Terms of Service

Routekeepers (the “Platform”, “we”) connects identity-verified adventure riders and drivers with private South African farms offering paid day access to curated routes — on adventure motorbikes and 4×4 vehicles — and, on some farms, wild camping or built accommodation. By creating an account and using the Platform you (“the Rider”) agree to these Terms.

These aren’t boilerplate. The whole thing works because farmers trust that the people we send will close the gates, stay on the routes, and respect the rules. Please read them — especially the risk and indemnity section (8).

You must be at least 18, hold a valid licence for the vehicle you’re booking (a motorcycle licence for a motorbike; a valid driver’s licence for a 4×4), have a valid SA ID, driver’s licence, or passport, and a working email address.

You complete identity verification before you can book (see 3). You may not use the Platform under a false identity, on someone else’s behalf, or after we’ve closed your account.

You agree to upload a photo of your SA ID, driver’s licence, or passport, plus a selfie holding it, so we can confirm who you are. Each submission is reviewed by our team by hand before you can book.

We keep your verification record for the life of your account plus 7 years (POPIA). You can withdraw consent and ask us to delete it, but that closes your account.

For every vehicle you ride or drive on a Routekeepers permit — motorbike or 4×4 — you keep a current licence disc and number plate photographed and on file. You can’t book with an expired disc, and you re-capture it when it renews.

A permit is the right to access a route on a farm for a defined daytime window (06:00–18:00). On a motorbike, a permit is for one named, verified rider — each rider books their own; there is no “one permit, a few mates through the gate”. On a 4×4, a permit is priced per vehicle and covers one verified driver plus the passengers they bring in that vehicle, up to the farm’s cap. Group caps and the farm’s pricing apply.

You are responsible for everyone you bring with you — passengers, invitees, and anyone acting for you. You must make sure they understand and accept the risks and the farm’s rules, and you indemnify the Platform and the farm against any claim brought by or on behalf of a passenger or invitee. Passengers take part entirely at their own risk.

Groups can be coordinated via the group-booking feature: an organiser invites the others by email, each invitee verifies their own ID, and each pays for their own permit.

Organiser free permit: where a group reaches six riders including the organiser, the organiser's own permit is free. It is comped only once five other riders in the group have paid — the organiser pays last, or rides free. Once the free permit is claimed it stays the organiser's even if a rider later cancels and the group drops below six. The free permit applies to the day permit only; any wild camping, accommodation or provisions the organiser adds are charged as normal.

Where a farm offers it, you can add wild camping or book built accommodation with your permit (people × nights). Accommodation is provided, priced, and run by the farm under its own house rules and cancellation policy. You are responsible for any damage you or your party cause, and the farm may refuse or end a stay for a breach of its rules.

Once you’ve paid, your gate code and route GPX are shown on your permit card and emailed to you. The gate code is valid only for your window; sharing it outside your group is a serious breach (see 7).

When you ride or drive a Routekeepers farm you agree to: stay on the marked route (off-route is trespass); close every gate you pass through; observe the farm’s speed limit; obey all signage and instructions from the landowner or their representatives; ride or drive only within your permit window; never bring vehicles or people who aren’t on a valid permit; report any incident (damage, a lost rider, livestock, mechanical) as soon as you can; and respect the farmer — they’re opening their land to you.

A farm may deny or withdraw access at any time — including on the day — for safety, weather, or at its own discretion, and may direct you to leave. Where access is withdrawn for reasons that aren’t your fault, the refund policy (10) applies; where it’s withdrawn because of your conduct or a breach of these Terms, no refund is due.

We run a graded penalty ladder — coaching note, formal warning, suspension, indefinite ban, permanent ban (and, at the top, a report to authorities) — with a 7-day appeal window.

Bringing riders who aren’t on a valid permit, or sharing your gate code outside your group, are serious breaches that can lead to suspension or a ban. These are contractual terms you accept by booking.

Riding a motorbike or driving a 4×4 on private farmland is inherently dangerous. You may be injured. You may die. Your vehicle may be damaged, and you may damage the farm. You take part voluntarily and at your own risk.

Farms are working agricultural land and the routes are private tracks — not public roads. They are not built or maintained to public-road standards and may contain hazards including, but not limited to: uneven surfaces; potholes and wash-aways; loose gravel, mud, sand, or dust; water crossings and flooding; livestock, wildlife, farm machinery, and other vehicles; falling trees, rocks, or debris; and other natural or man-made hazards. Conditions change with weather and use.

Neither the Platform nor the farm makes any representation or warranty as to the safety, condition, suitability, or accessibility of any route, road, gate, or facility. You are responsible for riding or driving to the conditions and within your own and your vehicle’s ability.

To the fullest extent allowed by South African law, you indemnify and hold harmless the Platform — its directors, employees, and contractors — and the farm owners and their representatives, from any claim, loss, injury, death, or damage arising from your use of the Platform or your presence on a farm, including any claim brought by or on behalf of your passengers or invitees.

This does not apply to: gross negligence or wilful misconduct by the party being indemnified; a failure by the Platform to verify identities where that failure directly caused the loss; or protections that can’t be waived under SA consumer law. This indemnity survives the closing of your account.

You’re responsible for your own vehicle insurance — the Platform doesn’t provide it. Wear appropriate safety gear for your vehicle — a helmet on a motorbike is non-negotiable, and seatbelts in a 4×4 — and make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and suited to the route. We may decline a booking where the vehicle on file is clearly unsuitable for the route’s difficulty.

Prices are in ZAR including platform fees, shown at checkout. Payment is by card or instant EFT via PayFast.

Refunds follow our published refund policy: full refund up to 48 hours before your window, partial 24–48 hours before, none inside 24 hours, and a full refund if the farm or Platform cancels. Starting a chargeback on a completed booking may get your account suspended pending review.

You can close your account anytime; we retain verification, booking, and incident records as required (POPIA / financial / safety). You may not re-register to dodge a closed account.

We may suspend or close your account for a serious penalty, a material breach of these Terms, suspected fraud or impersonation, non-payment of an accepted penalty, or a court/regulatory order.

Our Privacy Policy governs how we handle your personal information; by accepting these Terms you also accept it. We share a permit holder’s necessary details (verified name, manifest) with the farm so they know who is on their land.

By creating an account you agree to receive transactional email (booking confirmation, gate code, account events) — these are required for the service. Anything marketing is opt-in and separately controllable.

The GPX route file delivered with your permit is for your personal use during and after your ride. You may not re-publish, sell, or share it with people who could use it to access the farm without a permit. The Platform’s name, maps, photos, and software remain ours; you get a personal licence to use the Platform for its intended purpose.

Riders from outside South Africa may use the Platform on the same terms; we accept international passports for verification. Pricing stays in ZAR, and these Terms are governed by SA law. For safety, we may decline bookings on routes that need local evacuation knowledge.

We may update these Terms; material changes require your re-acceptance before they apply, and we’ll tell you by email + in-app. If a clause is unenforceable, the rest stand.

Disputes: we try good-faith resolution first (legal@routekeepers.co.za); failing that, the South African courts. Governing law is the Republic of South Africa.

The version of these Terms you accept is recorded with the date and time.