Private, custom journeys designed 1-on-1 and shaped by a decade living and working experience across East & Southern Africa.
A more thoughtful way to experience Africa.
Private, custom journeys designed 1-on-1 and shaped by a decade living and working across East & Southern Africa.
A more thoughtful way to experience Africa.
What Makes Twende Different
Built on Real Experience: After a decade living and working across East & Southern Africa, I know the people and places that make each journey truly unique.
Fully Custom: Every trip is designed 1-on-1 around your interests, pace, and travel style — never built from a generic itinerary.
Seamless Execution: From boutique lodges and expert guides to transfers and daily logistics, every detail is thoughtfully handled so you can simply show up and enjoy.
"John planned our 12-day trip across Tanzania and Zanzibar, and every part of it felt completely tailored to us. From the lodges to the pacing and all the small details, everything fit perfectly and we really never had to worry about a thing."
— Aidan & Christina · 2025
“Easily the best trip we’ve ever taken. From safari to time in South Africa’s wine country, every detail was handled and everything ran smoothly. You can tell John has real relationships on the ground which made all the difference.”
— Daniel · 2024
What Makes Twende Different
Built on Real Experience: After a decade living and working across East & Southern Africa, I know the people and places that make each journey truly unique.
Fully Custom: Every trip is designed 1-on-1 around your interests, pace, and travel style — never built from a generic itinerary.
Seamless Execution: From boutique lodges and expert guides to transfers and daily logistics, every detail is thoughtfully handled so you can simply show up and enjoy.
"John planned our 12-day trip across Tanzania and Zanzibar, and every part of it felt completely tailored to us. From the lodges to the pacing and all the small details, everything fit perfectly and we really never had to worry about a thing."
— Aidan & Christina · 2025
“Easily the best trip we’ve ever taken. From safari to time in South Africa’s wine country, every detail was handled and everything ran smoothly. You can tell John has real relationships on the ground which made all the difference.”
— Daniel · 2024
"John made the whole process effortless. He asked the right questions, understood exactly what we were after, and put together something we never could have planned ourselves. Worth every penny."
— Emma · 2025
A bit about me.
I first traveled to Africa in 2015. What began as a volunteer trip soon became something I couldn’t walk away from.
Over the past decade, I’ve lived, worked, and traveled extensively across East and Southern Africa — building real relationships with guides, lodge owners, and local communities, and gaining access to places most visitors never see.
I created Twende Travel to share that experience in a more personal, thoughtful way. I speak Swahili, know the people on the ground, and design every journey myself — one-on-one with you — around what you want from the experience.
Whether that’s a world-class safari, time along the Zanzibar coast, gorilla trekking in Uganda, or the Cape Winelands in South Africa, each trip is carefully designed, and no two are ever the same.
Africa is truly an extraordinary place. My role is to help you experience it in a way that feels seamless, meaningful, and completely your own.
— John
WHERE YOUR JOURNEY COULD TAKE YOU
Rather than offering pre-set itineraries, Twende Travel designs each trip from scratch. These are some of the places I know best — and where your journey might begin.
Home to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania offers vast landscapes and some of Africa’s most rewarding safari experiences.
Known for the vibrant Swahili culture, historic Stone Town, and warm Indian Ocean beaches, Zanzibar blends history with life along the coast.
From Cape Town’s coastline to the surrounding winelands, South Africa offers a rich mix of food, culture, and dramatic scenery.
Tanzania
Zanzibar
Uganda
South Africa
Renowned for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, Uganda’s rainforests offer rare and deeply immersive wildlife encounters.
Kenya
Known for classic safaris and diverse ecosystems, Kenya holds an important place in East Africa’s wildlife and cultural landscape.
HOW IT WORKS
CONNECT
EXPERIENCE
We begin with a relaxed conversation about your ideas, timing, and what you’re hoping to experience.
We shape a custom journey — with destinations, lodges, and experiences designed around your vision.
Travel confidently, knowing every detail is handled so you can fully enjoy the journey.
DESIGN
What Travelers Are Saying
"John blended deep regional knowledge with a thoughtful, personal approach to planning our honeymoon. It truly was the trip of a lifetime, and one we couldn’t have imagined without his guidance."
- Aidan & Christina
"Thanks so much for putting this trip together! That was the best safari I've ever been on and we loved all the lodges. Also, the local style cooking class in Zanzibar was such a fun and unique experience"
- Emma
"Our family had an incredible trip with Twende Travel. The safari was awesome, but exploring Cape Town and the vineyards, especially the Franschhoek wine tram, was a highlight of the trip"
- Daniel
Let's Start the Conversation
Whether you already have a clear vision or are just starting to explore, this is where it begins. Share a few details, and I’ll personally follow up to start shaping your trip.
What happens next
1. I’ll review your details
2. Schedule a quick call to understand exactly what you're looking for and answer any questions you might have
3. I'll begin shaping your custom trip
We take on a limited number of trips each season to ensure a truly personal experience.
Not sure where to start?
If you're still in the early stages of thinking through a trip — or just want to get a feel for what's possible — I'm happy to jump on a quick call. No forms, no pressure, just a conversation.
Contact
