Diederik van den Hoeke

Diederik van den Hoeke joined Go2Africa in October 2006 and quickly became one of its best and most sought-after specialist vacation consultants.

Diederik was born in Belgium, but left at age four and spent most of his life in central and eastern Africa - Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya. He worked for a local NGO in Tanzania and ran his own tourism business in Mombasa before guiding tours in southern Africa and then joining Go2Africa - his first job between four walls.

A genuine philanthropist with a keen interest in ecology and conservation, Diederik believes passionately in the value of intercultural exchange and seeks to create authentic and meaningful experiences of the Africa he came to know and respect.

His extensive experience in East Africa and his enthusiasm for the many facets of Africa allow him to create exactly the holidays that his clients desire.

Qualifications

Marketing Diploma; International & Intercultural Management Diploma.

Travel experience

South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Mozambique.

Dream destinations

Quite unconventional: Ethiopia & Democratic Republic of Congo.

What I love

It has always been a challenge for me to try and make visitors experience Africa in its most authentic form. Sharing the warmth of this continent with motivated travellers by advising them on their exploration trips through southern or eastern Africa.

What I love about Africa

I have a passion for this colourful continent. Its people, its different cultures and its wildlife. I have had the privilege to live in different parts of Africa for over 15 years and feel absolutely at home here. I respect all sorts of different norms and values which does not necessarily mean I would make them my own. But one thing I am sure of is that we can learn many things from each other.

What I love about Go2Africa

Go2Africa provides me with a platform for doing what I love to do ... advising people on why they should come and visit this awesome continent of ours.

Career highlights

Running and marketing a lodge on the South Coast of Mombasa.