Mefi, Founder & Safari Designer
Jambo! [Hello in Swahili]. My name is Mefi, and I am going to be your Safari designer.
I grew up in Arusha, Tanzania, the gateway town for Safaris to Northern Tanzania. Going on Safari to Serengeti National Park was the norm in my childhood. That sparked my love of wildlife.
Upon finishing high-school in Tanzania, I moved to Texas to earn my degree from Trinity University. After graduating and working at a freight forwarding company, I realized sharing the beauty of Tanzania is what gave me goosebumps - the good kind. That was 25 years ago when Journey to Africa was created.
Today, I still get goosebumps when I talk about Safaris to many parts of Africa.
I stay connected to Tanzania and other East and Southern African countries through the many Safaris I make myself - personal knowledge and connections is what I rely when planning your Safari. Sometimes I bring my two children and husband who have been on a few Safaris with me. Lucky them! They are my litmus tests for creating the right family Safaris.
As my guests will attest to, my pride and passion for planning and sharing Safaris experiences are palpable. Let me share a Journey to Africa Safari with you.
Georgie, Safari Designer & Marketing
Like Mefi, I grew up in Arusha, Tanzania, the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit. We moved to Kenya when I was about 11 years old, where my the rest of my family lived. My father was a Safari Guide and my mother worked in Safari Aviation so my childhood was all about Safaris. I spent my childhood camping and exploring remote and iconic parts of Kenya and Tanzania. So very lucky to call East Africa home.
My background is in Luxury Travel Sales, and most recently working in Sales for the #1 Resort in Canada, so along with my knowledge and passion for the wild spaces of home, I know what makes a great vacation and the details to look out for when organising a trip. I also know that a Safari for many is a once in a lifetime experience and getting every detail as seamless as possible is really what I aim for. I'm here if you want to chat about where to go in Kenya and Tanzania and plan your Safari - whether you’re a seasoned Safari seeker or a first timer.
Sharing my love for my homeland, its wild spaces, and the people who call it home brings me so much joy. When you travel with us, you're getting decades of combined local knowledge and genuine connections.
Twende Safari! Let’s go on an adventure in Swahili]
Me (Mefi) outside the iconic Tarangire Safari Lodge. Being on safari was a part of my childhood!
A Safari baby from day one! My father was a Safari guide so this being out in the bush, camping and exploring was how I grew up!
Why choose Journey to Africa for your Safari?
We grew up in East Africa!
We know Tanzania & Kenya really well. The places you will stay are often operated by friends and partners we have known for years and formed connections with. They know Journey to Africa guests are special and you will be looked after. You will meet guides who we know and have had countless Safaris with and shared laughs and knowledge. We speak the language, we know the customs and how to feel safe and secure. We might be biased, but East Africa is one of the friendliest places to travel to.
Guests return and talk.
My biggest source of new guests is referrals by past guests. The guests become part of my Safari family and I am so grateful for their constant support. Not only do they share their experiences/Safari stories with friends and family, many of my guests go back on Safari with Journey to Africa. We have planned Safaris to new countries in Africa, new parks in the same country, or return to their favorite areas. Asante sana to my Safari family.
Conservation.
The lodges + tented camps you will stay at on your Safari directly and indirectly support the wildlife conservation efforts in their regions. That is absolute must when I am planning your Safari as we all need to be working in tandem - the future of wildlife depends on these efforts on our part.
Community.
When you go on a Safari with Journey to Africa, you are not only supporting the guides, lodges, and camp staff, you are supporting their families and beyond. Your dollar goes a long way. Want to do more? Ask us. I will take you to schools that could use supplies, see a factory that hires people with disabilities who are now making items for the places you will be staying at, visit an art studios or local craft markets. Let’s chat. The impact is significant and your support means everything.
We are travelers.
We go back on Safari often to keep up with the happenings in Eastern and Southern Africa. Georgie is partly based in Kenya too. We travel and explore new areas and try new camps and lodges with the intention of finding new gems. We also revisit our favourite palces to stay and top Safari partners to understand updates, catch up with the guides and ground operators, and adding exploring new experiences so I can share with you, and more. We LOVE being on Safari and soaking in the wildlife, the landscape, the friendships that come with spending time in the bush. There is no feeeling that can compare to being on safari and you’ll understand once you’ve been yourself…
Pre-Safari and On Safari.
Once you book with us, you will receive a detailed traveling tips document, insurance information, visa help, etc. When you are two weeks away from your Safari, you will get our pre-departure information - who will be your guide[s] on Safari, our Safari partner’s 24-hour support number and email, as well as my mobile for any emergencies - or to say hello when you are on Safari. We love to know how it’s going and seeing all our guests photos and updates.
Your main task on your Journey to Africa Safari is to sit back and take in all that Africa has to offer. We know you’ll fall in love with the feeling of being on Safari.
Happiness is being on Safari.
Life Worth Exploring!
Let’s plan your Journey to Africa.
I have done two trips with Mefi 's Journey to Africa. I have referred her to many many people and they too have taken a Journey to Africa! She makes sure we are safe and secure, is a master at working with you to fit your budget and comfort needs. And hand picks your guide. I can't wait to go do another trip with her company.
- Jann Feldman