It is without question that the world of luxury travel is increasingly becoming saturated, yet true mastery lies in turning the familiar into the profound. This is the philosophy that powers ZIA Travel Atelier, co-founded by Bobby and Zeenia Kamani. Now operating from the dynamic hub of the UAE after having expanded their business from its base in Kenya, ZIA is on a quest to become the preferred authority for clients across the Middle East—both highly discerning expats and Arab families—seeking deeply authentic, hyper-personalized African journeys.

We sat down with Bobby and Zeenia to unpack their entrepreneurial journey, the strategic insights gained from the Middle East, and the trends that are currently reshaping the continent’s luxury landscape.

A Visionary Duo: A Partnership Forged in Purpose

The story of ZIA Travel Atelier is a testament to the power of a shared vision built on complementary strengths. It is the fusion of a brilliant corporate mind with a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, both fundamentally drawn to the call of Africa.

Originally from Mumbai, Zeenia Kamani built a formidable career in the legal domain, honing her skills in corporate commercial law at incredibly respectable firms and specializing in intellectual property at the Walt Disney Company India Ltd. Her background instills ZIA with meticulous planning skills, attention to detail, and an invaluable ability to assess and manage risk efficiently. But it was a greater, persistent calling that led her to step away from the fast-paced legal world.

As much as Zeenia enjoyed her fast-paced life in the legal world, she would have happily given it all up for her penchant for travel. Her curious personality, thriving on the sights and sounds of new destinations, brought her to, as expressed in her words, “a deep, almost mystical draw to the continent.” Meeting and later marrying Bobby, led to her relocation to Kenya, where she became an integral catalyst to the formation of ZIA Travel Atelier. Her love for wildlife photography also morphed to more than just a hobby, but a form of activism, using her lens to raise awareness for conservation—a passion she shares with Bobby.

Bobby Kamani embodies the outgoing, charismatic connector of the two. As Managing Director of Zuri Group Global, he brings extensive leadership in hospitality and tourism, having been pivotal in boosting the Kenyan tourism industry and honoured as a national hero for his contributions to enterprise. His ability to connect people is legendary—a trait honed through his leadership with the prestigious Young President’s Organisation (YPO), where he championed unique, exclusive events that “left attendees gobsmacked at the uniqueness and exclusivity.” His passion for Polo also sees him traveling extensively, effortlessly bridging cultures through shared passions.

It is this potent synergy that drives the business: Zeenia’s meticulous planning and legal acumen paired with Bobby’s mastery of logistics, extensive network, and innate gift for communication.

The move to Dubai was strategically brilliant, recognizing the region’s unique position in global travel.

“The UAE is an extraordinary hub—geographically, culturally, and economically. It connects East and West, and its residents are incredibly well-travelled, curious, and eager for fresh, authentic experiences,” Zeenia notes.

“We saw an opportunity to bridge this market with Africa’s hidden gems. There’s also a strong appetite here for exclusivity and privacy, which aligns perfectly with how we design bespoke African journeys.”

Onto Redefining Luxury: Purpose, Privacy, and Proximity

Zeenia highlights that the traditional “bucket list” safari is evolving into something far more sophisticated—a shift driven largely by the Middle Eastern audience.

“We are seeing a shift to immersive experiences, with a big current trend being the demand for immersive, multi-layered experiences over simple game drives. Clients are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, seeking seamless, high-touch adventure,” cites Zeenia.

“Travellers are asking for more than game drives. They want helicopter hops across landscapes, private dinners in the bush, conservation encounters with experts, and family-friendly safaris where children learn from rangers firsthand. Multi-generational travel is also huge,” Bobby adds, noting the need for itineraries that cater flawlessly to all ages.

Beyond the Thread Count

For the modern luxury traveller, the definition of opulence has fundamentally changed. Luxury is now less about thread count and more about privacy, personalization, and purpose.

“Arab families often value exclusivity and togetherness, so villa-style camps and private buyouts are very popular. Expats lean more toward cultural immersion, for example Masai led bush walks, food experiences, and community engagement,” Zeenia observes.

“We find that more and more of our clients also want to live out their take on impactful moments that connect them to the wild. This might mean tracking rhinos with a vet, spending time with anti-poaching teams or seeking a more in in-depth understanding of how their travel dollars are uplifting communities through building schools and clinics for example. As we curate itineraries for them, we are also learning how to continuously expand the message about what luxury travel looks like in Africa,” she adds.

Countering the Misconception

Beyond curating high-end experiences to Africa’s sought-after travel destinations, ZIA Travel Atelier’s goal is to also debunk the biggest hurdle in marketing to the UAE audience: the idea that Africa is “too far” or “too complicated.”

“In reality, Nairobi, the Masai Mara, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar are approximately five hours from Dubai—often faster than reaching parts of Europe and Asia. The logistics are straightforward, and once people experience how close it really is, they’re hooked,” asserts Bobby.

The Art of the Bespoke Journey

For ZIA, the curation process is an art form focused on delivering moments that feel designed only for that specific client.

“We start by listening carefully—to their passions, preferences, and even their fears,” Zeenia shares. “Then we weave in surprises that feel intimate and thoughtful. It could be a private bush dinner under the stars with their favourite vintage wine flown in, arranging a silent disco in the middle of the Mara, or setting up a photography masterclass with a renowned wildlife expert.”

Crucially, every journey is designed to be enriching for the traveller and empowering for the community. ZIA ensures cultural sensitivity by designing itineraries in collaboration with local partners, rangers, and artisans, making sure communities benefit directly.

The Future of Travel to the Continent

Looking ahead and in light of expanding their operations into the UAE, Bobby and Zeenia see the emergence of Africa onto the destination picks for Middle East-based travellers, driven by two forces: higher-end infrastructure development continent-wide, and a focus on responsibility.

“We’re seeing more investment in ultra-luxury properties, but also a strong rise in ‘impact luxury’ where guests choose operators who give back. Also, better connectivity through increasing flight routes originating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, continues to open up access to gems like Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique to the region.”

For the Co-founders of ZIA Travel Atelier, the magic of the continent remains immutable. Even after curating countless adventures, one place still retains its hold for them: The Maasai Mara.

“Its vast open landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the sense of timeless wilderness never fail to move us. Each visit feels different, whether it’s the light at sunrise, the call of lions at night, or simply the stillness of the plains. It’s certainly our happy place.”

The mission of ZIA Travel Atelier is clear: to leverage global expertise to unlock the genuine, purposeful magic of Africa—one perfect, personal journey at a time.

To book your luxury adventure to Africa, visit https://www.ziatravelatelier.com/