Côte d’Ivoire – Where My Travel Story Took a Turn

There are moments in travel that stay with you—others quietly shift something in you.

Before Côte d’Ivoire, I believed I had a clear sense of the kind of travel that resonated with me. For years, the rhythm of crashing waves and the calm of the bush were my go-tos. They brought peace, solitude, and a familiar kind of beauty. But when I landed in Abidjan, something changed.

This journey wasn’t on my radar. A close friend encouraged me to go, and I was curious. The African Development Bank is headquartered there, so I knew there would be a strong international presence. What I didn’t expect was how deeply the city—and the country—would affect me.

What struck me first was the style. Abidjan has an energy that’s both magnetic and elegant. Tucked behind quiet villa gates, I discovered high-end fashion boutiques bursting with designs I couldn’t find anywhere else. These weren’t tourist spots—they were carefully curated spaces that felt like secrets waiting to be uncovered.

But the moment that truly redefined my perspective happened outside the city. I’d been invited to a Sunday brunch at La Maison d’Akoula, a luxury hotel about 90 minutes away. To get there, you travel by boat to a secluded island, and from the moment I stepped onto the property, I felt transported.

The hotel, owned by Akoula Amon Chauvin-Buthaud, is more than beautiful—it has character. Picture this: a pristine beach, a vibrant crowd, world-class cuisine, and an atmosphere that somehow feels like both a private retreat and a soulful celebration. I danced barefoot, laughed with strangers, and tasted food that told a story.

I remember standing there, soaking it all in, and realizing—I was falling in love with a different side of Africa. One that’s bold, cosmopolitan, unapologetically stylish, and full of surprises.

That’s when my view of luxury changed.

Côte d’Ivoire reminded me that luxury is not a checklist. It’s not just about fine linens, well-crafted aesthetics or private cars. It’s about what stays with you—joy, connection, energy. It’s about discovering what’s often overlooked because it’s not packaged for tourists and most people don’t ask or don’t wander.

This journey reminded me that every African city has its own creative heartbeat. And if you want to truly experience a place, you have to follow the people who live it.

At Konemai, we seek out the tastemakers, the culture shapers, the local voices who know where the magic hides.

Côte d’Ivoire changed the way I travel. And it deepened the way I curate travel for others.

If you’re someone who’s already walked the well-trodden paths, who’s ready to go deeper—to find the unexpected, to dance where the locals dance, and to experience Africa through a new lens—let’s talk. Because Côte d’Ivoire is just the beginning.

— Dele