Who we are - TransAfrica team, nearly 30 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.

Roberto Cerea, is also Italian. He is responsible for the ‘Special Journeys’. Married to a Togolese and proud father of two sons, 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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01MVFbzq_V4

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWIUU22Oqlo

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bL9CJxiZys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G-jdc-ZVnA


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In the office of Bamako (Mali):

Ismail Chalal, from Algeria , speaking French, English and Italian, has been working for years with TransAfrica, with big knowledge of field and populations.

Yanougue Daouda, working as accountant and in charge of the booking.

Demba Traoré, assistant of Daouda. He is taking care especially of air flight tickets for our groups visiting Timbuktu .

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amyL5om8SQM

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.

Georges Kossi Dabadji, French, Spanish and English speaking. Expert, patient and discreet.

Yawogan Agbenohevi, young but already experienced. French, German and English speaking. Travellers from Germany could already appreciate his enthusiasm

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.

Barthelemy Ouedraogo has been working in tourism since long time. He speaks French, English, Italian, German and some Spanish!!! He is our expert about Guinea and Guinea Bissau

Djigui Cissé, our German speaking tour leader. Very respectful and professional

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.



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.

Amen Agbeviade, the oldest among our mechanics, took part in different expeditions and knows all the troubles the African roads can bring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN_CJydFIl8

Our cooks

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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWZLtOFZRXs

Toto N’guissan completed his studies at the professional school and is skilled in conservation of food. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmVYpx_rMfI

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.