Go2Africa

In our 20+ years as Africa safari experts, we have partnered and networked with many travel journalists who approach us for our in-depth knowledge and understanding of safaris and planning itineraries for Southern and East Africa. Amid countless queries about our incredible continent, travel editor Ashlea Halpern posed questions that truly captivated us.   As an experienced traveler, Ashlea found herself contemplating the feasibility of safari travel with young children, particularly considering her two-year-old son. She sought to understand whether such adventures were not only possible but also recommended for families with toddlers.   Recognizing the complexity of these questions, we arranged an interview between Ashlea and our Managing Director, Maija de Rijk-Uys - herself a mom of two. This conversation proved instrumental in reshaping Halpern's perspective on family safaris.   Maija is a go-to for her expertise in family safaris. Earlier this year, Travel + Leisure recognized Maija as an A-List Advisor for Family Travel in East and Southern Africa safaris.   Maija shared her own family adventures, telling Halpern how she took her first baby on a Namibian safari at just seven months old. She even topped that by bringing her second child on a safari when she was only ten weeks old! These stories showed Ashlea that safaris with little ones aren't just possible – they can be amazing experiences.   Inspired by Maija’s own adventures, Ashlea felt up for the challenge of traveling from the U.S. to East Africa with her two-year-old son and would write about it for Condé Nast Traveler, in her article titled “A Tanzanian Safari With My Toddler in Tow.”   Ashlea wrote, “Go2Africa, a seasoned trip-planning company that specializes in East and Southern Africa safaris, connected me with its Cape Town-based managing director Maija de Rijk-Uys and Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist Ashley Gerrand to talk through my options. Both are working moms who live in Africa and travel extensively with their kids, some as young as Julian. After gauging my risk tolerance (Was I comfortable traveling to a malaria zone? How about staying in an unfenced camp?), Go2Africa cobbled together a toddler-centric itinerary for Tanzania, a country I selected over more established safari networks in Kenya and South Africa because I wanted to go somewhere I’d never been before. Many camps don’t allow kids under five—or any kids, period—so it was invaluable hearing the moms’ takes on which properties are truly welcoming of families and which ones merely tolerate them. It was also their idea to unwind with a few beach days in Zanzibar post-safari.”   Read Ashlea’s full story here: https://lnkd.in/etUcn-fg.   Also, a big thanks to our preferred partners, TAASA Lodge, Gibbs Farm Ngorongoro Safari Lodge, and The Zanzibar Collection, for hosting.   #africansafaris #Go2Africa #condenasttraveler #familysafaris #safarioperator #kidsonsafari #tanzaniasafari #zanzibar

At Go2Africa, we love to spotlight our incredible team members and their unique backgrounds, which add incredible value to the personalized experiences they plan for our clients. This week, we want to spotlight our Africa Safari Expert, Lucy Beveridge. Born in London and raised in Spain, the safari bug didn’t stop Lucy from spending the last 16 years traveling to countless countries throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. Since 2012, Lucy has designed travel itineraries and safaris - she joined the Go2Africa team in 2022. A Condé Nast Traveler Specialist with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania, Lucy continues to apply her love for safari and photography to her trips. Lucy combines her passion for wildlife and nature photography, venturing on three trips a year to further her knowledge in this niche and growing market, allowing her to plan the perfect photographic safari for her clients. Lucy Beveridge shares, “My expertise lies in crafting exceptional safari experiences, and while I am not a professional photographer by trade, I bring a wealth of experience in curating bespoke photographic itineraries. Since 2008, I have explored Southern and Eastern Africa on personal photography expeditions and have collaborated closely with renowned photographer Anette Mossbacher on her photographic tours. My first-hand experience allows me to truly understand what makes for an unforgettable photography journey.” To learn more about Lucy or inquire about her photo tours, visit her profile here: https://lnkd.in/e94ResRS #africansafaris #go2Africa #wildlifephotography #safarioperator #photographytours #africasafariexpert

Africa is more than just a travel destination. It’s a continent where beauty and rawness intertwine. As leading safari experts, we aim to connect travelers to the soul of Africa; we aim to help travelers not just witness but truly connect, feel, and tell Africa’s stories. This year, we have partnered with World Nomads & the Travel Shooters (Dan Avila & Zora Avila) to offer a transformative experience in the wild. In collaboration with the World Nomads Scholarship, three budding photographers and filmmakers will experience an extraordinary African photo safari through Southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes as they are mentored on their first commercial assignment to be published in Vacations & Travel magazine.  Leveraging her vast experience in wildlife photography tours, our Africa Safari Expert and Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, Lucy Beveridge, has designed an exhilarating 12-day tour,  from the vibrant wildlife scenes of Chobe Bakwena to the dramatic Victoria Fall at Pioneers Camp and lastly to the magnificent MORE Family Collection's Lion Sands Narina Lodge in Kruger National Park, where game drives will provide endless opportunities to capture Africa’s majestic wildlife at its finest. This journey will shape their vision, transform their craft, and ignite a deeper connection to the wild beauty and rich, diverse culture that defines Africa. This is more than a scholarship; it’s an invitation to discover the soul of Africa and capture it through one’s unique lens. Entries are accepted until October 22, 2024, for a chance to embark on this incredible journey, immerse yourself in the soul of Africa, and to showcase your talent to the world. Winners will be announced on November 19, 2024. To read all about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and how to enter, visit https://lnkd.in/e5xU6VdV   #africansafaris #go2Africa #worldnomads #safarioperator #scholarships

We are excited to share that Go2Africa has been honored in the prestigious Marie Claire UK's Sustainability 2024 Awards for Holiday with Kids-Abroad! This recognition underscores their dedication to creating tailor-made journeys that showcase Africa's diverse wildlife and rich cultural experiences. "A member of the B Corp-certified Nawiri Group, Go2Africa is run by people who are African born and raised, with the aim of immersing guests in the magic of Africa while keeping 100% of its profits in the continent," shares Anna Bartter for Marie Claire. “As an African company, Go2Africa doesn’t just make sure you experience the trip of a lifetime,” notes Marie Claire UK contributing fashion editor Penny Goldstone, “it makes sure all profits stay in Africa too, to go towards helping support local communities and conservation projects among other things.” This award solidifies Go2Africa's position as a leader in responsible travel, offering travelers the chance to explore Africa's iconic and hidden gems while promoting respect for nature and culture. Bartter goes on to explain why they're a winner: "Its trips are designed to help support local communities and conservation projects, with each safari carefully vetted, so you can be sure that once your trip is over, you’ll have contributed to preserving the ecosystems beyond your stay." Learn more about this award and Go2Africa's commitment here: https://lnkd.in/empsyHQ7 Congrats to Maija de Rijk-Uys, Marc Horne, Lezl Swart, Liesel Muller van Zyl, and the whole G2A team! #reyacommunications #reyapr #travelpr #luxurypr #luxurytravelpr #eastafrica #Safari #go2africa #conservation #expedition #marineconservation #sustainability #ecotourism #wildlife

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 – Go2Africa🍀 Go2Africa has won the International Sustainability Award (ISA) for their "Trips with a Purpose" initiative! Celebrating 25 years, Go2Africa turns travel into a force for good with Positive Impact Safaris that supports conservation and communities. Discover how their sustainable adventures are making a real difference and setting new standards for responsible travel.🍀 To learn more about Go2Africa, please visit the Winner’s Profile at https://lnkd.in/dkagvZX7

Manta Resorts has just launched their striking new Oceanview Villas. This exciting new offering is a perfect excuse to visit this remote island and support their latest conservation efforts. The resort has been collaborating with the Kwanini Foundation and local Pemban's to launch conservation initiatives on the island such as 'Snorkelling for Conservation', and helped to turn 1km of coastline into a 'no-taking' zone now known as the Kwanini Marine Conservation Area. https://bit.ly/4egCk4e

This week's partner spotlight goes to the eco-conscious, luxurious, Ila Safari Lodge. Found in the wild heart of Zambia's Kafue National Park, the lodge is ideal for returning safari-goers. It's riverside locale make it a wildlife hotspot and the lack of other camps and lodges mean guests will rarely encounter other game vehicles during their excursions. Guided walking safaris, game drives, and water-based cruises await visitors. Ila also features Zambia's first electric game vehicle. Images courtesy of Go2African, Justin Chapman. Green Safaris

Last weekend, two of our Go2African's took part in the Absa Rhino Run in Manyoni Private Game Reserve in KZN 🇿🇦 250 runners and 2 days of running - 21km and 15km - through Big 5 territory to support the Zululand Conservation Trust. An NPO aimed at protecting, preserving, and nurturing the land for generations to come. Congratulations to Kimberly Sher and Monique Lange on completing this incredible event!

We're in the final countdown to vote for Go2Africa as the World's Leading Sustainable Partnership 2024 at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards. We hope to add this prestigious award to our acclaim and to continue making a positive impact. And your support is needed to help us win. Voting can be done through the following link: https://bit.ly/3YvWqCD

Celebrating World Ranger Day 🐾 Did you know there’s a difference between a ranger and a guide? Rangers are more commonly defined as ‘keepers’ of parks or areas, where guides, as we know them, are typically more hands-on and involved in guest experiences. On any given safari, your guide is everything; they’re your source of information, your compass, and often highly competent trackers. 🐾 They’re highly skilled professionals who have honed their knowledge and skills, but are also often locals who have a lot of incredible insights available. Get to know your guides, they have some sensational stories to share! 👏 📸: Pictured here are Go2African’s Justin Chapman & Louis Nel in South Luangwa