Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains what information Travel with Hawkins collects when you use our website and booking services, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information as described here.

When you book a trip or create an account, we may collect:

• Your full name, phone number, and email address.
• Student information where applicable, such as student ID, university, faculty, programme, and year of study.
• Account credentials (your email and a securely hashed password, or your Google account details if you sign in with Google).
• Booking history, including routes, travel dates, seat counts, booking status, and referral codes used.
• Payment reference information, such as transaction status and amount. We do not collect or store your card number, mobile money PIN, or bank details — these are handled directly and securely by our payment partner, PayChangu.
• Messages you send us through the contact form, WhatsApp, or email.

We use the information we collect to:

• Process and confirm your bookings, and coordinate with partner bus operators on your behalf.
• Verify payments made through PayChangu and keep an accurate record of your booking status.
• Communicate with you about your bookings, trip updates, delays, or account activity.
• Let you save your details so future bookings are faster to complete.
• Respond to support requests sent via the contact form, WhatsApp, or email.
• Improve the reliability and safety of our services, and detect misuse of the booking or referral system.

Your account and booking data is stored using Supabase, our database and authentication provider, which applies industry-standard security practices including encrypted connections and access controls. Only authorized administrators can access booking records needed to confirm and manage trips. While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

We do not sell your personal information. We share limited information only where necessary to operate the Service:

• With partner bus operators, so far as needed to arrange and confirm your seat on a trip.
• With PayChangu, our payment processor, to initiate and verify payments you make.
• With service providers that help us operate the platform, such as our hosting and email/SMS providers.
• Where required by law, regulation, or a valid legal request from a Malawian authority.

We use your browser's local storage to remember basic booking details (such as your name, student ID, and phone number) so you don't have to retype them on your next visit. This information stays on your device and is used only to pre-fill forms. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or trackers.

We retain your account and booking history for as long as your account remains active, and for a reasonable period afterward to meet accounting, legal, and dispute-resolution needs. You may request that we delete your account and associated personal data at any time, subject to any records we are required to keep by law.

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or outdated information in your profile.
• Request deletion of your account and personal data.
• Ask questions about how your information is used.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 10 below and we will respond as soon as reasonably possible.

Our services are intended for university students and members of the public who are legally able to enter into a booking arrangement. We do not knowingly collect personal information from young children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, reach us through the WhatsApp button on this site, by email at contact@travelwithhawkins.com, or by phone.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or legal obligations. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Malawi.