 |
 |
Who we are - TransAfrica team, more than 20 years of african experience
TransAfrica provides a mixed team of European and African travel specialists,
whose prime directive and motivation is to provide their clients with
unforgettable travel experiences, all the while maintaining that fine
balance between professionalism and warm hospitality.
The founder of TransAfrica is Alberto Nicheli.
He is Italian and has been living in Togo since 1985. However, he organized
his first trans-Saharan expedition in 1972. Alberto’s sense of adventure
makes him the ideal manager of TransAfrica’s ‘Great Expeditions’.
He truly represents the “nomadic” spirit of the agency and
every year he devises new itineraries based upon his own exploratory travels
in the region. He has a profound knowledge and understanding of African
art and of the many traditions and customs of the people who inhabit these
remote territories.
Alberto has been responsible of the organization of the field research for the photo-ethnographic book African Ceremonies by Angela Fisher and Carol Backwith, as well as related material for National Geographic; he also managed the travel logistics and arrangements for a Discovery Channel film crew making a movie-documentary on the salt caravans of the Sahara and for archeological and ethnological expeditions to investigate customs and traditions of the Tuareg people and the pre-historic rock art in the Sahara. He has also organized several ‘first-time’ explorations between Taoudenni-Oualata and Taoudenni-Chinguetti in Mali and Mauritania.
His partner, Roberto Cerea, is also Italian.
He is the director of TransAfrica and responsible for the ‘Special
Journeys’. When he first arrived in Africa, Roberto was a Catholic
missionary - today he is married to a Togolese and is a proud father of
two! Roberto is an expert in ethnology and has published a range of works
on African traditions. In addition, Roberto has been responsible for planning
the logistics of a number of research expeditions in the Sahara region
for National Geographic, Public National Radio and RAI.
Alberto and Roberto are assisted by a talented team of
well-experienced and friendly staff members, each of whom brings something
special to TransAfrica’s operations: they have a wealth of knowledge
and experience that is unmatched in West Africa.
In the office of Lome (Togo):
Susan Carlslund, Danish, in Africa since 1984; she has
been living in Nigeria and Ghana. Today in TransAfrica she plans trips
and leads some great Saharan expeditions as assistant. She speaks English,
French and Italian.
Nadége Amey, Togolese, is the secretary and accountant
and do his job with Susan; she speaks French and English since she have
been studing in Ghana.
Fatima Bayor , Togolese, is the secretary and in charge
of the booking office. She speaks French and English and is in contact
with hotels, airports, village chiefs so that the groupes of TransAfrica
can be received everywhere in the better way.
Noah Katcha, Togolese, has been guiding groups in Togo,
Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali and working for the realization of documentaries
for National Public Radio. Now he is a member of the team in the office
that organizes all the travels of TransAfrica. He speaks French and English.
Adelaide Hoegnifio, Togolese, is very skilled
in African art; she will be present at your art shopping putting you in
touch with the best galleries of Lome.
.
In the office of Bamako (Mali):
Gabriele Almasio, Italian, is the director of the branch
in Bamako (Azimut). He has been travelling among different regions of
Africa. He took part with TransAfrica to the Genova-Lomé cross
in 2003 and to some researches for National Geographic. He guided RAI
2 during researches on the traditional religions of these areas.
Jessica Monique Renée Petit, from France, works
as an accountant.
As part of the staff there are also Bagayogo Mamdou Bassanfa,
charged of the administration, and Yanougue Daouda,
working as accountant and in charge of the booking.
In the office of Aburi (Accra, Ghana):
Steve Ofori, always smiling as people do in Ghana, is
the link with the local reality of this beautiful country of West Africa.
Our guides in the field:
Ghana, Togo, Benin:
Gabriel Ameko, Togolese, is the oldest among our guides.
He belongs to a family of traditional chiefs. He has been working with
Alberto Nicheli since 1985 and has been guiding trips in every country
of the region, also with RAI and Canale 5 crews. He studied in Italy and
he can fluently speak French and Italian.
Paul Agboglo, Togolese, he guides trip in Togo, Benin,
Ghana, Burkina Faso and Mali. He studied in Germany and can speak French,
English and German.
Ohouko Kodjovi Modeste, Togolese, has been travelling
in West and Central Africa, and with his background of philosophy and
theology is the perfect guide to help travellers to understand africain
cultures. He speaks French, English, Italian, Ewe and Llingala.
Burkina Faso et Mali
Ahamadou Maiga, Malian, anthopologist, speaks French
and English. Specialized in Mali and Burkina Faso, he has been participating
to many expeditions and missions of anthropology and to international
conferences and workshops.
Bubakkar Sissoko, Malian, speaks French and Italian.
He has been working for years with Azimut as a guide, always improving
his knowledge of languages and cultures.
Amed Haidara Kabirou, Malien of Timbuctu, speaks French
and Italian and with his charme can always be able to transform the trip
in a wonderful experience.
Bujama Ould Andak, Malian, is in charge for the trips
to Timbuctu and Saharan areas of Mali and Mauritania. He belongs to a
nomad morish family of the region of Araouane. As an ex caravan man, he
supports all the expeditions and meharées in the North of Mali.
Niger
Alkabous Jalawi, Tuareg of Niger, he fought during the
Tuareg rebellion. He has a great knowledge of the Tenere and the Air regions
and is in charge for the trips in the North of Niger.
Our drivers-guides, very skilled in western African
trails and populations:
Evou Komi, the oldest among the drivers, he is well appreciated
for his kindness and professionalism.
Rafiou Okotan, of great experience, he followed Alberto
in the most important Saharan expeditions.
Abdoulay Mizamilou, known for his patience and professionalism,
he can drive a 4x4 vehicle as well as a track
Yaya Dare, young and dynamic, he is tireless when driving
Massaudou Birame, well experienced, he drives 4x4 and
tracks on every hard surface.
Jean Awumey Kofi Walako, very kind, is the perfect
partner during a trip.
N'Fa Bakayogo, Mohamed Oumar Ada Cissé, Adramane Goita,
Randane Ould Bilal Hama, Modibo Konate are all very skilled in
dealing with trails and desert, from the Dogon region to the dunes of
Timbuctu. Their ability has been proved a lot of times, and they never
lost.
Our mechanics. Our base in Lome has a garage
which grants the maintaining of all our vehicles, mostly 4x4 with air
conditioning and equipped with shower facilities for our bush camps. The
garage can afford us to have good cars, well prepared to overpass all
the expeditions and all the African trails with comfort and safety.
Tassignon Djo Kwasi: chef of the garage, has been working
in a big company of Lome and is now responsible of TransAfrica cars.
Amen Agbeviade, the oldest among our mechanics, took
part in different expeditions and knows all the troubles the African roads
can bring.
Our cooks:
John Mawugbe, the oldest among our cooks, has been working
since 1985 and owns a restaurant.
Mensah Konou likes preparing dishes with a creative look.
Daniel Attah is comfortable both among desert sands and
tropical forest and can prepare different African traditional dishes.
Toto N’guissan completed his studies at the professional
school and is skilled in conservation of food.
Edjo Nokou is specialized in a creative and high standard
cooking.
Kadjo Degue can serve tasty dishes, both traditional
and international.
Jean Abotsivi can very well understand which are the
tastes of his clients and is often able to satisfy them.
Baba comes from the Malian desert North of Timbuctu.
He is a big expert of Saharian cooking and his masterpiece is couscous
with dates.
Abu Bakar is from Agadez and can prepare tasty Tuareg
dishes as well as international ones.
 |
 |