Privacy Policy
1. Introduction and Purpose
This Privacy Policy (“the Policy) explains how TryBookAfrica collects, uses, stores, shares, protects and otherwise processes personal information when you use TryBookAfrica.com, applications, booking services, customer support channels and related tourism technology services (collectively, the “Platform”).
This Policy is intended to operate alongside our Terms and Conditions, Booking Terms, Supplier Terms, Cookie Policy, Payment Terms, Cancellation and Refund Policy, PAIA Manual where applicable, and other policies published on the Platform.
The attached TryBookAfrica source identifies Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) as a core part of the South African legal framework applicable to the business and identifies legal@trybookafrica.com as the proposed legal contact.
2. Who We Are
For this Policy, “TryBookAfrica”, “TryBookAfrica.com”, “we”, “us” or “our” means the South African legal entity that owns and/or operates the TryBookAfrica Platform, together with authorised affiliates and service providers where applicable.
Legal entity: TryBookAfrica [Pty] Ltd
Registration number: 2021/652846/07
Registered office: 320 Slate Crescent Stoneridge Centurion South Africa
Privacy / legal contact: legal@trybookafrica.com
Website: TryBookAfrica.com
3. Our Role in the Tourism Marketplace
TryBookAfrica operates as a digital tourism marketplace and booking platform connecting travellers with independent tourism suppliers. Suppliers may include hotels, safari and game lodges, guest houses, B&Bs, resorts, holiday homes, villas, hostels, tour operators, safari operators, activity providers, restaurants, transport providers, local guides and other tourism businesses.
Depending on the service, TryBookAfrica may act as a digital marketplace, booking platform, technology provider, booking facilitator and/or payment facilitator. The precise role may differ by product and is communicated where relevant.
This distinction matters for privacy: information may be processed by TryBookAfrica, by a supplier to fulfil a booking, or by third-party service providers necessary to operate the Platform.
4. What Is Personal Information?
“Personal information” has the meaning given to it under applicable data-protection law and includes information relating to an identifiable, living natural person and, where applicable, an identifiable existing juristic person.
TryBookAfrica may collect and process personal information as defined in section 1 of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), as amended, relating to Travellers, Suppliers, business partners, employees, representatives and other identifiable individuals.
Depending on the nature of the services provided and the purpose of processing, such information may include identifying particulars, contact details, account and booking information, travel preferences, transaction records, communications, verification information, online identifiers, location information, photographs and other information relating to an identifiable, living natural person or, where applicable, an identifiable existing juristic person.
TryBookAfrica will collect and process personal information only for lawful, specific and explicitly defined purposes, and in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. The information collected will depend on the relevant transaction, the services requested, the relationship with TryBookAfrica and any applicable legal requirements.
Where special personal information or children's personal information is involved, TryBookAfrica will apply the additional requirements and safeguards prescribed by POPIA, where applicable.
5. Special Personal Information and Children
We do not seek to collect special personal information unless there is a lawful and necessary reason to do so. Certain tourism bookings may require information that could be sensitive in context, for example accessibility requirements, dietary or health-related information relevant to an experience, or identity information required by law or a supplier. Where such information is required, we will process it only on a lawful basis and for a defined purpose.
The Platform is not intended to encourage children to create accounts or make bookings independently. Traveller accounts on the TryBookAfrica Platform may only be created and maintained by individuals aged 18 years or older who meet the applicable registration and identity-verification requirements. Individuals under the age of 18 may not independently register for or operate a Traveller account. Where, a booking involves a child, information about the child should be provided by a parent, guardian or other person legally authorised to do so, and only to the extent necessary for the relevant service. Any processing of children’s information will be handled in accordance with applicable law and appropriate safeguards.
6. How We Collect Personal Information
TryBookAfrica collects personal information directly from data subjects and, where lawful and necessary, from third parties and through automated technologies, including:
Directly from you when you register an account, search for tourism services, make or manage a booking, submit an enquiry or review, contact customer support, subscribe to communications, register a tourism business or otherwise interact with the Platform.
From tourism Suppliers and other authorised parties involved in facilitating or delivering a booking or related service.
From payment service providers, financial institutions, fraud-prevention providers and other transaction partners, where necessary for payment processing, verification, security or related purposes.
Automatically through cookies, pixels, server logs, device identifiers and similar technologies when you access or use the Platform, subject to applicable legal requirements and your privacy preferences.
From public records, official registers and other authorised sources, where permitted by law, including for supplier verification and business due diligence.
From referrals, affiliates, commercial partners and other service providers, where the collection is lawful and appropriate.
Transparency at the Point of Collection
At or before the collection of personal information, TryBookAfrica will take reasonable steps to ensure that the relevant data subject is informed of the purpose for which the information is collected, the identity of the responsible party, whether the provision of the information is voluntary or mandatory, the consequences of failing to provide it, the intended recipients or categories of recipients, and any other information required by applicable data protection legislation.
Where processing relies on consent, TryBookAfrica will obtain consent in a lawful, informed and appropriate manner. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve a consent notice, pop-up notification, unticked checkbox or other suitable mechanism. Where consent is declined or withdrawn, TryBookAfrica will respect that decision in relation to processing activities that rely on consent, subject to applicable law.
Where personal information is processed on another lawful basis, TryBookAfrica will provide the required privacy information without incorrectly representing consent as the basis for that processing.
Cookie and similar tracking technologies will be managed in accordance with applicable legal requirements, including any consent or preference mechanisms required for particular technologies
7. Purposes for Which We Process Personal Information
TryBookAfrica (Pty) Ltd processes Personal Information for lawful, specific and explicitly defined purposes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), and other applicable legislation.
The purposes for which Personal Information may be processed include, but are not limited to, the following:
Account Administration: Creating, registering, verifying and managing Traveller, Supplier, employee, business partner and other authorised user accounts.
Tourism Bookings and Reservations: Facilitating searches, enquiries, reservations, bookings, amendments, cancellations, refunds and other transactions relating to tourism products and services offered through the Platform.
Communication and Customer Support: Communicating booking confirmations, reminders, changes, service notifications, responses to enquiries, complaints and other relevant information.
Supplier and Service Delivery: Sharing Personal Information with relevant tourism suppliers and authorised service providers, to the extent necessary to fulfil bookings, provide tourism services and administer related arrangements.
Payments and Financial Administration: Facilitating payments, settlements, supplier payouts, refunds, chargebacks, transaction reconciliation, invoicing, accounting and related financial administration.
Platform Administration and Improvement: Operating, maintaining, securing, testing and improving the Platform, its functionality, services and user experience.
Personalisation and Recommendations: Providing relevant search results, tourism recommendations and travel-related content, where lawful and appropriate.
Supplier Verification and Database Management: Verifying tourism suppliers, maintaining supplier records, administering the Verified African Tourism Database initiative and supporting the accuracy and reliability of tourism information published on the Platform.
Security and Fraud Prevention: Detecting, preventing and investigating fraud, unauthorised access, abuse, security incidents and other unlawful activities.
Complaints, Disputes and Legal Proceedings: Investigating and resolving complaints, disputes, claims and other matters, and establishing, exercising or defending legal rights.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Complying with applicable legal, tax, accounting, tourism, consumer protection, payment, employment, data protection and other regulatory obligations, including responding to lawful requests from competent authorities.
Marketing and Business Development: Communicating promotional offers, tourism products, services and other business information where permitted by applicable law and subject to applicable consent, objection and opt-out requirements.
Research, Analytics and Business Intelligence: Conducting audits, research, statistical analysis, business intelligence and service evaluations, including the use of aggregated or de-identified information where appropriate.
Employment and Corporate Administration: Administering recruitment, employment, personnel records, supplier relationships, contracts, corporate governance and other legitimate business operations.
Other Lawful Purposes: Processing Personal Information for any additional purpose communicated to the relevant Data Subject at or before collection, or otherwise permitted by applicable law and consistent with the requirements of POPIA.
Personal Information shall be processed only to the extent reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose and in accordance with applicable lawful processing requirements. Where the purpose of processing changes materially, TryBookAfrica will take appropriate steps to inform affected Data Subjects where required by law.
8. Lawful Basis for Processing
Under POPIA, personal information must be processed in accordance with the eight conditions for lawful processing. Depending on the circumstances, TryBookAfrica may rely on the need to perform or take steps toward a contract, comply with a legal obligation, pursue a legitimate interest that is not overridden by your rights, protect a legitimate interest, or obtain your consent where consent is required.
Consent will not be treated as the universal basis for every processing activity. Where another lawful basis applies, we may process information without relying on consent, subject to the requirements of applicable law. POPIA establishes conditions for lawful processing and rights for data subjects.
9. Bookings and Sharing Information with Tourism Suppliers
Because TryBookAfrica connects travellers with independent suppliers, we may need to disclose information necessary to fulfil a booking or enquiry. For example, a supplier may need a traveller’s name, contact details, arrival information, guest details or special requirements.
The relevant supplier remains responsible for delivering the underlying tourism service. The source document expressly states that the contractual relationship may be between the traveller and tourism supplier, with TryBookAfrica providing platform, booking and/or payment facilitation depending on the service.
Suppliers may have their own privacy notices and legal obligations. Where a supplier independently determines the purposes and means of its processing, it may act as a separate responsible party under applicable law. Users should review supplier-specific privacy terms where provided.
10. Third-Party Service Providers
We may appoint third-party service providers to support the Platform, including hosting providers, cloud services, payment processors, fraud and security providers, communications providers, analytics providers, customer-support systems, email/SMS providers, identity or verification providers, professional advisers and technology vendors.
Where a service provider processes personal information on our behalf, we will seek to impose appropriate contractual, confidentiality, security and data-protection obligations consistent with applicable law.
11. Payments
Payment information is processed according to the payment method and payment-provider arrangement applicable to the booking. TryBookAfrica may receive transaction information such as payment status, amount, currency, payer details and reference numbers.
Where payment-card processing is performed by a third-party payment service provider, card data may be transmitted directly to that provider rather than being stored by TryBookAfrica. The precise arrangement should be confirmed against the payment architecture used when this Policy is published.
12. Cookies and Similar Technologies
TryBookAfrica may use cookies, pixels, SDKs, log files and similar technologies to operate the Platform, remember preferences, measure performance, improve security, understand usage and, where permitted, support marketing and analytics.
A separate Cookie Policy should explain the categories of cookies used, their purposes, retention periods, third-party cookies and the controls available to users. Where consent is required, the relevant consent mechanism will be provided.
13. Direct Marketing
TryBookAfrica may send service-related communications that are reasonably necessary to administer user accounts, facilitate bookings, process payments and refunds, provide customer support, communicate changes to services, and comply with applicable legal obligations. These communications are distinct from promotional marketing communications.
TryBookAfrica may undertake direct marketing of its tourism products, services and related offerings, subject to the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), applicable regulations and other relevant laws.
Where direct marketing is conducted by electronic communication, TryBookAfrica will obtain consent where required by law. Where permitted, TryBookAfrica may rely on the applicable existing-customer exception, subject to the statutory conditions, including that the contact details were obtained in the context of a sale, the marketing concerns TryBookAfrica’s own similar products or services, and the customer is given an appropriate opportunity to object.
Marketing communications will identify TryBookAfrica or the relevant sender and provide a means for recipients to request that further marketing communications cease.
TryBookAfrica will implement applicable direct-marketing registration, opt-out screening and related compliance measures required under the CPA and its regulations, including requirements administered by the National Consumer Commission, where applicable.
You may withdraw your consent to marketing or unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in the communication or by contacting TryBookAfrica through its designated contact channels. TryBookAfrica will respect applicable objections and opt-out requests. Unsubscribing from marketing will not prevent communications that are genuinely necessary to administer an existing booking, account or legal obligation.
14. Reviews, Ratings, Photographs and User Content
If you submit a review, rating, photograph, testimonial, question or other content, we may process and display the information necessary to publish and administer that content, subject to our Terms and applicable law.
You should avoid publishing another person’s personal information unless you have a lawful basis and authority to do so.
15. International and Cross-Border Transfers
TryBookAfrica is a South African-founded tourism booking marketplace intended to facilitate tourism-related services across Africa and, where applicable, internationally. In the ordinary course of its anticipated operations, personal information may be transferred to or accessed by recipients located outside South Africa.
Such recipients may include:
Tourism Suppliers: Accommodation establishments, safari lodges, tour operators, activity providers, transport operators and other tourism businesses located in countries where TryBookAfrica operates or facilitates bookings.
Technology and Hosting Providers: Website hosting companies, cloud storage providers, booking platform developers, software providers, customer support systems and other technology service providers that may store, process or access personal information from outside South Africa.
Payment Service Providers: Payment gateways, payment processors, financial institutions and other relevant service providers involved in processing payments, refunds, commissions and supplier payouts, where their operations require cross-border processing.
Business and Marketing Partners: Relevant tourism distribution partners, analytics providers, communication service providers and other authorised business partners, where the transfer is necessary for a lawful and disclosed purpose.
Professional and Regulatory Recipients: Legal advisers, auditors, insurers, courts, regulators or other competent authorities outside South Africa, where disclosure is lawfully required or otherwise permitted.
Cross-border transfers may involve personal information such as names, contact details, booking and travel information, supplier business contact details, transaction records, account information and other information necessary for the relevant service or lawful purpose.
TryBookAfrica will assess each relevant cross-border processing arrangement and ensure that transfers comply with section 72 of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Depending on the circumstances, this may require an adequate level of protection under the recipient country’s laws or binding corporate rules, an appropriate agreement with the recipient, the data subject’s consent where legally applicable, or another permitted basis under section 72.
Where appropriate, TryBookAfrica will implement contractual data protection obligations, access controls, security measures and other safeguards designed to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, disclosure or misuse.
The specific destination countries, recipients and transfer arrangements will depend on the suppliers, payment service providers and technology providers engaged by TryBookAfrica. These details will be assessed and documented as the relevant arrangements are established and updated when material changes occur.
This section describes anticipated cross-border processing arrangements and does not imply that transfers to every category of recipient or country are currently taking place. Further information about particular processing arrangements may be requested through the procedures set out in this PAIA Manual, subject to applicable legal restrictions.
16. Data Security
We will take appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against loss, damage, unauthorised destruction, unlawful access or processing and other reasonably foreseeable risks.
Access controls and role-based permissions;
Authentication and account-security measures;
Encryption or other protective controls where appropriate;
Security monitoring and logging;
Vendor and operator controls;
Backups and resilience measures; and
Incident-response and security-compromise procedures.
No internet-based system can be guaranteed completely secure. If a security compromise occurs, we will respond in accordance with applicable law, including applicable notification requirements. The Information Regulator notes that responsible parties should maintain security controls and notify data subjects and the Regulator where required by law.
17. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to provide services, maintain records, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, meet legal and regulatory obligations, prevent fraud and protect our legitimate interests.
Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information, the purpose of processing, booking and accounting requirements, legal limitation periods and regulatory obligations. When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or de-identify it, subject to lawful retention requirements.
18. Your Rights as a Data Subject
Subject to applicable law and any lawful limitations, you may have rights to:
Know whether TryBookAfrica holds your personal information and request access to it;
Request correction, updating or deletion of inaccurate or unlawfully held information;
Object to certain processing, including direct marketing;
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, without affecting the lawfulness of processing already carried out;
Request restriction or other lawful relief where applicable;
Request information about certain processing activities;
Complain to the Information Regulator; and
Exercise any other rights provided by POPIA or applicable data-protection law.
In terms of POPIAthe data subjects have rights including access, correction and objection to processing, subject to applicable law.
19. How to Exercise Your Privacy Rights
Requests should be submitted in writing to legal@trybookafrica.com, or through the official support or privacy contact channel published on TryBookAfrica.com.
We may need to verify the identity and authority of the requester before releasing or changing personal information. We will respond within the periods and in the manner required by applicable law. If a request cannot lawfully be fulfilled, we will explain the applicable limitation where permitted.
20. Information Officer and PAIA
TryBookAfrica will appoint an Information Officer and, where required, Deputy Information Officer arrangements and registrations in accordance with applicable law. The Information Regulator states that Information Officers of private and public bodies are required to be registered in accordance with section 55 of POPIA.
Where applicable, requests for access to records under PAIA should be made using the process and forms described in TryBookAfrica’s PAIA Manual.
21. Automated Processing and Personalisation
TryBookAfrica may use automated tools to assist with search, recommendations, fraud prevention, customer support, analytics or other Platform functions.
Where a decision is based solely on automated processing and falls within POPIA’s restrictions on decisions with legal or substantial effects, we will apply the safeguards required by law. POPIA regulates certain forms of automated decision-making and provides protections for data subjects.
22. Data Breaches and Security Compromises
If TryBookAfrica experiences a security compromise involving personal information, we will assess and respond promptly, take reasonable steps to contain and investigate the incident, mitigate harm and comply with applicable notification, regulatory and contractual requirements.
Where legally required, affected data subjects and the Information Regulator will be notified in accordance with the applicable legal framework.
23. Third-Party Websites and Links
The Platform may contain links to tourism suppliers, payment providers, destination resources, social-media services or other third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of independent third parties. You should review the privacy notices of those services before providing personal information.
24. Supplier and Business Data
Tourism suppliers may provide information about their businesses, employees, representatives, owners and contacts. TryBookAfrica may process this information for supplier onboarding, verification, listing management, communications, booking administration, settlement, fraud prevention, compliance and support.
Where supplier information includes personal information, it will be handled in accordance with applicable law and the contractual arrangements between TryBookAfrica and the supplier.
25. Accuracy of Personal Information
We seek to maintain accurate and reasonably up-to-date personal information. You should notify us if your account, contact or booking information changes. Suppliers are responsible for keeping their business listing and service information accurate and current, consistent with the Platform’s supplier requirements.
26. Privacy of Communications
Communications with TryBookAfrica may be recorded or retained where necessary for customer support, quality assurance, dispute resolution, fraud prevention, training, security, compliance or other lawful purposes. Where required, we will provide appropriate notice.
27. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy when our Platform, business model, technology, legal obligations or data-processing practices change. The current version will be published on the Platform with its effective date.
Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before material changes take effect.
28. Complaints
If you have a privacy complaint, contact us first at legal@trybookafrica.com. We will investigate and seek to resolve the matter fairly and within applicable legal requirements.
You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator where you believe your rights under POPIA have been infringed. The Information Regulator is the statutory authority responsible for monitoring and enforcing POPIA compliance.
Information Regulator contact details published by the Regulator include enquiries@inforegulator.org.za and 010 023 5200.
29. Governing Law
Unless otherwise required by applicable law, this Privacy Policy and the processing relationship between TryBookAfrica and users in relation to the Platform are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Nothing in this Policy is intended to exclude or restrict any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
30. Contact Details
TryBookAfrica [Pty] Ltd
Registration No.: 2021/652846/07
Legal / Privacy email: legal@trybookafrica.com
Website: TryBookAfrica.com
Registered office: 320 Slate Crescent Stoneridge Centurion South Africa
Information Officer: Dr Chisava Juma, chisava.juma@trybookafrica.com
Customer Support: Use the official TryBookAfrica Support Centre or contact details published on the Platform. The source document directs customers to the official Support Centre for privacy, booking, payment, complaints and legal matters.
© 2026 TryBookAfrica. All rights reserved.