As I continue building Refracting Africa, I want to take a moment to share something deeply personal: the story behind our newest itinerary: Baba Yangu, which means “my father” in Swahili. This journey is dedicated to my father, who passed away in December 2023.

I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. My dad was a central part of my travels to Tanzania as an adult. Even if we weren’t together the entire time, his presence was constant. I never saw him as content or at peace as he was in Tanzania, surrounded by the people who raised him, the community that shaped him, and the land that made him who he was before coming to America with my mother to build a new life.

When I first shared the idea of starting a travel company with my dad, I was nervous. We’ve all heard the stereotypes about African parents and unconventional careers. But instead of hesitation, he gave me his full encouragement. He was genuinely excited for me. His belief in me continues to guide every part of Refracting Africa’s journey.

Though he’s no longer physically here, I know he walks beside me in spirit. Creating this itinerary in his honor felt not only meaningful, but necessary.

What Makes Baba Yangu Different
While our Misafara tour focuses on the legacies of colonialism, the slave trade, and coastal heritage, Baba Yangu is about immersion, nature, and the people of northern Tanzania — my father’s home region.

We begin on Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria, where my paternal grandfather was from. It’s a place of quiet beauty and deep local history. From there, we travel to Arusha and Moshi, with a safari excursion through Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater along the way.

In Moshi, guests will spend time with the Chagga people. They are known for their rich agricultural traditions and intricate coffee farming systems.

This is not a luxury tour in the conventional sense — it’s rooted in authentic connection. On Ukerewe Island, guests will stay in a locally run hotel and be guided through day-to-day life by a local host. You’ll also meet a traditional healer from the island. They will share their story and offer insight into medicinal practices grounded in ancestral knowledge.

Later in the journey, guests will stay with Chagga hosts in Moshi. The homestay experience gives a firsthand look at community life and local customs at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Food is another essential part of this experience. Northern Tanzania is known for its fish from Lake Victoria and ugali, a staple dish similar to West African fufu. Through meals, stories, and daily life, we invite you to see this region through the eyes of the people who live it.

A Glimpse into 2026
Baba Yangu will run twice in 2026, in May and August. For travelers drawn to safari experiences, the August departure aligns with the migration season. But no matter when you go, this journey is about more than the landscape. It’s about experiencing Tanzania as a living, breathing community.

There are more than 120 tribes in Tanzania. This tour offers a window into two of them, the Kerewe of Ukerewe Island and the Chagga of Mount Kilimanjaro. Through respectful, intimate engagement, guests are invited into a cultural exchange that encourages reflection, connection, and deeper understanding.

Looking Ahead
I hope to one day create a Mama Yangu itinerary, inspired by my mother’s roots in western Tanzania near the Congolese border. For now, that region remains unstable, but I continue to hope for peace, both for her home and for the broader region.

In the meantime, I’m preparing for our upcoming Misafara tour this October — now just three months away. We still have two spots left, so if you’ve been considering joining us, now is a perfect time.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I’ll be back soon with more reflections and updates, and I can’t wait to welcome you into one of our stories.