**Gecko Travel & Tours**
Effective date: 9 July 2026
Last updated: 9 July 2026
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## 1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Gecko Travel & Tours ("we", "us" or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies on **geckotours.co.za** (the "Website"). It should be read together with our **Privacy Policy**, which explains how we handle your personal information more generally.
By using our Website and accepting cookies through our cookie banner, you agree to the use of cookies as described in this policy. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time (see section 6).
## 2. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, to remember your preferences, and to provide information to the site owner. Similar technologies, such as pixels, tags and local storage, work in comparable ways, and we refer to all of these as "cookies" in this policy.
Cookies may be:
- **First-party cookies**, set by our Website; or **third-party cookies**, set by another organisation, such as Google or Meta.
- **Session cookies**, which expire when you close your browser; or **persistent cookies**, which remain on your device until they expire or you delete them.
## 3. How we use cookies
We use cookies to:
- make the Website function correctly and securely;
- remember your preferences and choices;
- understand how visitors find and use the Website so we can improve it; and
- deliver and measure our advertising, including on Google, Facebook and Instagram.
## 4. Categories of cookies we use
### 4.1 Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to work. They enable core functions such as page navigation, security and the cookie banner itself. The Website cannot function properly without them, so they do not require your consent.
### 4.2 Functional and preference cookies
These cookies allow the Website to remember choices you make, such as your language or region, to provide a more personalised experience.
### 4.3 Analytics and performance cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with the Website, for example which pages are most popular and how people move through the site. We use this information to improve the Website. These cookies are only used with your consent.
### 4.4 Advertising and targeting cookies
These cookies are set by our advertising partners to build a profile of your interests, show you relevant adverts on other websites and platforms, and measure the performance of our campaigns. They also support remarketing, which lets us show adverts to people who have previously visited our Website. These cookies are only used with your consent.
## 5. Specific cookies and technologies on our Website
The table below lists the main cookies and technologies we use. Exact cookie names and durations may change as providers update their services.
| Provider / Cookie | Category | Purpose | Typical duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WordPress / Elementor (site cookies) | Strictly necessary | Core site functionality, security and page building | Session to 1 year |
| Cookie consent tool | Strictly necessary | Remembers your cookie preferences | Up to 1 year |
| Google Analytics (`_ga`, `_ga_*`, `_gid`) | Analytics | Measures visitors, sessions and how the site is used | Session to 2 years |
| Google Tag Manager | Analytics / advertising | Manages the tags used for analytics and advertising | Session |
| Google Ads (`_gcl_au`, conversion and remarketing tags) | Advertising | Conversion tracking, remarketing and advert measurement across Google Search, YouTube and the Display Network | Up to 90 days |
| Meta Pixel (`_fbp`, `fr`) | Advertising | Measures Facebook and Instagram adverts, builds audiences and supports remarketing | Up to 90 days |
| Google Fonts | Functional | Loads website fonts from Google's servers | Session |
| Activitar (booking platform) | Strictly necessary / functional | Supports the online booking and payment process | Set by Activitar |
## 6. How to manage and control cookies
You have several ways to control cookies:
### 6.1 Our cookie banner
When you first visit the Website, our cookie banner lets you accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by reopening the cookie settings from the banner or the link on our Website.
### 6.2 Your browser settings
Most browsers let you view, manage, block and delete cookies. Instructions are usually found in the browser's help or settings menu. Please note that blocking all cookies may affect how the Website works. Guidance is available for the major browsers:
- Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari all provide cookie controls within their privacy settings.
### 6.3 Advertising opt-outs
You can opt out of interest-based advertising from many providers through:
- **Google Ads Settings:** myadcenter.google.com
- **Google Analytics opt-out add-on:** tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- **Meta advert preferences:** in your Facebook or Instagram account settings
- **Your Online Choices:** youronlinechoices.eu
- **Network Advertising Initiative:** optout.networkadvertising.org
- **Digital Advertising Alliance:** optout.aboutads.info
## 7. Third-party cookies
Some cookies on our Website are set by third parties, including Google and Meta. We do not control these cookies, and their use is governed by the relevant provider's own privacy and cookie policies. Some of these providers may process your information outside South Africa. Please see our Privacy Policy for more on cross-border transfers and the safeguards we apply.
## 8. Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" setting. There is currently no agreed industry standard for how websites should respond to these signals, so our Website does not respond to them differently. You can still control cookies using the methods described in section 6.
## 9. Consent
Where required by law, we will only place analytics and advertising cookies on your device with your consent, which you give through our cookie banner. Strictly necessary cookies do not require consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time, and this will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before you withdrew it.
## 10. Changes to this policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or in the law. The latest version will always be available on this page, with the effective date shown at the top.
## 11. Contact us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact us:
- **Email:** office@geckotours.co.za
- **Telephone / WhatsApp:** +27 (0)82 325 5620 or +27 (0)82 797 5133
