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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At Silverback Gorilla Tours, we believe that your journey to see the mountain gorillas should be filled with excitement, not worries about your personal data. We understand that to organize a complex safari across borders like Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, you have to share sensitive information with us. 

This Privacy Policy serves as our transparent guide for you. It outlines exactly how we collect, store, and protect your information. By using our website or booking a tour, you are trusting us with your data, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We do not sell your data to third-party marketing firms, and we never will. 

2. The Data We Collect and Why We Need It

We don’t collect data just for the sake of it. Every piece of information we ask for has a specific purpose in your travel logistics. 

  • Identity Information: This data includes your full name, nationality, and gender. We need this to identify you at park headquarters and to ensure your lodge bookings are accurate. 
  • Passport Details: This is the most sensitive data we handle. To trek gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) require a scanned copy of your passport to issue a permit in your name. Without this, we cannot legally secure your spot in the forest. 
  • Contact Information: Your email and phone number (preferably WhatsApp) are vital. Safari logistics can change due to weather or park regulations, and we need a way to reach you instantly. 
  • Health and Dietary Data: Are you allergic to nuts? Are you a vegetarian? Do you have a heart condition that might make a high-altitude trek dangerous? We can prepare the lodge chefs and our guides for any medical needs by sharing this “Special Category” data. 
  • Financial Information: When you pay via wire transfer or credit card, we process your payment through secure, encrypted gateways. We do not store your full credit card numbers on our local servers. 

3. How We Collect Your Data

Most of the data we hold comes directly from you. This happens when you: 

  1. Fill out an inquiry form on silverbackgorillatour.com. 
  2. Please email us to finalize your itinerary. 
  3. Chat with our consultants via WhatsApp or Live Chat. 
  4. Submit your passport copy and flight details for permit processing. 

We also collect some technical data automatically through cookies. These are small files that tell us which pages you visited on our site. It helps us understand, for example, that people are more interested in “5-Day Rwanda Tours” than “3-Day Uganda Tours,” allowing us to improve our content. 

4. Who Sees Your Information?

In the world of international travel, “data sharing” is a necessity, but we keep it strictly limited. We only share your info with: 

  • Government Authorities: As mentioned, the RDB and UWA receive your passport details for permit issuance. 
  • Safari Lodges and Hotels: They need your name and dietary preferences to prepare for your arrival. 
  • Internal Staff: Only the consultants and guides working specifically on your trip have access to your file. 
  • Legal Necessity: If required by law (for tax audits or police inquiries), we may disclose information to the relevant authorities in Rwanda or Uganda. 

5. Data Security: Keeping the “Digital Forest” Safe

We treat your passport copies and payment details as “high-security” assets. 

  • Digital Storage: Our internal systems are password-protected and restricted to essential personnel only. 
  • Encryption: Our website uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption to ensure that the data you type into our forms doesn’t get intercepted by “man-in-the-middle” attacks. 
  • Physical Records: We have moved toward a paperless office to reduce the risk of physical data theft. Once the tour is complete, we securely destroy any physical documents printed for park check-ins. 

6. International Data Transfers

Because we are based in East Africa, your data will be transferred from your home country to our servers here. The data protection laws in Rwanda and Uganda may differ from those in the EU (GDPR) or the USA. However, we strive to maintain a high standard of protection regardless of where you are booking from. By using our services, you consent to this international transfer of your information. 

7. How Long Do We Keep Your Data?

We don’t keep your information forever. 

  • Active Files: We keep your data throughout the planning and execution of your trip. 
  • Post-Trip: We keep your contact info for up to two years in case you want to book another trip or need records for insurance claims. 
  • Permit Records: Local tax laws mandate the retention of government-related records, such as permit receipts. 
  • Deletion: If you want us to “forget” you, just ask. We will delete all non-essential data immediately. 

8. Your Legal Rights

No matter where you live, you have rights over your data. You can: 

  • Access: Ask us for a copy of everything we know about you. 
  • Correct: Ask us to fix a typo in your name or update your phone number. 
  • Delete: Ask us to wipe your data from our systems (provided there isn’t a legal reason we must keep it). 
  • Object: Tell us to stop sending you our newsletter. 

9. Changes to This Policy

The digital world changes fast, and so do travel regulations. We may update this policy from time to time. If we make big changes, we’ll post a notice on our homepage or send you an email. 

10. How to Reach Us

If you have any questions about this policy, or if you feel your privacy has been compromised, please contact our Data Officer: 

  • Office: Kigali, Rwanda / Kampala, Uganda.