1. Introduction

TravelCats Africa Safaris Limited ("we," "us," or "our") operates the TravelCats website and provides safari booking services. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make a booking, or use our services.

By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Booking Information: Travel dates, number of travelers, special requirements, dietary preferences
• Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address, M-Pesa phone numbers (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
• Account Information: Username, password (hashed), profile preferences
• Communication Records: Messages, inquiries, feedback, and correspondence with our team
• Travel Documents: Passport information, visa details (when required for booking)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Device information (type, operating system)
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns
• Referring website addresses
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Payment processors (Paystack, M-Pesa) for transaction verification
• Social media platforms if you connect your accounts
• Travel partners and service providers
• Marketing and analytics service providers

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: Process bookings, manage reservations, coordinate travel arrangements, and provide customer support
• Communication: Send booking confirmations, travel updates, respond to inquiries, and provide important service notifications
• Payment Processing: Process payments, verify transactions, prevent fraud, and manage refunds
• Marketing: Send promotional emails, newsletters, and special offers (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)
• Website Improvement: Analyze usage patterns, improve website functionality, and enhance user experience
• Legal Compliance: Comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms, and protect our rights and safety
• Personalization: Customize content and recommendations based on your preferences and browsing history

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business, including:

• Payment processors (Paystack, M-Pesa)
• Email service providers
• Cloud hosting and data storage services
• Analytics and marketing platforms
• Travel partners, lodges, and tour operators

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or others.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission
• Secure password hashing and storage
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Secure payment processing through PCI-compliant providers

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and personalize content. Types of cookies we use include:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements and track campaign performance
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and contractual obligations)
• Objection: Object to processing of your information for certain purposes
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us at privacy@travelcats.africa. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Factors we consider include:

• The nature and sensitivity of the information
• Legal and regulatory requirements
• The potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure
• Our legitimate business interests
• Whether we can achieve our purposes through other means

Booking and transaction records are typically retained for 7 years to comply with financial and tax regulations.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you become aware that a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: