Since 1968

About Somak Luxury Travel

Travel runs deep in our blood.

Our Story Our Team Corporate Social Responsibility

OUR STORY

Travel runs deep in our blood.

Established in Nairobi, Kenya in 1968, much has changed since Suresh Sofat founded Somak Luxury Travel more than 50 years ago.

With a sharp focus on providing the most unforgettable holidays in Africa and The Indian Subcontinent, Somak Luxury Travel is proud of its rich cultural heritage and continued commitment to excellence — crafting bespoke itineraries to some of the world’s most inspiring places, using only the finest hotels, operators and airlines.

Now headquartered in London, Somak Luxury Travel is still very much a family-run business, run by Suresh and his sons, Ash and Anil Sofat.

The people behind the itineraries

Our Team

Every trip we plan is built by someone who has actually been there — here's who you'll be talking to.

Management

Suresh Sofat

Chairman

I've lived in Kenya my whole life, and from a young age I had a strong desire to explore Africa. Whilst working in the aviation industry in the 60s, I noticed a gap in the market for flights between London and Nairobi. From that idea I started Somak in 1968, and have developed the company into a global entity that now handles more than 30,000 leisure travellers to Africa each year.

Ash Sofat

Chief Executive

Somewhere in my genes is this passion to travel around Africa, probably ignited by being born and brought up in Kenya. My father established Somak nearly fifty years ago, and I found it only natural to establish and develop a division of Somak that provides bespoke holidays to Africa.

Anil Sofat

Commercial Director

I have a deep respect and passion for the land and people of my birthplace, Kenya. I have travelled the length and breadth of Kenya and Tanzania on my frequent visits to my family in East Africa, and I'm keen to get involved in helping local communities in any way that I can.

Team Reservations

Nishma Gandhi

Reservations Manager

Part of the Somak team since 1996, my passion for East Africa stems from being born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya. I attribute my success in the last 27 years in the travel industry to a conversational approach which helps me understand clients' requirements.

Alyssa Bauer

Reservations Consultant

I'm "Proudly South African" and hail from Durban. I have been in the travel industry for 18 years and joined the Somak reservations team in 2022, relishing the honour of creating unforgettable escapes to some of the world's most exciting destinations.

Celeste Naganna

Reservations Consultant

Having been in the travel industry for 9 years, I am now a travel consultant on a mission to help plan memorable holidays. Being part of the Somak family has brought home to me that every holiday I plan for clients is special and unique.

Emma Holt

Reservations Consultant

My love of travel was sparked at a young age thanks to family holidays. My biggest trip to date took place in 2023 when I toured South America and Antarctica, ticking off my last two continents before turning 30.

Tuhina Sharma

Reservations Consultant

Having had the privilege of travelling since I was very young, I'm always ready to hit the road — with miles clocked around the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and East Africa. I love how travel expands your horizons.

Zipporah Lopeyok

Reservations Consultant

Born and raised in Kenya, I have been immersed in the world of safaris since childhood. With firsthand experience of Kenya's remarkable wildlife, I've developed an innate understanding of what it takes to curate unforgettable journeys.

Rebeca Onyango

Reservations Consultant

Since May 2025, I have been a Reservations Consultant at Somak, bringing expertise and enthusiasm to each itinerary I design. Amboseli National Park holds a special place in my heart — sunrise there is a quiet masterpiece of nature's beauty.

Team Operations

Sanjay Sofat

Operations Director

I have been part of the Somak team since 1986, in various roles. My love for travel has given me insight into what our guests expect from their holidays, and how to make them as perfect as possible from start to finish.

Saonli Chatterjee

Operations Manager

The thrill of exploring new places drives my love of travel. Somak understands that different travellers have different needs, and being part of the Operations Team — since 2016 — is very fulfilling as we ensure clients are satisfied throughout.

Manisha Bisht

Operations Executive

I hail from the Himalayas and have more than 2 years' experience in the travel industry, overseeing the reservation and booking process and collaborating with suppliers such as airlines and hotels.

Team Commercial

Dee Persaud

Commercial Manager

I have worked in the travel industry for over 30 years — curating holiday experiences is in my DNA. One of my first ever trips was to Mauritius, and ever since I have had a passion for travel that is with me to this day.

Giving back

Corporate Social Responsibility

At Somak Luxury Travel, we're committed to enriching the communities in the destinations we send people to — investing in sustainable initiatives that give back to the most vulnerable across Africa and The Indian Subcontinent.

Loigero Primary School

Located close to the entry gate of the Masai Mara, Loigero Primary School serves the Masai community of Talek. It began small — its founder, Jacob Nkumum, once taught a handful of boys under an acacia tree. Thanks to the support of local and international businesses, including Somak, the school now offers a meal for every pupil, with a dormitory next on the list so children from neighbouring communities can attend too.

Amref Health Africa

East Africa is our home, which is why every Somak holiday to East Africa includes complimentary Amref Flying Doctors 'Maisha' Air Ambulance cover. For every passenger who travels with us, we contribute $5 to Amref Health Africa — and when the cover isn't needed, the full value is donated instead. Headquartered in Nairobi, Amref works side-by-side with communities to build lasting healthcare capability, focused primarily on women and children.

No Hunting Holidays

Somak does not take bookings for trophy hunting. We believe a modern safari-goer shoots the Big Five with a camera, not a gun — and remain committed to watching wildlife thrive in its natural habitat, not exploited within it.

Tusk

Since 1990, Tusk has invested more than £25 million into conservation, community development and environmental education across Africa, currently supporting over 60 field projects in 19 countries. HRH the Duke of Cambridge has been Tusk's Royal Patron since 2005. Somak has supported Tusk's work on the ground too — including sending three Land Cruisers, with professional driver-guides, to assist with runner transfers during the 2016 Safaricom Marathon.

Mara Rianda Charitable Trust

Founded by Richard Long after a 2003 visit to the Mara Rianda Primary School near the Masai Mara, the Trust has since grown to support maternity care, medical services and further education projects in the area. For every package holiday booked to Kenya, Somak contributes £10 per person directly to the Trust and its work.

East Africa Character Development Trust

Since 2025, Somak has supported the EACDT, which develops the character of young people in Kenya through sport — building life skills that strengthen resilience and employability. The Trust's School Programme has empowered over 17,000 young people since 2014, alongside a Community Programme that has established four community cricket clubs, and a new Post School Structured Support Programme promoting female empowerment and enterprise training.