Posts From November 2010

Quote of the Week: Essie and Gary Casper

I really do not know where to start. Our exciting safari started from the moment we stepped off the small plane at the “Seronera Air strip”. We were met by our drive and guide who showed us the way to our magic carpet. Within ten minutes of leaving the air strip, our guide pointed out a leopard pulling an antelope into a tree (see figure 7157). At that point I had not taken out the cameras yet. So the only pictures I took were after the leopard had the kill up in the tree. After leaving the leopard to rest and eat its lunch, we rode about five miles further and our guide point out a young male lion finishing off a wildebeest, with seven to eight hyenas in waiting (see figure 7471). It is very hard to kick out three or four of our best photos. One of the photos I like best really does not show much action, but figure 7832 was taken of an elephant in the wild. However, I know there was not a bridge within miles of us, but yet the sign was there! The picture of the Serengeti says it all. In figure 7847, you see elephants, wildebeest, zebra, and baboons.

 

My wife and I were very pleased with the food and service at each of the places that we spent the evening. Really it was beyond our expectations! Again our driver and guide was outstanding. Our guide proved the old saying about eating carrots, he must have eaten six to seven each day when he was young. Our guide was able to point out game that I had a hard time seeing through the camera zoom lens. Our only regret was that we did not do this sooner. We were within six feet of wild elephants. No zoo bars or ditches between us and them. At no time did we feel that we were in any danger, even when a male baboon came into the tent at Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge. I just shouted at him and he departed the same way he came in. This was also true when a young male lion walked right up to our land cruiser and laid down in the shade behind the cruiser.

We would recommend anyone who is thinking about doing such a trip to use your company.

Essie and Gary Casper
November 2010

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Quote of the Week: Pat and Bob Bilovsky; Colleen Roman – California

We would like to thank you for the support, care, and planning that you provided us on our recent (October 20-November 2) Safari. We had a fantastic journey that even surpassed our expectations. Every step along the way we were supported by your wonderful staff. The preparation notebook we received at home was extremely helpful in answering many of our questions and helping us to make our trip easier while we were in Tanzania. The discussions with our ADS rep were invaluable and enabled her to set up a custom safari that met our needs, adapted to the season we were traveling, and provide a maximum opportunity to observe the rich wildlife, customs, and culture of Tanzania.

From the moment we landed at Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport to the last day we were in Tanzania, we were supported by Africa Dream Safaris Staff. Upon arrival we were met and assisted with all of our entry requirements. We were met by staff (Selma), driven to our hotel, given a cell phone to use during the trip if we had any concerns (we didn’t need it). Selma prepared us for the next morning when we would be picked up, taken to the Arusha airport,and we would fly to the Northern Serengeti. The next morning, Selma was at the hotel to take us to the Arusha airport, check in our luggage, and make sure everything went well with our flight to Kogatende. Upon landing at Kogatende, we were met by our Guide for the next 9 days. Our Guide was very knowledgeable, caring, thoughtful of our concerns, funny, and very interested in us getting a full safari experience. 5 minutes out of Kogatende, on our first game drive we saw elephants. That day and each day after were magical. On that first day we saw the Wildebeest crossing the Mara, an unbelievable sight, we saw a cheetah with her two cubs, two black rhino, zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos, cape buffalo, many species of the beautiful birds and the beautiful Tanzania landscape. It was an incredible day, made even more special by the insight our Guide was providing us.

Our accommodations on the trip were always excellent. We stayed in two tent camps and hotels. The staffs at all of our accommodations could not do enough for us and always cared about our comfort and happiness. The food was excellent, the beds very comfortable, and we always felt safe, even with lions roaring outside our lodgings at 3am! Our Guide took us to a fairly remote Maasi Village, on a night safari, on two walking safaris, on a visit to a medical facility in Karatu, and on many game drives. He wanted us to get a full exposure to the beauty of his country. He had unbelievable eyesight and could see animals from before any of us could. The vehicle, our Guide, and his expertise were at our disposal. Each night we worked out the plan for the next day- what time we would leave, would we have picnic breakfast, lunch etc. It was all very easy and all very enjoyable.

We would certainly highly recommend your company. There are many safari companies to choose from and I’m sure many of them are very good and reliable. We were happy we chose your company. We really appreciated the genuine attention to detail and concern for us having the best experience possible that was demonstrated by the whole Africa Dream Safaris staff. We thank you, once again, for providing us with a trip of a lifetime.

Pat and Bob Bilovsky; Colleen Roman – California
Oct/Nov 2010

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Quote of the Week: Pam North, Renee North and Amie Jew

We feel so very fortunate to have chosen Africa Dream Safaris as our travel company. From the moment we got off the plane till we left we were taken care of.

In Arusha, we chose to spend an extra day acclimating to the time change and relaxing before our adventure began. We wouldn’t have thought of doing so if our ADS Agent had not suggested it. It was a much needed respite from the long flight over. Our accommodations were absolutely perfect. The Mountain Village Lodge provided a tranquil atmosphere and allowed us to get a good nights rest before heading out into the Serengeti.

I can’t say enough about how great our Guide was to us. So knowledgeable. So patient. So Kind. So friendly. So accommodating. There was not one request he would not fulfill for us. If we wanted to spend more time at one place we would (we spent three hours one day watching a Leopard lay next to her kill and hoping she would take it up into the tree – which she didn’t but we spent three hours watching her). Our Guide has great respect for Africa and an integrity that you did not see in other drivers with other safari companies. We appreciated his character and felt very fortunate to have him with us. He showed us a side of Africa we probably would have missed if he had not been with us.

Our accommodations were everything we hoped they would be and something for everyone. We did a mix of lodges and tents and that was perfect for us (once again, at the suggestion of our agent). One night a Cape Buffalo came next to our tent while we were sleeping. You could hear it pulling the grass from the dirt, chewing, swallowing and then breathing heavily. I felt like I was living a moment from Jurassic Park. My mother had never traveled outside the USA before so we were concerned the accommodations might be too rustic for her. Not so. She absolutely enjoyed each place we stayed and raved about how nice everything was. (If my mom can ʻdoʼ Africa then everyone can. Trust me on this one!)

Being in Africa and seeing all the other safari tour companies made us appreciate Africa Dream Safaris. We were on no time table – like other companies. We were our own private vehicle and didn’t have to jockey for seating. We could go where we wanted, when we wanted and how we wanted (you have no idea how much of a comfort this is till you are in Africa.). There is a respect Africa Dream Safaris has for the land, the people and the environment you did not see with other travel companies.

Regarding the photos: The first – we came across these lion cubs (three of them) in a tree. Their mother is up higher in the tree. This cub seemed to be quite content to stay in the ‘V’ of the tree. So cute. I even got video of them trying to navigate the branches. Our Guide said they were about 3-6 months old. The 2nd photo – and you might have to really look is of two leopards – one in the tree, the other down on the ground with an elephant in the background. Our Guide said it was very unusual to see two leopards together. We saw, in total, 7 Leopards on our safari. The third – self explanatory…a mother and her elephant.

I could go on and on about how wonderful Africa Dream Safaris was to us but you’ll know exactly what I am talking about when you travel with ADS and experience first hand the fabulous service, attention to detail and care they put in to making your journey a once-in-a-lifetime memorable adventure.

Pam North, Renee North and Amie Jew
November 2010

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Quote of the Week: Bruce and Fay Hatton

AMAZING is all I can say, this was definitely a trip of a lifetime, Bruce and I have talked about going to Africa for over 30 years, but deep down we thought it was only a dream. So 18 months ago I decided “A Trip of a Lifetime” would be the perfect gift to celebrate my husband’s retirement and our 30th Wedding Anniversary.

After reading many guide books and web sites and reviewing all our options, our daughter found the web site for “Private Safaris” with Africa Dream Safaris; It was exactly what I was looking for.

The trip was well beyond all expectations and more than we could have ever imagined. ADS made sure every aspect of our safari was taken care of. From the very first email that was sent to ADS 18 months ago until the evening we boarded the flight home ADS looked after every small detail including having a pillow in the jeep because I have a bad back.

The entire ADS staff is first rate, thank you to our amazing Rep who answered all my endless questions and managed to put all my concerns at ease, the Arusha staff who met us on the tarmac at the airport and took us to the primary school to deliver school supplies and of course to our amazing guide we had the pleasure of spending 12 incredible days with. He was so knowledgeable of the country, animals, flora, etc and had the unbelievable ability to spot animals with the naked eye when we couldn’t see them with binoculars. He had a great sense of humour, we shared alot of laughs. The lodges and the food was above anything we could have imagined and it was so nice to have the vehicle to ourselves, and the ability to set our own schedule. We were out game driving when other companies were still having breakfast.

We would not hesitate to recommend ADS; we were extremely impressed with their professionalism, thoroughness and thoughtfulness of their entire staff

Asante Sana Africa Dream Safaris for making our dream come true.

Bruce and Fay Hatton
November 2010

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Quote of the Week: Alex and Dotti Reisbord

We are so glad we found Africa Dream Safaris. We’ve been home four days and we still are feeling high from our adventure. There are many things we want to share with you—many of them you already know, but some of our experiences were unique. First, the wildlife of the Serengeti was everything we expected. Were there things we didn’t see? Yes. We waited two hours at the Mara River for three thousand wildebeest to cross. They almost got their toes wet, but they didn’t go in. But, if you want guarantees go to the zoo, watch the circus, or rent a movie.

Now for the human side. ADS performed as advertised as soon as we left the plane at Kilimanjaro Airport. The VIP treatment was extraordinary and truly appreciated. On our first full day in Tanzania our guide took us Mwangaza Primary School in Arusha. Dotti led the class in singing the Jambo song. This is a very easy song to learn and it breaks a lot of ice. Here is a link to the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK0wPpLryc4 . You have to change the word “Kenya” to “Tanzania”. Two Swahili phrases that we used frequently were “poli poli” (slowly, slowly) as guards led us back to our room at night and “hakuna matata”, (no problem). People remember hakuna matata from The Lion King.

Now back to our safari. We could not ask for a better guide. He was articulate, intelligent, knowledgeable, friendly and had a fabulous sense of humor. We had dinner together our last night. He took both our hands and shared how he enjoyed being our guide. When we said goodbye at the Arusha Hotel, there were tears in all three of our eyes as we hugged and said Kawaheri. He is truly a friend.

Africn Dream Safaris has used Serengeti Serena, Ngorongoro Sopa, and Tarangire River Lodge many times and we have no complaints. But, Buffalo Springs Lodge is new and we want to share our experience there. The following day after arriving we got up early and our guide drove Seketu (the local Maasai guide) and us to Seketu’s boma (village). Seketu’s brother, John, greeted us and was our host. John gave us a brief description of Maasai life—polygamy, community sharing, etc. Then Seketu invited us into his house. We were inside about 30 minutes. We talked about Maasai life. We met Seketu’s wife and six-month old son. This was one of the highlights of our safari. Bah on the wildebeests who wouldn’t cross the river.

The wildlife was all we expected. What we didn’t expect was the human contact. From the school visit in Arusha to the welcome at Buffalo Springs; to Seketu’s home to F.A.M.E.; from the market at Karatu to the friendship with our guide—we did not expect this. Asante Sana,”

Alex and Dotti Reisbord
October 2010

A cheetah staring intently at something in the distance… is it friend or foe? or dinner?

 

A family of lions gathered on a wayward tree trunk.

 

A leopard… doing exactly what leopards do best!

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