Stefano Marra is the founder of Heart of Africa Expedition (HOAEXP), a Dubai‑based tour operator and B2B-B2C platform specialising in high‑value, low‑volume safaris across 17 destinations in East and Southern Africa. For the past eight years he has lived in Africa as a digital nomad, continuously exploring and studying the continent to help reset how Africa is perceived in global tourism.

His approach is intentionally pragmatic: not selling impossible dreams, but aligning the full potential of African destinations with what the market can realistically sustain, through sound logistics, clear positioning and long‑term partnerships. HOAEXP itself has majority African shareholders, reflecting a commitment to shared ownership and to building a B2B platform that is rooted in the continent rather than just extracting value from it.

Stefano’s writing often explores uncomfortable truths within the safari industry – from overtourism and broken logistics to the impact of new generations of travellers on legacy products – advocating for fewer ego‑journeys and more regenerative, honest experiences.