If a Serengeti safari isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. When my wife and I first discussed the possibility of a trip to see the Great Migration I was very nervous. I felt this type of vacation was outside of my comfort zone. We researched dozens of safari companies and after much deliberation ultimately decided on Africa Dream Safaris. Michael was extraordinarily patient with us and happily answered every question we could come up with.
With retirement from full-time careers, we were finally ready to fulfill one of our lifetime dreams of a safari. We wanted the full experience of wildlife in their natural habitat as well as learning about the people, history, geography and environment of the region. Since this was our first visit to Africa, there was a bewildering range of options requiring a significant amount of planning and preparation to select the best company which could maximize our chances for a successful trip.
As soon as we arrived in the Serengeti National Park via the most interesting plane ride of all time we were whisked off in the jeep with our guide Emanuel and parked smack dab in the middle of the great migration. Within minutes, we saw thousands of zebras and wildebeests. The first day may have been my favorite (I’m one of a group of four) as the sheer number of animals was more than I thought I’d see on the entire trip! I didn’t exactly know what to expect, but the first day was already beyond my greatest expectations!
My husband and I have recently returned from our sixth safari with Africa Dream Safaris. Yes, six safaris. We know that is crazy. For those people scouring the internet looking for a safari company to take you to Africa and reading reviews of those companies, we will tell you why we have chosen Tanzania to go to and why we have chosen Africa Dream Safaris to take us there six times.
For over six years, my really great teacher friend had told me about her amazing safaris to Africa…how close they got to the animals like no other company, and ‘check out these amazing photos of the cheetah on their jeep from a few years ago.’ In turn, I was in awe of course, but the worries were there….what would I do with my two children? Would I have to get shots? What about the expenses?
On the second day of our safari in March of 2019 I asked my wife, “How do you like our vacation?” “It is not a vacation, it is a lifetime experience!” she replied. The next 13 days totally verified how true that statement was. All of our senses filled us with wonder, joy and extraordinary new memories throughout the trip.
We were just minutes out of the Seronera airport in the Serengeti when we spotted the migration. Thousands of wildebeests and zebras. Next, just a few minutes later, our first elephant sighting. Russell, our amazing driver/guide, spotted the elephant far off in the distance coming toward us. We waited as the sea of wildebeest parted to let it pass. It walked to the road, right behind us, and continued on.
My friends and I just got back from an incredible trip to Tanzania, to include Arusha, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater itself, and once again – I have ADS to thank for it! This was not my first trip to this part of the world, but just as in past trips – seven in all – it was no less incredible! The true “magic” of Africa is that no matter how many times you return, the experience is just as fresh and new as if you had never been. Every day in the bush is unique – and you just never know what you will see around the next corner. As the famous quote goes, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” And in Africa, I have found this to be so very true.
I have waited to take this trip for a long time. It did not come without considerable research. I decided on Africa Dreams Safari for several reasons. They had the most comprehensive, honest and straightforward webpage and information, they responded to my inquiry immediately, and not the least of all, Sharon Lyon, Mama Simba! I never felt like I was being given a sales pitch. The love of the country and it’s people, culture and wildlife was so evident when speaking to Sharon, that I knew immediately I had found a partner for this journey. Her communication and patience with my many questions was so greatly appreciated. Her knowledge of everything Tanzania was staggering.
Before my wife and I visited the Serengeti, I had 2 fears. First, I had visited the Serengeti 50 years ago and was fearful it had changed for the worse. I was pleasantly surprised that the wildlife was still very diverse and plentiful. Second, I was fearful my wife would not enjoy herself. She’s a city girl not used to camping. After our first night “glamping” she announced she loved it. She was enthralled every day with the immense vistas and close proximity to animals. She dubbed the extraordinary daily events as “WOW moments”.
Before we booked with ADS I read and researched so many different companies for our safari and I can tell you that I am so happy we chose ADS! From the moment we got to Kilimanjaro we were greeted by your staff and escorted through customs and off to our overnight accommodations. We were greeted every step of the way with polite and excited personnel. We never had to wonder where we should be or how we would get there.
AFRICA DREAM SAFARIS has not been selected by the National Geographic as the world’s best Safari Outfitters, and the best safari value without reason. From the first contact with Dawn at ADS to our final departure from Kilimanjaro airport, every detail of the safari was beautifully crafted and synchronized to give the highest degree of satisfaction and pleasure.
For all my life, I have dreamed of a safari in the Serengeti. At our usual birthday cake eating at work, it was my turn to answer the 3 questions we all get asked: Favorite family tradition, who would you like to have dinner with, and what is your number 1 bucket list item. When I said my bucket list item was a safari in the Serengeti, it finally clicked “why do I just keep saying it, it’s time to do it!”
People keep asking about our African Safari and it’s still hard to put into words. We have told people that if we could use one word to describe the trip, it would be “SURREAL”! All the planning for the perfect safari was easy with African Dream Safaris. Sharon Lyon walked us through the process step by step. She allowed me to plan the trip to fit our wants, needs and budget making it a success from the start.
It was much, much more than a safari, it was life changing is so many ways. Oh how true this was all 10 days of our Safari. When our friends Nancy and Lenny asked us if we wanted to go on a Safari with them, we had no idea what to expect. This would be their third safari with ADS. They tried to tell us what to expect and we watched every video on the ADS website and read all the blogs! It still was beyond our wildest dreams.
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