Operator Terms & Conditions

OffGrid Expeditions
Operated by DataSimplified (Pty) Ltd

Effective date: 5 November 2026
Last updated: 5 November 2026
Version: 1.0

1. Introduction

Welcome to OffGrid Expeditions ("OffGrid Expeditions", "OffGrid", "OGE", "we", "us" or "our").

These Operator Terms & Conditions ("Operator Terms") govern the participation of independent accommodation providers, safari operators, tour providers, activity providers and other approved businesses ("Operators") in the OffGrid Expeditions marketplace.

OffGrid Expeditions is an online travel discovery, introduction and quotation marketplace connecting travellers with independent African travel businesses.

By registering an operator business, accepting these Terms or using operator-specific marketplace functionality, you agree to these Operator Terms on behalf of the relevant business, provided you are authorised to do so.

These Terms supplement the general website rules, applicable privacy notices and any specific commercial agreement entered into between OGE and an Operator.

2. Marketplace Operator

OffGrid Expeditions is owned and operated by:

Legal entity: DataSimplified (Pty) Ltd
Registration number: 2016/476148/07
Trading name: OffGrid Expeditions
Registered address: 44 Fuchsia Street, Durbanville, 7550, South Africa
Country: South Africa
Website: https://offgridexpeditions.com
Contact email: info@datasimplified.co.za

3. Nature of the Marketplace

OffGrid Expeditions provides a platform through which independent Operators can:

Register and manage their business profiles.
Create accommodation, activity and tour Items.
Combine Items into safari and travel Packages.
Submit offerings for marketplace publication.
Present approved offerings to prospective travellers.
Receive and respond to traveller enquiries and quotation requests, where supported.

OGE operates as an introduction and quotation marketplace, not as a travel booking engine.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise:

OGE does not operate the travel services listed on the marketplace.
OGE does not confirm reservations on behalf of Operators.
OGE does not receive or process traveller payments for travel services.
OGE does not independently manage cancellations or refunds.
OGE does not guarantee enquiries, bookings, revenue or business results.
OGE does not become a party to the agreement between an Operator and a traveller merely by facilitating their introduction.

Operators remain independent businesses responsible for their own travel products and services.

Nothing in these Terms excludes responsibilities imposed on OGE by applicable law.

4. Operator Eligibility and Registration

Operators must be legitimate businesses or authorised representatives of businesses offering accommodation, safaris, tours, activities or related travel experiences.

By registering, an Operator confirms that:

The information supplied is accurate and not intentionally misleading.
The person completing registration is authorised to represent the business.
The business has the legal authority to provide the services it advertises.
Applicable registrations, permits, licences and authorisations are maintained.
The business complies with relevant laws in the countries and regions where it operates.
The Operator will maintain accurate contact and business information.

OGE may require supporting information to assess eligibility.

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

5. Operator Onboarding, Verification and Approval

OGE may conduct business verification and onboarding reviews before allowing an Operator to participate fully in the marketplace.

Verification may involve:

Reviewing business registration information.
Reviewing business representative details.
Requesting supporting documents.
Confirming business contact information.
Reviewing the nature of services offered.
Conducting additional checks considered reasonably necessary.

Verification and approval are separate from approval of individual marketplace listings.

Operator approval does not constitute an unconditional endorsement or guarantee of service quality, safety, financial stability, insurance coverage or regulatory compliance.

Operators remain responsible for maintaining their eligibility and compliance after approval.

OGE may request updated verification information where reasonably necessary.

6. Operator Accounts and Authorised Users

An Operator is responsible for managing access to its business account.

Where multiple authorised representatives are permitted, the Operator must ensure that each person has appropriate authority to act on behalf of the business.

Operators agree to:

Maintain accurate account information.
Protect account credentials.
Manage authorised-user access appropriately.
Notify OGE of suspected unauthorised access.
Remove access for representatives who are no longer authorised.
Avoid sharing credentials in an insecure manner.

Actions performed by authorised representatives may be treated as actions of the Operator, subject to applicable law and the circumstances.

An individual who manages multiple business profiles must be authorised by each relevant business.

7. Items and Packages

The OGE marketplace allows Operators to organise their offerings into reusable Items and Packages.

7.1 Items

Items may include:

Accommodation.
Activities and experiences.
Tours and excursions.
Other supported travel services.

Operators can create and manage Items within their business workspace.

Items may be used independently or included as components of Packages, subject to the features available on the platform.

7.2 Packages

Packages combine one or more offerings into a proposed travel experience, such as a multi-day safari.

Operators remain responsible for defining:

Package descriptions.
Durations and itineraries.
Accommodation arrangements.
Activities and inclusions.
Exclusions and optional services.
Indicative pricing.
Traveller requirements.
Operational arrangements.

7.3 Reusable Items

An Item used in a Package may also be offered independently where the platform supports standalone publication.

Creating an Item does not automatically make it publicly searchable.

Operators must follow the applicable publication process before an Item or Package becomes a standalone public offering.

7.4 Responsibility for Combined Packages

Operators remain responsible for ensuring that a Package is accurately described and that its components can lawfully and practically be supplied.

The inclusion of a component in a Package does not remove the Operator's responsibility to coordinate the services advertised.

Where third-party suppliers are involved, the Operator is responsible for accurately describing those arrangements and complying with applicable law.

8. Listing Accuracy and Content Standards

Operators are responsible for the accuracy, legality and completeness of all content they submit.

This includes:

Business names and operating locations.
Accommodation descriptions and facilities.
Activity and tour descriptions.
Itineraries and durations.
Photographs and promotional material.
Pricing and currencies.
Inclusions and exclusions.
Relevant restrictions and traveller requirements.
Safety and accessibility information.

Operators must not knowingly publish false, misleading or deceptive information.

Photographs must not materially misrepresent the service offered.

Operators must disclose material restrictions, exclusions or conditions that could reasonably influence a traveller's decision.

OGE may request corrections or remove content that does not meet marketplace standards.

9. Pricing and Availability

Operators are responsible for establishing and communicating their own prices.

Where indicative pricing is displayed, Operators must ensure that it is reasonably accurate and clearly identified as indicative.

Operators must disclose applicable charges and material exclusions when providing quotations.

Prices may vary according to:

Travel dates and seasonality.
Group size.
Accommodation selection.
Transport arrangements.
Park fees and government charges.
Exchange rates.
Additional services requested.

OGE does not guarantee the accuracy of Operator pricing or availability.

Operators must confirm final pricing and availability directly with travellers before concluding a reservation agreement.

10. Publication and Moderation

Items and Packages may be subject to review before becoming publicly available.

Depending on the platform's functionality, content may move through stages such as:

Draft.
Pending Review.
Changes Requested or Rejected.
Approved or Published.
Archived.
Suspended.

OGE may request amendments before approving content.

Approval decisions may consider listing completeness, relevance, accuracy, presentation quality, marketplace rules and legitimate safety or legal concerns.

Publication approval does not represent a guarantee that the Operator or offering satisfies every legal or commercial requirement.

OGE may remove, suspend or restrict content where reasonably necessary.

11. Revisions and Shared Components

OGE may allow Operators to reuse Items across multiple Packages.

Changes to a shared Item may affect several Packages.

Where supported, the platform may coordinate the review of updated Items and affected Packages before publishing revised content.

Previously approved content may remain publicly available while replacement content is reviewed.

Operators acknowledge that changes affecting published Packages may require additional moderation.

Rejected revisions do not automatically replace previously approved content.

OGE may establish reasonable technical rules for managing revisions, publication and shared content.

12. Traveller Enquiries and Quotations

Where enquiry and quotation functionality is available, Operators may receive requests from prospective travellers.

Operators agree to handle enquiries professionally and in good faith.

Operators are responsible for:

Reviewing traveller requirements.
Confirming whether the requested service can be provided.
Preparing accurate quotations.
Explaining inclusions and exclusions.
Identifying material booking conditions.
Communicating applicable payment terms.
Providing relevant cancellation and refund conditions.
Responding to reasonable clarification requests.

OGE does not guarantee that every enquiry will lead to a quotation, confirmed reservation or completed transaction.

Operators must not present an enquiry as a confirmed booking.

13. Quotations and Traveller Acceptance

A quotation should clearly explain the services offered, the applicable currency, pricing and relevant conditions.

Operators are responsible for establishing the validity period of quotations and communicating changes to pricing or availability.

Where the platform allows a traveller to accept or express interest in a quotation, that action does not necessarily establish a confirmed reservation.

The Operator remains responsible for confirming the final contractual arrangements directly with the traveller.

Any binding travel-service agreement is between the Operator and the traveller, subject to the applicable law and terms of that agreement.

OGE does not independently guarantee the Operator's performance of that agreement.

14. Payments, Reservations, Cancellations and Refunds

Operators are independently responsible for managing their own reservations and financial transactions with travellers.

This includes:

Deposits and final payments.
Payment methods and instructions.
Booking confirmations.
Reservation amendments.
Cancellations.
Refunds.
Applicable taxes and statutory charges.
Customer financial records.

OGE does not collect or hold traveller funds for travel services through its quotation marketplace.

Operators must provide accurate payment instructions and take reasonable steps to protect travellers against payment fraud.

Operators must comply with applicable laws governing consumer payments, cancellations and refunds.

Operators must not falsely represent that traveller payments are collected, guaranteed or insured by OGE.

15. Operator Licences, Insurance and Legal Compliance

Operators are responsible for identifying and complying with all legal requirements applicable to their businesses and services.

Depending on the nature and location of the offering, these may include:

Business registration.
Tourism and accommodation licences.
Professional guiding permits.
National park and concession permissions.
Transport authorisations.
Environmental and conservation requirements.
Health and safety regulations.
Employment and labour obligations.
Tax registration and reporting.
Relevant insurance requirements.

Operators must maintain suitable insurance and other financial protections where legally required and appropriate to the risks of their activities.

OGE may request evidence of compliance where reasonably necessary.

The absence of a particular document request from OGE does not relieve an Operator of its legal obligations.

16. Traveller Safety and Service Delivery

Operators are responsible for delivering their services with appropriate skill, care and attention to safety.

Where applicable, Operators must:

Use appropriately qualified staff and guides.
Maintain suitable equipment and vehicles.
Provide accurate safety information.
Communicate material risks.
Follow applicable wildlife and conservation rules.
Consider relevant accessibility and traveller requirements.
Maintain appropriate emergency procedures.
Ensure that accommodation and activities meet applicable standards.

Operators must not knowingly expose travellers to unlawful or avoidable risks.

Where activities involve inherent hazards, Operators must provide legally appropriate information and obtain any acknowledgements or consents required by applicable law.

OGE does not independently operate or supervise the services offered by Operators.

17. Founding Operator Programme

OGE may invite or approve qualifying Operators to participate in its Founding Operator Programme.

17.1 Eligibility

Participation is subject to approval by OGE.

Submitting an operator application or registering an account does not automatically establish Founding Operator status.

OGE will communicate acceptance into the programme to an approved Operator.

17.2 Founding Operator Benefit

Approved Founding Operators are offered a 12-month period during which OGE charges 0% platform commission on qualifying marketplace introductions, subject to the programme terms communicated and accepted at enrolment.

The start date and end date of the benefit must be recorded in the Operator's programme confirmation.

The benefit relates to OGE's platform commission and does not remove charges imposed independently by payment providers, travel suppliers, public authorities or other third parties.

17.3 Scope of the Benefit

The benefit applies only to qualifying OGE platform commissions and does not alter an Operator's responsibility for its own operational costs, taxes or traveller transactions.

Any separately chargeable optional services must be clearly disclosed and agreed to before a charge arises.

17.4 Changes and Expiry

The agreed 12-month benefit will not be shortened retrospectively by a general change to programme terms.

OGE may change or discontinue the availability of the programme for future applicants.

At the end of an Operator's applicable benefit period, any proposed paid commission arrangement must be communicated clearly and agreed to before it takes effect.

The expiry of the benefit does not automatically authorise OGE to charge an unspecified commission.

17.5 Participation Requirements

Founding Operators must continue to comply with these Operator Terms, applicable laws and reasonable marketplace standards.

OGE may suspend or terminate programme participation for material breaches, fraud or other lawful grounds, subject to appropriate notice and fair procedures where applicable.

17.6 No Guarantee of Business

Founding Operator participation does not guarantee a particular number of enquiries, travellers, reservations or commercial results.

18. Platform Fees and Future Commissions

OGE may introduce paid marketplace services or platform commissions in the future.

No unspecified commission rate becomes payable merely because an Operator accepts these Terms.

Before introducing a paid commission arrangement applicable to an Operator, OGE will provide the relevant commercial terms, including:

Commission rate or pricing method.
Events or transactions that trigger a charge.
Calculation basis and applicable taxes.
Invoicing and payment arrangements.
Treatment of cancellations, refunds and disputes.
Effective date and any transitional arrangements.

Any paid commercial arrangement must be accepted through an appropriate agreement or affirmative acceptance process before becoming binding, subject to applicable law.

Operators will not be charged retrospectively for periods during which a valid 0% commission arrangement applied.

Unless separately agreed, OGE does not have authority to collect traveller payments on behalf of Operators.

19. Enquiry Records and Commercial Reporting

OGE may maintain records of enquiries, operator responses and relevant platform interactions.

Such records may be used for:

Delivering platform functionality.
Customer support.
Security and fraud prevention.
Resolving marketplace complaints.
Measuring marketplace activity.
Complying with legal obligations.
Administering future commercial agreements where applicable.

Operators must provide accurate information in connection with any reporting obligations they expressly agree to.

OGE will not treat a quotation request alone as proof that a reservation or completed transaction occurred.

Any future commission arrangements based on successful business introductions will require clearly defined commercial rules.

20. Personal Information and Confidentiality

Operators may receive personal information from travellers through OGE.

Operators must process this information lawfully, securely and only for appropriate purposes.

Operators agree to:

Use traveller information for responding to enquiries and providing relevant travel services.
Protect personal information against unauthorised access or disclosure.
Limit access to authorised personnel.
Avoid collecting unnecessary sensitive information.
Comply with applicable privacy and data protection legislation.
Respect legitimate privacy requests and individual rights.
Notify OGE promptly where a suspected security incident affects personal information received through the platform.

Operators must not use traveller enquiry information for unrelated marketing without an appropriate legal basis.

Operators must not sell, distribute or disclose traveller contact information for unrelated commercial purposes.

Where an Operator independently determines how traveller information is used for its own travel services, it may act as a separate responsible party or data controller under applicable legislation.

Any arrangement requiring one party to process information solely on the other's behalf may require additional contractual data protection terms.

21. Intellectual Property and Content Permissions

Operators retain ownership of original photographs, descriptions, logos and other content they own.

By uploading content, an Operator grants DataSimplified (Pty) Ltd a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence, for the period that the content is hosted or reasonably required for related operations, to store, reproduce, format, display and distribute that content for operating and promoting the OGE marketplace.

This includes displaying approved listings and making reasonable technical modifications for image optimisation, presentation, search indexing and marketplace promotion.

The Operator confirms that it owns the uploaded content or has appropriate permission to use and license it.

Operators must not upload material that infringes third-party intellectual property rights.

OGE may remove content where it receives a credible infringement complaint or identifies another lawful reason for removal.

This licence does not transfer ownership of the Operator's intellectual property to DataSimplified.

22. Marketplace Promotion and Operator Branding

OGE may feature approved operator profiles, listings and photographs in marketplace search results, destination pages and promotional material relating to the marketplace.

Operators acknowledge that marketplace exposure and placement may change over time.

OGE does not guarantee any particular search position, number of impressions, enquiries or promotional outcome.

Where promotional services involve separately agreed charges, OGE will disclose those terms before the service becomes payable.

Operators must not imply that OGE has certified, insured or guaranteed their services unless such a claim has been expressly authorised and is accurate.

23. Prohibited Conduct

Operators must not:

Register fraudulent or fictitious businesses.
Misrepresent business credentials, permits or insurance.
Publish false or misleading listings.
Impersonate another business or individual.
Use unauthorised third-party content.
Misuse traveller personal information.
Send unsolicited marketing without a lawful basis.
Discriminate unlawfully against travellers.
Manipulate enquiry, review or marketplace systems.
Interfere with the security or operation of OGE.
Attempt to obtain unauthorised access to other accounts.
Use the platform for illegal or fraudulent activity.

OGE may investigate suspected violations and take proportionate action where appropriate.

24. Complaints, Disputes and Cooperation

Operators agree to cooperate reasonably with OGE when investigating credible complaints relating to marketplace activity.

Such cooperation may include providing information reasonably necessary to investigate:

Misleading listing content.
Suspected fraud.
Misuse of traveller information.
Serious safety concerns.
Breaches of these Terms.
Disputes involving marketplace communications.

OGE may facilitate communication between the relevant parties but does not guarantee resolution of independently contracted travel disputes.

Operators remain responsible for addressing complaints arising from services they provide.

Nothing in this section limits applicable statutory rights or remedies.

25. Suspension, Removal and Termination

OGE may suspend, restrict or remove an Operator account or listing where reasonably necessary.

Grounds may include:

Material breaches of these Terms.
Fraud or deliberate misrepresentation.
Significant unresolved verification concerns.
Credible threats to traveller safety.
Unlawful activity.
Serious misuse of personal information.
Repeated publication of misleading content.
Security threats to the platform.

Where appropriate, OGE will provide reasons and an opportunity to respond or remedy the issue.

Immediate action may be taken where necessary to protect travellers, prevent fraud or meet legal obligations.

Operators may request account closure, subject to outstanding contractual obligations and applicable data retention requirements.

Termination does not automatically invalidate obligations or rights that lawfully survive termination.

26. Platform Availability and Changes

OGE takes reasonable steps to provide a secure and reliable marketplace.

However, uninterrupted access cannot be guaranteed.

We may perform maintenance, deploy updates or temporarily restrict access for operational or security reasons.

Features may evolve as the platform develops.

Where changes materially affect existing contractual rights or obligations, OGE will provide notice or obtain additional agreement where required by law.

27. Liability and Responsibility

Operators are responsible for the services, representations and contractual obligations associated with the travel offerings they provide.

OGE remains responsible for its own acts and omissions to the extent required by applicable law.

To the extent permitted by law, OGE does not assume responsibility for an independent Operator's failure to perform its separate contract with a traveller solely because the parties were introduced through the platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability arising from fraud or other mandatory statutory obligations.

Any limitation of liability must be interpreted consistently with applicable consumer-protection and contract law.

28. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by applicable law, an Operator agrees to indemnify DataSimplified (Pty) Ltd against reasonable third-party claims, losses and costs arising directly from:

The Operator's unlawful conduct.
Fraudulent or materially misleading representations.
Infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
Unlawful use or disclosure of personal information by the Operator.
Material breaches of these Operator Terms.
Negligent or unlawful performance of the Operator's own travel services.

This indemnity does not apply to the extent that a claim arises from OGE's own unlawful conduct, negligence or other responsibility that cannot legally be excluded.

Nothing in this section overrides mandatory legal protections.

29. Privacy and Data Protection

Personal information processed through OGE is subject to applicable privacy legislation and relevant privacy notices.

For more information, please refer to:

Operators must comply with their own privacy obligations when receiving and processing traveller information.

30. Updates to These Terms

OGE may update these Operator Terms to reflect changes in law, marketplace functionality, security requirements or business operations.

The current version will be published with its effective date.

Where a change materially affects an Operator's rights or obligations, OGE will provide appropriate notice and obtain renewed acceptance where required by law or the applicable agreement.

New commercial charges or commissions will not become binding without the necessary agreement.

Previously accepted versions may be retained for contractual and audit purposes.

31. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Operator Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Disputes arising under these Terms are subject to the jurisdiction of the competent South African courts, except where mandatory applicable law provides otherwise.

Nothing in these Terms removes legal protections that cannot be excluded by contractual agreement.

32. Contact Information

For enquiries relating to these Operator Terms, contact:

OffGrid Expeditions
Operated by DataSimplified (Pty) Ltd

Registration number: 2016/476148/07
Managing Director: Michael Hamilton
Registered address: 44 Fuchsia Street, Durbanville, 7550, South Africa
Email: info@datasimplified.co.za
Website: https://offgridexpeditions.com

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