Before Tanzania
During their studies, Renee and Leonie spent six months in South Africa for a minor in wildlife management. They fell in love with Africa, and a journey through Namibia and Botswana followed.
In 2022, they headed to Tanzania and Uganda: safaris, a Mara River crossing, gorillas and chimpanzees. Their guide was Joseph. On the final night, they stayed at his family home, where Renee met his son, Johnson.
More than a return trip
Plenty of WhatsApp conversations later, Renee returned in January 2023. She and Johnson explored Arusha, Moshi, Materuni and Zanzibar. The trip gave them time to get to know each other properly.
That October, Renee returned with Leonie and Jaap. Johnson guided their safari, with Robinson helping out. It was Jaap’s first visit to Tanzania, and the conversations went beyond the next game drive. What would happen with the campsite? Could Renee one day live here?
Two sisters, two pregnancies
On another visit before the next camping season, Renee and Johnson talked about their future. They still had plenty to figure out, but knew they wanted to be together.
Then Leonie called early one morning: she was pregnant. Once home, Renee discovered she was too. Twin sisters, both expecting in the same year! Renske arrived in August 2024, followed by Dora in October.
Bringing the family together
Visa difficulties meant Johnson couldn’t be at Dora’s birth. He finally arrived in the Netherlands to meet her on 11 February 2025. Grandpa Joseph visited later that month.
In December, Renee, Johnson, Dora and Renee’s parents travelled to Tanzania so the rest of the family could meet Dora. It was a special trip, and Dora seemed to feel at home straight away.
For Johnson, Tanzania has always been home. For the rest of us, it has gradually become part of our family life too. Now we’re exploring what a future there could look like together.