Group Tour Code of Conduct & Traveller Guidelines

A Group Tour Is a Shared Experience

Our group tours bring together travellers from different backgrounds, age groups, cultures, and travel preferences, united by a common interest in wildlife and travel.

While Big Cats India makes every effort to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, a group tour requires cooperation, patience, flexibility, and respect for fellow travellers.

These guidelines are intended to create a positive environment for everyone. By joining a Big Cats India group tour, participants agree to respect these guidelines and contribute towards a pleasant experience for the entire group.

Punctuality and Time Management

Follow the timings communicated by the tour coordinator.
Arrive at the designated meeting point on time.
Delays caused by individual participants can affect the entire group.
The group cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for someone who is late.
If you anticipate a delay, inform the tour coordinator immediately.

Safari and Wildlife Etiquette

Follow the instructions of the naturalist, forest guide, safari driver, and forest department.
Maintain silence during safaris as far as possible. Unnecessary conversations and noise can disturb wildlife and affect the experience of fellow travellers.
Participants who prefer a quiet safari should be allowed to enjoy it without being expected to engage in conversations.
Follow all forest department rules regarding noise, movement, photography, and wildlife behaviour.
Everyone should get a fair opportunity to observe and photograph wildlife.
Avoid monopolising viewing positions or demanding that the vehicle remain at a particular sighting for personal photography.
Remember that wildlife sightings are unpredictable and cannot be guaranteed.

Safari Vehicle Seating Arrangements

Seating arrangements in shared safari vehicles may be mutually agreed upon by the participants or managed on a rotation basis to ensure everyone gets a fair opportunity.
Participants are expected to cooperate with the agreed seating arrangement.
Avoid disagreements over preferred seats, viewing positions, or photography angles.
No participant should expect exclusive control over seating or the safari experience unless specifically agreed upon beforehand.
Be considerate of fellow travellers when observing or photographing wildlife.

Decisions at Wildlife Sightings

The decision about how long a safari vehicle stays at a particular wildlife sighting rests with the assigned naturalist or forest guide.
The guide will consider animal behaviour, forest regulations, vehicle movement, and other operational factors before making this decision.
All participants must respect and follow the guide's decision.
No individual participant should insist on staying longer or moving away against the guide's instructions.
The safari experience must be guided by the naturalist's or forest guide's judgement rather than individual preferences.

Guide and Driver Arrangements

All naturalists, forest guides, and safari drivers are assigned or arranged by Big Cats India as part of the tour operations.
Participants should not independently invite, engage, or make separate arrangements with any guide, naturalist, or driver for additional safaris or activities, even if they know or have previously travelled with a particular guide or driver.
Any request for a specific guide, naturalist, or driver must be communicated to the agency in advance.
Such requests will be considered subject to availability and operational arrangements.
Participants should not make separate commitments or arrangements with the assigned staff outside the agreed tour programme.

Accommodation and Room Etiquette

Respect the privacy and comfort of fellow travellers.
Maintain cleanliness in shared spaces.
Follow the accommodation's rules and timings.
Respect the room-sharing arrangements agreed upon for the tour.
Any concerns about rooms, facilities, or services should be communicated to the tour coordinator rather than becoming an argument among participants.

Meals and Common Arrangements

Meal timings and arrangements will be communicated by the tour coordinator.
Be considerate of other participants when sharing dining spaces.
Special dietary requirements should be communicated in advance.
Individual food preferences cannot always be accommodated in a group arrangement.
Avoid unnecessary delays during common meal schedules.

Personal Preferences and Expectations

A group tour follows a common itinerary designed for all participants.
Not every individual preference can be accommodated.
Participants should understand that a group tour is different from a private or customised tour.
Requests for additional stops, changes in schedules, or individual activities may not always be possible.
Be flexible and understand that the itinerary is designed to accommodate the group as a whole.
No participant should expect the entire group to adjust its plans around individual preferences.

Respect for Fellow Travellers

Treat every participant with respect, regardless of age, nationality, background, or personal preferences.
Be considerate of others and maintain a friendly environment throughout the tour.
Avoid arguments, personal comments, unnecessary criticism, or behaviour that makes other participants uncomfortable.
Respect individual personalities. Some travellers may enjoy conversations, while others may prefer their own space.
Do not force conversations or social interactions on someone who prefers to remain quiet.
Remember that everyone has joined the tour to enjoy their holiday.

Complaints and Grievances

If a participant has a concern, they should communicate it politely to the Big Cats India tour coordinator.
Avoid confronting, blaming, or arguing with fellow participants.
Do not allow minor disagreements to affect the experience of the entire group.
The tour coordinator will listen to concerns and try to resolve them fairly.
Participants should not expect the coordinator to take sides in personal disagreements.
Complaints should be raised constructively and preferably at the earliest opportunity rather than being allowed to affect the atmosphere throughout the tour.
Repeated complaints, disrespectful behaviour, or deliberate disruption of the group may be addressed directly by the tour management.

Personal Responsibility and Safety

Each participant is responsible for their personal belongings, health, and individual requirements.
Inform the tour coordinator about important medical, mobility, or dietary requirements before departure.
Follow safety instructions during travel, accommodation stays, and safaris.
Be mindful that other participants and the coordinator are not responsible for individual personal preferences or decisions.
Follow the instructions of the tour coordinator and local service providers during emergencies or unforeseen situations.

Photography and Social Behaviour

Seek permission before photographing other participants in personal or private situations.
Respect everyone's privacy when sharing photographs or videos on social media.
Avoid inappropriate comments, jokes, or behaviour that could make other participants uncomfortable.
Be considerate when taking photographs during safaris and allow fellow travellers a fair opportunity to observe wildlife.

Transportation and Group Coordination

Transportation arrangements and departure timings are coordinated by Big Cats India for the entire group.
Any request to change departure timings, pick-up schedules, travel arrangements, or other group activities must be communicated to the tour coordinator or agency representative.
Participants should not directly instruct the taxi driver or transport provider to change the agreed schedule.
Since transportation and timings are common arrangements affecting the entire group, any proposed modification must be discussed with and approved by the agency.
No individual participant has the authority to independently change the agreed schedule or make commitments on behalf of the group.

Cooperation with the Tour Coordinator

The tour coordinator is responsible for managing the common itinerary and coordinating group arrangements.
Participants are expected to cooperate with reasonable instructions.
Decisions regarding operational matters, timings, transportation, and itinerary adjustments will be communicated by the coordinator.
Any suggestions or requests affecting the entire group should be discussed with the coordinator rather than being independently implemented.
The agency will consider reasonable requests while keeping the comfort, schedule, and interests of all participants in mind.

Maintaining a Positive Group Experience

Participants come from different backgrounds and may have different travel habits, personalities, and expectations.
Be patient, flexible, and considerate.
Respect differences in opinions, interests, and personal space.
A group tour requires mutual understanding and cooperation.
The experience of the group should not be compromised by the expectations or behaviour of one individual.
Make an effort to contribute positively to the overall atmosphere of the tour.

Disruptive Behaviour and Management Intervention

Big Cats India expects all participants to maintain respectful and cooperative behaviour throughout the tour.

If a participant's behaviour repeatedly affects the comfort, safety, or experience of other group members, the tour coordinator or management may intervene to address the situation.

In cases of serious misconduct, harassment, threats, abusive behaviour, or deliberate disruption, Big Cats India reserves the right to take appropriate action in accordance with the tour terms and applicable law. This may include removing a participant from certain activities or, in serious circumstances, terminating their participation in the tour, subject to applicable legal requirements.

Our Shared Responsibility

A successful group tour is not just about the destinations we visit or the wildlife we encounter. It is also about the people we travel with and the experiences we create together.

We request every participant to approach the journey with an open mind, patience, and mutual respect. A little flexibility and consideration from everyone can make the experience more enjoyable for the entire group.

By participating in a Big Cats India group tour, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to follow these guidelines.