Nubienne Travel Club: A Transformative Travel Experience Centered on African Heritage and Cultural Connections

From a Moment of Realization to a Global Movement

Imagine being part of a group of young travelers visiting the iconic cities of Paris and London, places rich with centuries of history, art, and culture. For Loretta Saha, the founder of Nubienne Travel Club, this was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. But as the group of young girls toured famous landmarks and took photos, Loretta began to notice something deeply troubling: the history shared with them was incomplete, superficial, and curiously absent of African and diasporic contributions. What should have been an enriching experience felt like a missed opportunity to learn the fuller, more inclusive story of these historic cities.

Loretta, having lived across continents, from Kenya to Europe and the United States, knew the importance of traveling with a broader lens. Travel had shaped her own identity, giving her the confidence to embrace the rich histories of her African heritage. But watching these girls walk through these global cities without encountering their own histories made Loretta realize that travel could and should be more honest, more inclusive, and more empowering. This awakening led her to create Nubienne Travel Club, a platform that would bridge the gap between travel, education, and African cultural heritage.

Transforming Travel into a Cultural Awakening

When Loretta founded Nubienne Travel Club, her mission was simple: to offer travelers a deeper, more truthful connection to the places they visit. Nubienne wasn’t just about sightseeing, it was about seeing the world through a lens that honored African and diasporic histories and cultures, which have long been overlooked in mainstream travel experiences.

The club began by focusing on educational journeys. Unlike traditional tours that tend to highlight only the most famous landmarks, Nubienne’s journeys transform cities into living classrooms. Each trip is thoughtfully curated to bring African and diasporic narratives to the forefront. With local educators, historians, and community leaders guiding the way, travelers engage with the full, rich history of the places they visit. These are not just tours; they are immersive experiences that encourage learning, self-reflection, and connection.

From the beginning, Nubienne Travel Club’s educational foundation has been rooted in one core belief: that when people travel with an awareness of their own histories and cultural contributions, it leads to a more meaningful, empowering journey. Whether exploring the streets of Paris, London, or other historic destinations, Nubienne offers travelers a chance to see themselves reflected in global stories, turning each journey into a deeply personal and transformative experience.

Evolving the Vision

As Nubienne Travel Club began to grow, Loretta faced the inevitable challenges of building a business with a unique, mission-driven focus. The world of travel is often dominated by leisure-focused experiences, and the idea of taking travelers on educational journeys rooted in African and diasporic heritage was an unfamiliar concept to many. Convincing travelers to choose a trip based on education and cultural connection, rather than simply sightseeing, was a hurdle Nubienne had to overcome.

But Loretta and her team remained determined. They understood that Nubienne wasn’t just another travel company, it was a movement that would shift the way people view travel, turning it into a vehicle for empowerment and education. Rather than simply selling vacations, Nubienne was offering an opportunity for growth, connection, and cultural discovery. The idea of shaping global citizens, who understood and appreciated the depth of the world’s cultures, became a central driving force behind Nubienne’s continued success.

Expanding the Narrative with Wellness and Culinary Journeys

As Nubienne continued to grow, Loretta saw an opportunity to expand the company’s focus even further. While educational travel was at the heart of the company, there was so much more to share. Nubienne realized that travel is not just about learning history, it’s also about engaging with the people, the food, and the traditions that make a place come alive.

This realization led to the company’s natural evolution into wellness and culinary storytelling. Nubienne began curating wellness-focused travel experiences, where travelers could engage with local practices, learn about health traditions, and rejuvenate their mind and body. This added layer of wellness became a powerful complement to Nubienne’s educational mission, offering travelers not only a journey through history but also a journey into well-being.

But perhaps the most exciting expansion of Nubienne’s offerings comes through its culinary travel experiences, created in partnership with world renowned chef Alexander Smalls. A global icon in elevating African cuisine on the world stage, Chef Smalls’ lifelong mission aligns naturally with Nubienne’s focus on cultural preservation, education, and storytelling. Together, they are curating a culinary journey through Kenya, beginning in Nairobi and continuing to the stunning island of Lamu along the Indian Coast. Through shared meals, conversations with local chefs, and immersive food experiences rooted in Swahili and regional traditions, travelers explore African history in its most intimate and expressive form. Food becomes the entry point, connecting people, memory, and place in a deeply meaningful way.

Equally powerful is Nubienne’s collaboration with Atlanta based chef Jason Travis, who will host a culinary and cultural journey through South Africa. Spanning Cape Town and Johannesburg, this experience blends chef hosted dining with rich cultural exploration. From Robben Island and Table Mountain to the vibrant streets of Soweto and nights filled with amapiano and kwaito music, the journey captures South Africa’s past, present, and creative spirit. Guided by Chef Travis and curated by Nubienne, travelers experience the country through flavor, rhythm, and human connection rather than from the sidelines.

By blending wellness with culinary storytelling, Nubienne has successfully turned travel into an all-encompassing journey that touches the soul. Travelers now have the chance to learn history in its most human form, through the flavors, practices, and stories that are passed down through generations.

Nubienne Today: A Platform for Learning, Connection, and Global Citizenship

What began as a response to a missing narrative in the travel industry has transformed into a powerful global platform for cultural learning and connection. Today, Nubienne Travel Club exists at the intersection of education, wellness, and culinary exploration. The company’s unique approach to travel is rooted in providing travelers with immersive, purpose-driven experiences that extend far beyond the typical tourist experience.

Nubienne’s trips are not simply about visiting new places, they are about fostering deeper connections with the history and culture that shape those places. Whether it’s exploring African and diasporic histories, engaging in wellness practices, or savoring African cuisine, Nubienne’s experiences are designed to help travelers see themselves reflected in the broader world. In turn, this helps shape them into more compassionate, culturally aware global citizens.

Begin Your Transformative Journey with Nubienne

Are you ready to travel beyond the typical tourist destinations and experience the world in a way that is truly transformative? With Nubienne Travel Club, you don’t just visit new places, you uncover the hidden stories that have shaped our global community. From immersive educational journeys to culinary adventures that explore African cuisine, Nubienne offers experiences that will change the way you see the world and yourself.

Visit Nubienne Travel Club to learn more about upcoming journeys and how you can be part of this incredible movement. Follow Nubienne on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration, updates, and more information about upcoming trips and experiences.