Privacy Policy

Information we collect

We collect information in a few different ways so that we can give you a useful service. When you visit our website, certain information about your device and your browsing is gathered automatically. That includes your IP address, browser type, the pages you looked at and how long you spent on each one.

When you contact us through the enquiry form or by e-mail, we collect the personal information you choose to give us, such as your name, e-mail address and telephone number. If you sign up for our newsletter or for a walk, we collect your e-mail address and any preferences you tell us about. We use that information only to answer your enquiry, send you what you asked for, and improve what we offer to older adults who want to walk in the Garden Route forests.

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Browsing data (pages visited, time on site, where you came from)
• Enquiry form submissions
• Newsletter subscription details
• Your communication preferences

How we use your information

We use the information we collect to provide, maintain and improve our website and our walks. It helps us understand how visitors use the site, which pages matter most, and where we can make things clearer for older readers looking for information about forest walking around Knysna.

We use your contact details to reply to enquiries, to send the newsletter you asked for, and to let you know about new routes and walking dates. We analyse browsing data to keep the site fast and easy to use. We never sell your personal information. We may share information with service providers who help us run the website or send our e-mail, but only under written confidentiality and operator agreements as required by section 20 and 21 of POPIA. Your information is used to serve you better, and for nothing else.

Your rights under POPIA

Under sections 23 to 25 of POPIA you have the right to ask what personal information we hold about you, to have it corrected or deleted, and to object to us processing it for a particular purpose. To exercise any of these rights, contact our Information Officer using the details below. We will respond within 30 days of receiving your request, and we may ask you to confirm your identity first.

You may withdraw your consent to newsletters or other communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any e-mail we send you. If you believe we have not dealt with your personal information properly, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) at [email protected]. You may also submit a request for access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA). We respect your choices and will act on every legitimate request promptly.

Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on this website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognise you, remember your preferences and understand how the site is used. Essential cookies keep the site working and secure, and cannot be switched off.

We also use analytics cookies to understand visitor behaviour and improve how the site performs. These do not identify you personally, but they help us provide better content. You can control cookies through your browser settings, although switching some of them off may affect how parts of the site work. For a full breakdown of the cookies we use and how to manage them, please see our Cookie Policy.

How we keep your information safe

We apply appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures — as section 19 of POPIA requires — to protect your personal information against loss, unauthorised access, alteration or destruction. Our website uses encryption to secure data in transit. No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot promise absolute safety, but we work continuously to keep our standards high. Where we become aware of a compromise of personal information, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as section 22 requires.

Access to personal information is limited to the people and service providers who need it in order to do their work for you. Everyone with access is bound by confidentiality obligations. Our servers are located in South Africa, and we will only transfer personal information across a border in the circumstances allowed by section 72 of POPIA. We keep your information only for as long as we need it for the purposes described here, or for as long as the law requires.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the way we work, in technology or in the law. When we make a material change, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where it matters, tell you by other means such as an e-mail.

If you carry on using the website after a revised policy is published, that means you accept the changes. We encourage you to read this page every now and again so that you know how your information is handled. If anything concerns you, please contact us straight away.