Meet Elizabeth Jere
Hi, I’m Elizabeth, an American who’s called Africa home for over 20 years, raising my son as a solo mom in Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania. Now an empty-nester, I’m living my travel dreams as a digital nomad.
So far, I’ve visited 17 countries in Africa.
My curiosity has a knack for leading me into unexpected situations, sometimes hilarious and always eye-opening. Whether I’m negotiating a transport fare in a bush taxi or sharing camel meat with new friends, I love discovering the everyday moments that reveal the heart of a place and its people.
As I’ve traveled, I noticed a consistent gap in travel in Africa compared to travel on other continents. Travelers everywhere want real cultural experiences, but often the experiences they found in Africa were “westernized” for tourists (including the food.)
To address this gap, I started a successful food tourism company (Jiranileo) that works with local women and youth to offer cooking classes, neighborhood food tours, and home-hosted meals. It creates meaningful income for women and youth and gives tourists a true taste of the local culture.
I offer African travel advisory services alongside my food tourism business.
I work with travelers who care about cultural connection and value, not luxury for its own sake. I share my honest insights based on decades of finding hidden gems while navigating on-the-ground logistics, transport, accommodations, safety considerations, and health planning.
A big part of my role is expectation-setting. Through one-on-one conversations, I help travelers understand what will enhance their experience, what might not be worth the time or cost, and how to engage respectfully with local communities. If you’re the type of traveler who doesn’t mind getting your shoes dirty and eating with your hands, get in touch and let’s plan your best trip to Africa together.
HOW DID I GET HERE?
My journey from ignorant American to digital nomad
The first 2 decades: Opening my eyes to the world
I had a curious streak from the time of my childhood. As a voracious reader, the biographies of brave women inspired me to think outside the box. When I traveled as a youth to Jamaica, Europe, and the UK, I realized how vastly different global cultures and societies were to my American universe. I was eager to learn more.
Then, in university, I discovered public health. Before committing to an international career, I decided that I should visit a country that receives development aid to see if I could hack it. A semester abroad in Kenya and Tanzania blew my mind. I learned to speak Swahili, ate ugali and other new foods, and developed new skills to navigate everyday life in East Africa. I officially caught the travel bug.
The next 2 decades: Living the African expat life
Since university, my career in public health enabled me to travel in Africa continuously. I spent three years in Zambia as a Peace Corps Volunteer, where I met my husband. My first expatriate assignments were in Kenya (3 years) and Zambia (7 years) where I learned to balance my career and motherhood. I also honed my skills in planning family travel in Africa – safaris, road trips, hiking, camping, beaches, and everything in between.
By 2015, newly divorced, I moved with my son to Tanzania for 5 years, and then back to Zambia for 2 years. By the time my son graduated from secondary school, our travel in Africa had taken him to all countries between Cape Town and Cairo. He and I were the movious travel buddies, for sure.
The present decade: Solo travel as a digital nomad
Once my son settled into university, I decided to become a digital nomad and travel in Africa and beyond. I sold everything in 2024, and now I travel with only a suitcase, a backpack, and a carry on. In my first year of digital nomad life, I visited over 10 countries across East and Southern Africa, the US, Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia.
I worked on verandas in the lush tropics of SE Asia, in one-bedroom cottages in the African bush, at kitchen tables in history-filled European neighborhoods, and at many hot desks in coworking offices.
Currently, I have no “end date” for my nomadic lifestyle. For now, this is me, the movious mzungu living her best life.
was a four-day motorbike tour around Lombok, Indonesia.
20+
Years living in Africa
40+
Countries Explored
1000+
Meals eaten by hand
PODCASTS AND WRITING
Find me on other platforms
Podcast guest:
SoftPower/Ful Stories: A podcast that shows the breadth and diversity of America’s SOFT POWER efforts around the globe for the past half century, told through first-person narratives that highlight the often unsung connections and collaborations happening around the world. I had the honor to be featured; my episode will air in 2026. .https://www.softpowerfulstories.org
Women Walking: Listen to my story on this podcast that interviews women around the world about their personal journeys. I shared my story of shifting from an international public health career to live a digital nomad lifestyle as a tourism entrepreneur.
Blog writer: Career change and digital nomad blogs:
“When the Door Closed on My International Development Career: Three Things I’ve Gained (and One I Still Long For)”. LinkedIn, October 2025. Posted by Elizabeth Jere.
“From “who, me?” to “why not me?”: Accepting my new professional identity”. Substack, December 2025. Posted by Career Pivot.
Blog writer: African food and travel blogs
“Discovering Lusaka: A Morning at New Soweto Market.” Travel blog, December 2025. Contributing writer to Jiranileo.
“Eating the staple food of Zambia: How I Went From Nshima Novice to Full-Blown Fan.” Travel blog, December 2025. Contributing writer to Jiranileo.
“Fish Out of Water: Surprising Places to Spot Seafood in Dar es Salaam.” Travel blog, December 2025. Contributing writer to Jiranileo.
“Tanzania Travel Tips: The 5 Ultimate Hangover Remedies for Zanzibar & Beyond.” Travel blog, December 2025. Contributing writer to Jiranileo.
Ready for TRAVEL INSPIRATION?
Travel Africa with The Movious Mzungu
Get ready to laugh and travel smarter as a digital nomad in Africa. Enjoy the ride!