In the crisp Cape Town autumn, with rhythms of marimba echoing across the DHL Stadium, SAFARI.COM was at the epicentre of Africa’s most powerful luxury travel showcase: We Are Africa.
We Are Africa rounds up a slew of African travel events over April and May, from the International Luxury Travel Market in Cape Town to Indaba in Durban. And we were at the heart of it.
This year, there was even more—We Are Africa Local.
It was a celebration of the continent’s diversity, beauty and opportunity. Here, high-end African travel brands and top-tier buyers gathered, ‘to transform and rebrand African travel for the global luxury market’.
A Continent On The Rise
SAFARI.COM’s Antoinette van Heerden and Maritza Dauchat were there, building new relationships and strengthening old ones, deepening our knowledge and gaining fresh insights.
We spent our We Are Africa week at The Cape Milner Hotel in Tamboerskloof, just off Cape Town’s vibey Kloof Street and a short stroll to the restaurant-filled Bree Street. It’s a welcoming space—spend a few nights here after a Kruger safari.
Friday was the last day, and we were determined to make the most of it. We set off early for the stadium in Green Point, where we were greeted by exuberant singing and dancing, in true African style. There was an excited buzz and hum in the air.
It was a busy day ahead, but plenty of participants had already been on a Sunrise Adventure: choosing from a menu of a sunrise yacht cruise, bike riding on the Sea Point Promenade, a pop-up retreat, a motor bike and sidecar ride or a classic open-top car ride, and a sunrise kayak on the Atlantic Ocean.
A Full Diary of Wall-to-Wall Meetings
Antoinette and Maritza had 15 scheduled meetings over the full day of We Are Africa Local. Every handshake was a step towards better rates, richer experiences, and exclusive access for SAFARI.COM clients.
We connected with incredible suppliers such as Desert & Delta Safaris in Botswana and Great Plains Conservation in Botswana, Zimbabwe and East Africa.
Meetings led directly to exclusive experiences for you: Escape+Explore for bespoke and transformational visits across the continent, and the ultra-luxury Four Seasons and More Family Collections. And of course Londolozi, South Africa’s best leopard-spotting reserve.
Each of these meetings had one aim: growing our expertise and improving our offering for our clients, such as a journey through Botswana with Desert & Delta, which takes in Chobe, Moremi and the Okavango Delta; or a voyage to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to view the mountain gorillas.
New Connections and Fresh Perspectives
We had a fruitful meeting with Nairobi’s Bush and Beyond, and can now build bespoke itineraries with the collection of exclusive owner-run safari camps it represents across Kenya. All curated to match your safari dreams—private helicopter trips, elephant sanctuaries, horseback safaris, mobile tented safaris, and exclusive sleep-outs.
Dreaming of gorilla trekking? We now offer handpicked options in Uganda and Rwanda, designed just for you, with Exclusive Uganda Safaris. It specializes in private guided safaris in the region. Consultant Mel du Toit joined us, and we’re excited to craft a trip for you to witness these magnificent creatures in their jungle homes.
If you’re in the market for a quieter East Africa sojourn, or a tropical paradise vacation, we’ve got you. With Elewana Collection, we have created something special in northern Tanzania; and with Lukimbi Safari Lodge and Massinga Beach, a fly-in bush and beach break in South Africa and Mozambique.
At last, it was time to kick back and enjoy some well-earned fun at Stadium Sundowners. The theme? ‘It’s Time for a City Safari!’ Dress code? Your favourite African animal onesie or full-on safari gear. For us, there was only one choice: our SAFARI.COM hats. Because if you’re going on an urban adventure, do it in style.
Start Planning Your Safari with Confidence
As We Are Africa puts it, ‘Africa is the continent where you truly get to encounter the extraordinary.’ Unique experiences, culture, art, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine—there’s always more magic to be found in Africa; and at SAFARI.COM, we’re here to help you find it.
Let our expert team craft something extraordinary. We’ll guide you with heart, insight, and insider knowledge every step of the way—before, during, and long after your journey.
Ready to explore? Email us at helpmeplan@safari.com, hit the WhatsApp button above, or call us toll-free on 1-888-SAFARIS (US & Canada).
Things That Sparked Our Imaginations
The Shimansky Diamond Experience in Cape Town
The amazing music that is made in Africa
Horseback safaris in Kenya
Power networking and Stadium Sundowners
Written by Lorraine Kearney
