Siku njema na karibu kila mtu! Jina langu ni Shauna na jina langu ni Zach na sisi tutakuwa viongozi wako katika Tanzania! (Wait, you’re not all already fluent in Swahili?! That’s okay! We can do this in English… )

Good day and welcome everyone! We are Shauna and Zach and we will be your leaders this summer in Tanzania! As we type, we are watching the sun rise over the gorgeous green mountains of southern Vermont. In case you didn’t know, we have been spending practically every waking moment together this week at Putney Leader Orientation. Instantly, we have become fast friends and perfect partners, but we can’t help but feel this hole in our partnership, like something is missing—it’s all of you! For as close as we have become this week at orientation, it’s only made us that much more excited to meet all of you and have unbelievable adventures. You’re a talented, diverse group and we are confident you are going to thrive, from our immersion in our host village—an intimate, close-knit Maasai community nestled in the shadows of Mt. Meru—to days spent tracking megafauna across the verdant plains and hills of northern Tanzania.

Over the next few weeks, we hope you’re reading up on the country, packing (and re-packing) your bags, and filling yourselves with water, food, sleep, and an excessively adventurous spirit.

Safari njema (safe travels),
Shauna & Zach