AfricAid's Tanzania

Twelve kind, curious, and adventure-seeking Americans and Canadians + four Tanzanian schools + three game parks + two nights camping in the bush = one truly amazing, once-in-a-lifetime safari.

AfricAid and Africa Adventure Consultant’s first guided trip to Tanzania concluded a few short weeks ago. Participants witnessed AfricAid’s programs first-hand and got to experience Tanzanian culture through school and home visits. And, of course, it included the classic safari experience. The group visited Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti. In one day, they saw thirty lions and one leopard – and that’s just the cats.

The trip provided a very unique opportunity to see life-changing programs close-up and to enter Tanzanian schools and homes. The group visited two primary schools: Upendo and Losinoni, and two secondary schools: Muungano and Arusha Secondary. This was a blend of public and private, and urban and rural schools. Still, one thing was constant; there are thousands of bright, spirited, beautiful children who simply want to learn and make their lives and communities better. Children and travelers engaged in a postcard activity where each shared stories and pictures of their homes and lives at Losinoni, and sang, played, and asked questions to learn about one another at Upendo. Multiple home visits, including a visit to a traditional Maasai home, afforded the opportunity the better understand the culture in an authentic, unfiltered way.

The game park visits were extraordinary and offered the chance to see some of the famed wildebeest migration, as well as hundreds of other animals from the tiny dik dik to the mighty lion. Venturing out among a field of elephants is truly a life-changing, awe-inducing moment.

As we concluded this year’s trip, we’re already planning for next year. There’s certainly something in the air in Africa. The smell of smoke from cooking fires and fragrant flowers mix with sounds of calling birds and the occasional distant drum. Yes, there’s something magic in Tanzania and it’s not just in the air; it’s in the people. We hope each and every one of you can join us soon and experience it for yourself. Our 2012 safari will take place in June of next year and will be a family-friendly trip. For more information on AfricAid and Africa Adventure Consultant’s 2012 trip, please contact us.

Guest blog courtesy Elizabeth Abeshire (AfricAid). Photos courtesy Elizabeth Abeshire and Ashley Schulyer.

AAC and AfricAid

Last month, AfricAid held their inaugural 'Art & Soul' event in Denver. Africa Adventure Consultants were proud to be a major sponsor of the event. Our sponsorship provided funding to break the cycle of poverty for one girl and her family through the Kisa Project; providing the education and financial support necessary for her to become a powerful leader and voice for change in her community and the generation of girls to follow her.

The event was attended by nearly 200 people, including some of our own staff members. The evening was filled with food and drink, great live entertainment and beautiful artwork, and the gala raised nearly $40,000 for AfricAid's ongoing educational work in Tanzania.

AAC has an ongoing partnership with AfricAid. Kent Redding serves on the Board of Directors, we have sponsored events, and we are also offering a unique Tanzanian safari in 2011 to help with scholarships for girls in Tanzania.

AfricAid's Tanzania safari visits many of the 'must see' sights in Tanzania, where you will have amazing animal sightings, as well as lodgings in spectacular settings. This safari will also offer an in-depth cultural experience like no other - with visits to local schools, a remote village and to one of the scholars and her family.

Don't miss this chance for a life-altering experience; both for the traveller and the AfricAid student whose education will be funded through your visit! Call us for details or to reserve your spot on this amazing trip.

Photos courtesy AfricAid