Posts From October 2009

Quote of the Week: Eric Vermilya

As you said it would be, the trip was wonderful. Both [our guides] were great and Uli and I were amazed with the scope of their knowledge (and their eyesight). We both like to sit patiently and watch to see what develops and were very happy with both of our guides, in that they didn’t seem to mind at all. I can only imagine the frustration we would have felt if we were in a vehicle with a larger tour group.

A perfect example of how having a private tour paid off, was a leopard kill that we came across in Tarangire. There were numerous other vehicles parked along the side of the road with the kill was in one tree close to the road and the leopard in another about 500 feet behind it. It was clear the leopard wasn’t comfortable, but the leopard stayed put in the tree that was far away because vehicles came and went (with some of their passengers particularly noisy). However, after about 1 ½ hours we were the only vehicle left, and we sat there in silence for a while and eventually the leopard came down (funny — we saw it come down, lost sight of it and then all of a sudden it appeared at the base of the tree that had the kill in it). It climbed the tree and started feeding — and Uli got quite a few shots (however, the day was overcast and the light was bad).

Also I wanted to let you know that we probably sighted close to 100 lions, including a female & 4 cubs about 15-20 feet from us that we sat and watched for 2 hours with nobody else in sight. We also sighted a couple of more leopards, including a female and her cub that was testing out its climbing abilities on a fallen tree, several cheetahs, and a even a Serval out hunting in the middle of a very hot day (we were driving at high speed from the Serengeti to Ngorongoro and Uli just happened to spot it). [Our guide] tried to stop as quickly as possible, but he backed up, located it again and Uli got a couple of shots.

So thank you too, for representing such a great company. We’ll definitely send out a finished testimonial and some sample photos (out of the 2500 Uli took) when we get them all downloaded and are able go through them.

Eric Vermilya
October 2009

No Comments
Read Full Post

Quote of the Week: Susan Gallagher

My Africa Dream Safari was truly the most memorable experience I’ve ever had in my life and I still dream about it a lot. It has become my ‘happy place’ when I need to escape from the everyday stresses of life. Everyone on the Africa Dream Safaris team was exceptional. Joy and Daudi, who met me when I landed in Tanzania, were friendly and helpful. My safari guide was the best. He was so knowledgeable about every animal, bird, reptile and tree that I not only saw a lot of wildlife, but I also learned a great deal from him. All of the accommodations were wonderful, from the lodge to the luxury tented camps to the private tent camp. The staff there were wonderful and thought of everything and I always felt safe. Besides all of the animals I got to see, I really loved the sense of humor of the people there. Thank you so much for taking such good care of me and helping me to create so many memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to do it again!

Susan Gallagher
October 2009

 

 

 

No Comments
Read Full Post

Quote of the Week: Leslie and Scott White

Wow! There are no words to describe the adventure that is an African Safari! We had never been on one and I think, no, I know, it would not have been the fantastic wonder it was, if it was not for ADS and their incredible crew. From [our ADS rep’s] help in planning, to all the staff in Tanzania, and the over the top lodging, all aspects of the trip were everything we desired and more!

The Serengeti landscape is so beautiful and surprisingly varied, the drives throughout the land just mesmerized us. I can honestly say even if there were no wildlife sightings, I would still have enjoyed every minute of it. But of course, there is an abundance of all species of animals and that is just SO thrilling! We saw it all thanks to our wonderful guide!

You never forget the first time you see lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, the list goes on and on! Other firsts included: a moon-rise over the crater and dawn breaking in Lobo, while eating breakfast, watching the wildebeest in their migration on the terraced hills across the river. Enchanting is the only word for the scene, the lighting was magical! I will never forget it! We were struck by the absence of any hint of man in the Lobo Valley: no signs, no litter, no telephone lines. Just a Garden of Eden in every direction, as far as the eye can see. We can now name more African birds than we can North American! I strongly recommend reading up on the wildlife before a visit, it’s exciting to spot the animals and birds that you’ve read about.

All I can say, is from the first game drive, we have been planning how we can make it back to this marvelous country, and soon!

Leslie and Scott White
October 2009

No Comments
Read Full Post

Quote of the Week: Gillian Thomas

I just wanted to compliment [ADS] for running and organizing such a professional trip for us. It truly was awesome and we shall never forget it.

Our particular trip was made so special not only by the excellent organization and accommodations but by having the good fortune of travelling with [our guide]. He is very special: a fund of information about the wildlife and their behaviors, an ability to see animals that most other guides seem to miss, and plants and birds. He is modest in the extreme, always willing to impart enough information without being overwhelming and happy to repeat it if we forgot. He is also patient and flexible about meeting the groups needs and desires. His wealth of experience [as a park ranger] before joining African Dream Safaris surely showed in the ways he guided us. He shows no signs of boredom despite probably having done many trips but he demonstrated such enthusiasm and joy with our delights in things.

From the perspective of a few days in Dar at my meeting I was able to see even more how you managed to overcome some possible travel difficulties for us that to others might have seemed insurmountable. We did realize that doing business in Africa to the high standards that you have may not be easy! I don’t know whether we will have a chance to do it again with you, or something similar, but certainly feel Robin should experience it when she is able. I am likely going to be doing some work with the cancer hospital in Dar so maybe another opportunity will arise. Thanks again.

Gillian Thomas
October 2009

No Comments
Read Full Post

Quote of the Week: Adam Stein and Althea Cooper

We had an absolutely incredible time. What a whirlwind. The safari was excellent – our guide was top notch. He really gave us personalized service and we saw everything we wanted to see – He made sure of it. I would recommend him to anyone. I think the way we planned the itinerary was just right, and the Migration Lodge was probably our favorite. Also the ADS staff was great – highly attentive, and our transitions were seamless including the all the internal flights. […] We had a great time. I took 2000 pictures and now need to create a “best of ” series to share with family and friends, and of course you guys too. I will be sure to post a testimonial along with some pictures. Thanks again for all of your help.

Adam Stein and Althea Cooper
October 2009

No Comments
Read Full Post

Quote of the Week: Gillian Thomas

I just wanted to compliment [ADS] for running and organizing such a professional trip for us. It truly was awesome and we shall never forget it. Our particular trip was made so special not only by the excellent organization and accommodations but by having the good fortune of travelling with [our guide]. He is very special: a fund of information about the wildlife and their behaviors, an ability to see animals that most other guides seem to miss, and plants and birds. He is modest in the extreme, always willing to impart enough information without being overwhelming and happy to repeat it if we forgot. He is also patient and flexible about meeting the groups needs and desires. His wealth of experience [as a park ranger] before joining African Dream Safaris surely showed in the ways he guided us. He shows no signs of boredom despite probably having done many trips but he demonstrated such enthusiasm and joy with our delights in things.

Gillian Thomas
October 2009

No Comments
Read Full Post

October 5, 2009

Recent sporadic thunder showers have been falling throughout the Northern, Western and Central areas of the Serengeti (the Southern and Eastern Serengeti remain very dry). Though the sporadic showers have remained small (about 1 inch over the past month), they have been just enough to pull the great herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra south to areas we usually don’t see the migration occupying until well into October.

As of today, we estimate that at least 80% of the migration is currently ranging south of the Mara River given that the Lamai Triangle in the Serengeti and Masai Mara in Kenya (both watershed areas north of the Mara River) retain only scattered herds at the moment. Our guides are reporting seeing large herds throughout the North Serengeti with the largest concentrations of accessible wildebeest for tourists being located in the Wogakuria Plains. We also have reports from our scouts of massive concentrations of wildebeest ranging in the Ikorongo Game Reserve, which is adjacent to the Northern Serengeti along its western flank. There also a few scattered herds in the Western Serengeti (see lodge map of Serengeti) near Kirawira Tented Lodge though the lodge closest to herds at the moment remains Lemala Serengeti Camp, which is just south of the Mara River near the concentrations of wildebeest at Wogakuria.

The other three migratory species (zebra, gazelle and eland) that make up the migration are on completely different trajectories so to speak. Zebras traditionally move both south and north first. With the southward migration beginning, the zebra herds are (as predicted) much further south of the wildebeest with significant concentrations at Lobo Valley in the North Serengeti, Ruwana Plains in the West Serengeti and we are even seeing are first zebra herds in the Seronera Valley of the Central Serengeti. As for the large herds of gazelles that never do migrate very far off the plains in the dry season, we are seeing large concentrations in the Central Serengeti (especially at Simba Kopjes). By no coincidence our guests and guides have been reporting the majority of their cheetah sightings in these central areas, as well.

We anticipate that the southward migration will be well under way as long as the scattered showers continue to attract the great herds south. It should be a great October and November in the Seronera Valley of the Central Serengeti as the migration (both the wildebeest and zebra herds) tend to stall here during these months before making their final southward leap to the plains in December. As with all migration predictions, they are completely dependent upon rainfall patterns. If the scattered rains stop, the migration could very well march back up north and recross the Mara River this month! And, that is certainly what keeps all of us at ADS on our toes out here in the unpredictable environment of the Serengeti.

Big cat viewing remains superb with especially good leopard sightings being reported in the North Serengeti and cheetah sightings in the Central Serengeti. Lions, as described in detail in our last posting, continue to dominate the Serengeti. We had a couple rare sightings last month of black rhinos in the Moru Kopjes area. Moru is a good place to be at the moment even if you are not lucky enough to see the rhinos as we have had tremendous elephant and giraffe sightings (very large family groups) at Moru Kopjes along with some other interesting species including serval cats, bat eared foxes, plenty of waterbuck and even an elusive caracal. But, it’s tough to beat seeing the Moru lion pride lounging on one the of the those beautiful kopjes that adorn the Moru area. They do seem to pose intentionally for our photography groups!

A special thanks to Mark Deutch who recently sent in this great shot of a stream of wildebeest threading through one of the isolated plains that make up the Wogakuria area. The Wogakuria plains are truly remote and it’s quite special to see a herd of wildebeest traversing this isolated and beautiful area of the african safari.

Wogakuria - North Serengeti - September 2009
No Comments
Read Full Post