About Us

 
We are an African safari travel company with over 12 years of experience arranging bespoke safaris for clients all over the world.

We are a small company with a wide reach, with offices in five countries in three continents, including our office in New York City.  As travel consultants, we are here to help you create a memorable trip that meets your specific interests and needs. From the start, we will help you navigate the many options and advise you on making the best choices. We will look after all the details to make your journey effortless and seamless so you can relax and thoroughly enjoy your holiday.

Our Roots

An African safari has always been an elusive dream for many. No one knows this better than former banking executives and A2A Safaris founders Jose Cortes III and Victor Dizon. As avid safari enthusiasts, they experienced the challenges and rewards of organizing their own trips to Africa.

In 2002, the founders created A2A Safaris in Hong Kong. It was a pioneering venture of introducing Africa and safaris to the most discerning clientele in a region composed mainly of expatriates, local business owners, and affluent families.

After a decade of arranging thousands of customized luxury safari trips, A2A Safaris has now become the leading safari specialist in the region with presence in key financial centers - full service offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila and representatives in Beijing, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

In 2013, A2A Safaris and its New York Managing Partner, Edwin Gayla opened its first U.S. office in New York City to serve the firm’s growing clientele in North America.

A2A Safaris specialises in developing the highest quality, tailor-made safaris to Africa, providing the best safari experiences and memories. We are closely partnered with the leading luxury tented camps and safari lodges in the most pristine and untouched wilderness areas across Africa.

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Our Team

Our Team

Senior Travel Consultant
Nicole Fernandez

Nicole’s lifelong passion for globetrotting began early. As the daughter of a diplomat, Nicole was brought up living and traveling between the US, Brazil and Portugal. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Biology she spent a semester in Kenya where she was involved in a sustainable wildlife research program. During this time Nicole became passionate about the continent, its people, wildlife and wide open spaces. Since then Nicole has devoted almost 2 decades to creating life changing journeys for her clients to Africa. She lives and breathes safaris and has a diehard loyal following of clients (now friends) because of her highly personalized, detailed and knowledgeable style.

Travel Consultant
Lieze Engelbrecht
Lieze joined the A2A team with a slate of diverse work experiences and was ultimately drawn to eco-tourism because of her passion for nature and exploring new places. A native of Cape Town, Lieze looks forward to planning unforgettable safari experiences for clients, and hopes that they enjoy the magnificent wildlife and breathtaking views that her home continent has to offer. Lieze has traveled around the United States and currently lives in New York, a city she loves for its vibrant culture and diverse culinary scene. 
 
Managing Partner New York
Edwin Gayla

Edwin was an avid client of A2A Safaris before joining the team in 2013 and he is spearheading its expansion into New York City where he has lived for over 20 years with his wife and daughter. Like Jose and Victor, he has traded Wall Street for wildlife. Previously voted by institutional investors as a top-ranked equity salesperson, Edwin’s new goal is to be a top-ranked safari specialist!

 

Co-founder
Jose Cortes

Jose cut his teeth in the jungles of Wall Street and eventually hung up his gloves as Managing Director of a global investment bank in Asia – while moonlighting as a 'dream maker' for A2A's clients. He is a keen wildlife photographer and he has ventured deep into the forests of Central Africa, South America and South Asia. Jose is currently based in Cape Town with his wife Kitty and their dogs Bella and Lucca.

Co-founder
Victor Dizon

Victor is an ex-investment banker who has lived and worked in the US, Europe and Asia. He has always had a passion for travel and that is what led him to co-found A2A Safaris. He has experienced all kinds of safaris including one as a solo traveler on his early safaris, a honeymoon safari with his wife and lately family safaris with his two children.

Travel Consultant
Kevin Bishop

A2A Senior Consultant Kevin grew up watching David Attenborough's early wildlife documentaries on black and white TV, dreaming of one day travelling to Africa. Since then he has spent time living in Kenya and Cape Town and travelled extensively through some 17 countries in between. He now calls Hong Kong home, but Africa is always a close second.

Travel Consultant
Carmen Fawaz

Africa is the place I was born and where some of my roots are. If you've never been to Africa, am sure it is a place where you will find what you are looking for, whatever it might be.  Let us create this unique journey for you and your family, and you will want to discover more next time! And for the connoisseurs, just enjoy the moment again, together with nature. Carmen is currently based in Paris.

Why Us?

Only Africa

Unlike many luxury travel companies, we specialize solely in African safaris. We differentiate ourselves by having an intimate knowledge of the camps, lodges and hotels we recommend.

Efficient and easy.

We offer you the convenience of doing business with a local company in your time zone, perhaps even in your city. This means we are able to spend as much time with you as you want, in person or by telephone, while planning your trip.

Free advice. Fair Price.

Our expert advice is free whether you travel with us or not. We promise fair and competitive pricing.

Independent and Responsible Curators

Unlike many large operators and agents, we do not own any of the properties in our portfolio. We are not obligated to recommend any of them. We primarily care about providing the best experience for our clients.

We also care deeply about the pristine and untouched wilderness of Africa and we try to do our part to keep it this way. We therefore carefully select and choose to support partners who not only provide a wonderful guest experience but also practice genuine conservation and sustainable tourism.

Our Partners

Wilderness Safaris
Cheli & Peacock Safaris
Nomad Tanzania
Great Plains Conservation
Tswalu Kalahari
Asilia Africa
Singita Game Reserves
Uncharted Africa Safari Co
Norman Carr Safaris
More Hotels
Origins Safaris
Kwando Safaris
Desert & Delta Safaris
The Royal Portfolio
Mala Mala
Cape Grace
Africa Geographic
Wilderness Collection
Savanna Game Reserve
Grootbos
Robin Pope Safaris
Saruni
Fregate Island Private
Africa's Finest
Le Quartier Francais
The Collection by Liz McGrath
Bushman's Kloof
The Safari Collection
North Island
Inspirational Places
&Beyond
Sanctuary Retreats
Apex Predators
Morukuru Family
Dulini
Ellerman House
Campi Ya Kanzi
Cottar's 1920s Camp
Tintswalo Atlantic
Tanda Tula
Tongabezi
Governors' Camp Collection
Chem Chem
Delaire Graff

Ready for your trip?
Let us help you plan everything.

We do not subscribe to the ‘one-size-fits-all’ philosophy. Sample itineraries and cost estimates are meant purely as a guide. To find out more, please contact one of our expert travel consultants to plan a customized itinerary based on your budget and interests.