The WeekenDar Plans a Pan-African Travel & Culture Takeover
The destination experience is bringing together travellers, cultural communities and lifestyle platforms from across Africa and the diaspora to celebrate music, travel, hospitality and connection.
AFRICA – The WeekenDar is setting its sights on a Pan-African takeover, creating destination experiences that bring people together through music, travel, food, sport, culture and hospitality. The vision is to build a travelling experience that connects people across borders while introducing them to some of the continent’s most exciting destinations.
More than a traditional party or weekend away, the concept brings different African communities, lifestyle platforms and cultural tastemakers into one destination for a curated programme of experiences. The wider vision is to encourage Africans to travel across the continent, experience one another’s cultures and build connections that continue long after the trip ends.
The project is being driven through a cross-border collaboration between Ghanaian entrepreneurs Carl Fiifi Koranteng and Mawuli Gavor, South African entrepreneur Chloé Kim Grootboom, and Nigerian travel leader Adebayo “Bayo” Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow. Together, they are combining their experience, networks and understanding of African culture and travel to build an experience with relevance across the continent.
The concept recently came to life in Dar es Salaam, where guests from South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and other African countries gathered from 12-14 September 2026 for a weekend of music, food, travel, sport and shared experiences.
Rather than hosting a series of unrelated events, The WeekenDar created one continuous journey through the city, with each activation offering guests a different way to enjoy Dar es Salaam and connect with one another.
The weekend opened with The 14th, co-founded by Nigeria’s Sadiq Ayuba, offering a cinematic multicultural yacht experience on the Indian Ocean. Guests moved between yachts, with each deck offering its own atmosphere and cultural experience. One moment felt coastal and relaxed, while the next brought together music, food, fashion and movement. Collectively, the yachts became a floating celebration of African culture and connection.
The programme continued with Rhythm & Brunch, a sun-soaked lifestyle experience which brought its signature combination of R&B, nostalgia, food and community to Barra Beach. Guests gathered over brunch and drinks before the afternoon moved into sing-alongs and dancing, soundtracked by R&B classics and contemporary favourites. Born in Accra and now growing across the continent, Rhythm & Brunch has previously hosted renowned international names including Busta Rhymes, Sisqó, Beenie Man and UK show band Sol and The Gang.
Beyond Padel Tanzania brought a high-energy wellness and social experience to the programme – combining padel clinics, music, movement and opportunities for guests to meet and connect. What sets the experience apart is its Battle of the DJs segment on the courts, where the music becomes as central as the sport. This resulted in an energetic environment where guests could play, dance, socialise and meet new people throughout the day.
Across the programme, The WeekenDar showed what can happen when African platforms, travellers and cultural communities collaborate across borders. Guests did not only attend the same events – they explored the city together, shared new experiences and formed genuine connections with people from other parts of the continent.
CONNECTING AFRICA THROUGH TRAVEL AND CULTURE
The WeekenDar forms part of a wider vision to connect Africa through organised group travel, cultural exchange and destination-led experiences. By bringing together African entrepreneurs, travel partners and creative platforms, the collaboration shows what can be achieved when Africans work together across borders.
The collaboration brings together entrepreneurial drive, cultural understanding and travel expertise from different parts of the continent, demonstrating what is possible when African businesses and creative platforms work together.
Future takeovers will bring together travellers from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and other African markets, as well as African communities in the United States and the wider diaspora. The intention is to make travelling across the continent more accessible, social and connected.
Each takeover will be shaped by its host destination – with local venues, businesses, artists, creatives and hospitality partners forming part of the experience. This will allow guests to discover each country through the people and communities already contributing to its culture.
THE BEGINNING OF A BIGGER TAKEOVER
Following the Tanzania chapter, organisers have confirmed plans for The WeekenDar to return to Dar es Salaam during the December/January period, with final dates to be announced. The next edition is expected to introduce a larger footprint, deeper brand collaborations and an expanded multi-day programme bringing together even more African cultures.
The WeekenDar is also preparing to expand into more destinations and welcome larger groups of travellers from across Africa and abroad. Future editions will be supported by curated travel packages and organised group trips, bringing together flights, accommodation, transfers, hospitality and access to the full programme so that the journey becomes part of the experience.
The long-term vision is to establish The WeekenDar as a recognised Pan-African destination experience that moves between countries while growing one connected community. The destination may change, but the purpose will remain the same – to bring Africans together, create opportunities for cultural exchange and give people new ways to experience the continent.
