A new safari company, Deeper Adventures, recently made its debut in Tanzania with the launch of an expedition-like itinerary through Burigi-Chato National Park.

Deeper Adventures was co-founded by Aminiel Nnko and Wil Smith, with a mission to share the awe and soul of Africa.

Smith told Tourism Update that he started his career in tourism in 1998, developing jungle treks in Borneo. He then began African safaris in Tanzania in 2002, later co-founding Deeper Africa.  As Deeper Africa has evolved more toward the luxury safari market, he wanted to return to his core interest, a more exploratory expedition-style experience, and hence Deeper Adventures was born.

“I first met my Tanzanian business partner Aminiel Nnko in 2002 when he was my safari guide on a three-week safari across Tanzania. We got on well. He encouraged me to reinvent my Borneo business into an African company and we have been collaborating on safaris ever since.”

Although the company currently only operates in Tanzania, Smith says they plan to expand to other East African countries, noting that Kenya, Rwanda, and the Congos are on the radar. He had also previously outfitted safaris in Southern Africa, and notes that Zimbabwe is especially appealing.

“Zimbabwe is great for travellers who want an authentic safari experience, but also want to avoid the crowds and commercialism when attending better known destinations,” says Smith.

“Although Victoria Falls is heavily touristed, Zimbabwe’s wildlife parks are pristine, the wildlife is abundant, and you won’t encounter crowds.” 

According to Smith, the standards for guiding in Zimbabwe are among the most rigorous in the world, leading to first-class guiding. There are also several activity options in the country, including mountain trekking, kayaking, boating, and walking safaris.

Three itineraries are listed on the Deeper Adventure website but, according to Smith, these are just a starting point. The itineraries are completely customisable. To do this they “talk to the traveller, learn their vision, experience, and level of comfort in the wild, and go from there to make it happen”.

There are four styles a traveller can choose from or combine for their itinerary – ‘The Adventure Safari’, ‘The Classic Safari’, ‘The Expedition Safari’, and ‘The Wild & Rewarding’ – each with a different level of exploration, adventure, and relaxation.

The one with which the company launched is a two-week itinerary that links Burigi National Park with the Serengeti, according to Travel Weekly. It begins with gorilla trekking in Rwanda and then moves to an active adventure in Burigi National Park. Travellers then fly across Lake Victoria to witness the migration in the Serengeti.

The average cost for the itineraries is between US$7 000 and US$8 000 per person, exclusive of international air travel, with Smith saying that in future, he “would like to make safaris more reachable to more people, not just the privileged”.

He points out that the company will be able to assist travellers with visas, travel formalities, and directing them to good deals on airfare.