natural environments.

• International Travel: Risks of border delays, vehicle inspections, non-compliance with foreign laws (e.g., Zambia’s wildlife regulations), and exposure to different health or safety standards.

• Dietary Risks: Potential for allergic reactions, food poisoning, or illness resulting from consuming food or beverages not suitable for the Client’s dietary needs or restrictions, including failure to check packaging or heed provided dietary guidance.

2. Assumption of Risk

• The Client voluntarily assumes all risks associated with participating in tours and activities, whether known or unknown, and agrees to exercise caution and follow all instructions provided by the guide or staff.

• The Client confirms they have disclosed all relevant medical conditions via the health questionnaire provided at booking and are physically fit to participate. Clients over 65 confirm they have a doctor’s note verifying fitness, as required. For international tours, the Client acknowledges mandatory vaccinations (e.g., yellow fever for Zimbabwe/Zambia) and malaria prophylaxis as specified in the quote.

• The Client accepts responsibility for reviewing and adhering to dietary information provided (e.g., meal options, packaging labels) and understands that the Operator is not responsible for food consumed independently or without prior disclosure of restrictions.

3. Release and Indemnity

• The Client, on behalf of themselves, their heirs, executors, and assigns, hereby releases, waives, and indemnifies Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours, its owner (Heinrich Neumeyer), employees, guides, agents (including partner operators), and agents from any and all liability, claims, demands, or actions for personal injury, death, property damage, or loss arising from participation in tours or activities, except where caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct of Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours.

• This indemnity extends to incidents caused by third-party services (e.g., international accommodations, airlines, transfers), force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, park closures, government restrictions, border closures), visa-related issues due to client non-compliance, or dietary incidents resulting from the Client’s failure to disclose restrictions or check food suitability.

4. Vehicle-Specific Indemnity

• The Client acknowledges the risks associated with traveling in a customised minibus or OSV, including but not limited to:

  • Customised Minibus Travel: Risks of accidents, mechanical breakdowns, or delays due to road conditions, terrain, weather, or border inspections, with clients exposed to dust or heat in certain environments.

  • OSV Travel: Heightened risks due to the open-air design, including exposure to wildlife (e.g., potential animal charges), weather elements (e.g., rain, dust, heat), vehicle instability on rough terrain, and potential for objects (e.g., cameras, bags) falling from the vehicle.

  • International Travel: Risks of non-compliance with foreign vehicle regulations (e.g., Botswana’s roof hatch requirements) or delays at borders.

• Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours ensures all vehicles (customised minibus and OSV) are registered, roadworthy, and equipped with safety features (e.g., seatbelts where applicable, airbags for minibus, and two-way radios for OSV) and carry necessary permits for reserve access as required by regional or international authorities (e.g., Botswana Wildlife Department). However, Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours is not liable for incidents beyond its control (e.g., mechanical failures, animal interactions, road conditions, or border issues), provided vehicles are maintained to industry standards.

• The Client agrees to:

  • Wear seatbelts at all times in the customised minibus on main roads, including international routes where required.

  • Remain seated in both vehicles, refraining from standing, leaning out (especially in the OSV), or reaching toward animals.

  • Avoid interfering with vehicle controls, equipment, or the guide’s operation.

  • Secure personal items (e.g., cameras, bags) to prevent loss or damage, particularly in the OSV, where items may fall out.

  • Non-compliance with these rules may result in immediate exclusion from the tour without refund, and the Client will be liable for any damage caused to the vehicle or other property due to their actions.

  • The Client acknowledges that additional vehicle-specific park entry fees (e.g., daily OSV or minibus charges) or international border fees may apply and are their responsibility unless included in the tour price, as specified in the booking confirmation.

5. Compliance with Rules

• The Client agrees to comply with all national park, reserve, or international destination regulations, including speed limits (e.g., 40 km/h), no littering, no feeding animals, no luring animals with sounds that could affect an animal’s behaviour and no disembarking except at designated areas. Non-compliance may result in tour termination without refund.

• The Client acknowledges that Heinrich Neumeyer Wildlife Photography & Tours supports conservation initiatives (e.g., Pilanesberg Leopard Project in South Africa, local projects elsewhere) and agrees to respect ethical wildlife viewing practices specific to each destination.

6. Insurance Requirement (excluding Day Tours)

• The Client confirms they have comprehensive travel insurance covering international medical evacuation, trip interruption, visa-related costs, cancellation, personal injury, and baggage loss, as required by the Terms and Conditions. Proof of insurance must be provided 30 days before departure.