Who we are
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Comments
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An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.
Media
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Cookies
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If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.
When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.
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Embedded content from other websites
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Who we share your data with
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How long we retain your data
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For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.
What rights you have over your data
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Where your data is sent
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Privacy Policy
How Apes & Wildlife Safaris collects, uses, and protects your personal information for gorilla trekking and safari bookings across East Africa.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
When you make a safari enquiry, complete a booking form, send us an email, or communicate by phone or WhatsApp, we may collect:
- Full name and title
- Email address and phone/WhatsApp number
- Country of residence and nationality
- Passport details — required for gorilla and chimpanzee permit applications in Uganda and Rwanda
- Travel dates, preferred destinations (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zanzibar, etc.), and safari preferences
- Number of travellers, group composition, and ages
- Dietary requirements, medical conditions, or physical limitations relevant to your safari
- Accommodation preferences (luxury, mid-range, or budget)
- Payment information (processed securely — we do not store full card details)
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address and approximate geographic location
- Browser type and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on site
- Referring website or search terms used to find us
- Cookie data (see Section 7)
1.3 Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from travel agents booking on your behalf, review platforms where you have left feedback, or social media platforms if you interact with our pages.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following purposes:
- To respond to safari enquiries and provide personalised itinerary proposals
- To process and confirm bookings, including securing gorilla trekking permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB), chimpanzee permits, accommodation, and transportation
- To submit permit applications to UWA and RDB — this requires your full name, nationality, and date of birth
- To process payments and issue invoices and receipts
- To communicate trip updates, itinerary changes, and logistical information
- To send promotional newsletters and safari inspiration content (only with your consent)
- To improve our website and services
- To comply with legal obligations under Ugandan law and international tourism regulations
- To resolve disputes and enforce our Terms & Conditions
3. Sharing Your Information
Apes & Wildlife Safaris does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We share information only where necessary:
3.1 Safari Service Providers
To deliver your safari, we share relevant information with:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) — for gorilla and chimpanzee permit applications
- Rwanda Development Board (RDB) — for gorilla permit applications
- Kenya Wildlife Service, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), and Botswana tourism authorities as applicable
- Our partner lodges, camps, and hotels
- Domestic airlines and ground transport providers
- Tour guides and camp staff for operational purposes
3.2 Travel Agents & B2B Partners
If your safari was booked through a travel agency, we may share booking confirmation and itinerary details with that agency for coordination purposes.
3.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by Ugandan law, court order, or government authority, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of Apes & Wildlife Safaris, our clients, or the public.
4. Data Retention
- Active booking records: retained for 7 years from date of travel
- Enquiry records (non-booking): retained for 2 years
- Marketing consent records: retained until you withdraw consent
- Website analytics data: retained for 26 months
After the applicable retention period, your data is securely deleted or anonymised.
5. Your Rights
Depending on your country of residence, you may have the following rights:
- Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Right to Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Right to Erasure: Request deletion where we have no legal basis to retain it
- Right to Restriction: Request that we limit how we process your data
- Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Right to Object: Object to processing for direct marketing
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw marketing consent at any time
To exercise any right, contact us at book@apesandwildlife.com. We will respond within 30 days. EU/UK guests may also lodge a complaint with their local data protection authority.
6. Data Security
Our security measures include:
- SSL/TLS encryption on all data transmitted through our website
- Restricted staff access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
- Password-protected booking management systems
- Secure payment processing through reputable third-party gateways (we do not store full card details)
While we take all reasonable precautions, no internet transmission is completely secure. We will notify you promptly if we become aware of any data breach affecting your information.
7. Cookies Policy
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g. Google Analytics). Data is anonymised and aggregated.
Marketing Cookies: Used to show relevant safari content on other websites. Only active with your explicit consent.
You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality. By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of essential and analytics cookies.
8. International Data Transfers
Apes & Wildlife Safaris is based in Uganda. When you submit information through our website or email, your data is transferred to and processed in Uganda. If you are in the EU or UK, please be aware that data protection standards in Uganda may differ from those in your home country.
For guests covered by GDPR (EU/UK), we process your data on the legal basis of contractual necessity (to fulfil your safari booking), legal compliance, and — for marketing — your explicit consent.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from under-16s without verified parental consent. For family safari bookings, we collect names and ages of minor travellers solely for permit and accommodation purposes. If you believe your child has provided us data, please contact book@apesandwildlife.com and we will delete it promptly.
10. Third-Party Links
Our website may link to third-party websites including national park authorities, airline booking sites, and review platforms. This Privacy Policy applies only to our website and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites — including our trusted partner Car Hire Africa – Drive Your Own Safari — and we encourage you to read their privacy policies independently.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The most current version will always be published at www.apesandwildlife.com/privacy-policy/. Continued use of our website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy:
- Company: Apes & Wildlife Safaris
- Address: Upper Kololo Terrace, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa
- Email: book@apesandwildlife.com
- Phone/WhatsApp: +256 709 960 384
- Website: www.apesandwildlife.com
Ready to start planning your gorilla trekking safari or East Africa adventure?