What do these trips cost?

This can vary. They are modest in price compared to typical East African "safari" packages, but they are a serious commitment, over $3000 per person, sometimes much more (budget $4000 when planning the spaghetti suppers). If you are a person of modest means, we suggest fundraising, with you as an ambassador from your church or group. Set a date goal and work toward it.

Is it safe?

We haven't lost anyone yet (trips started in 1996). Tanzania is known as being among the safest countries in Africa. Street crime is possible, as it would be in North America or anywhere else that people want what you have. Our friends in Tanzania watch out for us very well. We discuss how to avoid being victimized. Do not bring anything you cannot afford to lose, however, we have not experienced any serious losses.

What if I get sick?

1. We recommend that you only consider this trip if you are in good health, able to walk around and you do not have debilitating diet or other health issues. If you have a manageable chronic condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, bring your gear and medicines. Always get cleared by your doctor.
2. Get all recommended immunizations and obtain and take antimalarial medicines. Take all recommended antimalarial precautions. If you do that, your chances of contracting malaria - a dangerous and debilitating condition - are next to zero.
3. Short-term gastrointestinal distress is common for Americans in Tanzania (yes, even Smith and Bliss have spent the day next to the toilet). During trip planning, we help you understand how to minimize your risks, but we advise that you bring stomach and antidiarrhea meds.
4. Good medical care is available in many places, including Dodoma.
5. We recommend traveler's insurance that includes medical transport home.

Can we communicate with home?

It depends on your standards... The answer is "yes, selectively." Tanzania has a surprising good cellular telephone network (European channel GSM). Multiple-band devices that cover the GSM bands (typically available from T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint or Verizon in the USA - or eBay - unlocked GSM phones) work.

Suggestion: Leave your "first-world" gear at home and phone like a native! You can buy an "unlocked" quad-band GSM phone cheap on eBay (you can also buy them in country) and buy a Tanzania phone card cheap when you arrive. As it can get expensive, we recommend taking a holiday from constant text chatter like the young expect at home. For security purposes, you may want to leave your 3G-4G or other high-end mobile devices at home. They DO make you a theft target, the dust can be bad, and recharging can be a problem. They ignore our cheap GSM phones (we leaders each carry one). Everyone has one of those anyway.

Leave your laptop home unless it is a military model (dust). Emailing can be done from internet cafes (slow) and sometimes from a hotel or friend's machine. There is broadband in selective places. However, power can be unreliable. Consider this a good retreat time. If you are a "high-connect" person, put the "gone on retreat" message on your Facebook page or whatever. You know what to do.

How do we get around?

First, we fly to Tanzania from the USA. We have used British Air via London, Northwest-KLM via Amsterdam, and Air Emirates via Dubai International. BA has really cut back. KLM is OK. Emirates was very nice in 2008 and 2009, and you get to see the real crossroads of humanity - Dubai's airport. We usually fly into and out of Dar es Salaam. When we fly in, we go to a modest hotel or resort and rest for a day. Then we take the express bus from Dar to Dodoma (about 8-10 hr). This is inexpensive and reliable and a good way to do it. Once in Dodoma, we use local transport (friends, cabs) to go to our local accommodations. Going to rural areas may involve 4WD vehicles. Be prepared to walk sometimes.

Must I be a Christian to join this trip?

If you are a die-hard, argumentative atheist, you won't like this in the least and you'll just make others unhappy. Hook up with the safari crowd in the north instead, take wildlife pictures, and leave the Tanzanians alone (they'll think you are crazy anyway). If you are a skeptic or seeker, bring an open mind and an attitude of respect. Muslim? We have not done that yet, but we are open to the idea and we will be happy to discuss accommodating you. We often worship in Christian services. We are Lutherans, mostly, and not argumentative. If you are a non-Lutheran Christian, you are of course, most warmly welcome as well. You skeptics may be convinced by what you see.... Or at least gain understanding.

Can I make myself understood in English?

Often. Not always. English is the language of teaching in secondary school and beyond. Educated people speak English. Many service people do also (or pretend to). This is east African English (sounds like Indian). Your American accent will be unfamiliar. Realize that English may be this person's fourth or fifth language. Most people use a tribal language at home or with grandparents, maybe the language of neighboring people, Kiswahili is the national language taught from primary school and used most widely in normal life. We learn to use simplified English, akin to Basic English or "Globish" to get around.

Should I learn Kiswahili?

Please do! Or at least try. Tanzanians appreciate the gesture of trying and will be helpful as you wish to improve. Kiswahili has its origins as a trade language, and has a very logical structure. Its vocabulary has borrowed heavily from Arabic and English. If you have a start, you begin to hear it more and more. Maybe also learn a few words of a major tribal language such as Kibena, Kihehe, Kigogo, or Maa. Watch eyes light up (maybe with laughter).

Will I enjoy myself?

That depends on your objectives and attitude. Bring your patience, respect, openness and sense of humor. If you like to visit and learn, you will like it, we think. If you need a constant good time or high-end catering, you won't like it. We travel rather light. Tanzanians generally like Americans if you are friendly and show respect. We both joke and tell stories. Tanzanians talk A LOT. Schedules slip while folks visit.

What do I wear?

Leave your most stylish duds at home. Wear basic durable clothes. We recommend shoes, although many Tanzanians wear flip flops. Long sleeves are good. We are at 5-6 degrees south and 1000-3000 meters altitude, and there can be mosquitoes. Bring and wear a hat and good sunglasses. It can be cool (40s F, single digits C) at night. Bring a light jacket. Khaki was made for this duty, but don't deck yourself out like safari tourists. Tanzania is over 30% Muslim and they are a majority in Dodoma. Women in rural areas especially should dress modestly and not in slacks. Slacks and jeans are increasingly common women's wear (especially for young ladies) in larger towns. You can often find an astonishing array of clothing to buy in any sizable town. Travel light. We discuss this in our meetings.

What should I bring?

Besides the open mind and heart, basics, your meds (antimalarials without fail), documents... Bring a camera of some kind. If you want to bring a video camera, you can catch the vital dancing and music. There is an etiquette to photography that you need to observe that basically is common courtesy and respect.

What should I avoid?

Don't do stupid things like annoying folks, picking fights, trying to have sex with the locals, or touching cobras or lions. If you hit on girls wearing headscarves, you are better off with the lions.

What do we drink?

We usually drink bottled water. There are a few, very selective exceptions. Some of us drink city tap water (but you shouldn't). We may have some beers at hotels. We do not drink in the villages. Do NOT drink or eat unknown substances handed to you by smiling people.

What do we eat?

Whatever is put in front of us by people we know and trust. It may be unusual. If you are squeamish or picky, you won't like this trip. We eat it if it is cooked or fruit if you can peel it.