One last huge Mambo from Tanzania!
July 26, 2024
Sebastian and I can’t believe how quickly this trip absolutely flew by. We will forever be grateful for a phenomenal end to the trip on the beautiful beach of the Tanga coast. We enjoyed 3 action-packed, sunny, and sandy days by the water. Our first day after a great nights sleep we embarked on our boat day to go snorkeling around coral reef. The early morning sea mist sprayed us to life as a small rainstorm caught us as we needed our destination. Of course we didn’t mind because as our captain said it best “we’re getting wet one way or another”. All of the girls embraced that positive outlook and we enjoyed spotting star fish, eels, lion fish, pin fish and more. After our first snorkel location we made our way to a sandbar which was an awesome experience. Olivia, our resident water bug, found so many cool shells and tiny sea creatures. We found many unique shells including some fossilized clam shells. Everyone loved getting to explore our own little strip of paradise. Abby even found a shell with a sea urchin living in it, a rare sight to see!
After an exciting morning in the water, we made our way back to our hostel eager for a big lunch. After satisfying our hunger we broke out into teams for a friendly volleyball match. Laughter and banter (read trash talk) filled the air as the teams rallied back and forth fiercely. In the end Sebastian’s team prevailed but most importantly everyone had fun! We then ditched the volleyball court for a swim in the ocean. We floated, talked, and jumped off the dock many times. Before we knew it the tide had come in and the sun was beginning to set. The girls jumped off the tall sunset deck and then we headed to take quick showers so that we could admire the sunset while having our pre-dinner snack. A group card game of golf broke out and we enjoyed some pastries as the sky turned a gorgeous shade of orange and pink. After dinner we gathered for a sweet moon-up and then headed to bed ready for the next days adventures.
But first we had to have a special midnight wake up to serenade our birthday girl Ann!! The next morning brought a walk through the coconut groves to get to the village to cook chapati with the mamas. A local village man showed us his insane talent for scaling a coconut tree and we reaped the benefits with fresh coconut water and meat. Once our thirst was quenched we continued our walk to the chapati making, which is a type of pita like bread. All of the girls got so involved in helping knead, roll, cut, and fold the dough. Sebastian and I got to be the judges of who made the best chapati (spoiler alert…they were all DELICIOUS). After we were good and full, it was time to make our way back to camp. We took a different route back through the rock pools which gave us a cool look at the caves and secret beaches at our hostel. After lunch Hunter and Liza challenged Sebastian and I to a volleyball match. They were tough competitors and took us in just two sets!That afternoon once the tide started coming in we embarked on a group kayaking excursion. Peyton set an example for us all and led the group on the way to and from the island. We got back with aching arms and a dip in the ocean was just what we needed to recuperate. We then headed to the sunset deck once more to enjoy a birthday treat for Ann and take some sunset pictures. We ended the day grateful and tired but also sad knowing that tomorrow would be our last day of activities all together.
Our final day was one for the books. We got to sleep in, a rare treat. Morning rain and the crashing waves lulled us into a comfortable slow morning. We then made our way to the workshop for a morning of service. The girls split into two groups to build two desks for the local school. We were so impressed by their hard work as they all jumped in helping saw, sand, and nail the pieces of the desk together. Unfortunately, due to the rain we didn’t get to help stain the desks but the assembly alone was so helpful to the village! Of course we had to start our last afternoon together with another group volleyball match! Sophie, Caroline, and Kennedy opted for some time in the sun instead and cheered us on from their comfy spots on their sandy towels. The rest of the group got into an intense match that went all the way to three sets! Everyone laid it all on the court..well sand. After our sweaty match we dipped into the ocean for one last swim. It was then time to head to our rooms to pack up and get showered for our banquet night. We all put on our matching jerseys we bought earlier in the trip and made our way to the sunset deck for one last Tanga sunset. It was one for the books, as the sun turned orange and the sky transformed into the most bursting up hues of blue, purple, orange, and pink. With tears in our eyes we fondly recounted our favorite memories and funny moments from the trip. We closed the night with a final moon-up that showed us just how close this group has gotten. Before we went to bed, we enjoyed a dance and song performance with a local band. Afterwards we sat around the fire on the beach listening to songs and eating a birthday cake we made for Ann. We laughed, cried, and embraced our final moments on the beach together.
As we now begin our long journey home Sebastian and I feel so eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to lead your inspiring, intelligent, silly girls over the last two weeks. This group was truly something special and we won’t forget all the incredible memories we created with them. They all gave such bright futures and we know that lifetime friendships have been formed. We will miss them dearly but we know that a reunion will certainly take place! Until next time.
Signing off,
Sarah Paden and Sebastian
Mambo Serengeti families!
July 22, 2024
We have had an action packed few days but wanted to pop in with all the fun updates. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their time at Manyara lake getting to live like the Maasai. We got in and were immediately welcomed with open arms and a delicious glass of ginger, lemon, and honey juice. We then quickly settled into our rooms and headed to the dining area for a fantastic lunch. After a long car ride a warm meal was just what we needed. After lunch we enjoyed a little free time just chatting and catching up before it was time for our sunset medicine walk with a villager. On the hike to the sunset lookout we stopped along the way to learn about native plants and how the Maasai use them in their day to day life. Liza was fearless and asked many questions and even tried making a traditional toothbrush. The view at the lookout was outstanding and the group sat in awe as the sun quickly dropped below the horizon. The sky turned the most beautiful shades of pink, orange, and purple. We made our way back down just as our bellies were beginning to rumble. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and lively moon-up before heading to bed to prepare for our day in the village.
The next morning we rose with the sun and enjoyed some tea and coffee before heading to the village to tour the Maasai bomas(homes). We got to see the cows, goats, and sheep that one of the families owned (over 100!). A sweet bonus, many baby goats were born since Sebastian and I were last there and we all loved getting to hold them and give them names. After a glimpse at what a morning in the village looks like, we made our way back to camp to eat some breakfast before our service project. The girls got to help build a bathroom out of cow dung, termite dust, and water for one of the families. They all proved to be extremely hard workers and got the project done in record time. Hunter was a rockstar at helping to gather water and transport it for the mud mixture. Olivia really got into it and even mixed the mud alongside the Maasai women with her bare hands! Afterwards we enjoyed a well deserved lunch. We then got to participate in a traditional goat sacrifice that would be our meat for our traditional dinner that night. The girls were quite brave and most stayed through the end! Sebastian and I were so proud of all of the girls for really diving into the cultural immersion during the Swahili dinner. Once we were good and full we headed to bed in preparation for our journey to Lake Jipe the next morning.
Once again we loaded up the bus and were on our way to our next destination. We arrived at the lake in the late afternoon and enjoyed a relaxed evening of playing games, eating snacks and listening to music. Our rest was much needed in preparation for our big hike the next morning. We rose with determination in our bones and excitement (mostly) on our faces. The trailhead where we began the hike was right on the edges of our campsite and we took in the mountain with awe in our eyes. The early morning sounds of birds and cattle cut through the air as we tightened our shoelaces and strapped on our day packs. The ascent was tough but Peyton kept the groups energy high during our climb. The conversation flowed as did a game of 20 questions. A short while later we made it to the summit and boy did that feel incredible. We looked out and saw how far we had come and Sebastian and I loved seeing the girls pride in themselves. When we made it back down, we rewarded the group with cold drinks from a local shop. As you might assume we spent the afternoon recuperating and resting. Abby taught the group how to play MAO and it quickly became a group favorite. Of course we often had to take breaks so she could play with nugget (the camp puppy). The games continued into the night as we played many rounds of Mafia at noon-up, one of Kennedy’s favorites. We then headed to bed to rest up for our morning of canoeing. Lake Jipe is split between Kenya and Tanzania and the girls were thrilled at the thought of crossing into another country. Liza really hoped that we would go into Kenya and luckily her wish was granted! When we made it to the Kenyan side we found a group of hippos basking in the water. Sophie was a big fan and totally in awe of their size..and smell. As we made our way back Sebastian spotted elephants on the bank of the Kenya side of the lake. We arrived back at game ready for some breakfast and Ann fell in love with the traditional porridge. We then started up more rounds of Mao before our afternoon activities. Once the sun began to set we made our way to the local school to help plant some trees. Caroline did an awesome job and gathering and bringing water to the different saplings as others planted them and filled in the holes.
The next morning everyone woke up excited to head to the beach! It was a bittersweet feeling as it meant the last leg of our trip had begun but we are so excited to enjoy a few days in the sun and sand. Sebastian and I have been blown away by this group and how close they have all become in such a short amount of time. They have all expressed so much gratitude for this opportunity and we wanted to give them a chance to thank y’all below.
Talk soon,
Sarah Paden and Sebastian
Sophie- mom, dad, and David: thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip. I am having so much fun and I’ve made the best friends. Can’t wait to see you!!
Liza- hey mom and dad I have had so much fun on this trip!!! Thank you for giving me this opportunity I have enjoyed every minute of it. I love all of my friends and my leaders. See y’all soon!
Kennedy- Thank you so much for letting me come on this trip. This has been such an amazing experience. I’ll see y’all soon!
Olivia-Hi Mom and Dad!! Thank you so so much for giving me this opportunity! I’m so thankful for the places I’ve seen and memories I’ve made! See you guys and the pups soon!
Caroline Cason- Hey mom and dad thank you so much for sending me on this amazing trip. These ppl and place have been incredible. I love y’all so so much and will see y’all soon!
Abby Kerrins- Hey Mom and Dad! Thanks for sending me on this amazing experience. I have seen so many animals and done amazing things! 🤩
Peyton- Hello Queen and other family members I miss y’all soooo much and I can’t sit to tell y’all all about my trip and the amazing things I have seen! Mom you’re going to be really jealous 😜.
Ann Clark-Smurda Best trip ever (quite literally) !! I am so grateful for the opportunity to come here, see y’all soon 😊😊
Hunter – Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip it has truly been the best time. The hike was so fun and I’ve met my bestfriends. See yall soon🥰
Karibu Tanzania Serengeti family and friends!
July 18, 2024
We are so excited to have our last group of the summer with us in the beautiful country of Tanzania. When Sebastian picked the girls up from the airport, we were immediately blown away by their boundless energy and the fact that they wasted no time in forming fast friendships. We knew from that moment that this group was going to have an incredible trip. We made our way to our hostel for the night and spent the afternoon getting to know each other and relaxing before a long travel day. We gathered for our first official moon-up and formal welcome to Tanzania. We were excited to pick our sweet alumni, Abby and Sophie, as the first leaders of the day to set the tone for the rest of the group. It was then time for a good night’s rest after a long flight day for the girls.
The next morning, we woke up excited to get to the Serengeti, even if it meant catching a flight before the sun rose. Part of the beauty of Moondance trips is that we embrace adventure and roll with the punches. The girls learned that lesson quickly when we got through security and to our gate for our internal flight, only to have it be delayed minutes before boarding. The girls were absolute rockstars and used the extra time at the gate to chat, share snacks, and braid one another’s hair. We loved seeing them turn an inconvenient situation into a fun memory. Kennedy was kind enough to share snacks and braid people’s hair as we waited. We finally made it onto the plane and were officially en route to Serengeti National Park. We enjoyed a beautiful car ride on the way into the park, full of baboon sightings. We stopped at the Ngorogoro Crater lookout, and the girls made friends with several locals. Peyton even spotted a rhino from afar with Sebastian and Sarah Paden. Liza absolutely loved waving at all the locals and other safari goers during our drive. We arrived at our campsite, enjoyed a delicious meal, and quickly got ready for bed, excited for our first day on safari.
The next morning, the air was chilly, but the birds’ chatter filled the air. We piled into the land cruisers with blankets and eagerness for all the animals that awaited us. The group got insanely lucky and saw three of the Big Five on day one alone. The morning started with a beautiful sighting of a mama lion with her four rambunctious cubs. We got to watch them play in the long bush and then eventually cross the road to join their large pride. We knew right then that it was going to be a great day in the park. Just a short while later, we encountered a family of elephants making their way to a drinking hole. It was an insane experience to hear a baby elephant trumpet as it passed by our car. As we made our way back to camp for lunch, our driver, Zeb, spotted a leopard. We ate a quick lunch because everyone was chomping at the bit to see what else we could find. At the end of the day, as the sun was starting to set, we got insanely lucky with a serval cat sighting. This was an extremely rare sight, and we feel so fortunate that the girls got to experience such a thing. We got back to camp and spent some time playing all the card games. Olivia even learned how to bridge cards while Caroline taught everyone how to play Shanghai.
The next day was bound to be even more exciting when Sebastian and I got news that we were going to travel to the Mara River for our second day of safari. That is an infamous crossing spot for the great migration, and we were so excited that the girls were going to be our only group to see the migration at this iconic location. We rose long before the sun to start our journey and were blown away by the large orange sun as it broached the horizon. Waking before the sun meant that we got to watch the Serengeti come alive with animals. About halfway, we stopped for a coffee and tea break, and Kennedy spotted a cool pink and blue lizard. We then got back on the road to continue our long drive. In the distance, we saw what looked like a million black specks and realized we were nearing the migration. We jumped up in the safari cars, amazed at the number of wildebeests and zebras. The excitement only grew as both safari cars got stuck in a quick detour through a muddy path. Once again, the girls were resilient and made the most of our unexpected break in the bush. Hunter and Ann kept the entire group laughing and entertained with their shenanigans! We sat atop the cruisers and enjoyed some cold sodas. Our drivers worked tirelessly to free our wheels, and then we were back on the road! We enjoyed lunch in the bush with a view of the migration in the background. We then began our long journey back to camp. We went back through a village that is within the Serengeti district, and it was incredible to see a small section of civilization after seeing nothing but grassy plains. We returned to camp tired but thankful for such an unforgettable day.
The next morning, we headed out for one last game drive of the summer. We were determined to see everything possible! Once again, the morning started with lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. A lucky bonus? Numerous baby giraffes, elephants, and impalas. It was such a precious gift to see such new life in the park. As the afternoon drew to a close, we were sad to have to say goodbye to the Serengeti. We will never forget the peaceful sunrises and the surreal sunsets. We are excited to get back to civilization and visit the Maasai people. This group has already made such special memories and strong bonds. The girls wanted to pop in and give y’all a little shoutout below.
Talk soon,
Sarah Paden and Sebastian
Abby Kerrins- Hi mom and dad! I miss you guys lots but I’m having an awesome time here! It is very different from Kilimanjaro thankfully.
Caroline Cason- Heyyy mom, (and dad if mom makes you read this) I know you have been waiting on my update and I am having the best time ever. I could not have gotten a better group of girls and I have seen the coolest things. Tell Hammond that I love him and miss him. I love yall so much!
Sophie Arnold- hey mom and dad! I miss y’all so much! The Serengeti was soooo cool and my group is awesome. Tell AK and Chames I said hi! Love yall! 😘😘 Hey fam!! It’s Liza. We miss y’all so much but we’re having so much fun! 🐘🦒
Hunter – Hi fam!! We just came back from the Serengeti and it was WILD. I saw so many cool animals and the girls on my trip are the best they are so cool. I love and miss y’all sooo much and we need to come back here one day!! Stay tuned for the hike 💀💀
Liza Stavrou- Hey mom and dad!!! And maybe will and Kate. We just got to the village after being in the Serengeti for 4 days. It was SO cool. We saw 4 of the big 5 animals (no rhinos unfortunately) but we have been having such a good time and we all get along so well. Love and miss y’all! 🦒🦒🦒🦒🦒💕💕💕
Ann Clark-Smurda – Hi guys!! I miss y’all so much!! I could not have gotten a better group of girls and I have seen the coolest things like literally unreal🦒🦒Cannot wait to see yall and don’t forget my birthday is in a WEEK 😁😁 love yall so much!!🤍🤍🤍
Kennedy Conyers-Hi Mom and Dad! I am having a blast on this trip and have had so much fun so far. All of the girls are super funny and we are getting along really well together! I’m craving canes and sushi so we will NEED some when I get home. Love yall and miss y’all so much! (P.S. Tell Bennett, Dixie, & Seth I said hi) (P.P.S. Please order me a new retainer 😉😘)
Olivia Dockery- Hi Mom and Dad!! I have had such a blast on this trip! The girls are SO much fun! Thank you so much for letting me come. We arrived at the Masaai village today and visited a market. I was able to practice my Moroccan bargaining skills. (Nothing was stolen this time!) My favorite thing I saw on the safaris were lions and some of the Great Migration. I have taken tons of great pictures! I hope things are great in Knoxville and the dogs are getting along. Love you so much! (The shampoo is not coming out of my hair😟)
Peyton Jenkins- Hey Queen, I miss you and dad so much but I am literally having the best time ever! I have met the best friends and can’t wait to tell you all about them. Mom you would have died on the safari it was the coolest thing ever (kinda glad that you weren’t here because you would have asked a million questions🤪) don’t worry I asked them for you!!! I have seen the coolest things and I am so grateful for y’all and bro able to come on this trip! Tell B and Cam that I love them and I miss them! Mom and Dad I love you and get ready for some good stories🤩🤩!
Safe Arrival in Tanzania!
July 12, 2024
Hi Serengeti Families!
All students have landed safely and the trip is off to a great start! We can’t wait to share more updates from their adventure.
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
