“Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
— Ibn Battuta
About Us
Off Cape Experiences is a continuation of more than 20 years of exploring 80+ countries around the world and learning from some of its most interesting people, cultures and natural wonders.
We offer experiences that evoke and feed a sense of curiosity, love of nature and growth of perspective. They’re designed to expand on the meaning of adventure, friendship and love of all people. We strive to help build bridges that lead to togetherness and unity, not barriers that result in divisive beliefs or actions.
Based in Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, Off Cape Experiences offers both scheduled and customizable travel experiences. We take travelers to a variety of international locations where, over the years, we have cultivated meaningful and lasting relationships with people of all walks of life in local communities. These experiences have helped shape who we are, how we make decisions and how we navigate each day in this world.
Our Team
Travel has always been an integral part of Erik’s life—from visiting family in Norway as a child to backpacking trips through Europe with his buddies as a teenager. Staying true to his Viking roots, Erik has traveled to more than 80 countries and six continents. He has spent the majority of the past three decades living, traveling and working between Europe, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and East Africa. As a proud resident of Wellfleet Massachusetts, he continues a joyful career planning, guiding and organizing unique and powerful experiences for many groups, couples, families and solo travelers. In his spare time, Erik can be found fishing out on the ocean, making kitchen knives, spending time with his family and exploring beautiful Cape Cod.
Erik Schoon, Founder and Travel Guide
“Swai” as he is commonly referred is a bit of a legend in the world of safari guides. He has big heart, larger than life personality and an incredible array of knowledge stemming from more than 40 years as a safari guide and master mechanic. Any time spent with Swai is memorable, heartfelt and time well spent. Erik and Swai met back in 2009 when Erik was scouting Tanzania as a travel destination and has become a great friend and a father figure in the years since.
Elisante Swai, Founding Partner and Chief Safari Guide - East Africa
Hailing from the town of Moshi, on the foothills of Kilimanjaro, Raymond is a full-time safari guide, father of two beautiful daughters and long time friend, adventure buddy and business partner with Erik and Off Cape Experiences. Raymond speaks fluent Spanish, English and Italian as well as his local languages of Swahili, Chagga and Meru. Any time you're in the field with Raymond you’ll feel happy and cared for.
Raymond Swai, Founding Partner and Head Safari Guide - East Africa
Felipe has a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Tourism Management and Msc in Environmental management and local development. He has worked on projects with protected wild refuges and in rural areas in different parts of Costa Rica while vice president of a non-governmental environmental organization in Costa Rica. In addition to that, he has been part of different wildlife issues commissions and projects across Costa Rica. He applies his experience and knowledge of the outdoors and sustainable community development to our programming and traveler experience. If not working he can be found enjoying his two main passions: nature and wildlife.
Felipe Hernandez, Founding Partner and Wildlife Guru - Costa Rica
Whether he’s introducing travelers to local culture, explaining the significance of native flora and fauna, or teaching them useful and fun phrases in Swahili, Jackson’s good energy, savvy spirit and knowledge of all things local will add a very positive and unique layer to your experiences in Tanzania. With more than a decade working together, Jackson, Erik and Off Cape Experiences will make you feel right at home as your safari unfolds.
Jackson Paul, Founding Partner - Cultural and Safari Guide - East Africa
With a keen eye for logistics and safety, Evarest leads our teams during our time on Mount Kilimanjaro. He has summited Uhuru Peak, the top of Kilimanjaro, as well as Mt Kenya and Mt Meru more than 100 times. Evarest’s extensive experience, love for his job and cool, calm demeanor brings a fun and exciting, yet relaxed feel as you and your group experience all the wonders Kilimajaro has to offer. When Evarest is not on the mountain, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family and exploring the many national parks of Tanzania.
Justin Evarest, Founding Partner and Head Mountain Guide - East Africa
Harry was born in New York City, and at 6 months old, relocated to his family's native home in the Dominican Republic. Ever since, he has lived in the cultural and physical space between the Dominican Republic and the United States. Harry has been working in the travel industry in the Caribbean and Central America for more than a decade and has led and managed programming in Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Harry splits his time between Santo Domingo, Havana, New Orleans and Providence. When not personally participating in our clients' experiences you can find him cooking or gardening with his partner Lauren and two sons.
Harry Alvarez, Partner - Dominican Republic
Born and raised in Marrakech, Chaima is a proud ambassador of Morocco. She is a strong believer in cross-cultural experiences and giving back to her community. Chaima has spent many years designing, running and overseeing meaningful experiences for travelers coming to Morocco from all ages and corners of the globe. With a genuine gift for connecting with people, understanding meaningful travel as well as being fluent in Arabic, French and English. Chaima will make sure your time in Morocco is both meaningful and unique.