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Jacob Maahs

Senior Travel Designer

Originally from Australia, I’ve always been curious to explore the unfamiliar. Over the years, I’ve travelled to around 100 countries, connecting with people and immersing myself in different cultures.

Africa holds a special place for me. My first trip to the region was a 75-day overland journey from Nairobi to Cape Town, where the scenery and wildlife felt almost otherworldly. The interactions I had along the way left the deepest impression on me, and I learnt so much from those I met.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, traversing Namibia’s red dunes and exploring the waterways of the Okavango Delta remain some of my most memorable travel experiences. Each showed me a completely unique side of Africa: dense forests, vast desert landscapes and water-filled wilderness.

I’m passionate about creating tailored journeys that help others connect with places and moments they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Africa

My most memorable trip

Rwanda

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Rwanda with One&Only. I experienced chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest and gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Journeying through the lush jungle before coming face to face with these remarkable species was a moment I’ll never forget. I was fascinated by the way our private guides communicated with them.

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Best destination for families

Kenya

I particularly recommend staying in Kenya’s private conservancies. Children can spend time with local guides, learning to identify wildlife tracks on foot and observing animals in their natural surroundings. Activities can be tailored to your family’s interests and pace, creating a more personal safari experience.

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See where I’ve travelled

Close-up of a chimpanzee looking upward, featuring dark fur and pale eyes against a background of blurred green foliage.

My favourite trip

Best of Rwanda's National Parks

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe were two of my biggest highlights. Staying at Nyungwe House, I was surrounded by a working tea plantation on the edge of the rainforest, which gave me the chance to learn more about the country’s tea culture. At Wilderness Magashi, I could head out on game drives and explore Lake Rwanyakazinga by boat.

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Aerial view of a remote beach lodge with thatched roofs on a white sand beach surrounded by dense jungle and mountains.

My favourite hotel

Greystoke Mahale

Greystoke Mahale is one of the most secluded camps in Africa. It’s set along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in the remote western corner of Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park. During my stay, I had the opportunity to track the M-Group chimpanzees, a community that has been studied since the late 1960s. Our expert guide had an incredible depth of knowledge, and I came away with a much deeper understanding of these remarkable animals.

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What my clients say

My top tips

Jacada Travel hiking boot in bold golden linework

Try a walking safari for a more immersive way to experience nature and wildlife alongside a trained, experienced guide

Jacada Travel vector art of safari jeep from the side drawn in bold gold lines

Travel during the off-season for a more private safari experience with fewer visitors and a greater sense of seclusion

Jacada Travel vector art of a river, drawn in bold, gold line

Visit the Southern Serengeti between January and March for the calving season of the Great Wildebeest Migration

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Spend a few nights in Franschhoek to enjoy the Winelands’ exceptional restaurants and renowned wine estates.

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Start planning your tailor-made extraordinary journey

Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline