There are few things in life we see, or experience can compare to being in the Serengeti. This vast open land, filled with more wildlife and fauna than can be imagined, is a must see for those adventurers still looking for the untouched wilderness of yesteryear.

When we first started planning our safari we were amazed by the number of tour operators in the Serengeti. We decided early in the process to try and find the most experienced and personal tour operators available. Our first interaction with Dawn made the choice an easy one.

Dawn’s knowledge of the ADS experience was not just that of a salesperson. She was interested in our personal travel goals for a complete safari experience, having an adventure in the bush and creating the memories of a lifetime.

Our arrival experience in Kilimanjaro was the smoothest passage through customs I have ever had. We were met on the tarmac and escorted to a private lounge to await customs to processing. Within 30 minutes we met our guides for Arusha. Joseph and Sumba greeted us like family and escorted us to the Arusha Coffee Lodge.

Joseph was extremely knowledgeable and answered every question we had from the history of Tanzania to the culture of the citizens. Sumba was able to expertly and safely negotiate the traffic and detours to get us to our first lodge.

The next day Joseph and Sumba led us on a trip through Arusha and to the local market. Joseph was able to impart the knowledge of local business practices and customs with ease. They then took us to a local restaurant to enjoy some of the Tanzanian cuisine.

The next day our trip to the bush started with a flight from the Arusha airport to the Serengeti. When we landed at Seronera Airstrip in central Serengeti, we were met by Ellison. Ellison was our guide and driver for the exploration of the Serengeti. Ellison was extraordinarily patient with our requests. Not three minutes out of the Seronera Airstrip and we started to see the wildlife.

My wife and I were over the top excited to see a couple of Thompson gazelles and a few zebras. Ellison stopped and let us take about 50 pictures and tried to explain we would see “more than we could imagine”.

For the next hour we stopped and took pictures of single animals and small groups. Ellison finally convinced us to move a little further into the bush. The next thing we know, there is a bloat of hippos and a herd of elephants.

By the time we made it to the Melia Serengeti (our lodge for the next two nights), we were exhilarated by the sheer number of animals we had seen. The lodge experience was top of the line. Service was amazing, the food was great, and we had a romantic sunset provided for us on the Serengeti.

The next day while leaving the Melia, we drove into the middle of the wildebeest migration. For two hours we slowly drove through wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles that were starting the migration. It was one of the most majestic displays in the wild we have ever seen.

Our tour of the Serengeti took us through the central portion, then slightly north, and finished moving south to Ngorongoro Crater. Along the way, Ellison was able to track and find more than 30 different species of animals (many of them with babies) along with more than 50 species of birds. He assisted us in cataloguing each of these with pictures and notations. He led us to four of the big five (we were unable to find a rhino even though Ellison tried all of the tricks he knew).

Ellison’s expertise in guiding, tracking and photography enabled us to obtain more than 4000 pictures. Along the way Ellison answered questions about the flora and fauna on the Serengeti as well as providing us with information regarding the Masai and other tribes in the region. His knowledge from history to animals was unsurpassed.

All the lodges Dawn secured for us were in a class of their own (Arusha Coffee Lodge, Melia Serengeti, Four Seasons and Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw). At each of the lodges the service was impeccable and the food sensational. Joseph, Sumba and Ellison are consummate professionals.

This trip exceeded every expectation we had. From the watching of the big cats down to the dwarf mongoose running over the rocks, we could not have asked for a better experience.

Thank You African Dream Safaris for providing us with this once in a lifetime trip.

Todd and Kimberly Z.
Davenport, Florida
Safari Dates: June 5, 2025 to June 13, 2025