Africa Safari LIVE
Music • Speaking • Storytelling • Cultural Experiences
Book Africa Safari LIVE →Africa Safari Community Network in Utrecht
Find what you need. Share what you offer. Connect with the right people.
Africa Safari Community Network is a digital-first, African-led and intercultural network connecting newcomers, residents, entrepreneurs, resident initiatives, community organisations and institutions across Utrecht — and welcoming participants from across the Netherlands who want to connect, contribute and grow through African-led and intercultural community practice.
We make services, community initiatives, businesses, activities and opportunities easier to find.
We help you find the right door — and help others find you.
Digital first. Human in practice. Physical where connection requires it.
Utrecht is Africa Safari's European base — the city where our local and international work comes together. Africa Safari is an African-led platform connecting Africa and Europe through music and culture, learning and leadership, community practice, professional exchange and East Africa experiences. The Community Network in Utrecht is the connecting infrastructure that holds this work in the city: a place to find, share and build opportunity across communities, organisations and institutions.
Africa Safari in Utrecht: Connection → Nurturing → Empowerment
Strong communities are not built only by providing activities for people. They are built when people can help shape the spaces, relationships and opportunities around them.
Africa Safari / Beats of Hope Africa works through a Three-Stage Ubuntu Integration Pathway: Connection → Nurturing → Empowerment. People first find connection and belonging. Relationships are nurtured through trust and participation. From there, people can increasingly contribute, initiate, lead and create opportunities for others.
This is what distinguishes Africa Safari from a welfare service or generic volunteer placement organisation. We begin with relationships and build from there.
Choose what you want to do
I'm looking for something
Find routes to language learning, work, education, housing information, health, legal information, community, culture, faith, social connection, neighbourhood networks and other trusted services through the Living Social Map Utrecht.
I have something to offer
Are you an entrepreneur, resident initiative, artist, community group or professional? Make your work easier to find, share an event or opportunity, attract participants and volunteers, and find collaborators, venues, support routes and useful connections.
I represent an organisation
Connect with community expertise and bewonersinitiatieven, share opportunities, find potential partners, reach communities, commission programmes, support entrepreneurship, recruit, research or collaborate.
Africa Safari can also design institutional and group programmes for universities, companies, municipalities, NGOs and professional organisations — combining community practice, African-led learning, intercultural exchange and, where appropriate, connections to the wider Africa–Europe network. Discuss an institutional programme →
Find Your Way in Utrecht
The Living Social Map Utrecht connects people to appropriate existing organisations, community initiatives and services across the city. It is growing, verified and privacy-conscious.
What can you get from the Network?
Residents and newcomers
Find existing services, communities, activities, learning opportunities and useful routes across Utrecht. You can also bring your own skills, ideas, knowledge and contributions into the Network.
Entrepreneurs
Make your business, service, event or opportunity more visible. Find potential collaborators, community partners, institutions and relevant enterprise or learning opportunities.
Resident initiatives and community groups
Promote your activities, reach participants and volunteers, find collaborators, discover possible venues and support routes, and become easier for communities and institutions to discover.
Artists and cultural practitioners
Share performances, workshops and events, and connect with venues, networks, community groups and collaboration opportunities.
Organisations and institutions
Find community initiatives and community expertise, publish relevant opportunities, identify potential partners and develop collaborations around participation, culture, education, employment, research and community life.
What the Network provides
Africa Safari Community Network provides visibility, navigation and practical connections. It does not guarantee funding, customers, participants or referrals. Where specialist support is needed, we connect people to appropriate existing organisations and services.
From a Social Map to a Living Network
The Living Social Map builds on the Social Map for Newcomers in Utrecht, first published in Daniel Benon Okiror's Reaching Beyond. The original map helped newcomers identify doors into Dutch society — from language and employment to community, social activities and specialist support. The Africa Safari Community Network develops that idea from a static map into a living digital network of people, initiatives, services, events and opportunities. From finding help → to finding people → to participating → to contributing.
New to the Netherlands? Start with what you need.
Integration & Naturalisation
Information about residence, integration, naturalisation and the municipality.
Official / public routes
Inburgeren — gemeente Utrecht
Participatieverklaring — gemeente Utrecht
Naturalisatieceremonie — gemeente Utrecht
Learn Dutch
Language classes, practice and meeting people.
Official / public routes
Hulp bij taal en computer — gemeente Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
DigiTaalhuis — inloopspreekuren
Aanmelden voor taalles
Find Work & Professional Development
Work, training, work experience, coaching and professional networks.
Official / public routes
Zoeken naar werk — gemeente Utrecht
Werkcentrum Midden-Utrecht
Vrijwilligerswerk — gemeente Utrecht
Bedrijf starten — gemeente Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
Vrijwilligers Centrale Utrecht
Housing & Homelessness
Find relevant organisations and support routes.
Official / public routes
Woning zoeken — gemeente Utrecht
Hulp als u dakloos bent — gemeente Utrecht
Beschermd wonen en 24-uurs opvang — gemeente Utrecht
Bijstand als u dakloos bent — gemeente Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
Leger des Heils — Herstart Utrecht
Leger des Heils — Nachtopvang Biltstraat
NoiZ — Tussenvoorziening
Support for people without valid residence status
Find relevant organisations and support routes.
Discover in Utrecht
Villa Vrede — inloophuis and activity centre for undocumented people in Utrecht
Ubuntuhuis Utrecht — low-threshold support, activities and meeting place
Noodopvang Utrecht — shelter and social-legal guidance
Community Centres & Meeting Places
Find community centres, shared spaces and activities.
Official / public routes
Buurtcentrum — gemeente Utrecht
Activiteiten welzijn in de wijk — gemeente Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
DOCK Utrecht
JOU, jongerenwerk Utrecht
Dwarsverband Utrecht — resident-led initiatives, self-managed community centres and playgrounds
Welkomhuis Utrecht — historical route; the previous location ended its activities on 1 July 2026. Current neighbourhood route: Activiteiten welzijn in de wijk — gemeente Utrecht
Social Connection & Activities
Meet people, get involved, volunteer and build community.
Official / public routes
Activiteiten welzijn in de wijk — gemeente Utrecht
U Gids — zorg, welzijn and sociaal contact in Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
Buurtteams Utrecht
Legal Information & Advice
Find relevant legal information and advisory services.
Official / public routes
U Gids — informatie en advies, politie en justitie
Melding, klacht of bezwaar — gemeente Utrecht
Discover in Utrecht
STIL Utrecht — legal and practical support for people without a residence permit
Kochheim & Coppes Advocaten — family law and mediation
KAeP Notaris Utrecht — entrepreneurs and non-profit organisations, including legal structures for businesses and foundations
AHL Advocaten — immigration and residence law (vreemdelingenrecht)
Health Information
Find relevant health information and care routes.
Official / public routes
Hulp en ondersteuning (Wmo) — gemeente Utrecht
Sociaal-medische zorg — gemeente Utrecht
Seksuele gezondheid en soa — gemeente Utrecht
Faith & Church Communities
Discover relevant faith communities and meeting places.
Discover in Utrecht
Best Life Church — Evangelische gemeente in Utrecht
Motion Church Utrecht
Base Church Utrecht
New Dutch Connections
Talent • Training • Work • Networks • Theatre
Supporting people with a refugee background to develop their talents, build networks and pursue future opportunities through training, coaching, work experience, volunteering, theatre and professional connections.
Discover in Utrecht
Work • Newcomers • Training • Coaching • Volunteering • Professional Networks • Theatre
Visit New Dutch Connections →
Africa Safari does not provide every specialist service directly. The Living Social Map helps visitors find relevant existing organisations and services.
Discover & Connect in Utrecht
What's happening, who is active and what you can explore in and around Utrecht.
What's Happening in Utrecht
Community activities, Africa Safari activities, cultural events, learning opportunities and relevant initiatives.
Submit an Initiative or Opportunity
Africa Safari should not have to produce everything itself. African organisations, buurthuizen, universities, churches, businesses and community groups can bring opportunities into the Network.
Local Utrecht Discoveries
Community Centres, Activities & Initiatives
Daniel Okiror Live / Africa Safari LIVE — Utrecht
Africa Safari's live music and cultural performance pathway, historically documented in Reaching Beyond as Daniel Okiror's Afrofunk Band. Africa Safari's own community platform and provider; see the existing Africa Safari LIVE card.
The Table — Christian community café
Location: Utrecht
WIJ 3.0
Location: Utrecht
WIJ 3.0 is a Utrecht-based specialist in activation and reintegration. Visitors can explore day activities, social and creative activities, training, job coaching, volunteering and routes towards work or education across Utrecht locations.
Visit WIJ 3.0 locations in Utrecht →
Trefpunt
Location: Utrecht
A small, welcoming self-managed neighbourhood house in Rivierenwijk, with a living room, kitchen and garden. Residents and neighbourhood initiatives can use the space for meetings, workshops and community activities.
View the public Trefpunt route →
Tze Eritrean Women
Location: Utrecht
Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented grassroots initiative. Discover or update this initiative through the Africa Safari Community Network.
New Dutch Connections
Location: Utrecht
Theatre, training, ToekomstAcademie, volunteering and talent development for people with a refugee background.
Afro Student Associations
Location: Utrecht connection; see the national listing for its multi-city reach.
Muziek Domplein
Location: Utrecht
Music and theatre lessons; venue and home for Africa Safari Academy activities.
DOCK Utrecht
A separate current public community route in Utrecht.
African Food & Culinary Experiences
Mama Mary's Kitchen
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed.
Nananana's Kitchen
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed.
Christina Café
Location: Utrecht — Food and community venue connected with Africa Safari activities. Current public details are being refreshed.
African Dance, Performance & Workshops
Eva Aya Dance / Power of Passion
Location: Utrecht-connected · Netherlands
Eva Aya Dance is Eva Scherpenisse's public identity; Power of Passion is the foundation and initiative through which she develops dance productions and works with dancers — preserving the Reaching Beyond history of Power of Passion Dancers. Eva offers Afrodance lessons, workshops, performances and dance projects.
Visit Eva Aya Dance → Visit Power of Passion →
Kanvie Girls
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Afro Dance Utrecht
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Studio LionPaw — John Kayongo
Location: Utrecht
African dance classes, Ubuntu-inspired storytelling and cultural workshops.
Ayaovi Kokousse / Forêt Sacrée Obouibé
Location: Utrecht & Amsterdam
West-African and Afro-contemporary dance, live percussion, workshops and performances. The official route describes weekly Utrecht teaching; visitors should check current details directly.
African Music, Drumming & Performers
Kush Band
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Ghanaian Ensemble
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Longolongo — Fela Kuti Cover Band
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Vimbai Zimuto
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Moribayassa
Location: Utrecht — Local drumming activity known through Africa Safari's community work; current public description and route being refreshed.
Djembe-Amara — Amara Diabate
Location: Utrecht / Zuilen
Djembé lessons, West-African percussion workshops, African music and performances.
African Fashion, Jewellery & Creative Products
Tatiana Jewelry
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Brayond Crafts
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Olivia t'Afric
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Umu Bera
Location: Utrecht — Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection; current public details being refreshed. Discover or update through the Africa Safari Community Network.
Learn & Contribute with Africa Safari
Africa Safari works across selected community, cultural and learning environments in Utrecht. Activities include African music, Adungu and Akogo instrument sessions, Ubuntu leadership and community practice, intercultural learning, storytelling, participation support and social cohesion work.
Africa Safari Academy's music and cultural learning sessions are based at Domplein 4 in the heart of Utrecht. Other community and participation work takes place across neighbourhoods including Hoograven, Rivierenwijk and Dichterswijk, and through city-wide programmes at the Main Library Neude and other locations.
These are not separate Africa Safari branches. Participants, volunteers and interns work across these environments under one coordinated Africa Safari programme.
Everyone Has Something to Contribute.
In Utrecht, Africa Safari brings people from different backgrounds together through African music, cultural learning and community participation.
We believe inclusion, diversity, equality and belonging grow through relationships, when people listen to one another, learn together and have opportunities to contribute.
Africa Safari Academy offers regular music and cultural learning, but you do not have to purchase lessons or become a volunteer to belong to our community.
Whether you want to participate, share an idea, contribute your skills or simply connect, we welcome your enquiry.
If costs or accessibility needs make participation difficult, please contact us. We can explore what is possible within our available capacity.
Students, interns and volunteers
Africa Safari provides structured learning environments for students, interns and volunteers in community development, intercultural work, social enterprise, music and cultural learning, participation support and related fields. If you are looking for a placement in Utrecht, or if you are a study supervisor exploring whether Africa Safari can provide an appropriate learning environment, we would like to hear from you.
Enquire about participation, volunteering or an internship →
Volunteering with Africa Safari
Would you like to contribute to our community, cultural or learning activities? Tell us about your interests, skills and availability. Together, we can explore whether there is a suitable opportunity with the support needed.
Internships and Student Learning
We welcome enquiries from students and educational institutions interested in community development, intercultural learning, social enterprise, music and cultural activities.
Please share your course, learning objectives, required hours, dates and supervision requirements.
Placements depend on available assignments and appropriate supervision.
Africa–Europe exchange and East Africa journeys
The Community Network in Utrecht is one part of a wider Africa–Europe platform. Participants, students, interns and organisations who engage through the Network can also explore Africa Safari Academy learning sessions, professional and institutional programmes, and — for those ready to go further — Live & Learn placements and learning journeys in East Africa. Utrecht participation is one possible preparation route, not a requirement.
Explore Africa Safari Academy → Explore East Africa →
Across the Netherlands
People in Utrecht also travel throughout the Netherlands for African cultural, educational, professional, community and business activities. Here is a curated glimpse of notable African and Africa-related organisations, festivals, networks and recurring opportunities across the country.
Research & Knowledge
African Studies Centre Leiden (ASCL)
City/Reach: Leiden · Netherlands and international
One of Europe's leading research centres on Africa, covering politics, economy, society, culture and development. ASCL hosts seminars, publications and public programmes that connect African knowledge with European academic and policy audiences. Daniel Okiror studied in connection with ASCL as part of the research and relationship-building that shaped Africa Safari, and maintains an ongoing relationship with the centre and its researchers, including Professor Mirjam de Bruijn, whose current public work addresses equal partnerships and the importance of local African knowledge.
Voice4Thought
City/Reach: Amsterdam · Netherlands and international
A platform for critical thinking, decolonial knowledge and public dialogue developed by Professor Mirjam de Bruijn. Voice4Thought hosts public conversations, podcasts and events that centre African and Global South perspectives. Daniel Okiror's ongoing collaboration with Professor de Bruijn connects Africa Safari's practice to this wider intellectual and knowledge community.
African Festivals & Major Cultural Events
Africa Safari Festival • Expo • Summit
City/Reach: Netherlands · annual
Africa Safari's own flagship gathering — African music, culture, knowledge, enterprise and Africa–Europe connections. Artists, entrepreneurs, institutions, embassies, tourism bodies and communities come together for a full programme of performance, exhibition and dialogue.
Afrika Festival Hertme
City/Reach: Hertme, Overijssel · national
A long-running two-day African music festival with live performances, an African market and a large outdoor festival setting at Openluchttheater Hertme. An annual route for African music and culture across the Netherlands.
Visit Afrika Festival Hertme →
The Hague African Festival
City/Reach: The Hague · Netherlands
Music, film, African art and culture, festival market, African Expo, talent development and public cultural programming. An annual festival initiated by Stichting Nteasee, an African migrant organisation, since 2023.
Visit The Hague African Festival →
African Food Festival Rotterdam
City/Reach: Rotterdam · Netherlands
African food, live music, dance, art, storytelling, makers and family-oriented community activities. An annual festival organised by Stichting Unity in Diversity Rotterdam.
Visit African Food Festival Rotterdam →
Afrikadag
City/Reach: Netherlands (rotating location)
An annual national day celebrating African culture, community and connection across the Netherlands. One of the most significant recurring Africa-related public events in the country.
Student & Professional Networks
Afro Student Associations
City/Reach: Utrecht, Leiden, Rotterdam, Groningen and Eindhoven
Student networks connecting African and diaspora students across major Dutch university cities. The Utrecht connection is noted in the local Utrecht listing above; the national reach covers five cities and multiple campuses.
Afrispectives
City/Reach: Rotterdam · Netherlands
A platform for African and diaspora perspectives, dialogue and professional connection. A Reaching Beyond / Africa Safari-documented connection.
Join the Network
Individuals, entrepreneurs, initiatives and organisations can share what they are looking for, what they can contribute and what interests them.
Use the form on this page to tell us whether you want to join the Network, submit an initiative or opportunity, or explore a partnership. Please share only the information needed to help us respond. Do not submit sensitive medical, immigration or legal case details.
For Utrecht partners & Institutional Next Steps
Africa Safari Community Network is designed to connect with Utrecht's existing social ecosystem, including sociale basis, bewonersinitiatieven, neighbourhood networks, libraries, community organisations, cultural organisations, educational institutions, employers, churches and public institutions.
Here is what we learned. Here is what we already tested. Now let's innovate together.
Africa Safari can design institutional and group programmes for universities, companies, municipalities, NGOs and professional organisations — combining community practice, African-led learning, intercultural exchange and, where appropriate, connections to the wider Africa–Europe network.
Discuss an institutional programme → Explore Africa Safari Academy → Explore East Africa →