1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how Masana Africa (Pty) Ltd ("Masana Africa", "MA", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA").

Masana Africa is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

This policy applies to all personal information collected through our website, communications, booking processes, and during the course of our relationship.

2. Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)

POPIA regulates the processing of personal information by responsible parties and provides rights to data subjects. For the purposes of this policy:

• Responsible Party: Masana Africa (Pty) Ltd

• Data Subject: Any identifiable, living natural person whose personal information we process

• Processing: Any operation concerning personal information, including collection, storage, use, sharing, and deletion

POPIA defines personal information as information relating to an identifiable, living natural person, including but not limited to contact details, identification numbers, location information, and online identifiers.

POPIA also regulates special personal information, which includes information relating to religious or philosophical beliefs, race or ethnic origin, health, sex life, biometric information, and criminal behaviour.

3. What Information Do We Collect?

The personal information we collect depends on the nature of your engagement with Masana Africa and may include:

3.1 Personal and Contact Information

• Full name

• Email address

• Telephone or mobile number

3.2 Identification and Travel Information

• Passport or identity document copies

• Passport or ID numbers

• Date and place of birth

• Residential address

• Driving licence details (where required)

• Emergency contact details

3.3 Trip and Preference Information

• Travel preferences and interests

• Dietary requirements

• Medical information relevant to your safety and ability to travel

• Special assistance or accessibility requirements

3.4 Communications

• Emails, messages, or other correspondence between you and Masana Africa

4. How Will We Collect Your information

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

• Submit an enquiry via our website, email, or messaging platforms

• Confirm or book a trip with Masana Africa

• Complete client information or booking forms

• Communicate with us via email, WhatsApp, telephone, or other platforms

We may also receive personal information indirectly:

• From other guests travelling with you

• From trusted partners or referrers involved in arranging your travel, where permitted by law

5. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing

We collect and process your personal information for the following purposes:

• To design, plan, and deliver tailor-made travel experiences

• To ensure your safety and well-being during travel

• To manage bookings, payments, and contractual arrangements

• To communicate with you regarding your trip, including updates and recommendations

• To proactively share trip ideas, inspiration, and relevant information via email or WhatsApp

• To comply with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations

5.1 Lawful Grounds for Processing

We rely on one or more of the following lawful bases under POPIA:

• Performance of a Contract: Processing necessary to fulfil our contractual obligations to you

• Legal Obligation: Processing required to comply with applicable laws and regulations

• Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for the operation of our business, provided your rights are not overridden

• Establishment, Exercise, or Defence of Legal Claims: Including dispute resolution and legal compliance

• Public Interest: Where required for the administration of justice or prevention of unlawful acts

• Consent: Where required, particularly for special personal information or additional processing purposes

Where consent is relied upon, you may withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.

6. Sharing and Transferring Personal Information

We may share your personal information with third parties strictly on a need-to-know basis, including:

• Lodges, hotels, airlines, transport providers, guides, and activity operators involved in your trip

• Service providers who support our business operations (e.g. IT, cloud storage, payment services)

All third parties are required to:

• Use your information only for the purpose for which it was shared

• Implement appropriate security measures

• Delete or return the information once it is no longer required

6.1 International Transfers

Your personal information may be stored or processed in South Africa or in other countries where Masana Africa, its partners, or service providers operate.

Where information is transferred outside South Africa, we take reasonable steps to ensure that adequate data protection safeguards are in place, in accordance with POPIA.

7. Data Security and Retention

7.1 Security Measures

Masana Africa takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encrypted cloud-based storage

• Encrypted mobile devices and computers

• Secure access controls

• Remote wipe capability for company devices

7.2 Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

• If you do not take a further trip with Masana Africa, most personal information will be deleted after three (3) years, except for your name, email address, and telephone number

• Information relating to completed trips may be retained for five (5) years after the matter closes for legal, contractual, or accounting purposes

• Information may be retained for longer where required to comply with legal obligations or defend legal claims

8. Your Rights as a Data Subject

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information

• Request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete information

• Object to the processing of your personal information

• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal limitations

• Request restriction of processing

• Request data portability, where applicable

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

Requests may be subject to verification of identity and applicable legal requirements.

9. Cookies and Website Data

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve functionality and user experience. Cookies do not collect personal information unless you choose to provide it.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, this may affect website functionality.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Masana Africa may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

Masana Africa (Pty) Ltd
Email: shaun@masanaafrica.com
Telephone: +27 83 630 5757