Posts From January 2015

We Saw 86 Different Species Of Animals!

My husband has wanted to travel to Africa and “see animals” since he was a small child. Visiting Africa was the number one item on his bucket list. After several months of research, he selected Africa Dream Safaris. The dream became a reality when we left Arusha September 30th.

Our 10 day safari was everything we dreamed of and more. Our guide Malaki ensured that we encountered amazing sights every single day! When we had seen the “big 5” on day 2, we wondered what the future days would hold for us. That was not a concern. We saw 86 different species of animals. We saw two leopards in a tree with a herd of elephants passing beneath them. Even on our last day on the return drive to Arusha we saw a female Gerenuk (Malaki had not seen the species in 5 years), and two cheetahs (mother and son) near the road.

Our most memorable sight was an amazing river crossing of wildebeest and zebra that lasted more than 30 minutes. Thundering wildebeest jumping off a cliff is an awe inspiring sight! The Serengeti is a special place. The Swahili definition of the word Serengeti (Endless Plain) is appropriate.

The camps were wonderful (6:00 am delivery of flavorful coffee to our tent exceeded our expectations). The people were extremely friendly and welcoming. The country is beautiful. A sunset with a Flat Top Acacia tree in the foreground is breath taking.

We would definitely recommend ADS. We had the trip of a lifetime. Dawn helped to ensure that we knew what to expect, and that we were prepared. Malaki made the trip so special – he was a wonderful guide who we will always remember. He had four engineers in the vehicle and he patiently answered our questions about the vehicle (fuel capacity, whether thorns from Whistling Acacia trees cause flat tires, etc.) as well as geography, animal habitats, etc. He helped us learn about the country, the people, and the animals of Tanzania. We have so many wonderful memories. Asante.

Mike and Susan H.
Columbus, Indiana
Safari Dates: September 30, 2014 to October 8, 2014

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Bush Report – January 2015

Greeting from Tanzania again. This is Russell Temu, a professional driver-guide with ADS. I would like to provide a bush report for my most recent safari that I had the pleasure of guiding.

This time I was with a wonderful family of four who were very excited to be in the Serengeti and very much appreciated their safari experience in Tanzania. The safari dates were December 21, 2014 to January 1, 2015. We enjoyed a very well designed itinerary with 3 nights in the South Serengeti at Lake Masek Camp, 3 nights in the Central Serengeti at Seronera Sametu Camp, 2 nights at the Ngorongoro Crater at Lion’s Paw Camp and a final 2 nights in the beautiful Tarangire National Park at Kikoti Camp.

The safari was well planned from where we started on the Southern Plains of the Serengeti where the mega herds of migratory wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are located at the moment. It was an amazing experience for our first three days with the great migration and also good opportunities for predator viewing including cheetah. Then, we headed off to the Central Serengeti where we saw the resident animals including elephants, giraffes and hippos and good concentration of predators, especially lions. While staying at Sametu Camp, we were able to game drive the very remote and wild Eastern Serengeti. This is one of my most favorite areas in the Serengeti. Then we spent the other two nights in the Serengeti Ecosystem to explore the Ngorongoro Crater/Caldera and finally we ended our safari at the adjacent Tarangire National Park with a game drive through Lake Manyara National Park.

I would like to submit some few pictures below which I managed to take during the safari.

Elephant herd with Makoma Hill in the background on the beautiful Makoma Plain, Central Serengeti.

A single male Impala (circled) with his harem around Moru kopjes, Central Serengeti.

Mother cheetah with her 2 cubs near Sametu Kopjes in the East Serengeti.

Bat-eared fox close to its den around Ndutu, South Serengeti.

Cheetahs killing a Thompson gazelle in the Southern plains of the Serengeti around Ndutu, South Serengeti.

Olive baboons sitting on a termite mound in Lake Manyara National Park.

A mother Cheetah with her cubs in Ndutu, South Serengeti.

Another mother cheetah with 4 cubs leaves a baby Thompson gazelle for the cubs practice their hunting skills around Ndutu, South Serengeti.

Regards,
Russell Temu
ADS Driver-Guide

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Ambassador Of The Year Award

Congratulations to ADS safari specialist Sharon Lyon who was recently honored in San Diego, California with the Ambassador Of The Year Award by the Alliance for African Assistance. Sharon was recognized for her significant contributions and dedication over the last 10 years in assisting refugees from East Africa in their resettlement process.

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We Knew We Had To Bring Our Children For A 2nd Safari

With ADS’s help, my wife and I had first visited Tanzania in January 2011. We were speechless at the Serengeti beauty, the animals, the accommodations and the whole trip! Immediately, we knew we had to bring our children.

This experience was something that they would remember their entire lives and the planning began. We were finally able to organize the family safari for December 2015 and it was awesome. Once again, ADS did a fantastic job. From the moment we touched down in Kilimanjaro to the moment we left, ADS had organized the entire trip to perfection.

We’d tried to describe to the kids what we had experienced in our first trip, but words cannot do it justice. As the bush plane landed at Ndutu, our kids were glued to the airplane windows watching the zebras, wildebeests and giraffes grazing along the runway. You could see it in their eyes, this would be a trip like nothing they’d ever experienced before.

Our guides, Anglebert and Emmanuel, were exceptional. Their knowledge of the terrain, animals, culture and country was a huge part of the trip. By the end of the first day, we felt like we’d known them for years and they were friends of the family. Our accommodations (all three tent camps) were outstanding.

You can’t believe that you could be treated so well out in the bush! ADS did a great job organizing our trip and should we be able to visit Tanzania again…ADS will be our first call!

With much gratitude for your efforts,

Bill and Sarah V.
Evansville, Indiana
December 22, 2015 to December 29, 2015

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