About Us

The Founders

Dag Goering and Maria Coffey have pursued their passion of exploring the world for over two decades. During many long, adventurous expeditions they have collected a treasure trove of gems which they assemble into unique, beautiful journeys to share with their guests.
This couple brings a wide breadth of experience to their calling. Dag is a veterinarian, and an internationally published photographer. Maria is a journalist and the award winning author of twelve books, who recently reached the Holy Grail for writers: an interview with Oprah Winfrey!
Dag and Maria have now established Elephant Earth Initiative, to support wild elephant conservation and captive elephant welfare.

The Team

A decade of developing and running trips has resulted in a Hidden Places ‘dream team’ — a close network of like-minded operators, local services providers, trip leaders, guides, and families running restaurants and hotels — people who have become close friends and share the same ethics and ideals.

The Guests

Over the years Dag and Maria have nurtured an ever-growing circle of Hidden Places friends with whom they have shared many wonderful adventures. Typically these guests return again and again, and often end up bringing their friends and relatives into the fold.