Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Ebrima Sonko, operating as Sonko Bird Tours, is committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy in accordance with applicable international data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”), where applicable.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, process and protect personal data when you visit our website, contact us or use our services.

2. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for processing your personal data is:

Ebrima Sonko
Trading as: Sonko Bird Tours
Kotu Bridge
Serrekunda
The Gambia

Phone: +220 7844038
Email: info@sonkobirdtours.com

3. Categories of Personal Data Collected

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• Name
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Message content
• Booking-related information
• IP address
• Technical browser and device information

4. Contact Form

When you submit an enquiry via our contact form, we process the data you provide for the purpose of responding to your request and preparing potential bookings.

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(b) GDPR – processing necessary for pre-contractual measures at your request.

Your data will not be shared with third parties unless legally required.

5. Contact via Email or Telephone

If you contact us by email or telephone, we process your data to respond to your enquiry and manage potential bookings.

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(b) GDPR (contractual or pre-contractual communication)
or
Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in responding to enquiries).

6. Hosting (IONOS)

This website is hosted by IONOS SE, Elgendorfer Str. 57, 56410 Montabaur, Germany.

When you visit our website, technical data (e.g. IP address, date and time of access, browser information) may be processed automatically by the hosting provider.

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest in secure and reliable website operation.

A data processing agreement (DPA) exists with the hosting provider where required.

7. IONOS SiteAnalytics

This website may use IONOS SiteAnalytics for statistical analysis and technical optimisation.

Data processed may include:

• Referrer
• Requested pages
• Browser type
• Operating system
• Device type
• Access time
• Anonymised IP address

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – your consent.

Data is processed within Germany and the European Union and stored for 8 weeks before automatic deletion.

8. Google Maps

This website may use Google Maps, provided by Google Ireland Limited.

When accessing pages containing Google Maps, your IP address and technical information may be transmitted to Google servers.

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – your consent.

Further information:
https://policies.google.com/privacy

9. Instagram

Our website contains a link to Instagram (operated by Meta Platforms, Inc.).

When clicking the link, you leave our website. We have no control over how Instagram processes personal data.

Legal basis:
Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest in maintaining an online presence.

10. WhatsApp

Our website provides a link to contact us via WhatsApp. WhatsApp is a messaging service provided by WhatsApp Ireland Limited, a company of Meta Platforms.

When you click on the WhatsApp link, you leave our website and are redirected to WhatsApp. In doing so, personal data (such as your IP address and device information) may be transmitted to WhatsApp.

If you contact us via WhatsApp, we process your phone number and any information you provide for the purpose of responding to your enquiry and managing bookings.

Legal basis:

• Article 6(1)(b) GDPR – processing necessary for pre-contractual communication
• Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest in offering an additional communication channel

Please note that WhatsApp may process data outside the European Union. Further information can be found in WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy:

https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy

11. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to ensure proper functionality and improve user experience.

Essential cookies are processed based on:
Article 6(1)(f) GDPR – legitimate interest in secure website operation.

Non-essential cookies or tracking technologies are only used with your consent in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

You may withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings.

12. International Data Transfers

As Sonko Bird Tours operates from The Gambia, personal data may be processed outside the European Union.

Where applicable, appropriate safeguards are implemented to ensure that personal data is protected in accordance with GDPR standards.

13. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary:

• To respond to enquiries
• To fulfil contractual obligations
• To comply with legal requirements

Data is deleted once it is no longer required for these purposes.

14. Your Rights under GDPR

If you are located in the European Union, you have the following rights:

• Right of access (Art. 15 GDPR)
• Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
• Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
• Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
• Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
• Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
• Right to withdraw consent at any time

To exercise your rights, contact:
info@sonkobirdtours.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your country of residence.

15. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access.

16. Updates to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. The latest version will always be published on this website.