So you typed “Waka something travel” into Google, and now you’re staring at two wildly different options: Wakatravels and Wakanow. Sound like twins? Maybe. Act like twins? Not even close.
It’s kind of like confusing Airbnb with a travel influencer’s curated road trip. Technically, both are about going places. But one sells the bed, and the other sells the dream.
Let’s pull back the curtain, ditch the fluff, and answer the question that probably brought you here:
Wakatravels vs Wakanow: who should you actually book with?
Origin Stories: How Each Platform Began
Wakanow launched back in 2008, founded by Obinna Ekezie, a former NBA player who spotted a gap in Nigeria’s online travel market. The name cleverly combines “Waka” (a colloquial Nigerian term for travel) and “Now”—perfectly capturing the instant booking proposition that was revolutionary for its time in the African market.
Wakatravels came later to the scene, establishing itself as a more focused alternative with a particular strength in domestic Nigerian routes and inter-African travel. While not as widely known internationally, it’s carved out a loyal following among savvy regional travelers.
I remember meeting one of Wakatravels’ marketing execs at a travel conference in Kigali. Over coffee, she told me their philosophy: “We don’t try to be everything to everyone. We just want to be the best at connecting Africa to itself.” That focused approach resonated with me, especially after spending three frantic hours on a competing platform trying to book what should have been a simple Lagos-Accra round trip.
User Experience: Navigating the Platforms
First impressions matter, especially when you’re frantically booking a last-minute flight using spotty hotel WiFi. Trust me, I’ve been there more times than my boss knows.
Wakatravels Interface
The Wakatravels website and app favor simplicity over bells and whistles. The interface is clean, loads quickly even on shaky connections (a genuine blessing during that time I was booking from a remote beach in Tanzania), and gets straight to the point with flight search functions front and center.
Navigation is intuitive, though admittedly the design feels a touch outdated compared to glossier international competitors. But what it lacks in visual polish, it makes up for in functionality, especially for basic domestic flight bookings.
Meet the Brands: Same “Waka,” Very Different Vibes
Wakanow: The Travel Industry’s Booking Beast
Wakanow is your classic, corporate-style travel platform—the Expedia of Nigeria, if you will. Their game? Flights, hotels, airport pickups, and maybe a few extras like visa help and payment plans. Think of it as the Amazon of travel: fast, efficient, but not exactly warm and fuzzy.
What Wakanow offers:
- Global flight & hotel bookings
- Visa assistance
- Airport transfers
- “Pay Small Small” (Installment plans)
- 24/7 customer support (sometimes…)
Great if you’re flying out of Lagos tomorrow and don’t want drama.
But don’t expect a WhatsApp message from your trip curator with packing tips. This isn’t that kind of party.
Wakatravels: The Soulful Storyteller of Travel
Now Wakatravels? That’s a whole different flavor. It’s built for those of us who want more than a seat on a plane. We want connection. Stories. Community. We want to feel the trip—not just survive it.
Wakatravels is rooted in curated experiences, not click-and-go bookings. We’re talking group adventures to Zanzibar, cultural immersions in Ghana, and birthday getaways that actually feel like the movies.
What Wakatravels offers:
- Curated group tours in Africa and abroad
- Romantic getaways (hi, honeymooners)
- Travel sponsorship programs (yes, really)
- Private travel planning for couples & small groups
And the best part? You’re not just a number. You’re part of the tribe.
Real Talk: Which One Should You Use?
Here’s a side-by-side to break it down:
| Feature | Wakanow | Wakatravels |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Type | Flights, hotels, airport transfers | Full travel experiences, group tours |
| Destinations | Global | Global |
| Personalized Planning | Minimal | High-touch, curated |
| Group Trips | No | Yes (core offering) |
| Visa Help | Yes | Yes |
| Installment Payments | Yes (Pay Small Small) | Yes (flexible group trip payments) |
| Customer Support | Call center (varied reviews) | WhatsApp, direct curator support |
| Target Audience | Business & individual travelers | Millennials, Gen Z, experience seekers |
| Soul Factor | Low | High (emotion, community, stories) |
Quick Storytime: That Time I Almost Booked the Wrong “Waka”
I had a friend—let’s call her Tolu—who planned her birthday trip to Ghana with a group of friends. She Googled “Waka travel packages,” and guess what popped up first? Yep, Wakanow.
She booked a hotel, a flight, and… crickets. No one told her about the music festivals happening that weekend. No one recommended where to eat jollof with smoky suya on the side. And forget meeting new people—she and her friends felt like they were stuck in a tourist bubble.
Fast forward to her next trip—she tried Wakatravels. She got a full itinerary, a dedicated group guide, local experiences, AND made friends she now FaceTimes every week. Also, she met a guy on that trip, but that’s a story for another blog.
Moral of the story? Booking a trip is one thing. Living it is another.
Who Wakatravels is For (Be Honest With Yourself)
- You want curated experiences, not just bookings
- You’d rather share cocktails with new friends than eat alone at a resort buffet
- You don’t want to plan every detail, but you want it to feel personal
- You love culture, adventure, and Instagrammable moments
- You’re open to new people, new energy, and maybe even a little romance
Still reading? You’re our kind of traveler.
Top Wakatravels Tours and Experiences
Here are a few of our most-loved getaways:
| Experience | Link | Description |
| Zanzibar Vibe Trip | wakatravels.com | Group trip with beach yoga, spice farms, and rooftop dinners. |
| Ghana Heritage Tour | wakatravels.com | Explore Cape Coast, Accra nightlife, and Black history. |
| Abuja to Nairobi | wakatravels.com | Private tour with safari add-on and luxury glamping. |
| Girls Trip Nigeria | wakatravels.com | Female-led escape with wellness, laughter, and great cocktails. |
| Honeymoon in Kigali | wakatravels.com | Underrated gem for romance, lakes, and cozy mountainside hotels. |
Final Thoughts (No Travel Agent Speak, Promise)
If you want efficient, no-frills, just-book-the-ticket energy? Go with Wakanow.
If you want the full, rich, I can’t believe this is my life kind of travel? Come through to Wakatravels.
We’re not better. We’re different. Like comparing Uber to a road trip with your funniest friends.
🌐 FAQs: Wakatravels vs Wakanow
1. Are Wakatravels and Wakanow the same company?
Nope. Different owners, different models, different vibes entirely.
2. Which is better for group travel in Nigeria?
Wakatravels, hands down. It’s built for that.
3. Does Wakatravels offer travel sponsorship?
Yes. They run programs to help aspiring travelers fund their journeys.
4. Can I book just flights on Wakatravels?
Yes, but not directly. They run an affiliate program with CheapOAir, which offers the best flight fares
5. Does Wakanow offer group trips?
Not as a specialty. They mostly handle bookings.
6. Which is cheaper—Wakanow or Wakatravels?
It depends. Wakanow can be cheaper for flights. Wakatravels offers more value for curated trips and cheaper flights through a partner company.
7. Does Wakatravels operate outside Nigeria?
Yes! They offer tours to Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, and even the UAE.
8. Can I pay in installments?
Yes, both offer payment plans.
9. Which is better for honeymoons?
Wakatravels. Their packages are crafted, not cookie-cutter.
10. Where is Wakatravels based?
In Abuja, Nigeria. But their heart is everywhere.