Blog - Refracting Africa

From Mwanza to Zanzibar: Two Journeys, One Vision

Hello friends,

So thrilled to announce the 2026 schedule! We’ve got two itineraries next year that I’m deeply proud of: Misafara and Baba Yangu.

Let me introduce you to both.

Misafara, meaning “caravans” in Swahili, focuses on the coastal landscapes and cultures of Tanzania. You’ll journey through Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and the island of Zanzibar—spaces rich with history, rhythm, and resilience. One highlight I’m especially excited about is Nyerere National Park, a lesser-known gem compared to Serengeti or Ngorongoro. It’s home to the Big Five and offers breathtaking biodiversity without the tourist crowds. Visiting this park supports more equitable distribution of tourism revenue and creates opportunities for local economic growth in under-visited areas.

Our second itinerary is brand new: Baba Yangu, which means “my father” in Swahili.
This tour is deeply personal, rooted in the region where my father is from: Musoma, a small city in northern Tanzania on the shores of Lake Victoria. When I was younger, we’d travel from Mwanza to visit my paternal grandmother by bus. One of those trips took us through Serengeti National Park. That memory, seeing wildlife from the bus window on our way to see family, was my first experience of the Serengeti, and it planted the seed for this itinerary. Baba Yangu honors that memory and invites travelers to experience northern Tanzania in a new, meaningful way.

In future blog posts, I’ll go deeper into the decisions behind each tour. But for now, I want to share a bit about the values that shaped both itineraries:

1) Centering Local Ownership: We are committed to working directly with Tanzanian-owned businesses and tour operators. Our partnerships are intentionally built to keep more revenue in Tanzanian hands, where it belongs.

2) Everyday Life, Not Just Landscapes: We’ve built in opportunities for you to engage with more than wildlife and monuments. Expect time to explore the people and culture in cities like Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Arusha. These are dynamic, growing urban centers—far from the outdated images of Africa as only “wild” or “undeveloped.” We want you to see the whole picture.

3) Environmental Stewardship: Climate change affects us all, and Tanzania is no exception. That’s why we partner with businesses that are integrating conservation, sustainability, and environmental education into their work. Whether it’s a lodge reducing plastic waste or a guide who leads with conservation in mind, we’re making intentional choices to reflect this reality.

So that’s a quick look behind the curtain of our planning process. I can’t wait to share the official itineraries with you next week. Stay tuned!

Navigating Travel Policy Updates With Clarity and Confidence

Lately, there’s been a wave of headlines about a leaked U.S. government memo that includes Tanzania on a list of 36 countries flagged for possible travel restrictions. Understandably, this has sparked concern among travelers, so I want to take a moment to break down what’s actually happening—and how we at Refracting Africa are approaching it.

The memo, reportedly circulated by the U.S. State Department, indicates that certain countries including Tanzania have been asked to address security concerns. If unresolved within 60 days, those countries may face partial or full ban.

At the time of writing, no travel ban has been enacted, and there is no restriction on U.S. citizens traveling to Tanzania. Our October 2025 tour is moving forward as planned, and we will proceed with the release of our 2026 tour schedule on July 16, 2025.

Since this news surfaced, the Tanzanian government has engaged the U.S. to seek clarity and resolve any outstanding issues. While the situation is fluid, I remain hopeful that both governments will find a resolution.

At Refracting Africa, we are fully aware of these developments and are keeping a close watch through both U.S. and Tanzanian news sources. Our service agreement outlines how we handle disruptions, cancellations, and schedule changes. We also require travel insurance for all participants and recommend booking refundable flights or flexible airfare wherever possible.

We’ll continue operating as planned and as always, I’ll share updates if the situation evolves.

Thank you for traveling with intention and for trusting us to guide the way.

New Season, New Site, and Three Incredible Shows

Hello hello,

It’s been a little while, so first, thanks for your patience. I’ve been deep in planning mode and wanted to pop in to share a few updates about what’s new with Refracting Africa and what I’ve been up to personally.

Let’s start with the big one: the website got a glow-up.

If you’re reading this blog post on the site, then you’re already seeing it. The new design has been in the works since March, and I’m so excited it’s finally here. I partnered with Nicole McCullum of Captivate Design, who did a beautiful job creating something that feels much more aligned with who we are and what we’re offering.

There are more visuals, more storytelling, and more details about our itineraries, what they are, why we created them, and who they’re for. You’ll find all the info about Misafara, our current itinerary for Tanzania, including open dates for October 2025. (We still have three spots left, by the way, so if you’ve been thinking about it, book now.)

Once you finish reading this post, I hope you’ll take a moment to explore the new site. And if anything sparks a question or even just a feeling you want to share, reach out. I’d love to hear from you.

Now, let’s talk about what I’ve been up to outside of work. If you know me, you know I love the performing arts, especially musical theater. So at the end of May, I had a mini arts tour of my own and saw three shows all featuring predominantly Black casts.

1. Porgy and Bess (Washington, DC)

First up was Porgy and Bess at the Kennedy Center, performed by the Washington National Opera. I’d seen the show years ago in Dallas, but this production was special. Not only was it beautifully staged and sung, but featured my friend, Nicholas Lagesse, in the ensemble. We went to the same alma mater, and it was the first time I got to see him perform live. That alone made the experience meaningful.

Porgy and Bess, written by George Gershwin, is a complex piece. The music is stunning: jazzy, bluesy, operatic all at once but the story includes some troubling racial stereotypes that we have to sit with. I appreciated that the Kennedy Center including thoughtful context about the show’s history in the program and an exhibit. It gave a fuller picture of how the original cast came together and what the show meant at the time it premiered in the 1930s. It’s one of those pieces that is both beautiful and complicated, and I was glad I had the chance to see it again with fresh eyes.

2. Gypsy (New York, NY)

Next up: I went to my hometown to New York City and saw Gypsy at the Majestic Theater, starring the legendary Audra McDonald. I am a huge Audra fan, she’s got six Tony Awards and she was in the original cast of the Ragtime, my favorite musical. I was so curious to see how she would take on the iconic role of Rose.

Traditionally, the role of Rose is played by powerhouse belters—people like Patti LuPone, Bette Midler, Rosalind Russell. Audra, with her classical soprano training, brings something entirely different to the table. And she absolutely delivered. Her version of “Rose’s Turn” gave me chills. I’ve always found the character a little hard to sympathize with, but Audra brought out a level of vulnerability and desperation that made me reconsider. I still didn’t like Rose, but I felt for her. And watching a Black woman inhabit that role brought new dimensions, especially when thinking about the extra hurdles Black mothers face in trying to push their children toward success.

Also, shoutout to the performers Rose’s daughters: Mila Jaymes, Summer Rae Daney, Jordan Tyson and Joy Woods. Beautiful vocals, sharp dancing, and real presence on stage.

3. Goddess (New York, NY)

The final show I saw was Goddess, which a friend tipped me off to via Instagram. It’s a musical rooted in Kenyan folklore, set in Mombasa, and performed at the Public Theater. That alone had me curious. Kenya and Tanzania are neighbors—we share language, landscape, culture—so it felt close to home.

Written and directed by Saheem Ali, Goddess follows Nadira, the goddess of music, who comes to earth in human form and performs at a club called Moto Moto. There she meets a young man who’s come home to take up his father’s political legacy but has a deep connection to music he’s been suppressing. The story blends romance, fantasy, tradition, and self-discovery.

There was Swahili in the dialogue, which was a joy to hear on an American stage, and the music had a richness I wasn’t expecting. The actress playing Nadira, Amber Iman, had a voice that was warm, textured, and soulful and the highlight of the show. I also loved the music (incorporating Swahili words) and the choreography. I hope to take time to read the actual folklore of the Goddess when I have time. It was wonderful to see modern story about East Africa on stage in the United States.

A Recharged Start to the Summer

So that’s what I’ve been up to. It’s been a creatively energizing season, between the new website and getting to experience so much beautiful Black storytelling on stage. I’m feeling grounded and excited about what’s ahead.

I’ll be back here in a couple of weeks with more updates. In the meantime, thank you for reading, and thank you for being part of this growing community.

Talk soon,

~Nyamisi

Documentary Reflection: Soundtrack to Coup d’État

Last week I watched Soundtrack to Coup d’État, a powerful documentary sponsored by Jazz and Justice Radio WPFW and the Friends of the Congo to celebrate International Jazz Day. My brother recommended it to me, and I’m really glad I took the time to see it.

The film focuses on the rise and assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Congo. What really stood out to me was how it used jazz to tell the story. Artists like Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie are featured throughout. The music brings so much emotional depth, and it also plays a historical role. One of the things I didn’t know before watching was that a lot of these musicians actually traveled to the Congo during that time. Some of those trips were used as cover for CIA operations, which was wild to learn.

The film breaks down how the U.S., especially during the Cold War, saw Congo’s independence and Lumumba’s leadership as a threat. Congo is rich in resources, including uranium that was used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. So outside powers, especially the U.S. and Belgium, had a strong interest in keeping control over the country. Lumumba’s insistence on sovereignty and Congolese ownership of their own resources didn’t align with that agenda.

What was especially disturbing was the language used by the mercenaries and political operatives who worked to remove him. They talked about him like he wasn’t human. I already knew the general story, but hearing it in their own words was a whole other level. It was cold, casual, and terrifying.

Unfortunately I couldn’t stay for the post-screening discussion—it was getting late—but I plan to watch the movie again, more slowly this time, so I can sit with everything it brought up. You can rent it on YouTube, and other platforms.

A poignant part of the film was seeing how Black Americans responded to Lumumba’s assassination. Malcolm X is featured throughout, speaking on Lumumba’s importance and tying it to struggles happening in the U.S. He framed segregation not just as a civil rights issue but as a human rights issue that needed to be brought before the United Nations. After Lumumba’s death, African Americans protested—some even disrupted a UN meeting. Maya Angelou and several jazz artists were among those who raised their voices. The film includes actual footage of that protest, which I didn’t expect to see. That moment of transatlantic solidarity was powerful.

Living in D.C., I’m surrounded by a strong activist and African diaspora community. Events like this remind me how important it is to stay engaged and to reflect on the stories that shape our collective memory. I plan to write more about films, events, and conversations like this one that highlight Black diaspora experiences.

Thanks for reading. If you get a chance, I definitely recommend watching Soundtrack to Coup d’État. It gives you a lot to think about, and it’s a film I won’t forget anytime soon.

Post-Show Reflections: DC Travel & Adventure Show

Two days after the DC Travel & Adventure Show, and I’m still feeling incredibly proud of what Refracting Africa accomplished.

First, I want to thank my amazing friends Ebony Sims, Nancy Fru, and Tiffane Cochran for stepping up as volunteers at my booth. It would have been really tough to manage everything on my own, and I deeply appreciate them taking the time to support me. It truly warmed my heart.

I also want to thank Terri Sanders, the marketing consultant I’ve been working with. She did a fantastic job helping me develop the materials we used at the booth, which really seemed to resonate with a lot of the attendees. My brother, Muindi Muindi, also provided invaluable feedback and served as a sounding board throughout the process.

A special thank-you to Aaron Mays, a great friend who encouraged me every step of the way. I was nervous about doing my first show, and he showed up with support and enthusiasm. He even created beautiful booklets that so many people at the booth loved. I ended up hiding one to keep as a keepsake.

Meeting so many people excited to visit Tanzania and interested in learning about it beyond just the safari experience was incredibly rewarding. A number of folks were already thinking ahead to 2026 travel, and I hope they stay connected through our mailing list and eventually travel with us. I want them to experience Tanzania through my eyes as my second home. It’s a beautiful country with beautiful people and a rich history we can all learn from.

Live Event: Travel and Adventure Show

Can you believe we’re already two months into 2025? Time is flying, and the countdown to my inaugural tour is officially on—just three months to go!

Today also marks the last day of Black History Month, but in my opinion, Black history is everyday history. It’s not confined to 1 month! But I’ll step down from my soapbox…for now.

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