Update from TNZ!
July 5, 2026
We’ve been spending a lot of our time at a stunning beach resort where the kids rested on swinging beds overlooking the ocean, falling asleep to the sound of the waves and soaking in one of the most peaceful places we’ve ever stayed. How relaxing!
We started our beach time with a well-deserved “0 Day”-a day with absolutely no agenda besides resting, laying by the beach, sipping virgin piña coladas, and enjoying the slower pace after weeks of adventure. We had time to simply enjoy the beach together. Hadley and Eli challenged AC and Lizzie to a spirited game of Spikeball while the rest of the group relaxed, swam, and soaked in every last moment on the island.
We spent our days soaking up Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches and crystal-clear blue water. One of the biggest highlights was scuba diving. Almost everyone completed their scuba certification, and it was incredible watching the students conquer something completely new. Jenna even went above and beyond by earning her Advanced Open Water certification! We were especially proud of Carmella, who faced one of her biggest fears by diving despite being nervous about fish. Watching her overcome that fear was such a special moment.
The next morning he had the entire van laughing and singing during an unforgettable round of carpool karaoke, led by Eli and Grace! It was one of those moments that reminded us how quickly joy can return and set the tone for the rest of our adventures together.
During our spice tour, we sampled freshly picked tropical fruit, drank coconut water straight from the source, enjoyed local cuisine, and even had beautiful crowns woven from palm leaves made just for us. Everyone has been so adventurous, willing to try new foods and fully immerse themselves in Tanzanian culture.
One evening we climbed aboard a traditional dhow boat for a sunset cruise across the Indian Ocean. Music played, everyone danced together as the sun disappeared below the horizon, and it became one of those moments that simply can’t be captured in a photo. The fun continued when locals taught us a traditional line dance on the beach. Let’s just say none of us will be auditioning for Dancing with the Stars anytime soon, but that’s never been the point. It’s the laughter and memories that matter most.
Before leaving the island, we visited a seaweed farm where we learned how seaweed is harvested and transformed into cosmetic products used around the world. We also took time to give back by participating in a beach cleanup, helping care for the beautiful coastline that gave us so much this week. It was a meaningful reminder that traveling isn’t just about seeing new places-it’s also about leaving them better than we found them.
Our final days were spent exploring the winding streets of Stone Town, bargaining for souvenirs while proudly wearing our matching Tanzania jerseys. Bobby found the perfect African mask and a hanging bird decoration for his dorm room, while Hadley and AC were thrilled to find matching pink Tanzania jerseys. One of our favorite evenings was wandering through the bustling night market, trying local foods and embracing every opportunity to experience the culture. Audrey unexpectedly became the star of the evening when she confidently jumped into a local breakdance circle and busted out the worm, instantly earning cheers from everyone watching. Charlie once again proved that no dance floor is safe around him by taking over our nightly EDM rave before bed. Armed with a bumping aux, glow sticks that weren’t exactly glowing, and headlamps acting as strobe lights, it turned into one of the funniest nights of the trip. We wrapped up our time together with a beautiful banquet dinner overlooking the water, reflecting on everything we’ve experienced over the past two weeks.
As our time in Tanzania comes to a close, we’re reminded that the best parts of this journey have never been just the places we’ve visited-they’ve been the people we’ve shared them with. We truly love this group, and it has been such a privilege to walk alongside them over these past two weeks. We have felt so appreciated and incredibly honored to lead such an adventurous, thoughtful, and joy-filled group of students.
These last two weeks have been life-changing for us in ways we never expected. While we hope this trip has impacted each of them, the truth is they have impacted us even more than they know. Their willingness to embrace every challenge, encourage one another, laugh through the unexpected, and fully immerse themselves in this experience has been such a gift to witness. We will leave Tanzania with full hearts, lifelong memories, and immense gratitude for each one of these students. We couldn’t be more proud of who they are, and we will cherish this journey with them forever.
Seriously TNZ2A thank you guys for showing up everyday. We love yall so much and can’t wait to see what the next chapter has in store for you all.
Lots of Love,
Lizzie & Logan
Maasai, MoonUp, and Moondance Magic!
July 1, 2026
Jambo!
The last couple of days have been packed with adventure, laughter, meaningful connections, and unforgettable moments.
We kicked things off at Makauru Sacred Sites, where the group got to experience one of the most unique accommodations yet-sleeping in the most glamorous cave! We were welcomed with a traditional Maasai dance ceremony before jumping right into activities that immersed us in the local culture. From testing our skills in archery and traditional stick throwing to learning beading from the elder women of the tribe, everyone embraced every opportunity with excitement.
One of the biggest highlights was our sunrise hike up Mount Makuru. Audrey, Grace, and Hadley set the pace, leading the pack to the top while Carmella proved to be an incredible support system, encouraging everyone along the way. The group has also picked up quite a bit of Swahili throughout the trip, so it was only fitting that we celebrated reaching the summit by singing “Jambo, Jambo” together before breaking into a dance party overlooking the breathtaking landscape. Charlie kept everyone entertained with his now-famous “Cha Cha” alter ego and an unforgettable silverback gorilla impression that was made even more memorable by a perfectly timed surprise, leaving everyone laughing for the rest of the hike down. Archery quickly became one of the favorite activities. Bobby shocked everyone with his clean, nearly perfect shot (fun fact: he’s actually a certified archer!), while Eli impressed the Maasai with his consistency, hitting the target almost every round. Carmella also surprised everyone by sticking her very first shot into the target, earning plenty of cheers from the group.Our time with the Maasai community was incredibly meaningful. We learned how this nomadic tribe builds their bomas (home areas), the traditions that have been passed down for generations, and the different responsibilities within Maasai family life.
We also had the opportunity to tour Africa Amini, the organization that owns and operates Makauru Sacred Sites, along with the nearby school, orphanage, and medical clinic. Seeing the impact of their work firsthand was incredibly inspiring. Through Africa Amini, more than 300 children receive free education and over 1,000 people receive free healthcare. We met one of the ophthalmologists at the clinic, who showed us how glasses are made on-site for patients in need, and we also learned about the organization’s commitment to sustainability through a recycling lesson that demonstrated how everyday materials can be creatively repurposed and given a second life. After our tour, we headed over to the orphanage for what quickly became one of the most competitive afternoons of the trip. Audrey held her own against the boys on the soccer field with relentless energy, while Eli found himself locked in a highly competitive ping pong match with one of the local teenage boys. Grace and AC gravitated toward the toddlers, happily spending their afternoon playing and laughing together. Jenna formed a special friendship with another young woman at the orphanage who is also preparing to attend college, making for a connection neither of them will soon forget. After the soccer game, Bobby summed up everyone’s feelings perfectly by saying, “Well… safe to say I won’t be having a career in soccer.”
Jenna and Audrey also received Maasai names from our incredible guide, an honor they’ll carry with them long after this trip ends. Throughout our stay, the little moments have been just as memorable. Eli and Logan have become masters of hacky sack, somehow keeping rallies going far longer than anyone thought possible. Hadley and Grace fully embraced every dance opportunity with the Maasai, AC couldn’t stop giggling at Charlie’s endless antics, and Charlie has graciously volunteered himself as the official leftover cleaner, making sure no food goes to waste. Speaking of food… it has been absolutely incredible. Every meal has been delicious, and it’s been so fun watching the students clear their plates while trying foods they may have never tasted before.
Today we said goodbye to the mainland and made our way to the beautiful island of Zanzibar! Along the way, we tried convincing the kids they would be sleeping in tents on the beach. They were already thrilled with the idea, but the screams of excitement only got louder when they discovered we were actually staying at Mvuvi Beach Resort. Safe to say the surprise was a success. Lunch featured juicy burgers, which felt like the ultimate comfort meal after so many days of adventure, and everyone happily cleaned their plates. Dinner was another hit with coconut-breaded fish or chicken topped with mango sauce, served alongside rice and vegetables. Eli may have stolen the show by polishing off three bowls of rice, while Charlie continued his role as the group’s official leftover cleaner, happily making sure nothing went to waste. As if the day couldn’t get any better, we officially began our scuba certification. Tomorrow everyone will complete their first open water dive as they work toward becoming certified divers-another exciting milestone for this incredible group. Of course, we couldn’t end the day without honoring Moondance’s unofficial number one rule: “See a body of water, jump in a body of water!” So naturally, the entire group sprinted straight into the crystal-clear, aqua-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, laughing the whole way. And don’t worry, parents-you thought the boys weren’t going to read this summer? Thanks to Bobby, they’ve been treated to nightly readings of The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s become the perfect bedtime routine and has proven to be quite effective at sending everyone off into a deep sleep after another adventure-filled day.
As we head into our final few days together, we can’t help but reflect on what an incredible group of students this is. They continue to impress us not only with their adventurous spirits, but with their kindness, curiosity, and willingness to be vulnerable with one another. Our nightly MoonUps have become some of the most meaningful moments of the trip, filled with thoughtful reflections, genuine gratitude, and conversations that reveal just how introspective this group truly is. Last night, we gathered on the beach with the sound of the waves in the background for one of our favorite MoonUps yet. Watching the students share, laugh, encourage one another, and reflect on everything they’ve experienced reminded us just how special this trip has been. We truly love this group and feel so lucky to spend these weeks alongside them. As we soak up every moment together, we’re cherishing these final days and know the memories they’ve made-and the friendships they’ve built-will stay with them long after this adventure comes to an end.
Love,
Lizzie & Logan
Thank yous + shoutouts
Charlie – Hey Mom and Dad! Keeping this one short currently living my best life in a resort in Zanzibar. Thank you, Geegee and Ppaw for this amazing trip… see you soon!
Grace: Heyyy Mom and Dad!! This has been an unbelievable trip and I am so grateful to you guys for this experience. I love you both!
Carmella: heyy mom and dad!! Thank you so so so much for sending me here! The people are amazing and this place is surreal. I have had the BEST time!! Love and miss y’all soooooo much!!
Ac: Hi Mom and Dad!! This trip has been amazing and thank you soooo much for sending me on this amazing trip!! It is beautiful and I can’t wait to see y’all soon, love yall!!
Hadley: Hi Mom and Dad!! I am having the best.time.ever. Thank you SOO much for sending me on this amazing trip🩷Zanzibar is unreal!!! Miss yall so much! Can’t wait to see you guys! ILY😘
Eli: hi mom and dad! Thank yall so much for sending me on this amazing trip I have learned so much and this was such an amazing opportunity. I love y’all!!
Jenna: Hi Mom and Dad!!! I’m having so much fun and have been meeting so many new people! I can’t wait to come home and tell more, but I lowk don’t want to come home. I haven’t stopped smiling this whole time this trip is so perfect! Thank you so much for this opportunity.
Audrey: Hey you guys!! I am having so much fun and tonight we’re staying at this nice hotel and it’s so beautiful in Zanzibar, thank you so much for this opportunity I’m genuinely amazed. tell Amir that I tried that fufu stuff and it was sooo good and I’m excited to see him when I get back. I love you guys and can’t wait to see you soon!
Bobby: Hello again Mom and Dad! I am continuing to have an excellent time abroad. I am excited to see you when I get back. Also thank you again Finn for watching over my tree. Sending you my best wishes.
Hello from the Serengeti!
June 26, 2026
“Dorothy may have said, ‘Lions, Tigers, and Bears… Oh my!’ but TNZ 2A can say, ‘Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants… Oh, Big Five!’ And yes… we’ve seen them all! From unforgettable Big Five sightings to countless zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, hyenas, wildebeest, and so much more, every game drive has brought a new adventure and left us wondering how the next one could possibly top it. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s rewind to where this incredible journey officially began…
Our adventure officially began in Arusha, where everyone was greeted by Lizzie and Logan sporting the most African print outfits they could find. After meeting our incredible drivers, Godfrey and Mashine, we settled in for what was supposed to be a restful night. Unfortunately, the boys were hit with a serious case of jet lag and decided the middle of the night was the perfect time to start a vlog, throw a mini rave, and share life stories…which may or may not have kept Lizzie and Logan awake. We’ll call it quality bonding time!
The next morning we loaded up and made the journey to the Serengeti. Between curating the ultimate safari playlist, playing car games, catching up on sleep, and taking in the breathtaking scenery, the drive flew by. Hours later we arrived at Great Migration Camps Seronera, where our tents sat right in the heart of the Serengeti. Falling asleep to lions roaring and hyenas laughing is surreal enough, but waking up each morning to fiery red-and-orange sunrises with hot air balloons floating across the horizon somehow tops it every time.
We also got to celebrate AC’s Sweet 16…Serengeti style! 🎉🦁 The birthday talent show was full of unforgettable performances, but Hadley and Audrey stole the show with their hilarious magic act, with the grand finale being AC disappearing! Don’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Adair…she made it back to camp safe, sound, and visible! Eli and Carmella also brought the house down with their rendition of In the Jungle using pots and pans as instruments. They still maintain they were absolutely ROBBED after AC declared Eli was “a little pitchy.”
Game drives have quickly become everyone’s favorite part of the trip. We’ve had incredible wildlife sightings, unforgettable laughs, and one especially iconic “girls only” safari vehicle that turned into a full-on girly-pop concert. Between the singing, dancing, and spotting animals around every corner, it’s safe to say it was memorable…and just a little tone-deaf at times. 😂
Of course, every group develops its own cast of characters…
AC celebrated her Sweet 16 in the most unforgettable way–right in the heart of the Serengeti! She was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” in Swahili by all of our amazing outfitters, kept the group laughing by holding everyone accountable in the funniest ways, and even learned a few cooking tricks from Ranger Frank while helping prepare a delicious dinner for the group.
Charlie has officially founded the Department of Binocular Protective Services, spending nearly every drive standing with binoculars in hand announcing, “LIONS FIGHTING!” or “They’re eating something!” only for the rest of us to discover…it’s a stick. His endless enthusiasm has earned him the nickname Chuckles, and somehow he still convinces us to look every single time.
Bobby has become our fearless group photographer. While everyone else is admiring the ten lions in front of us, Bobby can usually be heard saying, “Guys, I know there are like 10 lions…but look at that bird that just landed in the tree!” Thanks to him, we’ve all become amateur bird enthusiasts.
Carmella has quietly become one of the anchors of our group. Whether she’s keeping Charlie’s binocular time under control, making everyone laugh with her perfectly timed one-liners, or pushing herself to stay calm while hyenas wander right up near camp, she brings such a steady and comforting presence to every adventure.
Grace has brought nonstop joy to the trip and firmly believes every single animal “slays.” She and Jenna have mastered the words to our new favorite song, Jambo Jambo, thanks to our amazing outfitters, Frank and Gilbert. If you hear random singing throughout the day…it’s probably them.
Jenna has fully embraced safari fashion by rocking her iconic leopard-print poncho on game drives. Pair that with standing in the back of the safari vehicle wearing the biggest smile (and somehow ending up with dirt in her teeth almost every ride), and she’s earned herself a true safari badge of honor.
Audrey has kept both the group and the wildlife entertained. Between serenading the animals and giving us her now-famous barking impression at the most unexpected times, she’s guaranteed to have everyone laughing wherever we go. Whether the animals appreciate the performances is still up for debate, but the group certainly does!
Hadley has brought bubbly energy to every adventure. Between leading Pilates and arm workouts in the middle of the Serengeti and getting especially excited every time we spot a baby animal, she’s kept the group smiling from sunrise to sunset.
Eli has loved every single animal sighting, and his enthusiasm has made each game drive even more exciting. His commitment to the talent show performance-and his insistence that he wasn’t pitchy will likely be debated for years to come.
We wrapped up our final game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater with even more incredible wildlife sightings, including part of the Great Migration! After enjoying a picnic lunch in the crater, we made a much-needed ice cream stop before making our way to Karatu. The kids were convinced they were setting up camp for another night, so you can imagine their excitement when they pulled up to a beautiful hotel overlooking farmland-with a pool waiting for them to relax, tan, and recharge after several unforgettable days in the bush.
Tomorrow we trade safari vehicles for a new adventure as we begin the cultural immersion and service portion of our journey with the Maasai tribe. We can’t wait to share all that’s to come!
Every day has been filled with unforgettable wildlife, endless laughter, beautiful friendships, and memories we’ll be talking about for years to come. We are so grateful for this amazing group and can’t wait to see what the rest of our Tanzanian adventure has in store!
Love,
Lizzie & Logan
Shout outs:
Charlie: Hey Mom and dad I’m having an amazing time I’ve made so many great friends and memories already! I got to see all of the big 5 which is a lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino, and elephant. This place is totally surreal almost like a completely different planet. I’m having an amazing time and I’ll see y’all soon
Bobby: Dear Mom and Dad, thank you for sending me to Africa. I have been having a really good time so far. Also thank you Finn for watering my tree. Finn, please tell Anika I saw a wild secretary bird, she would get a kick out of that one. Love you all!
Grace: Heyy Mom and Dad and Thomas!! I hope you guys are slaying right now! It has been amazing so far; I can’t wait to tell you all about it and I’ve been thinking of all the things to tell you. Our group is LIT and the last few nights we’ve slept in tents with hyenas right outside-you can hear the lions at night too! We’re meeting the Massaai tribe today; I’m so excited! The sun is red which is so cool too! I won’t get burned in Zanzibar don’t worry :))) Tell mis amigas I say hello too (send a ss to Thomas)! Be ready for slideshow night with all of my fliks!! Also Mom, keep convincing dad about our trip. Love you king and queen!
Jenna: Hey Mom and Dad!! I love you guys so much and can’t wait to see you. I’m so upset I missed Father’s Day. That’s the only bad thing about these 17 days. You mean the world to me, and we have to celebrate when I get home. I love Tanzania and all the animals here. It’s so different seeing them in person versus the TV. I feel like I’m in a National Geographic movie. Please tell Carmen and Eva that I miss them and hope they are having fun together at home. Please give Milo lots of love and treats for me because I know he’s attention deprived without me there.
AC: Hey Mom, Dad, Lizzie, Type Func, and Jack!! I am having the best time ever in AFRICA! I am seeing the craziest animals ever and can’t wait to tell y’all all about it when I get home. My group is so amazing and I also love my leaders. For the past few nights we have slept in tents in the middle of the Serengeti and we are on the way to see the Massaai Tribe! I miss and love y’all soooooo much! Give Sally and Smokey lots of kisses for me! See y’all soon! Love AC!!🐗🦬🐃🐎🐒🦍
Hadley: Hi Mom, Dad, Helen, Conor, Cec, and Monty!!! I am having SOOO much fun😆I can’t wait to show you all of my pics +Bobbie’s insane camera pics. My group and leaders are AMAZEE!! The Serengeti was the most beautiful place I have ever seen… literally UNREAL🦒🦓🦛SO many baby animals (the elephants🥹) and the sunsets..OMG. The sun is red!😱About to go meet the Massaai Tribe!! I can’t wait to tell you all about it! Don’t worry food is BUSS (lots of fruit) Miss y’all so much!! ILYYYYY❣️❣️❣️
Audrey: Hey you guys I’m having soooo much fun here and I’ve seen a lot of cool animals and we literally camped like on the Serengeti. The food is fire and last night we stayed at this nice lodge that had a pool and we all got to just chill, I really like my group and I am having a lot of fun. If summer already left for camp email her and tell her I love her and hope she has fun! I miss you guys and can’t wait to tell you everything. I miss Amir and he would loveeeee it here it’s so cool and I’ve seen tons of baboons! I hope everyone’s having fun without me somehow 🙄. text Ansley and Ella and tell them I miss them. I love you guys and thank you so much for sending me here.
Eli: hey mom and dad I am having the most amazing time this place is amazing. The first couple of days we stayed in the Serengeti in tents and there was nothing around it was really cool. I saw all of the most amazing animals like lions hippo giraffes cheetahs and am more I can’t wait to tell y’all about.the people are really nice and talkative which I love and have been a good company out here. We are now going to hangout with a tribe for our service project which is sick. I love y’all and can’t wait to see y’all again. Hope Morgan was good!!
Carmella: Hi mom and dad!! I am having the BEST time here! This place is truly amazing. The plane rides were rough but I finally got here and it is totally worth it. We have to come back mom! The people are totally amazing and make the trip sooooo amazing. All of our outfitters have been the kindest and most welcoming people. I saw so many cute animals and no mom I didn’t cry. We have been camping but it’s been more glamping so it’s totally good. We are about to visit that tribe and I am so hyped. I love and miss you so so much! Mary Alice I don’t know if you have left yet but have THE BEST TIME EVA!!! You so got it and I can’t wait to hear about it!!! Also mom if any of my friends come in the shop tell them I say hi!!!! Loveeeeeeeeee you!!
Safe Arrival!
June 21, 2026
Hello TNZ 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
