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. That trip was filled with emotional reunions, especially with our mother’s side of the family. Zanzibar was the final stop—a space of reflection, healing, and discovery.

We took the ferry from Dar es Salaam and stayed in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Touring with a distant cousin, we explored sites connected to the East African slave trade, a history often overlooked in American narratives. That experience helped shape Misafara, which is grounded in the movement of people, culture, and memory along the Swahili coast.

The tour includes Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Kilwa Kisiwani, and Nyerere National Park. Each site holds significance from ancient trade and colonial resistance to contemporary life and conservation.

In Zanzibar, you’ll be guided by Aisha, a Zanzibari storyteller and heritage guide who brings deep knowledge and local perspective to the experience. In Dar and Bagamoyo, we’ve partnered with Afriroots, a locally owned, community-centered organization that shares city life through walking tours, music, and conversation. Their work helps visitors engage meaningfully with the rhythm of modern Tanzania, beyond surface impressions.

We also head inland to Nyerere National Park, a lesser-known alternative to Serengeti. It offers incredible wildlife viewing with a more intimate, less crowded feel. We’re proud to partner with Slow Leopard, whose eco-lodge supports conservation and highlights off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’ll also include a stay on Chumbe Island, a private marine conservation sanctuary. Guests stay in eco-bungalows, snorkel coral reefs, and directly support environmental education for Tanzanian youth.

Misafara is a journey through history and modern life. It blends personal memory, cultural storytelling, sustainability, and joy—with plenty of time on the beach, too.

Next up: I’ll share the story behind our second itinerary, Baba Yangu.

Asante (thanks) for reading!