Posts From March 2010

The Life-Giving Green Season – A Time of Plenty

Imagine an emerald canvas of grassland that stretches for miles, washed in the brilliance of equatorial sunlight and brimming with an abundance of new life. THIS is the green season in the Northern Tanzania Safari – a time of plenty for the animals and a time of splendor for all those who are able to witness it firsthand.

Each year, the green season is marked by extremes. Extreme colors saturate the landscape; verdant savannas are peppered with trillions of brightly-hued wildflowers that beam underneath a burning sapphire sky. Afternoon rainstorms steep in leaden horizons, eventually collapsing to the ground in a short but dramatic burst of life-giving moisture.Rainbows gleam above purple cloudscapes after the sky is washed clean, and the animals bask in the cool green splendor of this life-giving season.

Extreme life dominates the Serengeti plains during this time, as the wildebeest herds take pause in their never-ending migration to give birth on the southern Serengeti plains.Thousands of tiny wildebeest calves have now joined forces with the herd; wide-eyed and gangly, these babies are building their strength on the nutrient rich Serengeti plains before the herds all are forced to move on sometime in May. These young calves have much to learn during the months ahead as the migration resumes its northward course, laden with perils at every turn. Other animals also start their families during this time of plenty, as evidenced by the numerous cubs, pups, fawns, and foals that frolic over green carpets, bringing hope for continued survival of their species to this harsh African wilderness.

Extreme action and thrilling adventures are also inherent to this fast-paced season. The end of the green season including March offers arguably some of the finest wildlife viewing to be found anywhere in Africa. Amidst this world of tremendous color and teeming new life, our clients have certainly had some extreme safari experiences! Guest highlights include several fast paced cheetah chases near Ndutu, a spotted hyena clan battle with the Naabi Hill lion pride, large elephant herds at Moru Kopjes and continuing sightings of the critically endangered wild dog (this time in the beautiful valley of Angata Kiti in the remote reaches of East Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area).

On the migration front, several medium sized herds of wildebeest remain on the Southern Serengeti Plains southeast of Kusini and also between Lake Ndutu and Naabi Hill, an area referred to as The Triangle. However, the largest concentrations of all four migratory species (wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and eland) that encompass the famed migration are currently located on Eastern Serengeti Plains. The area between Gol Kopjes and Barafu Gorge is thick black with massive wildebeest herds at the moment. Most pictures simply fail to communicate the immensity of these herds. One can stand (assuming no lions) on the top of the largest kopje in the Barafu complex and look upon tens of thousands wildebeest and zebra grazing peacefully from horizon to horizon. Outstanding!

Special thanks to Ralph and Jane Anthony who sent in this spectacular wildebeest migration shot, which was taken on March 20, 2010 near the Gol Kopjes on the Eastern Serengeti Plains. It’s a challenge to capture the enormity of the wildebeest migration on the vast Serengeti Plains in a single frame and all of use here at African Dream Safaris think you did it justice with this beautiful photo!

March 20, 2010 - Eastern Serengeti Plains near Gol Kopjes
March 20, 2010 - Eastern Serengeti Plains near Gol Kopjes
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Quote of the Week: Paul and Phillip Mastoridis (father and son)

We researched and interviewed many Safari companies before we decided upon Africa Dream Safaris. The reason we chose you was because of your flexibility to accommodate our needs and desires; to really customize our Safari. No other outfitter was as accommodating and flexible as Africa Dream Safaris. They were able to organize a tour of the Maasai and Iraqw village. The Hot Air Balloon Ride they arranged over the Serengeti was spectacular! They were able to organize a morning to stop by a school where we were able to give school supplies to the children. This was one of our highlights of our journey. It is great to receive such a wonderful safari but it was great to give back as well. To see the wonderful smiles of the children as they sang for us was truly gratifying! Africa Dream Safaris truly exceeded our expectations! Tanzania is truly a spectacular and miraculous country! I was glad to have chosen such an excellent, flexible, friendly, and experienced outfitter such as Africa Dream Safaris! I would definitely use them again and I highly recommend them; you will not be disappointed! Finally I will leave you with a song my son and I learned while in Tanzania (in Swahili).

Jambo – Hi
Jambo bwana – Hi sir
Habari gani? – How are you?
Mzuri sana – Very fine
Wageni mwakaribishwa – Visitors are welcome
Tanzania yetu – Our (country) Tanzania
Hakuna matata – (where there are) no worries
Verses below (followed by Hakuna Matata)
Tanzania nchi nzuri – Tanaznia is a nice country
Nchi ya maajabu – A beautiful country
Nchi yenye amani – A peaceful country
Tanzania yetu – Our country (Tanzania)
Tanzania wote – All Tanzanians

Paul and Phillip Mastoridis (father and son)
March 2010

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Quote of the Week: Jim and Susan Campbell

Thank you for the most professional, well organized dream trip! Everything went like clockwork from the easy, efficient entry into Tanzania, meeting our terrific Arusha guides, to our very last goodbye in the amazing Serengeti Park. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we developed a great friendship. The accommodations were all special and everyday, from 6am to bedtime, was filled with highlights. We never believed that we could be so close to all the animals and experience the sights that left us gasping with wonderment. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime.

Jim and Susan Campbell
March 2010

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Quote of the Week: Larry and Diane Hays

We have just finished our ADS Safari and WOW! March is a great time to go on Safari. It all started with a visit to the web site which was one of the best I encountered while researching our trip. From start to finish this was one of the best organized trips we have ever taken thanks to all those who took such good care of us. Upon arriving in Tanzania we met our driver and our adventure began. We could not have asked for a more enthusiastic and knowledgeable person to share Tanzania with. We did not just point and shoot wildlife. We would spend time understanding what was happening and learning about the Serengeti, the Ndutu Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater. We saw soooo many creatures up close and personal. It is hard to explain how amazing it was. It was one of the best trips we have ever taken and much of it was due to the organization, the accommodations, the people, everything that ADS provides to make it GREAT.

We flew into Nairobi and had to transfer to Tanzania to start out Safari and ADS did a fabulous job of taking care of all our needs along the way. We felt safe and comfortable with everyone we met and everything we did. ADS is the way to travel to Africa and we would not hesitate to use them again.

Larry and Diane Hays
March 2010

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Quote of the Week: Dean and Shauna Kattler

We’re back! We had THE most fantastic trip! It was so incredible. We saw a lot of cubs, baby elephants and one of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Leopard walking on the road. In [our guide’s experience] he told us he has never before seen one that close. Every place we stayed was so unique and each had its own character. The Ngorongoro Crater was THE most perfect way to end our trip! WOW! What an incredible place that is – it is the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. I was so moved by our trip to Africa and the Tanzania people. Because of this trip, Dean and I can’t wait to go back to see more of Africa.

Dean and Shauna Kattler
March 2010

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Quote of the Week: Andrew Dabb

My father and I both had a great time on safari, everyone we met and worked with at Africa Dream Safaris was great. We did get some fishing in (while at Ras Nungwi, Zanzibar) and my Dad managed to hook a Dorado, which he was really happy about. It was an amazing trip!

Andrew Dabb
March 2010



 

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Quote of the Week: Jane and Ralph Anthony

From the moment we got off the plane in Tanzania to the minute we left for home, our time with Africa Dream Safaris was very special. The greet staff was wonderful and took our paperwork through customs while we relaxed in the airport lounge. The first night in Africa was very comfortable, and we felt so welcomed. On Safari, our driver was very knowledgeable about all of the wildlife, including the many species of birds we saw and heard in our travels. We saw each and every creature we had hoped to see, and more! Highlights were the mating lions, the frolicking adolescent elephants, snoozing leopards, playful cheetah cubs and the wonderful people in the Maasai and Iraqw villages. The camps were clean, comfortable, quiet and welcoming. We received white glove treatment from the helpful smiling staff at each of the camps. I got spoiled by the wake-up tea service brought to our tent each morning! Food was delicious, and we had a great time. Thank you for all your help in working with us to plan this once in a lifetime trip. We will never forget it.

Jane and Ralph Anthony
March 2010

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Quote of the Week: Dean and Shauna Kattler

We’re back! We had THE most fantastic trip! It was so incredible. We saw a lot of cubs, baby elephants and one of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Leopard walking on the road. In [our guide’s experience] he told us he has never before seen one that close. Every place we stayed was so unique and each had its own character. The Ngorongoro Crater was THE most perfect way to end our trip! WOW! What an incredible place that is – it is the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. I was so moved by our trip to Africa and the Tanzania people. Because of this trip, Dean and I can’t wait to go back to see more of Africa.

Dean and Shauna Kattler
March 2010

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