Two Form 4 students, Eunice and Robert, took out first prize for their unique refrigerator project in the fourth annual St Jude’s Science Fair. The students made the refrigerator out of tiles, cement, charcoal and other materials and it is designed for Tanzanian people who don’t have electricity in rural communities to use. Crops and other food can be preserved and stored in it.
It is not difficult to describe our Safari by ADS – WHAT A BLAST. From the first day on the Serengeti until the last, there were never ending sights and sounds that will be unforgettable.
Where else could you see a Zebra giving birth to her baby and teaching it to walk. Where else could you see two Gazelles fighting for a mate and a male and female lion actually mating. Where else could you see prides of Lions and herds of Elephants, Wildebeests, Zebras, Giraffes, Antelopes, Gazelles, and Cape Buffalos and assorted smaller animals as far as the eye could see. Cheetahs and Leopards were spotted in smaller numbers stalking prey or sleeping in trees.
A wonderful hot air balloon ride provided a panoramic view of the land with additional views of migrating herds of animals and a spectacular view of a long line of Hippos marching in a column to a small lake to cool off. A wonderful champagne breakfast under a tree capped off the flight.
Our professional ADS driver/guide was awesome in also finding small objects (dung beetles), vultures and a lioness feeding on a kill, and, not to forget, wonderful picture opportunities of the many colorful birds that live in the national preserve.
All of the accommodations exceeded most expectations. The tented camps were so superior to what was expected. The food was great and the employees at each hotel and camp were very friendly and hospitable.
It is easy to see that the “WHAT A BLAST” description fits the Safari by ADS. The experience will always remain what has to be a highlight of a person’s life.
Dan S. and Lance L.
Loudon, TN
Safari Dates: April 4, 2014 to April 12, 2014
We had almost a year to plan and think about this Tanzanian adventure. This was way outside my comfort zone. Upon arrival we were personally met, guided through immigration, and escorted to our Land Cruisers. The rest of our 9 days in Tanzania repeated the same personal service.
Our accommodations were gorgeous! Who knew there was such luxury in the bush? Queen and King size beds, hot water, great showers, white linen tablecloths, and gorgeous views to boot!
Of course the real show stoppers were the animals in the Serengeti and they put on their best finery just for us–magnificent! Our driver, Eagle Eyed Elias, was knowledgeable, polite, and had our safety as his main concern. We never felt unsafe even when about 20′ from 2 male lions!
Africa Dreams – you made our trip such a pleasure, thank you!
Vikki & Bruce B.
Loudon, TN
Safari Dates: April 4, 2014 to April 12, 2014
Jambo Everyone! Our 12 day Safari started in mid February. Traveling with two of our good friends Dave and Linda, we flew into an airstrip in the Serengeti where we met our driver guide Simon. Game driving the rest of the day, we viewed animals and got to know Simon. Simon’s knowledge impressed all of us. We expected his animal expertise, but his knowledge of the birds was truly a plus.
Venturing out at both 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM for game drives, we saw animals every time. One of our best drives was when we saw a Cheetah stalk and kill a Thompson Giselle. After the kill, the Cheetah made a soft mewing sound and two Cheetahs cubs came running from their hiding spot in the tall grass up to “mom”. It was quite a site.
At one time we came within mere feet of Elephants as they were crossing the road. Another day a bull elephant made a bluff charge at us from about 10 feet. Simon knew it was a bluff, and expertly diverted the Elephant. The Elephants were always great to watch. Some of the herds were very large, while others were much smaller.
While in the Central Serengeti, Simon slowly drove into the middle of the migration and we sat and watched the Wildebeests and Zebras pass all around us. As it was the middle of the birthing season, there was a large number of babies. We saw a Wildebeest calf only minutes old with the placenta still hanging from the mother. The calf was already walking. Friends have told us about the migration and we have seen TV documentaries, but until you see it for yourself there are no words that can do it justice. Everyone should experience this fabulous site.
There were many prides of Lions to see and one day we saw two Lions stalk a Warthog. The Warthog won out this time and the Lions missed a meal that afternoon. Another time a Lioness was giving a hunting lesson to two older cubs. She watched the young Lions sneak up on a baby Wildebeest. The hunt was unsuccessful but the lions surely learned a valuable lesson.
The Giraffes seemed elegant the way they walked so tall and ate the tender leaves from the top of the trees. Tanzania truly chose the right animal for the symbol of the country. We saw so many animals but it’s impossible to mention every event, or even all the animal, there were just so many.
One viewing worth mentioning is when we came upon a pack of African Wild Dogs along the side of the road. There were 17 of them and they were all resting in the hot sun, certainly with full bellies. Simon told us they were rare to see and we took some great pictures. We also saw three Leopards all of which we’re napping in trees.
The camps we stayed at were great. The tented camps were our favorite. They gave us a real Safari feeling with an added bonus of wonderful food and a fantastic staff. The other camps were also very nice and we enjoyed them all, but our favorites were the tented camps. Special thanks to Jonas Of Seronera Sametu Camp and D C of Ngorongoro Lions Paw Camp.
Thanks ADS for a trip of a lifetime. We were treated with a friendly, professional and a smiling face at every step of the way. A special “Asante” to Simon for a Safari filled with a life time of memories.
Mike & Patti M.
Brooksville, Florida
Safari Dates: February 13, 2014 to February 23, 2014
I just returned home from a 10 days safari with a single guest named Tom S. from California, USA (safari dates were March 7, 2014 to March 16, 2014). It was a trip of a lifetime for him as he had always dreamed of visiting Africa. The trip was so amazing and we saw all that Tom dreamed about except only one species (The Porcupine). Most of the expectations revolved around seeing the big cats and the famous big five. The locations in our itinerary made all the incredible sightings of all the big cats possible (Leopard, Lion, and Cheetah). We enjoyed 2 nights in the North Serengeti at Buffalo Springs Camp, 2 nights in the Central Serengeti at Sametu Camp, 3 nights in the South Serengeti and Ndutu Lodge and 2 nights in Ngorongoro Crater at Lion’s Paw Camp.
Greetings from Arusha, Tanzania. I have just finished my most recent safari with James and Connie who are from Florida, USA. While in the bush (March 13th to March 23rd) we had a wonderful time and nice accommodations too. We stayed 2 nights at at Sametu Camp in Seronera, 2 nights at Lake Masek Tented Camp, as well as 2 nights at Kusini Tented Camp, 1 night in Ngorongoro at Lion’s Paw Tented Camp, 1 night at The Manor, and lastly 2 nights in Tarangire National Park at Swala Tented Camp. I took some photos which I would like to share with you below:
– It was a beautiful morning down in the Ngorongoro Crater when we just arrived and found a whole pride of lions being chased by a huge herd of buffaloes. It was exciting to watch as the buffaloes keep pushing the lions down to road where we were waiting.
I picked up my two clients named Phil and Lynn from Virginia, USA at the Central Serengeti Airstrip on March 11, 2014. They arrived on the morning flight, which lands at about 10am. This is a great way to begin a safari as we get a chance to immediately have some wonderful wildlife sightings before lunch. This was their 2nd safari to Tanzania and after having been several years ago in September 2011. We explored lots of remote areas on this trip and the clients were thrilled to finally experience the green season in the Serengeti.
After over one year of planning my wife and I had high expectations for our Tanzania safari. Africa Dream Safaris had bent over backwards preparing us for our vacation of a life time. From the minute we arrived at the Kilimanjaro airport until our departure 12 days later ADS treated us like royalty. We were met at the airport by Mathias and Timan who made the visa process quick and simple. We spent the next 2 days at the Mount Meru Resort recovering from jet lag and visiting a few local Arusha sights.
Our safari began with a flight into the Seronera Sametu district in the Serengeti. Our flight was met by our guide, Bildard, who quickly packed our bags away into his vehicle and started our 1st game drive. A safari is only as good as your driver/guide and Bildard was brilliant.
For the next 10 days Bildard introduced us to the most beautiful country we have ever seen. His ability to spot animals was astounding. We saw and photographed over 130 species of animals. We saw leopards and lions on the first day and caught up with the Great Migration on day 2. Looking down at the Great Migration while having a bush breakfast on day 2 is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Over the 10 day safari we stayed at Seronera Sametu Camp, Lake Masek Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and Swala Tented Lodge. Seronera Sametu and Swala were our favourites but we were treated like VIP’s at all of them. Listening to Hippos, Cape Buffalos and Lions at night while lying in our tents is another memory we will keep forever.
Every day Bildard would greet us early in the morning with a smile, a clean vehicle and bush breakfasts and lunches. His sense of direction was unrivalled and as I said before his ability to find animals was astonishing. We approached this vacation believing a safari would be a once in a lifetime vacation but we are already thinking about going back and doing it all over again.
My only hint would be to get out early in the morning and enjoy the sunrise from your vehicle. The morning light is breathtaking.
Thank you ADS!!!
John and Dee Dee M.
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Safari Dates: February 24, 2014 to March 7, 2014
My name is Tom from Huntington Beach, California and I was on the ‘trip of a lifetime ADS Safari’ from March 6-16th., 2014. This was a great time to go. I stayed at three tented camps and one lodge during my Safari and was very lucky to be the only guest at Buffalo Springs Luxury Camp and Lions Paw camp. Peter the manager of Buffalo Springs hosted a “sundowner” just for me and we viewed the beautiful African Sunset.
I was also fortunate to have one of your best guides “Claude” for the entire 11 days and our own vehicle. We spotted wild dogs at Buffalo Camp which are very rare. This is the time of year when the animals are having babies and we viewed many baby lions, zebras, elephants, and cheetahs. Claude was really good about finding animals and many times we would wait until other vehicles had left to get better pictures of the animals moving.
I took over 1,200 pictures and we had no problem getting great shots of the “big five”. I am having a picture book printed up of the top 188 pictures. My new canon 70D and 100-400 telephoto lens made a big difference in getting great pictures. The best animals to pose were the buffalos and the worst were the wart hogs as they were always moving.
A typical day would be to go out early in the morning with a box breakfast and back to camp for an afternoon nap and back out again before dinner. Also saw two recent kills with everyone waiting for the lions to finish so that they could move in for the feast. Once they have finished the lions are really lazy and go to sleep.
I would really recommend this time of year to go on Safari with ADS. Not dusty, not too hot, many babies to see and not crowded. Also their vehicles are designed to make picture taking very easy.
Tom S.
Huntington Beach, California
Safari Dates: March 6, 2014 to March 16, 2014
After a well deserved retirement and a life time of enjoying the Canadian wilderness and wildlife we decided to go to Africa and experience the Serengeti. We knew we wanted to be in Africa when it was green and bursting with life. After reading and speaking with Dawn we booked for the end of February and beginning of March 2014. We shared our 11 day Safari with our good friend Judy.
Our trip was perfect from the moment we stepped on our KLM flight leaving the west coast of Canada to being greeted by ADS representative Faith at the Kilimanjaro Airport and whisked through Tanzanian Immigration. A few days later we met our fantastic guide Russel at Ndutu Airstrip where we were immediately taken on our first game drive and the “spotting” began.
We spent 4 nights at Ndutu Lodge in the South Serengeti, then 4 nights at Seronera Semetu Camp in the Central Serengeti and then finished off with 2 nights at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge and in the Crater. We also did a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park on our drive back to Arusha. The entire trip was amazing and a time we will never forget.
We saw every animal and more than we had hoped for. We saw sunrises and sunsets with the Southern Hemisphere night sky dazzling with new wonders. Most importantly, to all three of us, was having and taking the time to watch animal behaviour. We saw cheetahs patiently hunting, lion cubs playing with each other and squabbling over a trophy wildebeest tail.
We saw the MIGRATION and hundreds of thousands of animals filling the plains like fish school in the ocean. We saw elephants protecting their babies and baby elephants chasing birds with their limp baby trunks. We saw female lions roaring and growling at a male looking to mate. We saw dung beetles looking for love and laughed at Hippos in a pool claiming pond real estate. We saw a family of Egyptian Geese squawking at a Crocodile in an attempt to have it move, which surprisingly the Crocodile did.
We experienced a large herd of Elephants travel through and past us without a sound, it was a moving and spiritual moment. We heard the lions and hyenas outside our tent as we safely lay in bed at night. We saw and learned so much it was both a wonder and truly satisfying as by seeing and understanding what animals were doing we somehow became a part of a very special time, place and dance. The Serengeti charmed all of us and took a piece of our hearts.
Russel was truly a man of the Serengeti and was able to teach us so much about the animals, birds and insects who live there and their way of life. We learned and saw so much we will never forget. Thank you Tanzania, Russel and Africa Dream Safaris.
If anyone reading this is contemplating a trip to the Serengeti, our recommendation is do it. You will have no regrets and your memories will be cherished for the rest of your life. African Dreams made this happen !!!!
Lion Man, Sweetie and Leopard Woman
(Scott, Annette and Judy)
Victoria, BC
On Safari February 23 to March 5, 2014
We urge all ADS clients to visit the Arusha school campus for a quick tour, say hi to the children and learn how this amazing operation is providing free education to Tanzania’s brightest kids. This quick tour can be done either before or after your safari. Please contact your safari consultant if you are interested.
ADS as Proud Sponsor
The School of St Jude and Africa Dream Safaris are working together to help impoverished children in Tanzania to receive a free, high-quality education, while strengthening ADS’ humanitarian involvement in the East African community. Our monthly donation will buy 2,000 hot, nutritious meals per month for the students. Tanzania is a developing country where one-third of its population lives below the poverty line, on less than $1.25 per day. A majority of children in Tanzanian schools do not receive lunch or any food, so they cannot focus on learning when they’re hungry. St Jude’s provides daily meals for students, as well as breakfast and dinner for the over 1,100 students who live in their boarding houses. All produce is sourced from the local community.
My clients Donald and Juliana were very excited to begin their safari when I met them at the Ndutu airstrip in the South Serengeti on February 15, 2014. They had arrived into Tanzania the night before and were happy to be beginning their adventure. It was great to start the safari in the South Serengeti as there were good concentrations of wildlife in the immediate vicinity. The Serengeti is beautiful this time of year. The open plains are green, vibrant and full of animals and wildflowers.
(A large male giraffe is seen here bending down for a drink at a waterhole in the Ndutu Woodlands of the South Serengeti)
As a potential new offering from ADS, we are investigating utilizing a professional photographer and fellow safari enthusiast to assemble your digital safari pictures and narration, along with portions of his photography, wildlife and location descriptions. Your book would be custom made ensuring it meets your own personal requirements but at same time providing for a simple, economical and convenient way to permanently capture the essence of your safari experience in a coffee table book format, which can be readily shared with family and friends.
In this digital camera era and with our busy lives, we are finding the majority of our guests taking thousands of pictures during the course of their safari but seldom are those great digital images printed and organized into a photo album type format. Hopefully, this will not be the case anymore as we plan to be able to utilize 20 or so of your favorite safari photos along with your brief narration to produce a glossy, hard bound book that will surely become a fitting tribute to your safari.
For a brief period while we fine tune the format and method for integrating your safari pictures and narration into a book on the Serengeti and African wildlife, in general, we would like to offer an introductory price for past ADS guests of $100 for your own custom safari photo book. If you are interested or for further information, please email safari@africadreamsafaris.com or contact your safari consultant.
Example excerpt below:
Asante Sana to you Sharon for helping us with the most amazing trip of a lifetime. Below is a few of our highlights.
We arrived in Kilimanjaro late on March 11th and were met and greeted by the team of Martius and Timan who whisked us through customs quickly. The team drove us to Mount Meru and did our check in, gave us instructions (and gifts), and made sure we had all our questions answered.
The next day they drove us throughout Arusha shopping and sightseeing. We spent time at St. Judes learning about the school and meeting some of the children who were having recess while we were visiting. Thank you ADS for helping these students.
The next day the team drove us to the airport and we flew into the central Serengeti. There we met Emanuel, or Ema to us, and he would spent the next 10 days teaching us so much about wildlife and fauna we would encounter. Everyone seems to think their driver guide is the best and we think they are all wrong and ours is!
Thank you (asante sana) Ema for your sense of humor, your patience with us and our millions of questions, for going around the rain showers, and most of all showing us your country you know so well. We arrived our first night at Seronera Sametu Camp in the pouring rain. The staff met us with umbrellas and we had arrived at our first stop. Ema loaned us his flip flops so we would not get muddy. The staff prepared and carried our supper that night, to our tent so we would not have to get muddy going to the dinning tent.
They also carried breakfast and lunch the next day. Sometimes they made five or more trips to our tent for one meal. This was the first of so many times staff made us feel like royalty. The attention and consideration shown to us at all camps we visited was phenomenal. All staff, from the Managers to the Maasai Warriors, spoke some English and we soon learned some Swahili.
The next camp on our adventure was Lake Masek and again were greeted with great staff, great food, and a great tent. Veronica, asante for your sense of humor and the care you took of my husband. Kusini tented lodge was probably my favorite, at least their food was the best. Our picnic lunches were more than anyone could ever eat and so much to choose from. I especially loved the bathtub and the complementary laundry where the clothing were hung in the sun to dry.
Lion Paw was next for our tented camp stay. If you want a small camp surrounded by jungle and very private tent, this is for you. We were only there one night and then onward to our first and only lodge (Ngorongoro Manor Lodge). This was just what we needed for a break from the tents and a bit of quietness away from the bush music and into the rose gardens and beautiful walkways. The flower petals placed around the bathroom were lovely, another first for me. Margaret, my sister’s name, laughed with us and made us feel like she could have been my sister, not only in name. She said to tell you hello, Sharon.
Our last lodge was Swala, my husbands favorite. What an amazing experience they gave us. Eating remarkable dinners out under the stars in the middle of an Impala herd. We sat on our porch and watched the Impala babies play with the monkeys keeping us company. The places we stayed and the incredible staff is only the beginning of all my highlights.
The wildlife was exquisite and everywhere. We watched cheetahs chasing gazelles, we chose not to watch any kills but had the opportunity several times, lions mating, cheetah and lion babies playing, dung beetles rolling, wildebeests and zebras everywhere. We saw too many different kinds of Antelope to mention. Monkeys, a couple of varieties, baboons including a Troup of hundreds.
Lions, leopards both on the ground and in trees, eight lions in one tree. Hippos in and out of the water, Black Rhinos, many giraffes including a herd of about 50 together. We saw probably 400 elephants in one day in Tarangire. Cape buffalo chasing a lion pride. Hyenas in and out of mud holes. Mongoose ran across the road and we got a glimpse of an African Wild Cat running into its burrow, we saw all four kinds of Jackal and bat eared fox. We were not lucky enough to see the wild dogs but almost everything else mentioned in our itinerary.
Our hot air balloon ride across the Serengeti will always be remembered. We had another prospective of the animals from new angles as our pilot rose high and low several times across the Serengeti. We were in the air almost one and a half hours landing on the road, drank champagne then headed to a spot in the bush for a delicious breakfast where the food was good and the champagne flowed freely. The areas we ate our lunches were beautiful some private with only our guide and ourselves eating, others were picnic areas with others enjoying them. In one of these areas my husband and a monkey got into a tug of war with one of our containers. Our trusty guide saw this and laughingly rescued my husband. One of the nicest surprises, we were never too far from a toilet. Some were squatters but were private.
I’ve only touched on a few of our wonderful highlights and I am so glad we decided to go with ADS. I saw other crowded vehicles with other groups and watched the people some shooting pictures others looking bored to death. I talked with others from different groups on the plane and we decided that all and all I had the best safari with the best adventure for about the same amount of money and ours was private and theirs was not.
Thank you Sharon for suggesting March for my adventure, it was a great time to go. Would I go again? In a heart beat. Would I recommend it to a friend? Absolutely! I am sharing a few pictures of my over 1000 taken. Hope they are enjoyed.
Mike O. and Connie C.
Port Charlotte, Florida
March 11 thru March 23, 2014
After a life-time of desire the dream came true; Our private luxury trip with ADS started with seeing Leopards, Lions, Elephants, Zebras, Gazelles and Giraffes –all within the first hour of being with Simon, our driver! As we watched other tour groups looking at lions from afar we were right up alongside of them!
While in the Crater we were fortunate to see 4 rhinos, at the marsh we watched a male lion drag his kill to eat in the shade and a mother Cheetah teach her 2 cubs to hunt. At each corner we were met by something truly amazing! After seeing other tour groups with up to 7 people in one vehicle we were convinced we had made the right decision in choosing a private tour with ADS.
Since we have returned home and shared our experience with others we have been asked if we were ever afraid or if there were any problems we encountered during our trip and we proudly answer NO – ADS created the perfect trip! We trusted them with our dream and they came through in every way possible for us.
Asante Simon, Sharon, and all the staff for putting together our DREAM TRIP of a life time!
Sue and Don J.
Sherwood, WI
Safari Dates: December 1, 2013 to December 10, 2013
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