Why the Lutheran Diocese of Northern Tanzania should plan your safari

If you don't know any actual Lutherans or haven't read Garrison Keillor, allow me to make some broad generalizations about modern-day adherents to a tradition that traces its roots back to Martin "I started the whole Reformation" Luther. Despite their fiery rebel beginnings, Lutherans today are best known for their reliably serene approach to theology, their cool heads and practical mien perhaps related to their concentration in Scandinavia and the northern regions of the United States.

It shouldn't be a huge surprise, then, to find that they focused their mission work in East Africa in the northern part of Tanzania. One result is a characteristically mellow community in the town of Moshi that runs a hostel and conference center. And a high-quality, reasonably priced safari business in a region with a high demand for the same. Other denominations, perhaps the Methodists (definitely the evangelicals), might advertise their offerings enthusiastically. Lutherans, being more unassuming, bury it on their website and hope for the best.

Under a virtual bushel or not, when planning a safari in northern Tanzania, the Lutheran diocese is the first place you should go. And here's the top 10 to prove it...

10. The car works. These are the Landcruisers, you'll recall, with the pop top for better viewing and less nausea. Given the remoteness of most national parks and the rough roads that lead to them, a reliable car is a must.

9. The hostel, where you stay before beginning your journey, has a view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You'd think that'd be a given in Moshi (the town at its base) but it's not.

8. More on the hostel: the rooms are low-key (of course) and reasonably priced (between $40-$55). They come with plentiful hot water, comfy beds and mosquito nets.

7. When booking your safari, you are provided with a professional spreadsheet that outlines every cost, line by line. This was not the case for other safaris I researched, which stick with more vague estimates and itineraries.

6. A little-known fact: most companies want money for a safari completely up front. This was true from the most budgety all the way up to the really luxurious trips. What this means is that you must wire a significant chunk of change to someone you have never met. I had no problem wiring money to Lutherans. I definitely would have thought twice if there were Baptists involved...

5. More on money/costs/Lutherans: During the trip, we stayed in a wide range of places, from a very basic camp/lodge to a fancy-schmancy safari lodge. They found the best place at the best price and booked us there. They didn't stick to one type of accommodation, and when they did go nicer, the cost quoted was always much less than the Internet price. Plain, ol' common sense.

4. They don't do big groups or stuff you into a car with a bunch of strangers. They arrange for journeys with your group only, though the cost is often less what you'd pay for bigger crowd.

3. These final three are going to be about our guide. A guide can make or break a trip. You are with this person all day every day of your journey. Our guide, Jessy, spoke fluent English, which you'd think might not be that necessary (safaris aren't especially chatty), but it made a huge difference. He told us all about the animals; we could ask questions and it was always clear where we were going and what we'd see there.

2. Jessy provided binoculars, which I had forgotten and it would have been a completely different and very, very frustrating trip if he hadn't had them. It's a little detail Lutherans remember that others might forget.

1. Jessy was very cool and a fount of knowledge: we talked wildlife, Tanzanian history and politics, American history and politics, current economics and much more. He was a great guy in addition to being a great guide, and that's a good thing when you are an introvert who has to spend 9-12 hours/day in a car with someone you don't know.

Those of you saving those pennies for your dream journey to East Africa, look no further than the Lutheran Diocese of Northern Tanzania. They may not toot their own horn, but, as an Anglican, I'm more than happy to do it for them.