Girls Trip Tours is Building Africa's First Women-Driven Tourism Economy
From the bustle of New York City to the hustle of Lagos, my childhood was an immersive adventure across different cultures. After visiting over 30 countries and living in seven, I developed a profound appreciation for the power of travel to forge connections that transcend borders. Seeking more intentional travel experiences as I set my sights on exploring Africa, I founded Girls Trip Tours, a social venture building ‘Iranti’ – an alternative tourism economy driven by women that's changing the way people travel Africa.
Africa’s 1st women-driven tourism economy
Girls Trip Tours travel group with the Chobe Angels (2023)
Girls Trip Tours curates luxury travel experiences that go beyond postcard-perfect sights. Our curations go deep beneath the surface, uncovering meaningful connections between travelers and the beating heart of Africa – its women. Partnering with locally-owned and women-led businesses, Girls Trip Tours ensures that your tourism dollars empower local communities, specifically women and girls.
Imagine you’re an hour outside Cape Town, walking alongside the proud owners of South Africa’s only fully Black-owned wine farm. During Apartheid, the family matriarch toiled on the land, vowing a better future for the next generation. Now, you take a leisurely stroll through those same old vines witnessing that dream realized. Next, picture yourself on a safari in Botswana, guided by Africa's first all-women team – their dedication to conservation and tales of wildlife adventure as awe-inspiring as the views that surround you. These are just glimpses of the soul-stirring experiences that I research and curate for our community.
Vineyard tour with the resident winemaker at South Africa’s only fully Black-owned winery
But the impact goes far beyond crafting novel itineraries. With every trip booked, Girls Trip Tours sponsors a girl's education for one school year. This commitment to education ignites a boundless positive cycle of change, empowering young women with the confidence, knowledge, and opportunities to aspire beyond their current circumstance.
The transformative power of this well-intentioned act extends beyond the girls impacted to the travelers themselves. Our purposefully-designed itineraries expose participants to new cultures and communities, before setting them on a path to self-discovery. Literally stepping outside their comfort zones, the travelers unearth buried passions as they navigate new unfamiliar destinations, while uncovering inspiring stories of generational triumph and audacious grit.
Girls Trip Tours group presenting a donation to the Tongabezi Girls Choir in Zambia
My own family story serves as a testament to this transformative power. Inspired by my grandmother, a pioneering diplomat and educator, I understand the profound impact women have on their communities. My grandmother is living proof that when you educate a girl, you educate a nation. After graduating from St. Andrews University, Scotland in the 1950s, she went on to educate thousands of students as a teacher and principal. She was also the first Nigerian woman to serve as a deputy permanent delegate at UNESCO in Paris in the 1970s and is among the first Nigerian women to reach the highest level at the ministry of education where she had a key role in redesigning the Nigerian education system to the current 6-3-3-4 format. She did this while raising seven children and traveling to over 40 countries. This legacy fuels my passion for creating a sustainable tourism model that gives girls an opportunity to live a life beyond their wildest dreams.
Growing up, I witnessed the contrasting realities of tourism’s impact firsthand. While it could be a lifeblood for communities in some parts of the world, it could also be exploitative in others. I sought to create a business model that empowers women - the often invisible drivers of the tourism industry - and ensures that the benefits of tourism reach the very communities who contribute to its ephemeral beauty.
“travel can be a powerful tool for social good. Travel shouldn’t just be about ticking places off a bucket list. It should be about making memories that the soul will remember long after the mind forgets.”
The impact of the Iranti ecosystem goes beyond empowerment. Girls Trip Tours actively works to break down cultural barriers and cultivate understanding between Africa and its Diaspora. By connecting travelers directly with local women, we create a space for authentic conversation and cultural exchange. These interactions challenge preconceived ideas and untangle long-established stereotypes, allowing a deeper appreciation for the rich history of African cultures that exist globally.
I firmly believe that travel can be a powerful tool for social good. Travel shouldn't just be about ticking places off a bucket list. It should be about making memories that the soul will remember long after the mind forgets.
When I started my company, I had only visited four African countries including Nigeria, now I’ve visited eleven and counting. But for me, Girls Trip Tours isn't just about curating luxury African travel; it's about legacy and creating a lasting impact. It's about connecting women beyond borders, supporting girls’ education, and creating a sustainable economic future for local communities that rely on tourism across Africa. With every trip, my mission is to reveal the beauty of the continent, not just through breathtaking landscapes, but through the dynamism, ingenuity, and unrelinquishing spirit of its women.
Traveler Review: “There's nothing else like [Girls Trip Tours] out there. When people ask me why I went to Ghana, the best simple explanation I can come up with is 'tourism.' But that doesn't even begin to do the trip justice. You are not simply a passive tourist on this trip. You are an active participant in a global sisterhood. You forever become linked to women of all ages from multiple African countries and the diaspora that are all working to inspire and lift one another up. I am in awe of my experience and it will shape my life for decades to come.”
- Brandi, USA