The founder and driving force behind ‘Africa Beyond Borders’ is Diederik Vandenhoeke.
‘I have a passion for this colorful continent. I have had the privilege to live in different parts of Africa for more than half of my life and feel absolutely at home here. I respect all sorts of different norms and values which do not necessarily mean I would make them my own. But one thing I am sure of is t
hat we can learn many things from each other.’
Diederik studied in Belgium, but has lived in Central, East & Southern Africa for most of his life. While born in Belgium – his parents left the country for Algeria when he was only four years old. He had the privilege of growing up in a family of 'nomads' and spent most of his life in Central, East & Southern Africa. After having completed Secondary Education at the Belgian School in Bujumbura (Burundi), Diederik moved back to Belgium for Higher Studies. ‘What a culture-shock that was’, he clearly remembers. Not only Belgium’s miserable weather or the different sphere’s of interest of his age-mates made him long to return to Africa, no – he was missing the ordinary smile, the uncomplicated ‘how are you’, the lively singing of the local church around the corner, the chance of riding his bicycle bare-foot to one of the sandy beaches of Lake Tanganyika … or vegetable seller knocking at the gate with fresh produce. ‘I was very lucky to have three tickets a year back to Bujumbura’, he continues, ‘so in fact my stay in Belgium was more like a continuous countdown … I considered myself in a five year transit – long, but not unbearable’. After Higher Studies in Marketing & Intercultural Management, Diederik was finally back on the move – this time to East Africa, a region he had visited on several occasions in the past and always dreamt of returning to. He settled in the Central part of Tanzania and worked as a volunteer for a local NGO with a vision to empower rural farming communities. Spending weeks on a row in small villages far away from what some call the ‘civilized world’ – Diederik grew his command and understanding of the Swahili Language & Culture. ‘East Africans are remarkably rich in happiness despite the struggles’ he says. ‘They are always laughing & smiling, shaking hands and never letting go. Shouting on top of their voices when excited, but only a few outsiders understand’. After his working experience in Tanzania, Diederik was contacted by a Belgium based Tour Operator and offered the challenge of guiding small group-tours in Southern Africa – Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland & South Africa. ‘Such an enriching job in itself’, he remembers. ‘Being a tour-guide on this continent opened the gates for me to be where I felt I belonged. Africa’. The Touring Company was owned by a couple with a strong passion for this continent. They encouraged their guides to go off the beaten path and let clients experience what Real Africa is all about. No, not only by observing the spectacular wildlife in its national parks or the numerous photo stops at scenic locations … but also by taking the time to witness, learn about, understand and appreciate the genuine day-to-day life. ‘The unplanned stop at a little stream where women are busy washing clothes, the leisurely stroll on a local roadside market, the invitation from a local leader to join in on the lively Sunday celebrations in church, leave one with a far more powerful and lasting impression. One does not only see Mother Africa – but one lives it’. Three and a half years of guiding and it was time to move … once again. During a two months motorbike-trip through South Africa & Swaziland, Diederik was contacted to set up a tourism project on the South Coast of Mombasa. Excited about this new adventure, he cut his motorbike-trip short and moved back to East Africa. During his stay in Kenya, he set up and marketed a small lodge and few nature and community based day-excursions. ‘This period in my life was the most logical extension to what I had done before’, he says, ’and with all the experience gained we managed to grow the project (within a period of eight years) into one of the top three tourism products of Diani Beach’. The birth of his first son saw Diederik move to back to South Africa where he joined a reputable South African Tour Operator as a Specialist East Africa Safari Consultant - his first job between four walls. It didn’t take long for the management to notice Diederik’s un-ease to working in a corporate environment and soon was he allowed to work as an independent consultant from the comfort of his own home. After an interesting period of three years in Cape Town, Diederik was missing the ‘African dust on his feet’ and unable to resist the charms of his favorite part of Africa. He moved back with his family to East Africa. ‘Since my partner is Ugandan and we want our two kids to have a good schooling but at the same time remain in touch with Mother Nature, Uganda was the most logical choice’. With his passion for African Travel, he started up his own Safari Company Africa Beyond Borders in 2009 and continues to assist travelers create authentic and meaningful experiences of the Africa he came to know and respect.
“Never complete. Never whole. White skin and an African soul.”
