Simanya River Lodge on the riverbank at sunset

Simanya River Lodge Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy. This policy explains what personal information Simanya River Lodge collects, why we collect it, who we share it with and the choices you have.

Effective date: 5 October 2026

1. Who we are

This website is operated by Simanya River Lodge ("Simanya", "we", "us"), a riverside lodge in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West, Namibia. We are responsible for the personal information described in this policy. You can contact us at any time using the details in section 14.

2. What information we collect

Information you give us

  • Enquiries: when you use a contact or enquiry form, email, phone or message us, we receive your name, email address, phone number and anything you include in your message.
  • Bookings: when you book, we collect the details needed to manage your stay, such as names of guests, contact details, travel dates, room or campsite choice, activities, and billing details.
  • During your stay: information needed to look after you, such as identity or passport details where the law requires us to record them, dietary needs, accessibility or medical requirements you choose to share, and special requests.
  • Trade partners: business contact details of tour operators, travel agents and conference organisers who work with us.

Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, our hosting and security systems record technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device, the pages you visit and the date and time of your visit. This is used to keep the website secure, prevent abuse and keep it working properly. See section 6 for information about cookies.

3. How we use your information

  • To reply to your enquiries and send you quotes.
  • To make, manage and confirm bookings, and to provide your accommodation, meals, activities and conference services.
  • To process payments and keep financial records.
  • To meet our legal obligations, including guest registration, tax and accounting requirements.
  • To keep our guests, staff, property and website safe and secure.
  • To improve our website and services, and, where you have agreed, to measure and improve our advertising and to send you news and offers. You can unsubscribe from marketing at any time.

Where data protection laws such as the EU or UK GDPR or South Africa's POPIA apply to you, we rely on one or more of the following: taking steps at your request before a booking and performing our contract with you; complying with legal obligations; our legitimate interests in running, securing and promoting our lodge, balanced against your rights; and your consent, for example for optional cookies and marketing messages. Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

5. Who we share your information with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only where needed, with:

  • Service providers who help us run our business, including our website host (Hostinger), our email provider (Microsoft 365), our online booking engine (Upperbooking) and the payment providers it uses, and our IT and security tools. They may only use your information to provide their services to us.
  • Tour operators and travel agents who make a booking on your behalf, so that your arrangements can be managed.
  • Authorities such as immigration, police or tax authorities, where the law requires it.
  • Professional advisers such as accountants, auditors, insurers and lawyers, where needed.

Our website also includes content from third parties, such as a Google Maps map and links to our Instagram, Facebook and Tripadvisor pages. When you view embedded content or follow these links, those companies may collect information about you under their own privacy policies.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

Cookies are small files stored on your device. We use them as follows:

  • Necessary cookies that keep the website secure and working, for example for security, caching and the online booking engine. These cannot be switched off.
  • Third-party cookies set by embedded services such as Google Maps and our booking engine.
  • Analytics and advertising cookies, such as Google Analytics and the Meta Pixel, which help us understand how visitors use our website and measure our advertising. We only use these with your consent, which you can change at any time.

You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the website, such as online booking, may not work properly without necessary cookies.

7. International transfers

Some of our service providers store or process information outside Namibia, for example in Europe or the United States. Where this happens, we take reasonable steps to make sure your information is protected, including by using reputable providers with appropriate safeguards in place.

8. How long we keep your information

We keep personal information only for as long as we need it for the purposes in this policy. Enquiries that do not lead to a booking are normally deleted within 24 months. Booking, payment and guest registration records are kept for as long as Namibian tax, accounting and other laws require. Security logs are kept for a limited period.

9. How we protect your information

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including an encrypted (HTTPS) website, firewall and login protection, restricted access for our staff and regular backups. No system is completely secure, so please contact us if you believe your information has been put at risk.

10. Your rights

Depending on the law that applies to you, you may have the right to:

  • ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
  • ask us to correct information that is wrong or incomplete;
  • ask us to delete your information, where we no longer need it;
  • object to or ask us to restrict how we use your information;
  • ask us to transfer your information to another organisation;
  • withdraw your consent at any time, including for marketing; and
  • complain to a data protection authority in your country.

To use any of these rights, contact us using the details below. We may need to confirm your identity before we respond.

11. Children

Our website is not aimed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children online. Information about children travelling with their families is provided by a parent or guardian as part of a booking.

Our website links to other websites, such as social media and review sites. We are not responsible for how those websites handle your information, so please read their privacy policies.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page, with the date it took effect.

14. Contact us

If you have any questions about this policy or how we use your information, please contact us: