What makes this one safari so special?? Cheetahs on the car!!!!!
An answer to 16 years of prayer. Amen!!!
Not just one cheetah one time, but a total of 4 x’s cheetahs jumped on the car and the 4th time there were 2 cheetahs on the back tires and the one on the front jumped to the top and walked around the open top –
Definitely a highlight of all my safaris!!
I have pictures and video. WOOHOOO!!!! now my “list” is complete…….
Cheetahs on the car:
Our ADS company philosophy and founding mission statements govern who we are, what we do and influence the overall quality of our product and our clients experience.
When we established our company we did our due diligence and discovered a niche that was not being accommodated. In utilizing our expertise, the new facilities available such as the scheduled flights and airports etc, we moved the safari business and clients from the archaic ways of the past (which only one very bad road in, no airport or scheduled flights, need to drive in drive out fill all vans with as many people as possible, least expensive way) and we moved into the Present and are prepared for the future as well.
In order to have the true wilderness experience right at the beginning, off the beaten path, utilizing our exclusive game tracks, clients energy is typically higher, when all day game drives are most necessary and most importantly you will be seeing lions, elephants, giraffe, impalas, and possibly cheetah and leopard all in your first couple of hours and days because you will be in premium locations with excellent guides, who are constantly looking for ways to maximize your wildlife viewing and comfort as well. On your last day you will also have as much time on safari game drive as you wish before you head out to Arusha.
Our goal is to give you the best safari packed with wildlife and we do what we do based on our expertise and we simply will not recommend a reverse itinerary as part of our founding mission statement and beliefs.
IF we were to consider doing this, it would dramatically affect and jeopardize the integrity of your safari. It would also drastically negatively affect the quality and quantity of your game viewing. In the long run, you would be unhappy with your ADS safari and we would also be unhappy. Our great reputation would then be soiled by going against our better judgment and our expertise, by doing an inferior itinerary knowing it was not up to our standards of a wildlife intensive safari. I cannot risk our ADS reputation or my reputation and recommend an itinerary or an option that will negatively impact our company.
ADS is not for everyone and we need to continue to stay true to our ADS company philosophy that we all here at ADS believe strongly in.
It also comes down to our potential clients trust and respect of ADS as a whole and trust in our expertise with my personal experience of over 60x’s in the Serengeti.
Asante rafiki
Sharon Lyon
Sharon@africadreamsafaris.com
www.thelionlady.com
Two items I cannot leave home without when I go on safari:
1.) A regular American extension cord with a multiple outlet power strip so I can charge more then one item at a time and only need to use one plug or outlet.
2.) A flashlight that straps to my head so I can be hands free if need be in the middle of the night and all the lights are off or I have no clue where the switch is. I actually wear it on my wrist sometimes at night so I always know where it is located.
Sharon@africadreamsafaris.com
www.thelionlady.com
Sharon – Lisa and I are still in Africa enjoying Faru Faru. I will send a more detailed and appropriate thank you when we return to the States as well as call you personally. However, I wanted to drop you a short note to tell you how grateful we are for all the work you and your team has done to make this possible. This truly has been the most amazing experience of our lives (except for the birth of our daughter) and has exceeded our expectations in every way. I cannot say enough good things about our guide John – “JP”. His personality and talent as a guide put us at ease from the second we landed and we delighted in having him around and learning and laughing with him. Every member of the staff from the crew at the airport to the guys that handled the camping have been extraordinary. I look forward to the two remaining days here and sending you some photos on our return.
Thank you again! Mike and Lisa
P.S. As with everything else, you were right about Faru Faru – the perfect way to end the trip – though Lisa misses John terribly!
Hi Michael & Sharon,
I just wanted to let both of you know that John (our guide) is doing an amazing job taking care of us. He is very interesting to talk to and he knows so much about the animals and the serengeti. Thank you for connecting us.
We will send lots of photos your way when we return.
Susan
———–
Hello friends and family,
Today (January 11th) is the first day I have had access to a computer since I’ve been on safari so thought I would take advantage of the opportunity and say hello.
We have had an unbelievably amazing time while on safari for the past six days. The nice thing about coming this time of the year is everything is green and the animals all look extremely healthy. Most of the females are pregnant, but several are also giving birth.
One of many highlights was that I got to watch a Zebra help her newborn take its first steps. We were sitting right in the middle of the migrating herd where there were literally millions of wildabeasts, gazzelles, zebras, etc. and as we were driving through the herds a Zebra gave birth right next to us. She cleaned the baby and kept nudging it to stand up. When the baby first stood up it fell back down. After about three tries the baby could finally stay up on its own wabbly little legs. So sweet!
We’ve seen several prides of lions and two very big male lions. One pride of lions (6 cats total plus one cub) were at a watering hole following their lunch. They were so tired and full from hunting and eating that they couldn’t be bothered with us being around. As the mother was cleaning up her cub she started roaring and out of the bushes comes daddy running to his pride. It was another awesome sight to see the family reunite. Our guide told us that sometimes the male lion doesn’t see his ‘pride’ for up to 10 days while they are out hunting. Apparently he stays back and let’s them do all the work and then finds them so he can also eat. When he finally catches up with them they are all very happy to see each other and they rub and nudge for several minutes.
We’ve only seen two leopards and they have been in trees off the road.
They are apparently more difficult to find because they hunt at night and sleep during the day.
We had a picnic lunch next to three cheetah brothers the other day.
They were knapping around a tree, in the shade and looked up at us enough times so we could get some really good pictures. They could also care less that we were within feet of them.
At one of our camping sites (luxury camping sites) we listened to the lions roaring to each other during the night while we watched a huge buffalo eat grass right in front of our porch.
The elephants are huge and plentiful and lots of babies following the mommies around. Same with the giraffes. Lots if hippos….which are my least favorite because they are absolutely disgusting.
While going through the various sections of the huge migrating herds we see all of the predators, especially the hyenas. They are my second least liked animal because they pick on the young:-(
We are looking forward to Donnie & Kathy joining us tomorrow (Jan12th) and spending the next four days with us. I’ve sent everyone postcards but I have not a clue as to when those will arrive.
The serengeti is breathtakingly beautiful and the animals are all very trusting of the vehicles because they have learned through the years that they truly are protected from humans harming them. It is so nice to see them in these endless plains of food and water.
Donn has taken lots of pictures which we will enjoy sharing with everyone. Hope all is well on the homefront.
Cheers from the serengeti, Mom/OM/Susan
EMERGENCY!!!!!!!!!
What do we do in an emergency? That is a question that I get asked on a regular basis.
We provide each booked client with an emergency contact list of our key staff in USA and also in Tanzania. We recommend you leave a copy of it at home with your loved ones IN CASE OF EMERGENCY!! We try to have everything covered and will take care of you and your loved ones whether or not they are on safari or still at home in USA
So this is how it really works.
Early one morning, I received a call from one of my colleagues, who had determined that a husband of a client of mine has an emergency at home, of unknown nature. It was up to me as their safari booking agent, to call him back and determine the nature of the emergency
“Hi Buster this is Sharon with ADS and I am the one who is in charge of your wife’s safari booking. I understand you have an emergency and I am calling to find out what the nature of your emergency is before I contact her at Kusini Camp, which is where she is right now”
“I am 3 minutes away from the emergency room and I am having a heart attack and I wanted to tell my wife I love her in case I do not make it”
I said let me pray for you Buster”God please be with Buster in this hour of his need may he feel your comforting arms surrounding him may he feel the wings of your angels protecting him, Lift him up God and heal him now, in Jesus name, may he be at peace knowing you are in control Lord and YOU will never leave him as you promised to be with us always. Lord, give the doctors and nurses wisdom when they see him at the hospital, that they will know what treatment he needs. In Jesus name Amen:” Buster I have to tell you that I know your wife would say “I love you too Buster” I made him promise to call me and keep me informed and I told him I would contact his wife in the meantime.
I cried and prayed!! And called my boss to let him know the nature of the EMEREGEMCY!!! It was now up to him to contact Kusini and have Busters wife call me for details. I prayed and called all my prayer warriors to pray for Buster. I did not want to deliver any bad news to his wife.
30 minutes passed and I saw Busters number come up on my phone, but it was the nurse saying they were checking Buster in to the hospital and told me the name of the hospital and the doctor’s name. I thanked her and asked that she continue to keep me informed. I told her to let Buster know we were calling Kusini to get in touch with his wife and not to worry.
30 minutes passed Busters number showed up again “HI Sharon its Buster here, have you gotten in touch with my wife? The doctor says he wants to operate and I just wanted to talk to her before he does”.
“We are trying but I know time is of the essence when it comes to these things and I believe it is important to let the doctor proceed as soon as possible with what he needs to do. “I hear buster asking the doctor for 30 more minutes) I then say
“Buster, realistically I will not hear from your wife until later today, as it is past midnight now at Kusini and everyone must be in bed and it is now apparent that no one is listening for the satellite phone and they will probably not get the message until they wake up at 5 or 6 am., a few hours from now. So just know that God is with you and guiding the doctors and you will be in Gods care and there is no better place to be, your wife loves you and knows you love her Buster may I please speak with the doctor and I am going to pray for him too”. “Hi Doctor I told Buster time was of the essence and he should let you operate as soon as possible & I told him I’d pray for you as well” “Dear Lord God give the doctor guidance and wisdom while he is operating on Buster and taking care of him show him what needs to be done and how to do it and we pray for Busters full and speedy recovery in Jesus name amen.”
“Please keep me posted Dr we are still trying to get in touch with his wife but probably will not hear for a few hours.” Dr said had called me in about 2-3 hours once surgery was over.
I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. And yes I did shed a few tears as well.
One Hour 1/2 later the phone rang – buster’s number – it was Buster- AMENA “ I made it Praise God thanks for being there “ I said Amen it’s a miracle “ he said yes I know” Praise the Lord” I then asked Buster to please continue to keep me posted
A few hours later Busters number = this time Busters brother in law told me “ the doctor cut him open was in for 13 minutes found no damage and no blockage- Sewed him up – declared all pipes and pumps all clear and working well” I said Amena it’s a miracle and he said “that’s is what Buster said as well’
AMEENA!! Please do not underestimate the power of prayer!!
So Busters wife called at 7:51pm PST and I was able to give her the good news that her husband had been in and was now out of surgery and he had a miracle as there was no damage at all no blockage, no bypass surgery, all is well and Buster loves you!! As I relayed the story- she thanked me for praying for Buster – she said that would have been all she could have done. I said” It was all I knew to do!!”
So Buster and I now have this thing a special connection- I was there when he was in need and I am so thankful that I was.
He called me the other day to see how I was and I said more importantly “How are you” He told me he was still doing great and thanked me again for being “the calm in his storm” I said I was so happy to know that I was there for him and that I can be there for others if the need be –after all, I am just a tool – God is the one who does the work”
Let’s just say this is not quite a typical day in the life of a safari sales person!!!!!
But it goes without saying “never a dull moment in the life of a safari sales person”
Many Blessings
Sharon
So I have been back in the USA for a little over a week now and I am almost all caught up on sleep, work and returning back to what remains to be my normal…? It seems like it is taking me longer and longer to recover. Always a part of me that is happy to be back home, always a big part missing, as my heart always remains in the Serengeti!!! Not complaining, just explaining!!
I know I am totally blessed to be able to do what I absolutely Love love love and having an office in the bush makes it all come full circle. I cannot stay away no matter how many times I am there. I always have new experiences that just add to my magnificent repertoire of fantastic stories & memories. Although I feel totally re-engerzied, revitalized, rested and relaxed in many ways, I also miss the many shots of adrenalin & the constant jolts of stimulation throughout each day, as each safari day’s sightings and activities would unfold.
With the blackout tent flaps up and an almost full moon, I wanted to see activity and I stayed up most of the night on the phone and listening and watching for the cape buffalo, zebra and hyena and wildebeest that lingered next to my tent all night. I am in heaven!!
My last day on safari was a Sunday and I awakened to the gorgeous sunrise and animals still around my tent. I dressed for breakfast and wandered up to the main dining tent. I ordered the chefs special omelet, cheese, mushrooms & spinach, which was delicious, orange marmalade on my toast and freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee. I decided to take it easy today and just enjoy Sabora. I went to my tent, and had a nice long bath while I enjoyed watching the family of 7 zebra lingering just in front of my tent!!! After my bath, I put on the linen bathrobe and flip flops, got my binoculars, my devotions, my journal and a ginger ale and headed for the leisure bed right out in front of my tent. Again, I was in Heaven!!!
It was totally amazing how the plains directly in front of Sabora were teaming with a multitude and variety of many animals. Zebra, wildebeest, topi, eland, impala, grants gazelle, ostrich, warthog, Cape buffalo, Thomson gazelle, giraffe, baboon, and an eagle were spotted and I learned that an Ostrich can make a sound similar to a distant lions roar. I had a fabulous lunch pool side in my swimsuit and bathrobe.
The Zebras had moved close to the pool and so we had lunch together!! After lunch I sat in the pool and watched as the zebra continued to graze pool side & seemed totally undisturbed by my presence. Still in heaven!! At 3:00 I headed to the spa for my massage, pedicure and manicure!! Still in Heaven!! We met at 6:00pm for sundowner’s fireside, under an almost full moon, tons of stars – again heaven!! Dinner was another culinary delight and exceeded my expectations once again!!
Hard to beat Sabora, in service, quality of accommodations, food and options, all are top of the line, ultra luxury but a great value for the level of experience.
The rest of the journey was effortless, up on last day, shower, breakfast, pack, say goodbye, drive to Sasakwa airport for flight to Seronera, and stop in Southern Loliondo Airport (have never been to this airport) to pick up some people, landed in Arusha, visited Cultural heritage , always a necessity!!! And then shower, change clothes, repack, very early dinner, depart hotel at 5pm and head to JRO- Tons of traffic so we took short cut through the back streets & local village areas, as we slowed I greeted everyone I could along the way with Bwana asafieway and Mungu Away naway, many smiles and greetings were given back- just another highlight of my safari!!
Check in at JRO went smoothly, met up with my clients once again- Heard all about their fabulous safari until we boarded the plane and all fell fast asleep as the plane took off on time for Amsterdam!!
Thanks again for joining me on this latest safari. I will let you know when I post additional photos to my face book.
The Lion Lady, Mama Simba & Sharon Lyon
P.S. Click here, to read all my blog posts.
AHHHHH!! On our way from Bilila to Grumeti Game Reserve we saw a few large herds of wildebeest, impala, baboons & giraffe. Just past the Ikoma gate our driver from Grumeti game reserve was waiting for us. We did our transfer and said a very fond “see you later” to our ADS guide. We were quite anxious to get to our Camp Sabora as it is in a lovely remote setting and we were looking forward to just relaxing in such serenity.
More giraffe, huge herd of Topi (at least 500), small herds of Thomson gazelles, 4 kinds of vultures & marabou stork were spotted before we came across 2 cheetah brothers. They had just finished their kill and were resting under a tree. In the Grumeti Game Reserve, since it is privately owned, you can drive right up close to the animals. The cheetahs were about 20 ft away from us and we spent about 25 minutes admiring them. Secretary bird, warthogs, hyena, ostrich, grants gazelle and more giraffes, before we could see our camp in the distance from our hilltop vantage point.
It was so lovely as the grass had all turned green from the previous rains and many animals could be seen grazing in front of the camp. As we checked in and had our lunch, zebra were lounging close by, cape buffalo strolling through the path ways between the tents and I felt like I was in heaven!!! A lunch of goat cheese, beets, basil & honey (starter) and believe it or not, a hamburger and French fries were perfect.
I took pictures of the pool, the exercise room, the spa, the library, dining tent, and my room. You will have to wait until I return to the office, for the pictures as the internet is very slow (not a complaint. as I remember the days, not so long ago that having access to the internet in the bush was a far off concept here!!)
A late afternoon game drive from 5-6:30 produced sightings of Ostrich, 2 jackals, zebra and a breeding herd of cape buffalo of more than 260, small groups of about 25 wildebeest, topi, hyenas, guinea fowl, impala, baboon, topi and reedbuck and a white headed buffalo weaver. We then spotted a mating pair of lions (yes we saw them mating) and 3 more lioness and another beautiful male lion were our treat, as we had our sundowners while the sun set!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! What a perfect way to end a perfect day!!!
Dinner was rosemary bread, cream of corn soup, fried calamari and lamb shank!! Cream Brule wrapped in a pulled sugar nest was the best presentation ever and tasted just as good!!!
I went to my tent at 10:30 and called a few friends (calls included here!!!) and could not believe all of the night sounds of buffalo, hyena, zebra and wildebeest just right outside my tent!! I kept trying to peek out and see them and there was an almost full moon so lots of moonlight, but they managed to allude me. I finally fell asleep about 3:00am and slept soundly until the sunrise, what a lovely way to awaken.
I just had the chef’s special omelet of bacon, mushroom, cheese and spinach with hot toast and fresh marmalade and local hot tea!!! While having breakfast zebra, wildebeest, ostrich and buffalo are grazing out on the lush green plains. I am staying in today and enjoying the nice bathtub, having a massage, pedicure and manicure and lounging around the pool!! AHHHHHH – I love Tanzania, it is always the same in many good ways but every day, all day long, new adventures are happening all around you!!! This may be my last post until I return officially to my USA office on Oct 15th. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!!
WOW!!!! I am not sure where to start!!! This morning we left Bilila at 5:45 am and headed directly back to central Serengeti to see if we could see some more leopards. On the way we passed giraffe, wildebeest, Thomson gazelles, hippos, warthogs, baboon, hartebeest and hyena. At 7:05 our guide (who is excellent, of course) spotted a leopard sitting at the base of a tree about 75 feet away. We were watching it intently, when it lay down. Then we saw a leopard sitting at the base of the tree and thought, there must be 2 leopards. Indeed there were!! As we were watching along came a hyena sniffing the bottom of the tree where the leopards had just been, The 2 leopards seemed to be surrounding the hyena and possibly going after it. Just as they got within a few feet the hyena escaped. We stayed for 1.5 hours before any other vehicles approached. During that time they were playing and chasing each other rolling around just like house cats. It was so much fun to watch.
We finally left and went about 1/2 mile and came across 1 more leopard with a kill in the tree. Just behind that leopard was a cheetah with a kill as well. The cheetah was being harassed by 2 jackals trying to steal her food. At 9:12 am we were at a lioness right next to the road lying in a dead tree. At 9:25 we were at a mother cheetah with 2 cubs!!!! We continued out to Masaai Kopjes and saw reedbuck, dik dik, more jackals and more giraffe. We decided to return to Bilila to enjoy the afternoon since our morning had been so jam packed with super sightings!! On the way we encountered one group of 23 giraffe crossing the road, 46 elephants and another group of 12 giraffe, a very large herd of wildebeest migrating, hartebeest, zebra and more Tommies!! WHAT a day!!! Final count so far – 37 lions, 7 cheetah & 5 leopards!!! (And I ran into my good friend Phillip who is the restaurant manager at Bilila!!!) Now after a super lunch of prawns tempura, I am writing this blog post!!
Oct 5th – evening at Migration camp – we had a special treat of a mother genet cat and her baby right next to us while we sat around the bon fire – the baby was so small and so cute- an experience -I will not forget!!!
Oct 6th – After a wonderful breakfast we departed Migration Camp and headed towards central Serengeti. We saw baboon, warthogs, wildebeest, hartebeest, ostrich, zebra, topi and then came across 4 lioness, some cape buffalo, grants gazelle, jackals, secretary birds, hyrax, giraffe, monitor lizard with a small baby monitor lizard, impala, hyena, elephants, and at 11:04 we were at our first leopard with a kill in the tree. It was about 30 feet from the road but quite well hidden. At 12:07 we were at a 2nd leopard, which was a baby. Some jackals, waterbuck, 14 Elephants and about 200 cape buffalo and then 9 lions rounded out our game drive for the day.
I ran into two old friends along the way, whom I have known for 14 years, Ellieta was at the Seronera airport (he is now assistant manager at Kirawira) and Vincent was at the gas station (he is manager at Mbuzi Mawe) it is always good to see my local friends!!!!Who always make me feel very welcome and right at home!!! I also ran into Nickson and Peter who used to work with ADS. To top off the day I had one of the best massages ever at the spa here at Bilila. I highly recommend their treatments!!! A fabulous dinner and then early to bed!!!
Tomorrow we will have a nice breakfast at Bilila and then drive up to Grumeti Game reserve where we will be staying at Sabora. I am excited to return once again at one of my most favorite places to relax. I will try to update you again from there.
I am having difficulty uploading photos, so please bear with me. Asante Sana!!!
We left Bushtops yesterday and headed south towards Migration Camp. Right away we came across 4 lions, 9 elephants, girraffe, buffalo, warthogs and thomson gazell. By 11 am we were at a cheetah which was beautiful. Many Eland, Klipspringer and banded mongoose were also spotted. Two more cheetah, 6 more lions, hartebeest, ostrich and hippos rounded out our game drive. We arrived at Migration camp just before the sky opened up and we had a heavy rain shower and lightning which was a wonderful way to end the day. It is so amazing at how green everything is when it is supposed to be the DRY season and everything is supposed to be dry and dusty.
This morning we were pleased to be greeted by a genet cat in the lobby right before our early morning departure for game drive. Right away we spotted 2 big male lions moving quickly as they were searching for an apparent intruder into their teritory. About 50 feet from the car the lead male started roaring from the depths of his soul….the sound filled every crevice of my body and soul and will remain in my memory forever. You could see his breath as he expelled every roar, trying to be convincing to the intruder, that the territory belonged to him and the intruder should go away!!! It was more amazing than what I could have imagined!! Had our game drive ended at that point it was more than enough. We continued on the lobo game loop for a while and saw 11 more lions, elephants, cape buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, reedbuck, baboon, waterbuck, dik dik, and many birds and other wildlife as well. Back to the lodge for lunch, bush update and some relaxation. Another thunder storm can be heard in the not so far distance and soon we will be treated to another light show from nature!!! Tomorrow we head to Bilila in the Central Serengeti. Enjoy!!!
Last night it rained cats & dogs, so this morning everything was green and lush. We left at 6 am this morning after a super sunrise and a light breakfast and we headed to the Mara river to possibly catch a river crossing. Along the way we saw many animals, topi, wildbeest, zebra, giraffe, ververt monkey, varieties of birds, hippos, crocks. We stopped and set up our table along side the Mara River to enjoy the scenery and also a full breakfast. After Breakfast we continued with our game drive and were fortunate to see a couple of crossings. The zebra crossed and the wildbeest followed, skirting the crocs who were just waiting for them to do so. Fortunately for the zebra and wildbeests the crocs did not seem to be too hungry and everyone crossed successfully. After crossing, some decided to cross again and go back over to the side of the river, from which they had just come. Again, fate was on their side and all made it. (My pictures are too high resolution to upload from my good camera on the bush internet connection, but I hope you enjoy the low resolution from my not so good, other camera.) More pictures to follow upon my return from the bush!!
We returned to Bushtops for a late lunch and some relaxation. Lunch was delightful and in fact, I took some photos of our appetizers and dessert but I ate my fish and chips before I remembered to take some photos. So sorry!!
I have just landed in the Serengeti and had a wonderful game drive today. We saw allot of wildlife today in our short game drive including wildbeests, zebra, giraffe, hippos, crocs, impala, reedbuck, elephants, warthogs, mongoose, vultures and assorted other animals. We were excited to arrive some what early at Bushtops Tented Camp so we could experience all that they offer including complimentary massage, beverages and first class service!! I hope to be able to keep you updated along the way!! until then….. all the best, mama simba!!
The Ultimate Africa Dream Safari to Tanzania: The Lion Lady® will plan and design your own Custom Private Safari for you and your family or friends. Tailored specifically for your interests, I will use my extensive background and experience to customize YOUR Perfect, ULTIMATE Africa Dream Safari to Tanzania!
Why should you consider having me, The Lion Lady® plan your safari?
As Vice President of Sales & a Sales Consultant, I am a valued member of the Africa Dream Safaris team. My trips include extensive research safaris, humanitarian missions and leading special interest groups.
My first time to Africa was in 1996, to fulfill a “once in a lifetime” dream. My dream turned into a life-long passion for Tanzania’s wildlife, the captivating beauty, peace and inspiration I found on the Serengeti Plains. I have returned to Africa several times each year since 1996, now well over 50 times, most of which were custom safaris specifically in Tanzania, spent 3 months in one year and as many as four personal /professional trips in a six month period of time.
I have been very active with safaris & mission trips to Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland, Malawi, Cape Verde Islands, Gore Island, South Africa, The Gambia, Senegal, Botswana, Victoria Falls and Zambia
I have traveled several times with the United Nations to Refugee Camps and Internally Displaced Camps as a peace advocate for the less fortunate, documenting the refugee camp in Kakuma in northern Kenya where all of the refugees from Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Congolese, Sudanese and Somalia’s enter the country for safety. I personally have been in the war zone several times in Gulu, northern Uganda also as a peace advocate, helping refugees and internally displaced people. I have first -hand knowledge and experience, keeping current and up to date regarding the political climate and happenings in those countries as well. I am also involved with The JESUS Film Project and have visited my World Vision Sponsor children in Gulu, Uganda, several times.
With over 35 years in the hospitality industry, including working for a high end luxury resort destination hotelier on the east coast, I gained priceless in-depth experience that I use now, to satisfy all of my safari clients needs. I have an in-depth background in hotel management, hotel design, remodeling, renovations, and customer service and customer satisfaction. This comes in particularly useful when I personally visit and inspect all of the properties we recommend. I see first -hand new properties, make sure that the other properties are still well maintained, see what changes have been made, properties renovated, scheduled future upgrades and to insure that the quality of service, food and hospitality is continuing to be of those standards that we expect. I also evaluate the level of service that we offer, our fleet of stretch land rovers, vehicle maintenance, all of our staff and expert guides, making sure that we continue to provide everything essential to making your safari a wonderful experience that will exceed your expectations.
As a Specialized Safari Guide, I focus on the Predators of the Serengeti, with a specialized emphasis on the Leopards. I am called Mama Simba (The Lion Lady) and Mama Chui (The Leopard Lady) in Tanzania, recognized, known by and have personal relationships with many guides, managers and staff from many tour companies, lodges and camps. I am also a world renowned African Wildlife and African Cultural Photographer. I have done slide show presentations to people from all around the world for several consecutive years, have had many professional one person exhibits and had 50- 20×30 and 30×50 photographs on exhibit at The Oakland Zoo (January 2007-April 2007). I also taught a course at the local college titled “Everything You Need to Know before You Go on Safari”.
I utilize all of my unique expertise; insight and passion, as I share Africa’s special qualities with other people, by helping them plan, LIVE and fulfill their own dream safari. I love what I do and would do it whether I got paid or not.
It is not about making the sale; it’s not about me making money. It is about sharing a passion for a country and its people who I love, admire and respect and I want you to as well. I do not promise what I cannot deliver and I am not here to twist your arm to get you to come on safari with me or to have me plan your safari regardless of whether it is a good fit or not.
It is about believing and knowing, what I can do and what Africa Dream Safaris can do for you and whether or not, what we have to offer, will fulfill all of your dreams and desires for your Tanzania dream safari experience.
With all of this being said, I am looking forward to hearing from you and continuing to refine your safari plans to fit every need and desire you have. I know that you will enjoy and cherish your safari memories as much as I have mine and I can deliver your Africa Dream Safari that will exceed your expectations.
Sharon Lyon – AKA The Lion Lady www.thelionlady.com
http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/quote_sharon.html
Africa Dream Safaris – V.P. Sales
Direct Toll Free – 800-987-0809
My last safari was just a few weeks ago, and I must say “I love my job”!!! This morning (Friday) I am headed back on safari and I get so excited (even after almost 60 safaris), because I know what lies ahead, is yet another adventure to be embraced!! Even though, I have been on safari every month, I have spent the majority of my safaris, during the green season, now I look forward to adding, once again, to the depth of my experience in the dry season.
The last safari assignment included behind the scenes involvement (similar to hotel/restaurants mystery shoppers in USA) helping to identify areas of improvement & solving minor issues before they become major complaints. Also inspecting new properties and older ones, making sure they continue to meet our growing list of clients needs. This is just one way that ADS stays proactive, on top of and ahead of things & always looking for ways to improve our clients overall safari experience. Of course, knowing current weather conditions & its effect of altering traditional animal patterns and their approximate locations, is also imperative as it is constantly changing. This is the typical up to date, in the field experience & information we base our itinerary recommendations on for your continued successful wildlife intensive safari viewing.
Words to describe every experience from the most recent safari, escape me at the moment, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Below are a few highlights from the early September trip.
Years ago I went to Africa to fulfill a once in a lifetime dream. I have not fulfilled that dream. I was captured by the spirit of Africa, the soul of Africa. My soul caught on fire and Africa is now my passion. Many times I have gone to Africa, only to leave before I’m ready. I thought that my thirst to be amongst the animals would be quenched, but I am more thirsty than ever.
When I am in the bush with the animals, I am one with them. I am one of them. Each time an animal looks into my lens, I see into their soul, connect with their spirit, I become a part of them and they become a part of me. They are my energy, my inspiration, my passion, and the fire that ignites my spirit and soul. My song is of Africa, The Serengeti, and the animals that are free to roam “the endless plains”. I realize that I, again, have left another part of me in the Serengeti and now I call the Serengeti “my home”, too.
Every year my desire to return to Africa has increased. It has become a passion, a need, something I must do. If I had to sell everything so I could go, I would. I used to believe, that going to Africa was,” a once in a lifetime dream”.
As seemingly insignificant moments in my life all come together, and I step back and look at the big picture, I see that, I was born to become, and now am, The Lion Lady®. I now recognize that there has been the yearning, the passion, the dream, through out my life. I now realize that it always was much bigger than I ever thought or that I could ever comprehend. I feel energized and fully alive when I think and talk about Africa. Africa is my calling.
In Africa, they call me mama simba, the lion lady. Not just because I am a female and my last name is Lyon, but because, I am an African Wildlife Photographer & I am The Lion Lady®.
Let the fire of your soul become the light of your path!!!
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