At Elephant Shoes, we design deeply personal journeys for travellers who want more than just a safari. They want connection. To place. To people. To the uniqueness that is Africa.

Behind every itinerary is me, Thea, founder, travel designer, and the person you’ll speak to from the moment you first reach out. 

Born in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, I was raised in a family with a deep love for wildlife, nature, and travel. This has given me a strong appreciation for the continent that is home. My Cypriot heritage has instilled values of culture, community, and genuine hospitality which I share with everyone I meet.

After studying Hospitality and Project management, I worked in the luxury hospitality industry in the UK. Since then I have spent over a decade working with some of Africa’s most respected lodges and boutique travel brands. Added to this is a curiosity and passion for travel which has given me the opportunity to explore parts of the world. This personal and professional experience has deeply enriched me as a person. Elephant Shoes was born from this. 

Africa is a misrepresented and misunderstood continent. Its true wealth is the incredible geographic, natural, and cultural diversity it has to offer visitors.

When you travel with us, there is no call centre and no cookie-cutter/or cut and paste approach. You’ll speak to a real person who has walked the paths, tested the lodges, and built networks and long-standing relationships with lodges, tour operators, local guides, and conservationists. Every safari is carefully crafted and customised to your unique needs as part of our end-to-end service. In the Swahili language, safari means journey. 

Like you, no two journeys are the same.