Author: Michael

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge: Your Castle in the Sky

May 17, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Crater Lodge is commonly voted as the most luxurious lodge in all of Africa.Whimsical architecture, rich décor, and remarkable views combine to create a castle in the sky of your wildest dreams. So many adjectives come to mind but still fall short of describing this palatial estate called Crater Lodge. Even pictures don’t do it justice. You simply have to experience the extravagance first hand to understand what all the fuss is about, because so many other elements come into play.

My Second Safari To The Serengeti!

May 16, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Having the opportunity to go on a second safari my first call was to Sharon at Africa Dream Safaris. We had such an unbelievable safari three years ago there was no need to even think about a different operator.

April, Florida, Guest Review

How I Found My Hakuna Matata

Family Vacations

May 15, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Going on a safari was on my mother-in-law Joyce’s bucket list, not mine. Still, we gratefully accepted the invitation to accompany her. (We’re givers, I know.) For a year we received e-mails from Joyce admonishing us what to do to prepare for the trip to Tanzania (not the least of which was practicing taking a shower with our mouths closed). Care packages of DEET and rain ponchos arrived at our house. I stored them in a drawer and hoped I wouldn’t forget where I’d put them many months later when it came time to pack. The safari loomed in the future for so long. Now we have been and returned. It is over in time, but not gone.

Our Best Vacation Ever!

May 12, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

On the 30th of March 2017, my wife and I left the United States on a Bucket List trip to Africa. Our Guide and Guardian Angel of our Dream was Africa Dream Safaris. This proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Throughout our trip, we had occasion to talk with many people on safari and compare what we had vs what they had and by far, ADS is the best.

April, Florida, Guest Review, March

A Most Memorable 40th Wedding Anniversary Celebration!

Romantic Getaways

May 11, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Jambo!! My wife and I celebrated 40 years of marriage in June 2016. To celebrate our milestone, we booked our ADS Safari and looked forward to this great lifetime experience! Our 10 day ADS Safari was April 2nd 2017 to April 12th 2017. We arrived in Arusha where we were met at the airport by Mathias and our wonderful Safari Guide, Russell. We spent two nights at the Mount Meru Hotel for a much needed rest and city tour of Arusha before venturing out into the Serengeti on our Safari!

Anniversary, April, Guest Review, March, Texas

An Amazing Solo Safari Experience!

April 30, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

I just returned from an incredible 7 day Tanzanian safari experience, and once again I have ADS to thank for it! I should begin by saying that I have been on safari with ADS 4 times in the past, and have had some pretty amazing experiences. Each time I have gone in the past, I have traveled with various groups of friends, most of whom had never been on safari before we went together, so getting to see the wonders of Africa fresh and new each time through their eyes was always so enlightening, creating experiences I will most certainly remember for a life time.

April, California, Guest Review, March

An Amazing Experience With My Children And Grandsons

Family Vacations

April 29, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

I am 71 years old, so I knew this trip would be physically and mentally difficult for me. My children called Michael Wishner a saint for answering my 100 or so anxious emails. The bumpy roads, all the shots, brushing our teeth with bottled water, upset stomach, dust despite the fact that we purposely traveled in April, the so called wet season, which was dry, no make-up, no hair dryers at most of the camps or AC which I happen to like, 7 airplane rides and last but not least, proximity to wild animals!

Guest Review, Pennsylvania

The Safari Was Just Breathtaking

April 27, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

The short version is that everyone felt the safari exceeded all of our expectations. Our flights were all on time, just very long, and our reserved seats were not changed. We all managed to get by with just carry on luggage, so we don’t know if there would have been any issues with checked baggage. The meet and greet with Mattias went smoothly at both ends. Without ADS’ help to smooth things, the visa process looked like a nightmare for everyone else. The extra day in Arusha was a wise decision. Dinner at Onsea House was wonderful. You should give it a try on your next visit.

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April, Guest Review, New Jersey

Taking the Kids on a Journey through Africa They’ll Never Forget

Family Vacations

April 26, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

I was fortunate enough to conduct a relatively short safari to the Serengeti with my family this April. Working for ADS, I’ve taken a number of safaris over the years but this was one of my best ones yet. We enjoyed four nights at Seronera Sametu Camp, an outstanding little bush camp that sits right at the edge of the famous Serengeti plains. This area is known as the big cat capital of Africa and I can’t imagine a better wildlife viewing experience anywhere in Africa.

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April, Guest Review

Incredible Wildlife Viewing Right From Our Tent!

April 19, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

My wife and I began planning our trip almost two years prior to our departure on February 12th 2017, looking at many different companies before settling on ADS. It was a smart decision. They take great care of you from the moment you book until the day you return home from the most wonderful journey of your life!

February, Guest Review, New York

Amazing Cheetah Video!

Family Vacations

April 12, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

I’ve had lots of incredible wildlife encounters over the years having been fortunate enough to conduct dozens of safaris in the Serengeti. However, having cheetahs jump on my vehicle was one specific sighting that had always alluded me until last week on a recent trip to the Serengeti.

April, California, Guest Review

A Practical Guide To The Carry On Electronics Ban

TRAVEL TIPS + UPDATES

April 11, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Recently the U.S. enacted a carry on electronics ban requiring any device bigger than a smartphone to be packed in checked baggage on certain flights to the U.S. This includes just about every major device larger than an iphone including cameras, laptops, tablets and e-readers.

Plantation Lodge: A Boutique Bed & Breakfast

April 7, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

How would you like to journey back to bygone times, where life is a little bit simpler and the soul can breathe? Where time slows to a crawl and there is beauty all around? Where the ambience is a reflection of how the world would be if “Out of Africa” ever met “Gone with the Wind”? Plantation Lodge may be that prescription your spirit needs. This is a ” stop whatever it is you are doing and smell the roses” type of place. The beauty of this Lodge is so highly regarded that many couples choose to get married under the postcard perfect terrace.

Four Seasons Lodge: Where Luxury Meets Wilderness

April 3, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

Luxury meets wilderness in the grandest of venues at Four Seasons Lodge. This five-star dream hideaway is pure bliss, a decadent oasis of unexpected luxury dropped in the middle of the raw Serengeti wilderness.

I’ll Be Back To Africa!

March 30, 2017March 6, 2024 by Michael

This is my sixth safari, and my second with Africa Dream Safaris. I have taken enough safaris to compare different outfitters, and I go with ADS from now on for a number of reasons. First of all is the service, from both Sharon in the U.S. as well as the team in Arusha. On this particular safari, we had a problem at one of our locations, and our guide immediately contacted the office in Arusha who made things right. Which is what I’ve come to expect from ADS.

California, Guest Review, March