Learn With Africa. Not About Africa.
Africa Safari Academy is the educational heart of Africa Safari. We transform African knowledge, lived experience and community practice into professional learning opportunities for universities, municipalities, businesses, NGOs, schools, churches and individuals.
Participants do not simply learn about Africa. They learn with Africa — through direct engagement with African educators, practitioners, artists, entrepreneurs and communities.
Learning Beyond the Classroom — Connecting Through Experience
At Africa Safari Academy, learning is not only about understanding ideas intellectually. Through African instruments, rhythm, singing, movement, storytelling and guided improvisation, we create opportunities to listen, express ourselves and connect with others.
Rooted in Ubuntu, these experiences invite participants to explore identity, dignity, belonging and shared humanity. Musical perfection is not the goal. Everyone brings something valuable, and learning happens through participation, creativity and relationships.
Africa Safari Academy is part of Africa Safari, connecting Africa and Europe through meaningful experiences. Its work is informed by the wider mission of Beats of Hope Africa Foundation, while Africa Safari and the Foundation retain their distinct identities and responsibilities.
How You Can Learn With Us
JOIN IN UTRECHT
Learn African instruments, rhythms and songs through guided practice, singing and ensemble playing. Experience Ubuntu through shared musical participation and develop your skills as we build a repertoire together. Beginners are welcome.
In Utrecht, Africa Safari brings people from different cultures, backgrounds and walks of life together through African music, cultural learning and community participation.
We believe everyone deserves to be treated with equal dignity and respect, to be heard, and to have something meaningful to contribute. You do not need musical experience or a particular cultural background to take part. We learn from one another, make room for our differences and build relationships where people can feel welcome, valued and part of the community.
Africa Safari Academy is our main regular learning opportunity in Utrecht, but it is not the only way to connect with the wider Africa Safari community.
Every Monday · 18:00–19:45
Muziek Domplein · Domplein 4 · Room 014 · Utrecht
If accessibility needs or session costs make participation difficult, please contact us to discuss what may be possible within available capacity. We will discuss arrangements with you before confirming them; free or supported places are not guaranteed. You can also explore community participation through the Africa Safari Community Network. Buying lessons or volunteering is not a requirement for enquiring about ways to connect.
Ask about participation or accessibility →
BOOK THE ACADEMY
Workshops, training and tailored learning programmes for universities, municipalities, businesses, NGOs and churches. Enquiry and quotation based.
LEARN IN EAST AFRICA
Take learning beyond the classroom through immersive journeys and locally connected experiences across Uganda, Kenya and the wider East Africa region.
Six Learning Pathways
1. Ubuntu Leadership
Relational leadership rooted in dignity, shared humanity and collective wellbeing. Drawing on the African philosophy of Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — this pathway explores leadership as service, authority through listening, and success measured by the growth of others.
2. African Knowledge Systems & Epistemology
How knowledge is created, preserved and shared within African societies. This pathway challenges the assumption that knowledge travels only from Europe to Africa, and explores how indigenous, community and academic knowledge can complement one another.
3. Community Building & Social Cohesion
African approaches to belonging, trust and reaching communities. Practical tools for municipalities, welfare organisations and community professionals working with diverse and hard-to-reach communities.
4. Cultural Intelligence through African Perspectives
Moving beyond cultural awareness towards cultural humility, reciprocity and authentic partnership. This pathway equips professionals to build relationships across cultural difference with dignity and mutual respect.
5. Traditional African Instruments & Music as Knowledge
Music is a living expression of African knowledge, identity, history and community, carrying philosophy, indigenous knowledge, wisdom and community values. Through traditional instruments, rhythm, melodies, singing, movement and guided improvisation, participants experience learning beyond notation and theory. They discover how listening, responding and creating together can nurture confidence, dignity, belonging and human connection.
6. Africa Safari Social Innovation Lab
Learning from African-led social enterprises, community innovators and locally rooted approaches to addressing social challenges.
Who We Serve
- Universities & Research Institutions — Guest lectures, research partnerships, field learning, student placements and African Studies programmes
- Municipalities & Public Sector — Community building, cultural intelligence, social cohesion and inclusive public programming
- Businesses & CSR Teams — Intercultural leadership, responsible partnerships and social innovation exposure
- NGOs & Social Organisations — Community engagement, ethical partnerships and African-led programme design
- Churches & Faith Communities — Mission learning, cultural exchange and Ubuntu-based leadership
- Individuals & Professionals — Personal and professional development through African knowledge and lived experience
East Africa Learning Journeys
Academy learning can extend into immersive programmes across East Africa. Participants travel to carefully selected African-led organisations across Kenya and Uganda, learning directly from communities, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders.
These journeys combine education, hospitality, research, tourism and professional exchange while supporting locally led organisations across the Regional Learning Network.
Research & Professional Partnerships
Africa Safari Academy develops long-term research partnerships, professional placements and executive learning programmes for institutions seeking ethical, African-led collaboration. We work with universities, municipalities and organisations to design programmes that create lasting value for both African and European partners.
Institutional & Group Programmes
Africa Safari designs bespoke programmes for universities, professional organisations, companies, municipalities, churches, NGOs and research institutions — built around your group's specific learning objectives, professional context and timeline.
A programme may combine Academy preparation in Europe, East Africa field learning, placements with selected Regional Learning Partners, cultural immersion, professional exchange, research collaboration and structured reflection — coordinated end to end by Africa Safari.
These are not catalogue products. They are partnerships built from a conversation.
Discuss an Institutional Programme →
Start a Conversation
Whether you are looking for a single workshop, a long-term partnership or an East Africa Learning Journey, we would love to hear from you.