Posts From September 2016

50th Birthday

For my 50th birthday I decided to check off the one item on my bucket list, an African Safari. After much research I decided on Africa Dream Safaris. The best decision I could have made. From my initial contact with Dawn to the final farewell with Mateas we were always safe and very well taken care of. Dawn’s professionalism is second to none. Even when we decided to add two more people at the last minute it was not a problem, at least on our end.

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The Only Way To Go Is A Private ADS Safari!

The wildlife in Tanzania is absolutely breathtaking but the wonderful team at ADS really created the unforgettable trip. Michael helped us plan an amazing adventure and from the day we landed until the day we unfortunately had to depart we were in incredible hands. Mathias and Joseph met us at the airport and since we had an extra day we spent an afternoon with Joseph experiencing his personal insider tour of Arusha.

In the bush Ellison was our guide and friend. He bonded with our kids, was fabulous at finding animals, had an encyclopedic knowledge of the plants, animals and geography, and truly exuded a personal passion for the Serengeti. He also took us to places where we were the only people for miles around – just us, the unending plain, and the cheetahs.

There’s no way to describe having lunch surrounded by thousands upon thousands of migrating wildebeest. The only way to go is a private ADS safari and a guide like Ellison made for a truly memorable, once in a lifetime adventure.

This was also a wonderful family adventure. Our kids are 12 and 14 which are perfect ages to experience Tanzania. Cell phones were put away (and wifi access isn’t great) and replaced by cameras. Our family took 8,000 pictures!, most of which were taken by our kids.

The lodges were all terrific and unique – like the Mbalageti Lodge where the electricity turns off in the evening and your tented room is lit by candles. Or the family tent at Seronera Sametu Camp where you hear the sounds of nearby lions at night. Or having an elephant walk by your balcony when you’re having lunch at Ngorongoro.

Each lodge was unique and each new lodge became our kids’ favorite. One of the most memorable experiences for our kids was the visit to a Masai village where the cultural contrast really resonated (especially when they saw children their age tending herds alongside the roads).

Our trip was at the end of June, when the migration was in full swing in the west Serengeti and most of the baby animals are around 4 months old. We saw baby cheetahs, lions, hyenas, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelle, elephants…and every day, when we thought we couldn’t possibly have a new experience, we discovered something incredible and unexpected.

Thank you ADS!!!

The West Family
San Francisco, California
Safari Dates: June 22, 2016 to July 3, 2016

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We Witnessed The Great Migration On The Very First Day!

Where do I begin to thank you for our trip of a lifetime! It was at the very top of our bucket list and we are so happy we could share the experience with our two sons. Our family of four had the most amazing time spending 8 days on Safari on the Serengeti from August 21, 2016 to August 28, 2016.

From the moment we landed in Kilimanjaro until when we brought to the airport, the ADS staff was there to make sure our vacation was an experience of a lifetime. I would be remiss by not saying thank you to the wonderful ADS staff that helped us book our trip. It was a pleasure dealing with the staff in California. They were true professionals.

The very first day on safari, we witnessed the Great Migration of thousands of wildebeest and zebra to Tanzania through the Mara River. What a way to start the safari. Throughout the week, our guide made sure we observed elephants, hippos, lions, gazelles, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, baboons and so much more. Our days were packed with great sightings and experiences. We could not have asked for anything more.

The accommodations were fantastic. We loved staying so close to the animals and listening to the sounds of the animals at night. We always felt very safe because of the professionalism of the staff at the locations of our accommodations. It was truly a magical experience.

We enjoyed relaxing at the campfire followed by dinner each night. The sunsets were gorgeous.

Our guide, Roman, was so experienced and well versed in the habits of all the wildlife. Thank you Roman for making this trip, the trip of a lifetime!!! I know that nothing we do in the future will ever match the experience we had on our safari with ADS.

Sincerely,

Colleen and Bart F.
Hampton, New Hampshire
Safari Dates: August 21, 2016 to Augsut 28, 2016

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Thank You ADS For A Fantastic Experience!

Five years ago, my wife and I went on our first African safari with ADS. It was truly a trip of a lifetime! It was during that trip that we said to each other, We need to bring our grandchildren back here when they get old enough, and see this through their eyes! Well, our two oldest grandchildren are 13 and 15, and we felt this was the year to fulfill that wish.

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WOW!

What a vacation! ADS did such a fabulous job setting up our dream vacation. They were there to meet us on every step of our trip. From the moment we got off the plane till we cleared customs to head back home.

The safari was Off the Hook!! On the very first day we saw three of the Big 5 including the elusive Black Rhino with a small calf…a very rare find. We also got a peek of a leopard relaxing up in a tree.

By day three we had seen all the Big 5 and had a chance to see a leopard stalk a gazelle (the gazelle won that day). So many Big Cats we were lucky to view them every day from Lions to Cheetahs.

The tented lodging was out of this world, so much luxury and the staff could not have been any more pleasant. The food was an unexpected surprise, it was Top Chef Quality all being made out in the bush, far exceeded the food at the hotel. Morning game drives were the best! So much to see and such an abundance of animals.

I had my hopes set very high since this had been a dream of mine for so many years. ADS you far exceeded my expectations and made it a trip of a lifetime for me.

Your whole staff has made your company proud! Thanks for a lifetime of memories

Brad P.
Firestone ,Colorado.
Safari Dates: August 16, 2016 to August 25, 2016

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