A Look Back at Chicago: Travel & Adventure Show and Safari Sip

This post comes about three weeks after Refracting Africa’s first visit to Chicago, where we participated in both the Travel & Adventure Show and hosted our Safari Sip event.

Both events were a great success. It was wonderful to meet people face to face and talk about the tours that Refracting Africa provides. It was also really special to share a little bit of the style and culture of Tanzania and introduce the idea that travel to East Africa can be about history, culture, and local connection, with safari as just one part of the experience.

Safari Sip in particular was something new for us. The idea was to introduce people to the spirit of Tanzania in a relaxed environment, combining conversation, music, and themed drinks inspired by safari travel. It gave us a chance to share what Refracting Africa is about by bringing people closer to the places, histories, and communities that shape the country.

A big thank you goes to Pynk Gin, owned by my friend Ebony, for creating the safari themed drinks for the event. They were a perfect addition to the evening.

The event sold out, which was exciting to see. Next year we hope to host it in a larger venue and expand on the concept. This may include incorporating more safari inspired themes and more opportunities to share information about the tours so the experience is even more enjoyable.

Refracting Africa will continue creating opportunities for connection beyond in person events. The next step will be a virtual information session, with the first one planned for May. More details will be shared in an upcoming blog post.

In the meantime, the video above, created by St., a friend of Ebony’s, captures some highlights from Safari Sip.

Thank you to everyone who attended. Your support means a great deal and is deeply appreciated.

Building Community Through Travel: Join Us in Chicago

I know it has been a while since I last posted, so my apologies. It has been a busy start to the year, but I am looking forward to being more consistent with my blog going forward.

This upcoming week is a big one for Refracting Africa because we are hosting our first in-person events. I am really excited about this because I believe the best way to share what we are building is to meet people directly, hear your questions, and explain why I started this company. Our tours are about showing Africa through a different lens, not just as a resort destination but as a place rich in history and culture, especially in Tanzania.

We have two events coming up. The first is the Travel & Adventure Show, where we will be at booth #1834. If you are on our mailing list, you will receive a free ticket promotion. I am looking forward to meeting many of you there.

Our second event is brand new. We are partnering with Pynk Gin, a mobile bartending company owned by my college friend, Ebony Savoy, to host a mixer with themed cocktails, Tanzanian-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and information about our 2026 tours. It will be a relaxed space to learn about the tours and connect with other travel-minded people.

I am especially excited to be in Chicago. I went to Northwestern, so it feels like a homecoming. I also plan to host a future in-person event in DC in partnership with another Black-owned business so we can continue building community and supporting each other.

Going forward, I will be more consistent on the blog, sharing updates about the company and more details on the destinations we visit and why they matter.

I will post again after the events to share how everything went. Please also follow along on social media for photos and updates. I am very grateful to the friends who are volunteering their time to help me make these events happen.

I am excited for what is ahead and I look forward to meeting many of you in person.

What’s New for 2026: Itinerary Tweaks, Early Arrival Activities & Your Last Chance for 10% Off

Welcome back! Last week I shared some reflections on the October Misafara tour, and now I’m excited to talk about what’s coming next for Misafara 2026.

Thoughtful Tweaks Based on Tour Participants Feedback

As always, Refracting Africa evolves based on what travelers enjoy most. A few adjustments are coming to make next year’s trips even smoother:

Kilwa Walking Tour Adjustments
The ruins are stunning, but the walking portion was more than some guests preferred. For 2026, we may visit just one island (Kilwa Kisiwani) instead of both (Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara), depending on what the group prefers. We’ll take a vote with each group before departure so the pace matches your comfort.
Optional Early-Arrival Cultural Activities
For travelers who arrive before the official start date, we’re adding new pre-departure cultural experiences available for an additional cost. These are great if you want to dive into Tanzanian culture right away rather than resting at the hotel. Details will be listed soon so you can plan ahead.

July & September 2026 Tours

As many of you saw in our email, the February tour has moved to September, so the next Misafara groups will run in July and September 2026.
Both itineraries will include the following additions from October 2025:

Optional early-arrival add-on experiences
Option to visit one or both of the Kilwa islands
Chumbe Island (not part of October 2025 tour)

Last Call for 10% Off

Our KUMI 10% early booking discount ends on December 31.

You only need a $500 deposit to secure the discount — the rest of your balance can be paid later. If you use a payment plan, there’s a 3% processing fee, but your final savings still land around 7% off. That’s a great deal for a two-week journey in Tanzania. You have to be subscribe to the mailing list to qualify for the discount.

If a 2026 adventure has been on your mind, now’s the best moment to lock it in.

What’s Next

We’ll be releasing a photo slideshow in December so you can get a full look at our October journey. If you’re not on our mailing list or following us on socials, be sure to connect so you don’t miss it.

Thanks for being part of our growing community.

Until next time,
Misi

October Recap: A Beautiful Return to Misafara

Hello, friends,

It’s been a little while! I’m finally settling back in after returning from our October 2025 Misafara tour, and I’m still smiling about the experience. It was such a rich and joyful two weeks with our group, and I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at how it all went.

New Sites & Shared Firsts

We began in Dar es Salaam, but this itinerary also included something completely new for both our guests and for me: Kilwa Kiswani.
Exploring the ruins together was such a powerful moment — full of history, beautiful views, and great conversations. It was definitely a standout experience, and we’re grateful to Alexander’s, Kilwa Beach Lodge, and Slow Leopard for hosting us and helping make that portion of the journey so smooth and memorable.

A Different Kind of Safari

Even though safari isn’t new to Refracting Africa, this was my first time doing a safari in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). My previous safari experiences have been in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, which you see on our Baba Yangu itinerary.

Nyerere felt different in the best way:

More intimate
Less crowded
A slower, more relaxed pace to really take in the wildlife and landscape

A huge thank you to our partners Aiysha, Alexander’s. Kilwa Beach Lodge, and Slow Leopard for their guidance, wildlife knowledge, and warm hospitality made the experience exceptional for everyone on the tour.

Gratitude for the October Group

This group was full of curiosity, humor, and great energy — the kind of travelers who remind me why Refracting Africa exists in the first place. I can’t wait to share photos and stories from the journey. If you’re not already following our socials, now’s a great time to hop on; we’ll be posting highlights throughout December.

See you next week for part two, where I’ll share itinerary tweaks, early arrival activities, and that important reminder about the 10% early booking discount.

Until then,
Misi

Countdown to Tanzania: Preparing for the October Tour

The countdown has begun! It’s less than a month until I’m back in Tanzania for our October tour! I’ll be heading out a little earlier than the official start date to spend time with family and meet with a few of our partners for the Baba Yangu itinerary. It’s a busy season, but the kind that fills me with excitement.

Like many travelers, I’m a big list maker. Right now, I’ve got lists for everything: what to pack, gifts to bring for family, and even reminders to tidy up my home before I leave. (Trust me, coming back to a clean house makes all the difference after a long trip!)

One tradition I love is carrying small gifts for relatives. On my last visit, I focused on items for my male cousins. This time, I’m switching things up with perfumes and lotions for my female cousins. It’s a small gesture, but it always feels good to show up with something thoughtful.

Packing, of course, has its own challenges. Shopping for warm-weather clothes during U.S. fall can be tricky! But more important than what I find is making sure I pack respectfully. In Tanzania, especially on my mother’s side of the family, modesty matters. While shorts and crop tops might work at the beach in Zanzibar, in towns, villages, or historic areas like Stone Town, longer skirts, dresses, or loose-fitting clothes are more appropriate. Even with swimsuits, I pack longer cover-ups—it just makes travel smoother and more comfortable.

These are the kinds of small but important details we guide our travelers through at Refracting Africa. Traveling is about immersion, connection, and respect for the cultures we visit. When you know how to pack and dress thoughtfully, it makes the whole journey richer.

As for me, the next few weeks will fly by as I prepare. And here’s something to look forward to: I’ll be keeping a daily diary during the October tour. Whether through short videos or daily notes, I’ll share behind-the-scenes moments from each day of the journey so you can get a feel for what traveling with us is really like.

Stay tuned: soon the updates will be coming straight from Tanzania. Karibuni sana (you are most welcome)!

Farming for the Future – How the Chagga Adapt to Climate Change

Two weeks ago, we explored the history and beauty of the Chagga people’s kihamba homegardens on Mount Kilimanjaro. This week, we look ahead — to see how this tradition is evolving in a changing world.

For the Chagga people of Mount Kilimanjaro, farming isn’t just work — it’s a legacy. The kihamba homegarden system has been carefully refined over centuries to make the most of the mountain’s fertile soils and abundant streams. But even the most resilient traditions must adapt.

Climate change is altering the rhythm of life on the mountain. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns are affecting banana yields, coffee quality, and vegetable harvests. Soil fertility is declining, and land scarcity is pushing farmers to rethink how they use every square meter.

The response? Innovation rooted in tradition. Farmers are planting pulse crops that naturally enrich the soil, fruit trees to provide shade, and high-density trees to help retain moisture. Livestock is becoming an additional income source. And with the help of government and NGO programs, many are learning new planting methods, using better seed varieties, and integrating modern techniques into traditional systems.

Some Chagga farmers are also exploring tourism — inviting visitors to walk their gardens, taste traditional banana-based dishes, and see the centuries-old water channels in action. On the Baba Yangu tour, you’ll have the chance to step into a kihamba, speak directly with the people who tend it, and see how climate challenges are being met with resilience and creativity.

This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s sharing a moment in the ongoing story of Mount Kilimanjaro’s communities. And for the Chagga, it’s a way to keep their heritage alive while building a sustainable future.

Sources & Further Reading

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2017). ‘Kihamba’ – Chaga home gardens on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro [Video]. Watch here
Hemp, A. (2006). The banana forests of Kilimanjaro: biodiversity and conservation of the Chagga homegardens. Biodiversity & Conservation, 15(4), 1193–1217.
Silayo, V., & Pikirayi, I. (2023). Community-based approaches in the construction and management of water infrastructures among the Chagga, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Land, 12(3).
Soini, E. (2005). Changing livelihoods on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: Challenges and opportunities in the Chagga homegarden system. Agroforestry Systems, 64(2), 157–167.

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