Meet the team
We are an enthusiastic team of anthropologists, naturalists and specialists in responsible tourism, offering tours in West and Central Africa since 2005. We all share a passion for this unexplored part of the African continent and we believe that well-managed tourism is the key for protecting and maintaining the delicate natural eco-systems, cultural diversity and traditions while offering a better future for the local inhabitants of these areas.
Despite that organisation, lodging, food, transport are fundamental elements or the development of the tour, we strongly believe that the person guiding the group is key for a successful travelling experience. Our common motto: “a good guide means a good trip”.
We proudly present the members of this varied group forming the soul of Middle-Africa.
FOUNDERS, ORGANIZATION AND SALES:
Joan Riera: Anthropologist specialised in Animistic societies of Central Africa. He graduated from Richmond University (UK) in 2000, and since then he has participated in several projects that combine cultural and natural survival with responsible tourism. Joan’s author of several travellers’ guides and collaborates with local community projects related to sustainable development. In 2008 he associated with ethnomusicologist Willy Casanovas and created Middle-Africa.
Guillermo Casasnovas: Founder of Middle-Africa and coordinator of the trips. Together with Carolien and the local guides he explores new areas where responsible tourism can be developed, and helps in the designing of the routes. Born in France but raised in Valencia, Guillermo studied commerce and at young age he moved to Ghana where he worked as import / export manager for different companies. He has been living in Africa for more than 12 years and is currently based in Douala. LOCAL GUIDES:
Abdoul Yaouba: Born and raised in the Extreme North of Cameroon. Abdoul is our main guide and translator in Northern Cameroon and Chad. He speaks Fulfuldé, his native language, French, Spanish and English. Abdoul has been working with us since 2005 and is all one could desire from a guide. 
Dorotea Tueté: "Dola" for friends, was born in Bandjoun in the mountainous West province. Dola pertains to a large Royal Family in Bandjoun and has been a professional guide for almost 10 years. She has written a local guide on Cameroon in French and very much enjoys accompanying groups through the whole country showing the secrets and revealing mysteries and ancient traditions. The mother of the princess, one of the Queens of Bandjoun, prepares excellent traditional food in the palace, which we visit on some of our trips. 
Euloge Kossouho: Graduated in Philosophy and History at Cotonou University. He was born in Benin’s Yorubaland, next to the Nigerian border. Euloge is Middle Africa's senior guide in West Africa and is fluent in Yoruba, Spanish, French and English 
Martial Tchegna: Born in Yaoundé and specialised in eco-tourism in Central Africa’s national parks. He is in charge of organising the tours to Dzanga-Sangha Reserve in the C.A.R, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in Congo and many other protected areas in Cameroon. Glen Mutomba: Zoologist and fervent defendant of Africa’s great apes. Glen studied at Buea University and started guiding groups to Limbe’s Zoo and Botanical Garden at the young age of 15. Glen has worked for Middle Africa since he graduated in 2005 accompanying groups to Nigeria and Cameroon.
Jonas Njifouota: As an architect Jonas assesses Middle Africa on the restoration of old traditional buildings, re-arrangement of market places in rural areas, and adaptation of village paths. 
Hugues Poitevin: Born in the French region of Gascoigne, has been living in Gabon for the last 33 years. He is a self-made ethnographer and has studied the revival of the Bwiti rituals among Gabon’s ethnic groups. He has been given a local Fang name: Obiang Nzondo Ma Missoba. Hugues lives in Libreville from where he collaborates with Middle Africa as expert on Gabon. 
Maïtouraré Boukary Bako: Son of the Sahara Desert, Bako belongs to the Woodabe tribe. His parents decided to establish in Niamey after 5 generations of nomadic life between the Sahel and the Sahara. Bako is a self-made tourist guide and our man in desert areas of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Northern Nigeria. He speaks Fulfuldé, French and English. 
Issa Ballo: Our man in Mali and Burkina Faso. Issa belongs to the Bambara culture of Southern Mali. He grew up in a peasant family and became interested in tourism when foreighners started arriving to Mopti via the Niger River. He saw a great potential and began guiding groups and lodging them in his family house. Since 2007 we work with him offering the best trips to these two Sahelian countries.
Oumar: belongs to the Bariba ethnic group in Northern Benin. He is fluent in Bariba, French and English and is together with Euloge he guides groups around Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Oumar loves discovering new places!
