Returning to New York City: Exploring African Diaspora Communities Through a New Chapter
I’m currently preparing to relocate from the Washington, DC area back to New York City for a new job opportunity, and I’m excited for this next chapter of life in NYC. In many ways, this move feels like a homecoming. I lived in New York until I was about 11 years old, so returning now […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]