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Elena Hartwell

Elena Hartwell

Luxury Safari & Africa Specialist

18
Years Experience
Horizon Travel Group
Agency
3
Regions
2
Languages

I've spent the better part of two decades chasing the golden hour across the African continent — from the Serengeti's endless plains to the Okavango's mirror-still channels. What started as a gap year adventure became a calling. I believe great travel isn't about checking boxes; it's about coming home changed.

My specialty is crafting safaris that feel utterly personal — where the game drives are timed to light, the camps are chosen for silence, and every detail reflects who my clients actually are. I work with a small roster of clients each year and treat every itinerary like a love letter to a destination.

When I'm not planning trips, I'm on them. Last season I spent three weeks in Namibia scouting new desert camps. Before that, Rwanda for gorilla trekking research. My knowledge is earned on the ground, not behind a desk.

Specializations

SafariWildlifeLuxury Tented CampsGorilla TrekkingHoneymoon Travel
East AfricaSouthern AfricaWest Africa

Languages

EnglishSwahili (conversational)

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@elenagoeswild

Stories by Elena

Trip stories from Elena Hartwell

Okavango in the Secret Season
Ultra-Luxury

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Okavango in the Secret Season

When the Okavango floods in June, the delta transforms into something otherworldly. I spent ten days on a private mobile camp following the water — and found the Africa that changes you.

Elena Hartwell
Elena Hartwell
10 days · Winter
Dawn Departure: Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas
Luxury

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Dawn Departure: Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas

A permit, a seven-hour trek through volcanic forest, and one hour that rewires how you think about other species. Rwanda's gorilla encounter is unlike anything else travel offers.

Elena Hartwell
Elena Hartwell
5 days · Year-Round