Guided by its founders, Zeenia and Bobby Kamani, ZIA Travel Atelier brings together award-winning expertise, deep local insight, and a profound respect for the natural world. The name “Atelier,” meaning an artist’s workshop, perfectly captures ZIA’s philosophy, each itinerary is meticulously designed as a personalized masterpiece that blends authenticity, exclusivity, and purpose.
We sat down with Zeenia Kamani, whose background in corporate law and passion for wildlife photography shape the precision and creativity behind ZIA’s seamless, meaningful travel experiences that celebrate Africa’s wild beauty. All while supporting its conservation.
Zenith: What inspired you to start ZIA Travel Atelier, and how did your backgrounds in hospitality and law shape the vision?
Zeena Kamani: ZIA grew out of our shared love for travel and a belief that Africa deserved to be experienced in a way that was both luxurious and purposeful. Bobby’s background in hospitality shaped our focus on service excellence, guest experience, and the fine details that make a journey seamless. My training in law gave us the structure, discipline, and ability to negotiate and protect the interests of both our clients and partners. Together, that blend of creativity and rigour became the DNA of ZIA.
Why did you choose to expand into the UAE/GCC market, and what unique opportunities did you see there?
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. 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.
What are the biggest trends you’re noticing in luxury travel from the Middle East to Africa right now?
There’s a definite shift from “bucket list” safaris to immersive, multi-layered experiences. 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, with families seeking itineraries that work seamlessly for grandparents, parents, and children.
How are Arab and Expat travellers redefining what a “luxury African experience” looks like?
For many, luxury isn’t just about thread count or tent size. It’s 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, Masai led bush walks, food experiences, and community engagement. Together, they’re pushing us to continuously expand what luxury looks like in Africa.
What’s one misconception people still have about African travel – especially from the UAE perspective?
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. The logistics are straightforward, and once people experience how close it really is, they’re hooked.
How do you ensure that each bespoke journey reflects both cultural sensitivity and meaningful impact?
We design every itinerary in collaboration with local partners, guides, rangers, artisans, and chefs, so that our guests engage authentically and respectfully. We make sure communities benefit directly, whether through conservation levies, supporting women-owned initiatives, or curating experiences that highlight traditions in a genuine way. The result is a journey that’s enriching for the traveller and empowering for the community.
Conservation is core to your mission. How do you bring that into your client experiences in a tangible way?
We don’t just talk about conservation; we give guests the chance to live it. That might mean tracking rhinos with a vet, spending time with anti-poaching teams, or seeing how tourism revenue builds local schools. When clients see firsthand the link between their travel and lasting impact, it transforms the journey into something much more meaningful.
What’s your approach to curating unforgettable, deeply personal travel moments for high-net-worth clients?
We start by listening carefully – to their passions, preferences, and even their fears. 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. It’s about making them feel like every moment was designed only for them.
Where do you see the future of Africa as a luxury travel destination in the next 5–10 years?
Africa is stepping confidently into the global luxury space. We’ll see more ultra-luxury properties, but also a strong rise in “impact luxury” where guests choose operators who give back. Better connectivity will open up access to gems like Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique. Africa has always had the magic – and now the infrastructure and audience are catching up to it.
If you could change one thing about the global travel industry, what would it be, and why?
I’d want to see less over-tourism and more intentional dispersal of travellers. Some destinations get oversaturated while others remain untouched. If the industry focused more on balance, local communities would benefit more evenly and ecosystems would be under less strain.
What’s one destination in Africa that still takes your breath away, no matter how many times you visit?
The Maasai Mara. Its vast open landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the sense of timeless wilderness never fail to move me. Each visit feels different, whether it’s the light at sunrise, the call of lions at night, or simply the stillness of the plains. Personally, it’s my happy place.
Quick one: who’s the better trip planner between the two of you?
We’ll call it a tie. Bobby is the master of logistics and operations, while I bring the legal structure and a creative eye for storytelling and guest experience. It’s the combination that makes ZIA what it is and neither of us could do it alone
