Sunsets, Safari, and Saying Goodbye!
June 28, 2026
Jambo from the Ngorogoro!
We’ve had such an incredible past few days at safari, and we can’t wait to share some snippets with you.
We began our day in Arusha, stoked and ready to begin our safari adventure. We ate a lovely breakfast and then piled into our 3 safari vehicles for the next few days. And of course, had to stop for some “pipi” (“candy” in Swahili) and snacks along the way.
A few hours later, we found ourselves on the rim of the Ngorogoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. Pulling into our camp, Walker identified our first Giraffe sighting!! And sooner or later, there were zebras casually grazing around our tents… literally. It was incredible! Katie and Meriwether, our wonderful LODs that day, insisted on some photos with them at a safe distance. Shortly after… buffalo too!
After dinner, we decided to do Moonup all piled in our tents. Tonight’s topic: talking about something we each feel passionate about:)
Then, the next morning, our official day one of safari!! We started the day off greeted once again by several zebras, ate a delicious breakfast, and then headed off for our first safari drive into the Ngorogoro caldera. Just a half hour in, we paused to watch a female lion prey on a lonesome zebra from a bush. But before any action could happen, the zebra caught her scent and stood cautiously!! We were amazed. Shortly after, we grabbed our guide’s binoculars and spotted several rhinos, including a rare white rhino, relaxing by the temporary caldera saltwater lake. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, we saw two male lions lying in the grass. Then…. One pulled his head up!!! Everyone immediately pulled out their cameras.
After a thrilling start to the Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, we ventured to its neighbor: the great Serengeti National Park. The first day in the Serengeti was a true display of the serene and untouched flavor of the land. Though speedy and clad in desert camouflage, we were able to lay eyes on a beautiful Cheetah from afar. A bit later in the morning, we came across elephants; not only the big ones, but baby ones too. A whole community! We learned how elephants pretty much just eat and sleep. Additionally, because of their toughness and enormity, they are able to live for nearly 60-70 years. Crazy. And we got to see plenty of giraffes and hippos, too!
After a hearty pizza lunch, we took a much-needed rest at camp in the afternoon. Sandy introduced everyone to a card game called President that kept the competitive bunch tied up. Safe to say that Archer’s term in “office” was disproportionately long. Meanwhile, Izzie and Meriwether crafted beautiful watercolors for their loved ones back home. Casey also mastered a new card trick during the break. When the afternoon cooled off a bit, we set out on our evening game drive. There’s a challenge called the Big Five that sets the golden standard for Safaris. It includes spotting the following 5 animals: a lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, and leopard. So far, we had seen all but the leopard. No one said much about it. There was still time, and it is very rare to see leopards anyway. In the words of our guide, “the leopard is the most isolated of all the animals in Africa.” But something in the cool breeze over the Serengeti that evening had us feeling lucky. We rumbled along through the tall grass illuminated golden by the red setting sun. As if playing connect the dots, we tracked from one acacia tree to the next, looking for the elusive predator. But as the sun set our hopes did dwindle slightly. We decided to try one last spot. Over the hill and down towards a creek, we spotted a tree with low-hanging limbs. We drew near, then all of a sudden… “Look! The cat!” We shot out of our seats upon the guide’s exclamation. Instinctually, cameras were drawn and pointed as Joshua, our guide, instructed, “Shoot! Shoot! We do not have much time!” He was right. For a few short moments, we got to observe and sit in awe at the sight of this beautiful cat, perched in the tree, illuminated by the golden light of a setting Serengeti sun, and take photos of the incredible moment. Simply stunning. This discovery marked the end of our first day of two in the Serengeti. Lawson might have captured the best picture.
On the way back, we saw one of the most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen. Lauren and Browning soaked up the views from the window, and Casey and Madeline belted out some safari tunes in the back. We ended the night with a yummy dinner, and of course, more of the President card game, this time, Andrew joining in and running up quickly in the ranks! Then… sleep!
Our last safari day began bright and early before heading back towards the Ngorongoro caldera. On our morning drive, we got to see a family of baby lion cubs and perhaps our greatest sighting yet – three cheetahs feasting on a gazelle! A kill that had likely happened just a few moments prior. Then, we began our drive to our next campsite.
After arriving, our evening consisted of some much-needed “family time.” And, for Stella and Izzie, lots of journaling! We laughed, cherished our last dinner together, and ended dinner with a full-blown dance party. Dance party spirit award goes to Lola! Then, we gathered for our final Moonup, where we shared what this trip has meant to us and spent individual time with each person to share an intimate and meaningful goodbye (or, as we say, a see you later). Jake and Andrew spent some time after with the guitar, and we headed to bed for the last time!
We’d like to say thank you to all the parents who shared their most prized possessions with us for the last three weeks. This group was a special one, no doubt. They looked out for each other, encouraged one another, laughed endlessly, and illustrated that we are all better together. Between engaging with school kids, summiting the tallest mountain in Africa, and venturing out on a safari, I can confidently say that we squeezed every bit of life out of our time together in Tanzania. The tears in our eyes as we wished safe travels and goodbyes are evidence enough for me. Now we part ways richer in many ways- more experiences, accomplishments, geographies, and friendships. Thank you, KIL 2, from the bottom of our hearts, for the trip of a lifetime. We’ll see you down the road 😉
With all the love in the world,
Jake and Sandy
Conquering Kili!
June 26, 2026
Jambo from Ngorongoro!!!
We’ve had a whirlwind of a week. Transformative, challenging, and incredible to say the least!!! And to spoil it off the bat…. EVERYONE SUMMITED!!!!!!
But first, before departure to Kilimanjaro, we had a wonderful birthday…. ANDREW TURNED 18!!! The wonderful D3D staff pulled together a BBQ dinner, we popped a bottle of “champagne” and laughed together while celebrating Andrew’s 18th birthday. Earlier that morning, our LOD lola led an exercise where we all went around saying what we appreciated most about Andrew. It was the perfect last night in the front country before heading into the mountains.
Now, Let’s go through our Kilimanjaro week day by day.
Day 1: Machame Camp
Day one of Kili!!! After a bit of traveling, we arrived at the opening gates to the park with all the stoke in the world. We met up with our wonderful guides, Gregory, Samuel, Samson, Patrick, and Edward and got to meet our porters!! Then we entered into the park. Today we hiked through the gorgeous rainforest of Kilimanjaro. A bit of rain and mud, but nothing this group can’t handle. There were lots of laughs experiencing the joys of the backcountry for the first time as a group. Archer, as always, carried the group’s positive morale through the rain. As the sun began to set, the group’s energy did not falter. We enthusiastically took out our headlamps and experienced hiking in the dark for the first time! And then…. porters!!! After a long day, our porters met us on the trail to take the weight off our backs and allow for a smooth and energetic finish. 10,000 feet above sea level!!
We arrived at camp, ate a delicious dinner prepared by our wonderful chefs, and got into our cozy tents and out of the rain. The group learned the importance of hydration and fueling your body in high altitude environments, and then we prepped for day 2.
Day 2: Shira Camp
Happy day 2!! We woke up to warm tea and coffee delivered straight to our tents. 5-star service up here on the mountain!! After a lovely breakfast of crepes, eggs, and sausage, we began our trek smack in the mist of the rainforest. Something about hiking in the fog felt mystical and magical. Small water droplets rested on everyone’s head like glitter. Then sooner or later…. The rainforest trees got shorter and shorter, and we were in the moorland zone! Our second terrain for the week. Our favorite plant in this area was the Spanish moss, seen everywhere. The existence of Spanish moss means we were breathing in some of the cleanest air in the world. Not surprising given the beauty of the landscape. Our LOD, Izzie, held monkey boy (our trip’s LOD mascot) safely through her rain jacket the whole way, and we were rewarded with the sun and the first view of Kilimanjaro’s peak that afternoon.
Finally, we arrived at Shira camp at 12,500 ft. Just a bit higher than yesterday and finally… above the clouds!! We ate lunch, rested, and took in the beauty around us. Lawson and Casey spent some extra time admiring the sunset above the clouds before dinner, and Walker made sure to capture every part of the sky on his camera. Then… much-needed rest!
Day 3: Barranco camp
After breakfast, we began our trek to Lava Tower at a whopping 15,000+ feet to acclimate and eat lunch. Terrain for today: desert biome! Katie and Meriwether made sure to soak up the sun during rest breaks on the ascent up, finding the best rock spots available. We feasted on warm soup, chicken, and bread before beginning the descent down to Barranco camp. Back down at camp, the first thing we grabbed, of course, was the guitar. Stella jammed out and sang Jersey Giant with Jake’s help, and later Browning was found jamming out on his own under the thick clouds above us. After dinner, there were some of the clearest stars we’d ever seen. A great way to end the night!
Day 4: Karanga camp
Today we continued to acclimate, crossing the grand Barranco wall, reaching 15,000+ ft again to acclimate. The most technical part of the trail yet!! We were climbing over boulders and gripping rocks to reach our target altitude. Lauren and Lola were beasts scrambling up the rocks and keeping morale high. The views at the top were incredible. On the descent, we led another “question game” pairing everyone with a new person to discuss things like family, their aspirations, and more. Eventually, we reached Karanga. Woohoo!! We feasted on yummy chicken, pasta, soup, and fruit, while Madeline chowed down on a grilled cheese specially made by our chefs. A great way to end the night!
Day 5: Barafu camp
Today we hiked to base camp!! The day before the summit. We went from the alpine desert to the final biome, the Arctic, ending around 16,000 ft. A short hike, since we needed to prep for summit day. Our campsite was beautiful, just below the summit. We packed, ate a short dinner, and Lola and Walker led us to discuss our question for the night: “Who/what are you summiting for? What motivates you?”
Then… a 6 p.m. bedtime.
Day 6: Summit day!!!!
Where to begin? This is a day all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. After a few hours of rest, we awoke around 11:30 pm to the stars beaming brighter than any other night yet. After a short breakfast to fuel our day, we put on our parkas, strapped on our gaiters, Jake led us in a quick prayer, and we began our ascent in the dark. We cannot emphasize enough how proud we are of all these kids. Through altitude sickness, exhaustion, and sheer nerves, this group pushed through the dark with perseverance, strength, and determination to keep moving. Sandy blasted some tunes in the front with our wonderful guide Gregory to keep everyone hype. Sooner or later… we reached 17,000 feet. Then 18,000… oh we were cruising. In between, the occasional “I LOVE YOU ALL!!!” Or “REMEMBER WHY YOURE DOING THIS!!” then suddenly…. THE SUN!!!!! Always arriving at just the right time. We arrived at Stella’s point, around 6:15a. 18885 feet. Of course, we had to get a picture of our very own Stella at Stella’s point!! It was the most magnificent sunrise we’ve ever seen. Then, just one more hour. After passing Stella’s point, we knew we would all make it to the summit. Within the next hour…. Pole pole… crossed some ice glaciers… and then…. The sign: “CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE NOW AT UHURU PEAK TANZANIA”. 19,341 ft. We hugged each other, laughed, and cried tears of happiness. Everyone pushed their body to the limit, but one thing everyone knew is that they were not alone. After some much-needed pics, we began the descent back down.
We slid down the mountain with our handy gaiters preventing the rocks in our shoes from reaching our base camp for lunch before continuing to drop down 9,000 ft in elevation to Mweka camp, arriving around 4 p.m. A long day! Walker strummed on the guitar for a while back at camp while others rested and unpacked. Then… much-needed sleep.
Day 7: Mweka camp
Our final day on the mountain!! We trekked for a few hours downhill, soaking in the last bits of the rainforest. Lola and Archer ran the last 15 minutes of the hike – we were impressed!
What an accomplishment. We received our summit certificates, ate a quick lunch, and went to the most important stop: candy and ice cream.
Then, before we knew it, we were back in a warm and cozy bed at D3D.
We couldn’t be prouder of everyone. And now…. Onto the safari!!
But first…. Some thank yous:
Izzie – JAMBOOOO!! Miss and love y’all sooo much and I can’t wait to see all of you so so soon!! Even though I never want this trip to end… Thank you mom and dad SO much for sending me on this trip it’s been the biggest blessing!! Also everyone’s letters of encouragement completely got me to the top!! Talk to you soon WC 😊 See y’all in 5 days ✌️
Stella- Jambo fammmm!! I miss yall a ton but I’m having the best time EVER in kili! We just finished up the trekking portion of the trip and it was sooo awesome but challenging! I can’t wait to see yall soon! Love yall so big!
Andrew- Hi from across the Atlantic! I am having so much fun and seeing so many new things it is truly an experience I will never forget. Thank you so much for sending me and can’t wait to tell you all about my trip! Say hi to dog for me! See you all soon!
Walker- hey having so much fun kili could have been much much worse I still am sad I couldn’t do it with dad but next summer we can go I’m excited to get home and see all of yall and Tate thanks so much for sending me it’s been a blast
Katie- hey fam!! I made it to the top of kili!!! I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to see yall! Thank you so much for sending me on this trip it has truly been the best experience ever!!
Meriwether – Vipi masela!!!!!!! Just finished our Kili summit and am feeling literally on top of the world. I’m having the best time with the best group of people. I absolutely don’t want to leave but am looking forward to seeing all of yall very soon. Sending my love ❤️❤️
Lawson – Hello mom and dad, still having so much fun. Successfully summited the mountain too. Starting to miss American food. Tell Nellie I am excited to see her when I get home and that I miss her.
Lola- hiiiiiii!!!!!!! We are starting our adventure at the safari to see very cool and rare animals!!! Also I SUMMITTEDDD!!!! Yessirrrrr! This has been the best trip everrr!!!! Love u and thank u soo soo much, no words to say how thank u i am!! ❤️❤️❤️😘 give Mav a kiss for me
Casey – hello again. What a crazy 2 weeks it has been. Hiking kili was such an unreal experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was very challenging at some points but we did all make it. Thank you mom and dad for making this trip possible for me. It has been a blast. Can’t wait to see you guys soon.
Madeline: Hey guys! Still having a great time! I made it to the top and can’t wait to tell y’all all about it🤭 Thank you so much for sending me on this trip, I never want to come home! Shoutout ML Mama, Aunt Mary, and Mili! Love yall so much!
Lauren: Hey everyone!!! I just climbed the tallest free standing mountain in the world🤭 it was so so awesome. I am so grateful to be here and can’t wait to tell yall all about it. Love yall so very much and can’t wait to see you soon
Browning: Hey mom and dad, we all summited and I had a great time. I’m having a lot of fun and I’ve made a lot of friends thank you so much for letting me go on this trip, I miss y’all and Patton and McGowin and love y’all.
Archer: Hey! I summited the mountain and have made a ton of great friends. I am so glad to have gone on this trip so thank you. See yall soon.
All the best,
Sandy and Jake
Jambo from Tanzania!
June 16, 2026
Hey Moondance Families!
Jambo from Tanzania! Jake and Sandy here. KIL 2 is rockin n rollin’ at the end of week 1! Our time together has already been characterized by new friendships, meaningful conversations and many, many laughs. The majority of our time so far has been spent at the local school where we have been witnesses of the incredible work that the Red Sweater Project is doing. This project provides a high quality education to kids in rural Tanzania.
After touchdown at Kilimanjaro international, we took a quick shuttle to Arusha, Tanzania, a bustling little city. We had a late night feast upon arrival… Then… FIRST MOONUP! Oh how exciting to get formally acquainted with each other and informally fired up for the best three weeks ever. Now, off to bed to recover from a long travel day!
We woke up in Arusha full of anticipation for our first section of the trip. A quick breakfast before the shuttle came and we were on our way. For most, this drive was the first exposure to beautiful Tanzania in daylight. Nothing quite widens the eyes and drops the jaw like venturing across a beautiful and unfamiliar land. Eventually we turned left, off the paved road and onto the unbeaten path. We crawled up the mountain to our campground, our home for the next handful of days. I wish I could send a picture. The campground consists of canvas tents spread out in a grass field that rolls down to a pool, looking out on a lake. The bus wasn’t even parked before Lawson and Browning were in the pool. We spent the afternoon enjoying ginger colas by the pool and basking in the sun. We could get used to this! Later in the evening we enjoyed a warm dinner and moonup. Also- the few students, who took the scenic route (delayed flights) made it!
Day three marked the start of our community engagement section. This first morning was special. Two safari vehicles picked us up and we tumbled through the Tanzanian bush to the school. We arrived at the school and were warmly greeted by a few dozen joyful students. There were moments of uncertainty. How do we interact with people of a different tongue? Culture? Age?
“Anaitwa Nani?”… “What is your name?”
That’s all it took. Friendships were born in an instant and galvanized by the common goal of tilling the school garden. In moments, Browning and everyone else were hard at work shoveling buckets of fertilizer that were transported by Izzie to the garden where Archer tiled the soil. Meanwhile, Walker bonded with everyone over photography and the girls took and much needed dance break. After the work was completed, we played soccer until we had no gas left in the tank. Lawson was a formidable goalkeeper and Lola turned the pitch into her playground, combining passes with the students as if the had played together for years. We returned to camp tired from a long day of work and play. The pool was much appreciated after the long, hot day. Another spectacular day was wrapped up with a wonderful dinner and a sweet moonup around the fire pit.
The second day at the school looked much the same as the first and served to deepen and lock in relationships that had been made the first day. Meriwether made a quick bond with some girls. More work in the garden and more soccer in the afternoon. The thing about day two is that the dance circles got larger, louder, and funkier. We found songs of shared familiarity and danced our hearts out. Music is the universal language.
Day three of community engagement was special. We spent the morning at the school, but after lunch we were granted permission to attend a very special event with the Massai people. The Massai are a pastoral tribe in Eastern Africa. Their life is simple and beautiful. This event was a celebration of the Massai boys who have proven themselves to be warriors and men. The celebration happens only every seven years, which explains the magnitude and magnificence of the celebration. No Moondance group has ever gotten the opportunity to witness it before. When we arrived at the village, Massai families greeted us warmly. The cows had just been slaughtered and cooked, so we got fresh meat with warm, sticky rice. Some even got to try cow tongue or stomach. As we ate, Moses, our Massai host, explained in detail the significance and the importance of this occasion. I’ll speak for the group when I say we felt very, very lucky to be there. After eating we made our way to the huts where they stay and had a chance to enter into one of their homes. The simplicity of their lifestyle was astounding and beautiful. Now… time to dance. The chanting starts with rhythmic breathing. Then the ladies contributed their vocals. The sound grew louder and a dance circle formed. A Massai warrior steps into the middle and leaps, higher than we thought possible. Then another. And then… Casey?? A high flying Casey joined the dance routine without skipping a beat. Andrew was not far behind in showcasing his warrior capabilities. In the same moment, Katie and Stella were clad with traditional Massai wear and joined in on the singing with beautiful voices. Madeline quickly befriended the sweet Massai children and danced with them. A beautiful picture. After dancing and singing our hearts out, we departed from the Massai village and went into town to visit a canvas painting shop and a wood carving shop. We got paintings and carvings to bring home for our beloved. Sandy and Walker left with magnificent paintings and Meriwether, a bongo drum. Very nice.
The last few days were spent at the school and in the afternoons we visited markets and the famous Safari Land to do some more gift and souvenir shopping. Lauren MC’d just about every van car ride in brilliant form. She also led our moonup on our last night at camp. She challenged us to think about times when our lights had been turned off in life and how we managed to turn them back on. The real questions that reveal the human in us and draw us together.
Overall, our time with the Red Sweater Project was incredibly meaningful and impactful. We grew closer as a group and made many new friends. Now we’re switching our sights to the mountain. We couldn’t be more thankful for and confident in this group as we move towards the big challenge of the trip. Now, some shoutouts from you wonderful kiddos!
Boom
Archer – Hey I am having a great time! It’s been great getting to know everybody here!
Walker- Hey I’m loving it having so much fun. Going to start Kili hike in a few days have to drive over there first though hope y’all r doing great say hi to the girls for me!!
Lawson- Mom and Dad – having a lot of fun, we start Kilimanjaro in two days. Tell nellie I miss her and have been using the aquaphor
Browning – Yo what’s up fam, tell my DCD boys I said hello and tell Patton and Mcgowin I miss them and I’m having a ton of fun!
Katie- Hi family!!! I miss you all so much. I am having so much fun and can’t wait to tell y’all all about it. Also hi Char and Luca!
Stella- Hiiiii Mom and Dad!! I miss you guys but am having an absolute blast here in Africa! This has been the trip of a lifetime- tell Harper I miss her too! Love yalllllll
Andrew- Hello family having so much fun. Can’t wait to tell yall about it. Tell my brother hi and say hi to the Pinkerton and mccunes too please wish me luck see you soon🫡
Madeline- Hey fammmmm having the best time ever! I don’t want to come home and I love my group and leaders so much!!! Shout out ML Mama, Nat Cat, and Aunt Mary! Love y’all so much- wish me luck on Kili! Aunt Mary- good luck in the Gobi! Tell my friends I said hey!
Lola- WHATSS UP!!!! Fammm!! I have been doing amazing 😻 this place is literally amazing!! I hope Liam is having an amazing time in Italy because I am having an awesome time and have an amaze group✌️✌️🫰🫰🫰🫰love u guys!!❤️❤️😘😘give Mav a kiss for me!
Izzie- HIII FAMM!!! I love y’all so much and I’m having a ball!! Africa has been AWESOME!! We start Kili in two day so wish me luck!! I miss all of you so much!! Also HI MAV miss you SO MUCH ❤️❤️ can’t wait to share all of this with y’all! 🫶🫶😘😘
Meriwether – Hi everyone!! I am having the time of my life here in Tanzania and can’t wait to share all my memories with all of you! Mom and dad, thank you so much for giving me this wonderful opportunity! I am forever grateful. Shoutout ML Mamma, GP, and Connor ❤️❤️ Tell Mandy and Henley I miss them! Love yall and see you guys very soon!
Casey – Hey everyone! I’m having such a great time so far and it’s been so fun getting to meet so many new people in such a cool place. I can’t wait to start Kili here in a couple days and yes mom I’m wearing sunscreen. I miss you guys so much and can’t wait to see you guys here in a couple weeks. Also Miss you Sebas😘
Lauren – Hiiiii everyone!!! Having the best time ever here I never want to leave. Literally so happy here everyone is so awesome. Mom and dad so grateful to be here love yall soo much. Shoutout clowns don’t miss me too much😉 About to start Kili wish me luck so excited! 67 I love yall
Sincerely,
Jake and Sandy
Save Arrival: All Together at Last!
June 10, 2026
Hello Kilimanjaro Families!
After a travel delay caused Stella, Archer, and Lauren to be diverted to Boston, we are excited to share the group is finally all together! They are excited to start their advenure, now that the group is whole, and will beguin their service section tomorrow. We are so excited to share more updates as the trip progresses!
Moondance HQ
Safe Arrival!
June 9, 2026
Hello Kilimanjaro Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories 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
