Deepening roots together
Travelmate’s Nairobi Branch and our shared vision
At Destination Africa, we believe in partnerships built to last. Over the years, few collaborations have aligned more closely with our values and ambitions than our relationship with Travelmate. Today, that bond enters a new chapter, one rooted in shared passion, trust, and a commitment to elevating travel across Africa.
A partnership forged in experience and passion
Travelmate is far more than a ticketing agent, it’s a full-service travel studio, born from a deep love of connection, exploration, and smart logistics. Since 2018, they’ve served as a “personal travel partner,” crafting tailor-made journeys from private holidays to school trips and business travel. travelmate.no
Their team brings over 150 years of combined industry experience and has explored more than 100 countries, with a special affection for Africa and Madagascar. travelmate.no Their founder Øyvind Sæthre, known among insiders as a “flight nerd,” has flown around the world, rigorously testing airline options to refine what a great travel experience should look like. travelmate.no
Together, we share a philosophy: travel is personal. Every traveller has a story, every route has nuance, and every detail matters.
From Cape Town to Nairobi: growth that feels natural
Our collaboration began years ago, with a dedicated Travelmate presence in Cape Town working hand-in-hand with our teams across southern Africa. Over time, we’ve grown in sync. Opening a branch in Nairobi isn’t a sudden pivot, it’s the next natural step in a journey grounded in shared purpose.
We’ve built trust, refined processes, and aligned visions. The Nairobi branch will focus on flight ticketing, serving both Destination Africa’s internal travel needs and local travel partners across East Africa. This opens doors to smoother operations, deeper synergies, and stronger service delivery across the region.
Why this matters
- Expanded local reach. With a base in Kenya, we’re closer to East African partners, logistics, and travellers, making collaboration more efficient.
- Dedicated focus. By isolating ticketing operations to a Nairobi branch, we can sharpen expertise, innovate faster, and respond with agility.
- Strength in unity. Travelmate’s decades of African exploration and our deep regional presence form a powerful foundation for growt, for both companies.
- Shared energy and culture. Working with Travelmate’s team brings fresh energy into daily life. Their passion for Africa is contagious, something we deeply value in our work.
The road ahead
The Nairobi branch is being established now, with teams in Norway and Kenya working hard behind the scenes to set things up for success. As we lay the groundwork, our focus is clear: launch strong, stay flexible, and scale sustainably.
In the coming months, we’ll share more, stories from behind the scenes, updates from the new office, and how this step will benefit you, our clients and partners.
The Destination Africa office in Nairobi will also serve as the base for our partnership with Kenya Airways, both within Africa and for travellers connecting from other continents. This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to delivering seamless journeys that start the moment a traveller books their flight.
Join us on the journey
This is more than an expansion. It’s a statement: when two companies with shared values align, they don’t just grow, they multiply impact.
Stay tuned. More updates are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us together.
Destination Africa
Left Photo: (From left): Travelmate’s Øyvind Sæthre, and Destination Africa’s Duncan Muriuki and David Nguro — in Nairobi..
Right photo: (From left) :Travelmate founder Øyvind Sæthre, Rehema Ibrahim from Kenya Airways, and Duncan Muriuki and David Nguro from Destination Africa.
