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Our Story
Afrika First was created from a simple belief : meaningful travel begins with listening. Not based on trends, not only to tick off checklists, but to the land itself and to the people who call it home.
Who We Are
My name is Laura Minde, and in many ways, I was both figuratively and literally born into a safari family. I am Chagga, from Tanzania, and some of my earliest memories are tied to travel, nature and the wild spaces of home.
My father had a deep passion for safari and for sharing Tanzania with others. Long before I understood tourism, itineraries or what it meant to create an experience for a guest, I understood the excitement of a journey into the bush because I had lived it.
One of my fondest memories is of being a little girl, barely with all my teeth, sitting in the back of a safari jeep with my sister. The roof was open, the Serengeti plains stretched around us, dust followed the vehicle as we drove, and we sang with our driver as we searched the horizon for wildlife.
Back then, I wasn’t thinking about the Big Five, bucket lists or how many places we could fit into an itinerary. I just remember how it felt.
The freedom. The laughter. The dust. The endless landscape. The anticipation of spotting something in the distance. The people who made the journey memorable. Those memories stayed with me.
Years later, they became part of the reason I created Afrika First Experience.
In many ways, this company allows me to carry forward something my father gave me: a love for this land and the joy of sharing it with others.
Our Purpose
Afrika First exists to offer a more thoughtful way of experiencing East Africa, one that values depth over volume and presence over pace. Too often, journeys across the continent are designed to cover as much ground as possible, leaving little room to truly absorb the landscape, the culture, and the quiet moments in between. We believe Africa deserves more than a checklist.
Our work is rooted in connection, to Tanzania, to its communities, and to the travellers who seek something meaningful rather than hurried. By designing journeys with intention and care, we create experiences that honour both the place and the people within it. Afrika First exists to ensure that every arrival feels considered, every encounter feels genuine, and every departure carries lasting resonance.
Our Philosophy
We believe meaningful experiences cannot be rushed. Time and space allow travellers to truly absorb landscapes, cultures, and quiet moments.
Testimonials
We had an excellent safari experience with Afrika First in Tanzania's Northern Circuit, well organised and carefully tailored to our wishes. We saw incredible wildlife and had authentic local experiences along the way, and the lodges and camps they recommended added so much to the trip. Everything ran smoothly and we felt very well looked after throughout. I'd highly recommend Afrika First to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania, professional, attentive, and genuinely committed to a memorable safari. Many thanks to Laura for curating such a wonderful trip!
I'm really glad to choose Afrika First as the travel agent that took care of my first trip, not only to Tanzania, but also to the African continent. It goes above and beyond my expectation! Everything was handled perfectly that we can just sit back after landing in Kilimanjaro and follow the itinerary planned. All the places we stay at are so comfortable, with lovely service from the staff. We never went hungry with all the delicious foods, also drinking water is provided in the car. The car itself is in a perfect condition! And the dust from safari was always cleaned before we start another day. They really take into account of our comfort (e.g. when we're not sure to climb too far in Kilimanjaro), and adjust the itinerary if needed. Our safari guide and driver is super knowledgeable and he didn't need us to ask first before sharing about everything (animals, plants, cultures, etc.), super appreciated! We can really feel the 20 years experience that he had in safari. He knows the nitty gritty to look for the animals, through sharp eyes, understanding of the animals, and networking with other guides. He's also very ethical and we feel safe the whole journey with him. Both Silva and Laura (the owner) welcomed us as client, but we leave feeling like friends
From the first point of contact, it was very clear Laura really cares about details and meeting your wishes. She provided excellent service throughout the booking process, during our trip, and after our trip. Our itinerary could not have been more perfect for our first time in Tanzania. She is friendly, energetic, and is truly an expert in what she does. She was very respectful of my budget, which is deeply appreciated. We also had the best guide we could imagine; Silva masters so much knowledge about the animals, the different types of vegetations, the tribes, and Tanzanian history, cultural and social norms. Because of his expertise, we saw all the animals we wanted to see including multiple rhinos, we were able to witness the great migration from the perfect point. He is also a very safe driver with a great personality. We were in the best hands. The accommodations were extremely comfortable and the food was very delicious. We were very well-fed and well-rested throughout our trip. AfrikaFirst made my childhood dream come true, and I am forever grateful. I really recommend AfrikaFirst for new and experienced safari adventurers. I’ll absolutely be booking all future trips with AfrikaFirst.
I had an amazing time in Tanzania. From the moment we arrived until our departure, everything was so well taken care of thanks to both Laura and our excellent driver and guide Silva. We were also incredibly fortunate to see how many different animals during our safari trips, from leopards to lions to elephants and cheetahs. The accomodations were lovely and many allowed for close-up encounters with animals, such as a herd of elephants hanging out near our tent to get a drink at a local pond. The next time we visit Tanzania we'll be sure to book our trip with Afrika First again, and I highly recommend others do the same!
