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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Chagga Homegardens – A Living Legacy on the Slopes of Kilimanjaro
High on the fertile slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Chagga people have cultivated an ingenious farming tradition for centuries — the kihamba homegarden system. At first glance, a kihamba might look like a lush tangle of greenery, but look closer and you’ll see a carefully layered design: towering timber and firewood trees, shady banana plants, […]
Baba Yangu: A Journey Rooted in Family & Connection
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 […]
When the Tour Launch Steals Your Spa Day: A Birthday Reflection
Hey friends, This post is less about itineraries and more of a behind-the-scenes venting session, because whew, I’ve got a story for you. So I made the decision to launch our 2026 tour schedule on July 16th, which also happens to be… my birthday. Let me tell you now: I regret choosing that date. Not […]
Behind the Itinerary: Misafara
As promised, I’m sharing more about the stories and intentions behind each of our tours—starting with Misafara, which means caravans in Swahili. This itinerary explores Tanzania’s coast, drawing from personal experiences and the deep history of the region. In 2012, my brother and I returned to Tanzania for the first time since our mother’s funeral. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]