Our safari was only 2 months ago and it feels like forever since we were there. I look at our pictures almost daily and tell many fond stories to anyone who will listen. My sister, Debbie, had always dreamed of being on safari and she did all of the research for the trip. The minute she found ADS, she called me to tell me, “I have our safari”. Lynn was our safari specialist, and she was a fabulous resource. She truly catered to our wishes and needs in designing our safari.

I can’t find the words to accurately describe our experience and never could have imagined the memories that were made on our trip. Our guide, Michael, never ceased to amaze us. We called him “Eagle Eye Mike” because he’d see things we didn’t even know were anywhere near us.

One day, we spotted a lion couple lounging in a field. He stopped the truck and told us they might be mating. Sure enough, within 10 minutes the mating began. Michael explained to us they they will mate every 15 – 30 minutes for a few days and that they are coupled together for only 15 seconds or so. Michael was extremely knowledgeable and answered every possible question we had (and we had many). If he wasn’t sure of the answer, he would consult one of his many field guides he had in the truck.

We can’t imagine having to share the truck with anyone. It was perfect for the two of us and all of our gear. We could move freely about in order to get the best photo; one of the days Michael must have opened or closed the roof more than 5 times for us. He knew the park like the back of his hand, and for much of the trip it was like the Serengeti was ours alone with no one to get in our way.

After our second day, we thought we had seen it all and figured that the rest of the trip would be low key and uneventful. We couldn’t have been more wrong! Each new day had something new and unique in store for us. At the end of each day, when we reached our camps and lodges, we were treated like royalty. From the moist towels and cool drinks upon arrival, the fabulous meals, and our early morning coffee wake up call, we were spoiled. Then when we were ready to head out again, Michael would have the truck fresh and dust free, waiting to take us where ever we wanted to go.

My sister’s dream was to see giraffes, and that we did. We even saw a baby with its mother and nursing. Come to think of it, we saw young or babies of almost every animal we saw. I’m a science teacher, and the controlled burning, predatory, migratory and mating behaviors, and birds picking the insects off the giraffes will be part of my lessons. How perfect that I have pictures and anecdotes to share with my students.

I could go on and on about our safari, but to sum it up: ADS gave us the experience of a lifetime and when we go back again, my sister will not need to do any research. We already know we will be traveling with Africa Dream Safaris.

Linda J.
New York, New York
Safari Dates: August 1, 2013 to August 10, 2013