Going on a Safari has always been on our bucket list of ‘want to do’s’. But fears of distance, unknowns and where to go caused hesitation. Then a year ago our friends who had gone on a Tanzanian safari encouraged us. Well this got my husband and I thinking…we should just do it.

We started our research and found Africa Dream Safari online. What got us interested in ADS was the fact we could go on a “private safari” just the two of us, a guide and safari truck. We are in our 70’s and wanted to be able to schedule the days to our needs. We found this to work well.

And so our ADS Safari began to take shape with Michael guiding us. We chose our dates. We wanted to be in the North for the Great Migration. We then planned our trip.

Landing in Arusha we were the first to use the new Tanzania Visa System. All worked well, we collected our bags and ADS greeted us just outside of immigration and customs. We were escorted to our Safari Truck and driven to our cottage at The Coffee Plantation. We were greeted in the morning by Joseph and our guide Alle.

Our Safari was about to begin. We drove to Lake Manyara for our first glimpse of the animals, then on to see the massive crater, where we spent the night and were entertained by the Maasai Tribe. We had a lovely dinner and early to bed. We would go down in the crater at dawn. Alle our guide was showing us our first glimpse at finding the “Big 5”. An exciting day in the crater.

As the safari moved on we flew over the crater to the northern Serengeti and began our journey to see the great migration. An awesome sight. More wildebeests than you could imagine. Wildebeests with indecision about crossing a swollen river filled with crocodiles.

As we waited patiently for a crossing there were wildebeest going down to the river getting scared and turning back. Zebras watched the wildebeests and questioned their judgement. What an awesome sight when a couple of wildebeest got the courage to cross, followed by the herd struggling to get to the other side of the river.

Amazing experiences everyday, just to name a few…the leopard in the tree with his kill, the mating lions, the lion prides with cubs, sleek cheetahs, beautiful giraffes, the elephant families and of course seeing the endangered Black Rhino to complete our “Big 5” sightings.

ADS made our trip complete, they were there for us, from our greeters on arrival to our two very knowledgeable guides Alle and Emmanuel. We loved our accommodations. The Sametu Camp was a favorite. Jonas and staff bid us farewell with an outdoor dinner by the fire, complete with a Maasai presentation and farewell cake. We found Tanzanians to be a very friendly and accommodating people.

From our first planning with Michael to our return to Arusha Airport, ADS ran a detailed and personable Safari.

So many amazing memories…our photos will be our reminder of “this experience of a lifetime”.

Dale and Sandy L.
Castle Rock, Colorado
Safari Dates: August 28, 2019 to September 5, 2019