Good morning from an unusually cool Arusha, Tanzania. This is ADS driver-guide David Chando with my latest bush report. It has been a little colder then normal in Tanzania the last couple of weeks though the weather reports show temperatures returning to normal shortly. The migratory wildebeest herds continue to be located at the extreme north of the Serengeti ecosystem with large groups both to the north and south of the Mara River. Hence, we have been enjoying lots of crossings. The wildebeest are crossing both northbound and southbound and in some cases two groups pass each other in the river going opposite directions!  It is interesting to note that the migratory zebra herds are located further south mainly in Lobo Valley area of North Serengeti.

Last week I went on safari with one client from New York by the name of William T. We started on 08 August 2013 and ended on 18 August 2013. The areas we visited included the North Serengeti, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Tarangire National Park. We had a great time together. Sights admired are as follows:

Wildebeest migration crossing the Mara river in the North Serengeti.

These are the sights which Mr. William said he was waiting his whole lifetime to witness. We enjoyed several crossings during his stay in the North Serengeti.

Wildebeest migration in the Lamai Triangle of the North Serengeti. This is the area to the north of the Mara river. As long as we can cross the bridge at Kogatende, I usually try to game drive both the north and south sides of the Mara River.

Thirsty elephant at water hole – North Serengeti.

Lions resting under a bush tree.  This was about mid-day when the sun was hot and the lions were seeking shade.

Female lion eating a warthog.

Cheetahs  hunting at the Nyamalumbwa plains (North Serengeti) with wildebeest grazing in the background.

A nice set up of plain zebras at Lobo Valley in the North Serengeti. This is the area where we saw lots of zebras.

Black rhino inside the Ngorongoro Crater. It has been difficult these days to see black rhino’s at Ngorongoro as the weather has been cold, making the rhinos less active and causing them to lay close to the ground. It becomes difficult to see them among the high grass.

Young bulls of elephants fighting – Tarangire National Park.

Thanks once again. See you soon.

David Chando
ADS Driver-Guide
September 2, 2013

Once again this is David Chando reporting in from Arusha, Tanzania after having completed another successful safari. This time I had the privilege of guiding a safari for a couple from New York named Marty and Louisa. After the guests having spent two nights in Arusha to rest up from their international flight, I welcomed them to the Serengeti on July 2nd when they arrived at the Mara River airstrip in the upper northern reaches of the Serengeti.

My guests and I very much enjoyed our time together. The safari was short but sweet so to speak. We spent a total of 6 nights in the bush with 2 nights at Buffalo Luxury Camp in the North Serengeti, 2 nights at the Four Seasons Bilila Lodge in the Central Serengeti and 2 nights in the Ngorongoro Crater area with 1 night at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge and 1 night at Plantation Lodge.

There were many memorable wildlife viewing highlights but a few that come to mind were watching the wildebeest cross the Mara River (my first viewing for this season), a female lion with a gazelle kill, a large group of hippos at Retina Pool and a close encounter with a bull elephant in Lake Manyara National Park.

Sincerely,

David Chando
ADS Driver Guide
July 20, 2013

June is one of the more spectacular times to visit the Serengeti. It is a dynamic time for a safari. June is the season of change with the great migration pushing northward as the green season slowly gives way to the long dry season. This was another great safari for me this June. We wrapped up our trip on June 8th and I am excited to get back out to the Serengeti for a late June safari.

My guests arrived into Kilimanjaro on Tuesday 28th May 2013 and departed Saturday June 08 when they flew back to the USA, Colorado. This was their first time in Africa and they were so happy, seeing the great herds of wildbeests and zebras who were migrating northward approaching Bologonja springs, which means in a  few days time they will cross the Sand River. Some highlights are as follows:

Zebra migration in the Central Serengeti

Lonely male lion at Gol Kopjes, East Serengeti

Mother cheetah with two cubs and a kill in the Gol Kopjes area of the East Serengeti

Seronera Spring

Sunrise in the North Serengeti

Two female lions at Tagora Plains in the Central Sernegeti

Once again this is guide David Chando with ADS reporting from the beautiful Serengeti National Park.   This time I escorted one couple from Florida, USA named John and Bonnie. The trip was short but perfect with just 6-nights on safari. Here are some highlights:

Wildebeests crossing the main road near Seronera Airstrip, Central Serengeti

Zebra and wildebeests – note the Moru Kopjes in the distant background

Wildebeests Migration at Lake Magadi, Central Serengeti

Wildebeests and Zebras at Moru Kopjes

Maasai Giraffes in Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti

Seronera Hippo Pool in the morning sun.

 Morning balloon safari in Seronera, Central Serengeti

Thank You,

David Chando

I have just finished my most recent safari with Tom and Lana D., my guests from Illinois, USA. This was their 2nd safari to Tanzania having traveled previously with ADS back in August 2008. I think they really enjoyed seeing the Serengeti during the green season and comparing it with their previous dry season experience. As you can see from the first picture included here, the Serengeti plains are currently green and filled with immense herds of the migratory herbivores (wildebeest, zebra and gazelle) and also many carnivores.

These repeater clients arrived here 09th April and then landed at the Seronera airstrip the next morning of 10th April where I met them. It was a very nice itinerary for the repeat guests with 4 nights in the Central Serengeti at Mbuzi Mawe Lodge and 4 nights in the South Serengeti at Lake Masek Camp. The following are a few sights seen!

Wildebeest Migration on Eastern Serengeti plains with one of the famous Gol Kopjes in the background. I feel that the area around Gol Kojpjes is the most picturesque area of the entire Serengeti.

Three cheetahs out by Gol Kopjes.

The same three cheetahs looking for prey.

Lion pride on the Southern Serengeti plains.

One tusker elephant.

East African Impala.

Dung beetle rolling the dung ball.

A collection of Serengeti wildflowers.

Male lion at Gol Kopjes with the landmark Naabi Hill on the far horizon.

Serengeti Rainbow.

Lions at Makoma Hill in the Seronera Valley of the Central Serengeti.

Saddle billed stork

One of the Serengeti’s beautiful kopjes

Cheetah with Zebra – South Serengeti Plains.

Flooded Retina Hippo Pool

”Traffic Jam”. Maasai Giraffes.

Male lion at Ndutu, South Serengeti.

An elephant pulling down a branch from an acacia tree.

Thanks for reading my blog posting.

David Chando
ADS Driver-Guide
April 22, 2013

Greetings from Tanzania. My name is David Chando, driver-guide extraordinaire, and I have just concluded my March safari with clients Linda and Bob from the U.S.A. We saw a tremendous amount of wildlife for a relatively shorter duration safari. It was amazing! We had 3 nights camping at Naabi Hill, 2 nights at Lake Masek Tented Lodge and 1 night at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. The green season is one of the best times for a safari and it always amazes the guests the diversity and abundance of game that can be seen in just a few days. Follows are a few of my pictures I took while on the trip.

Warm Regards,

David Chando
ADS Driver-Guide
March 19, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

One of the more unusual highlights on my last safari occurred on January 4, 2013. My guests and I were exploring the South Serengeti, just to the west of Ndutu, and we spotted a rare specie of mongoose called the Egyptian Mongoose. This animal is usually completely nocturnal and is seldom seen in the daytime when their eyesight is poor. The social structure of these animals in Africa are solitary,while the species found in Asia are known to be gregarious.

By ADS guide David Chando