What A Trip!!! The safari and all the staff, both in the field and off, exceeded our expectations. When we arrived in Kilimanjaro, we were met at the doors by Faith. She was terrific in expediting our entry into Tanzania.
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The Ultimate African Safari Trip
I had a client ask me the other day what I would recommend if planning the ultimate african safari with the following parameters: 1) unlimited budget 2) ability to travel during any month, 3) option to go anywhere in Africa and 4) desire to maximize quantity, quality and diversity of wildlife viewing. Though a pretty straight forward question, this got me thinking about all the african safari tours I have been on or planned for guests over the years and what really stood out from each one as an extraordinary highlight. Of course, this is simply one person’s humble travel opinion but here is what I would recommend. I would focus on the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and travel at the end of the green season (March or April). This is the time of plenty in the Serengeti. Many of the animals give birth during this period and everything is a beautiful shade of green. Wildlife concentrations are at their highest while tourist concentrations are at a seasonal low. For the first part of the african safari, I would choose a private mobile camp right at the heart of the Serengeti plains at a beautiful location called Naabi Hill for 4 nights. From there I would travel to the nearby Ngorongoro Crater and stay 2 nights at the world famous Crater Lodge. From the Crater, I would fly to the Grumeti Game Reserve and spend my last 3 nights in the most luxurious lodge in all of Africa, Sasaskwa Lodge of the Singita portfolio. Now that would surely be the best African Safari!
The Best of 2013 – Part 1 – The Carnivores
It’s been another incredibly rewarding year here at Africa Dream Safaris. The stories, pictures and videos submitted from returning guests over the last 12 months have been spectacular and even inspirational. I thought it would be great fun to revisit some of the more exceptional postings from our blog during 2013 and highlight some of the most remarkable photographs. Note: Please click on each link to access the entire original posting. Starting things off is Part 1, the Carnivores:
Best Serval Cat by Richard and Toni O. / Rifle, Colorado / Safari dates: February 19-March 3, 2013
Best Caracal by Jeff Holzgrefe / Decatur, Georgia / Safari Dates: June 16, 2013 to June 23, 2013
Honorable Mention – Top 10 Serengeti Highlights by Michael W.
Honorable Mention – The Bizarre, Quirky, Rare and Deadly
The Best of 2013 – Part 2 – The Herbivores
Here is Part 2 in our Best of 2013 series, focusing on Tanzania’s amazing herbivores. From antelopes to elephants to the great wildebeest migration, the variety and abundance of herbivores in Tanzania is unequaled. Note: Please click on each link to access the entire original posting.
Best Rhino / Alejandra M. and Family / Mexico / Safari dates: March 26, 2013 to April 3, 2013
Honorable Mention – Top 10 Serengeti Highlights
Honorable Mention – The Bizarre, Quirky, Rare and Deadly
Best Eland Photo by Jim and Sandra M. / Torrance, California / Safari Dates: April 1 – 10, 201
Spotlight on the Great Migration (Mara River, North Serengeti) by Dawn Anderson
The Best of 2013 – Part 3 – People and Places
This past year certainly seemed to be the year of a million smiles as evidenced by our many beaming guests enjoying the spectacular wildlife viewing in Tanzania. We hope you enjoy this collection of photos featuring many of our safari guests that have traveled with us over the course of 2013. Here is Part 3 in our Best of 2013 series entitled ‘People and Places’. Note: Please click on each link to access the entire original posting.
Close Encounters of the Animal Kind by Michael W.
Top 10 Serengeti Highlights by Dawn A.
Wall Street Journal Article on ADS’s Partnership with St. Judes
Grumeti Swing Bridge by Laura J. / Derwood, Maryland / June 20-June 28,2013
Spotlight on the Great Migration (Mara River, North Serengeti) by Dawn Anderson
Park Rules by Linda J. / Macedon, Maryland / Safari Dates: August 1, 2013 to August 10, 2013
The Best of 2013 – Part 4 – Reptiles, Birds and Primates
The larger mammals tend to steal the show while on safari but our guests have had some incredible bird sightings this past year as proven by these amazing pictures. The big crocs that patrol the Mara and Grumeti Rivers in the Serengeti National Park always make for some striking photography. Here is Part 4 of our Best of 2013 series…enjoy!
Best Snake Photo by Laura J. / Derwood, Maryland / June 20-June 28,2013
Best Bush Baby by Ana and Erick C. / McLean, Virginia / Safari Dates: June 27, 2013 to July 4, 2013
African Crowned Eagle – The Bizarre, Quirky, Rare and Deadly
Best Tawny Eagle Photo by Jim and Sandra M. / Torrance, California / Safari Dates: April 1 – 10, 201
Night Roller by Linda J. / Macedon, Maryland / Safari Dates: August 1, 2013 to August 10, 2013
Safari Wildlife Viewing Advice – The Big Cats
One of most common questions we receive from guests planning african safari tours is how to design the most optimal trip to maximize encounters with Africa’s most sough after carnivores including lions, leopards and cheetahs. These three elusive predators are usually at the top everyone’s must see african safari list and our guides relentlessly pursue them ensuring satisfied clients. Thankfully, the Serengeti National Park offers some of best opportunities to see the big cats but also a reasonably high change to see them in action. Our advice is two fold. First, we recommend to base yourself in the Central Serengeti for two nights minimum as this area is known as the predator capital of Africa for good reason. Tourists, field biologists and film makes travel here in droves ever year to watch, study and film these majestic animals. Second, the best time on any african safari to watch predators in right after sunrise between 6.00 am and 8.00 am. Studies from South Africa to Kenya and Tanzania have demonstrated time and time again that predators have activity peaks in these early morning hours.
Driver-Guide Report – Welcome 2014.
Greetings from Arusha, Tanzania. Follows is our driver guide report at the conclusion of our safari with the Organ and Chiarandini Families (December 30th, 2013 to January 7th, 2014). This was a family of six including two young children. It was a fantastic experience for the guests with 8 nights on safari split between the Central Serengeti, East Serengeti, South Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. We enjoyed 2 nights at Seronera Sametu Camp, 2 nights at Lemala Ndutu Camp, 2 nights at Mbuzi Mawe Lodge and 1 night at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp. Therefore, it is my pleasure to share with you some pictures I took during this safari.
– This was around Kibumbu Kopje near Sametu Kopje, where we saw one of the Sametu pride. It seemed her belly was full as it can be well seen on this particular picture.
– Thanks for the migration because many of the lions in the South and East Serengeti are well fed at the moment.
– This was near Sametu Kopjes where we saw lions that were going around the Kopjes and trees.
– We saw a cheetah kill near lobo kopjes, it was two brothers killed a baby gnu and a number of vultures were there for almost three hours. After this we kept driving around the lobo kopje and thereafter we saw two wonderful lion cubs of about three months old.
– This was early in the morning where we saw a mother leopard and her cub walking around the ndutu woodlands near lake ndutu. The cub was playing with her mother while walking. The cub was about six or seven months old.
– This was in between the Kibumbu Kopje and Sametu Kopjes. We saw these two vultures which I make sure I get the nice view of them from there as the plain was green and real encouraging. I am sure they were waiting for lions and hyenas to do something for them.
Driver-Guide Report – Family Christmas Safari
Greetings from Arusha, Tanzania. Follows is our driver guide report at the conclusion of our safari with the Hektor Family (December 24th to December 29th, 2013). This was an extended family group of 20 persons with three generations together. It was a wonderful experience to have such a diverse group from young children (ages 4, 6 and 9) to teenagers and all the way up to the parents and grandparents. The group had four vehicles and guides on this fantastic safari of six days. We had a lot of fun on their Christmas holiday.
We started from Ndutu on the southern end of the Serengeti National Park on December 24th, 2013 and drove northward through the Seronera valley (Central Serengeti) and overnighted at Serengeti Serena lodge. We had amazing sightings on this first day in the bush especially of a mother cheetah with her two cubs and a yearling wildebeest kill. Not only that but also a pride of 14 lions and countless groups of the migratory wildebeest herds.
We had another night at Kirawira Serena Lodge in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park. On this side the main attraction was the gigantic Nile crocodiles in the Grumeti River and groups of Hippos with dominant males advertising their territories.
On the third day, the group flew on private charter planes from the Grumeti Airstrip to Ndutu Airstrip and from there they drove to Nasera Rock, an untouchable private area for a Maasai Cultural Tour and walking safari before spending the night at the Crater Serena Lodge. On the fourth day we had a full day game drive down into one of the eighth natural wonders of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater, to see the rare Black Rhino and to top the list of our Big Five.
On our last day we visited Lake Manyara National Park, a small but unique park as we drove in for a short period of time. We covered 4 different types of habitats including the underground natural water forest, acacia woodland, open grass plain, and the rift valley escarpment while viewing in Lake Manyara National Park, which was covered with pink flamingoes. On our list of animals we added a new species, which was the Blue Monkey.
Below are some of the pictures we managed to take during the safari.
– On our way to the Central Serengeti via the beautiful Maasai kopjes we came across this mother cheetah on her evening hunt. She seemed very hungry and was very busy scanning the area for prey to hunt.
– At the Grumeti River in the Western Serengeti, this was our highlight of the day as the clients were excited to see this massive reptile, the Nile crocodile. This big reptile was basking on the bank of the Grumeti River with her mouth open as a way of lowering its body temperature.
– This beautiful leopard cub was one of two cubs we were able to get close to around the Seronera valley of the Central Serengeti. She jumped down from the tree where all three of them were sleeping and walked close to us and posed for this nice picture.
– At Musabi plains heading to Kirawira in the West Serengeti, we saw these two male lion brothers and two females. It seemed like they were on their honeymoon but they were very skittish and they didn’t like our presence around them. We discovered these lions in this area are not used to vehicles and people around them.
-In the Ndutu area of the South Serengeti we came across a big pride of 12 lions, with this massive male, together with a few cubs. This was during the mid-day when everybody was hiding under the shade.
-A male agama lizard displaying his colorful body to attract the females around. This was at the beautiful Gol Kopjes in the East Serengeti. The clients loved how the lizard was doing a push up and looking in different ways for any females around.
– At Ngoitoktok Picnic Site in the Ngorongoro Crater, the group is having a breakfast picnic after an early morning game drive in the crater.
– At the view point in Ngorongoro crater, we stopped for an orientation and briefing of the crater formation. It was a successful trip for everyone.
– A mother cheetah with a wildebeest kill – Central Serengeti.
– Hippos in Retima Hippo Pool, Central Serengeti.
– Africa’s largest lizard, the Nile Monitor.
– A mother warthog wallowing.
– African elephant in Lerai Forest – Ngorongoro Crater.
– Olive baboon troop in Lake Manyara National Park.
Thanks again and Karibuni Sana.
Happy 2014 & Our Mobile Device Launch!
ADS is excited to wish you all a healthy and peaceful New Year! We’re so thankful for the incredible community we’ve built over the years and look forward to an adventurous 2014.
To kick off the year, we’ve just launched our mobile site which you can view on any smart phone or tablet device. Find guest testimonials, bush reports, Tanzania highlights and access to our social media networks all in the palm of your hand.
Look out for many more exciting updates coming soon!
Spotlight On Tanzania And The Great Wildebeest Migration!
Check out this recent magazine article in Wild Travel that was written by Philip Briggs, world-renowned travel writer and author for Bradt Travel guidebooks, who has traveled with ADS as a guest in the past. The article was published in the latest November issue of Wild Travel. The article features Tanzania with a spotlight on Africa Dream Safaris, as our own Dawn Anderson recounts one of her most exciting safari memories!
Click on the following link access the magazine article: http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/pdf/ADS-WildTravelArticle_REV2.pdf
Also, here are a few spectacular great migration photos taken by our own Dawn Anderson who is featured in the magazine article. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
First Time Safari Advice
African safari tours are arguably the most complicated travel arrangements one ever has to make in their lifetime. No wonder there are so many buzz words we often hear people state when talking about planning an african safari including bucket list trip or once in a life time experience. I remember when planning my first safari over 20 years ago and being completely overwhelmed by the endless choices, options and warnings. Just getting there (about 21 hours of flight time from my home town here in Los Angeles) is daunting enough. The good news is that times have changed. In the last couple years, the safari industry in both South Africa and East Africa has made great strides in perfecting what we call the art of safari (i.e. making the whole african safari trip experience as safe, convenient and easy as possible). The infrastructure, lodging and tourism industry in general has been greatly improved. This is especially true in Tanzania where the travel sector of the economy has had double digit growth since 2008. My advice is to do plenty of planning of course but you can rest assured that there has been no better time to conduct a trip to Africa. Happy Travels! – By Michael @ ADS
Moments That Took Our Breath Away!
From childhood into adulthood one is exposed of Africa through many venues; books, magazines, movies, etc. But nothing can prepare you for what the human eye sees, the constant change of emotions derived from changing feelings, sense of intoxicating aromas and a never ending Serengeti full with wonders of life. I will try to expose these emotions; however, I am confident that neither the following words nor pictures will fully capture the actual moments. Some of these moments were in:
o The constantly changing colors blending with terrain, vegetation and light of day
o The wakening of each day by singing birds, the shuffling of animals and the roar of the male Lion. Each communicating its own message of life, struggle and dominance
o The constant battle for survival with protecting parents of their young. The quick training that must quickly pass on for both predator and pray
o The stalking before the chase, the chase, evasions and final outcomes of the most skilled
o The parental loving attention and sharing of the fresh kill by a dominant family of Lions or Cheetahs
o The almost comical approach and participation by Hyenas, Jackals and Vultures as they ravage through the leftover of a kill or normal death. The Serengeti gives and takes with little trace of the carnage and the cycle continues
o The massiveness and vastness of the migration by wildebeest and zebras
o The cyclic and repeating migration, driven by the clock of nature, which taunts them with the promise of food for their survival
o The massiveness of elephants herds with their destructiveness of trees for food. No green training here. However, the family caring is so obvious
o The massive hippos in their “aromatic” pools, territorial and so protective of their young
o The huge crocodiles that bask in the warmth of the shores in stillness and full awareness
o The giraffes so majestic with an uncaring view of all that is a foot below them. With reward of fresh green leaves that only awaits them at the tips of the high branches made brilliant against the Blue sky
o The feeling of freedom and being alive as you stand in the vehicle, head sticking out on the top while being driven through the serenity of the Serengeti, fresh wind on your face
o The many people at the camps of Kusini, Swala, Lake Masik and Ngorongoro that made our returns a welcome with cooling towels, hot water to clean and relax our bodies, and the nourishing quality of food and drink to energize and prepare us for events to come
The above are just a few of the many treasures that are intermingled by many more animals that were unveiled through the keen eyes of a well-trained ADS guide and driver (Pokea): An expert not only in wildlife, but terrain, he managed to provide us with the utmost Safari experience. The ADS family may not be large in comparison to other providers, allowing them to focus on the quality of services and motivation to provide us with the best experience possible. The ADS family has exceeded our expectations exposing us with moments that took our breath away.
The last five days (December 29, 2012-January 3, 2013) were spent in the tranquility of the Palms resort located on Zanzibar Island. What a wonderful way to chill down and reflect on the safari adventure. The people of the Palms are to be commended for the service, exquisite cuisine, and the softening tranquility of the quiet surroundings.
If you can treat yourself and family to these experiences ADS will most certainly accommodate and exceed your expectations
Enjoy and share some of our photos
Leo Pavlow and Christiane Meyer
Safari Dates: December 19, 2012-December 29, 2012
Plymouth, Michigan
Our Guide Was An Encyclopedia Of Knowledge
We had an absolutely amazing safari with Africa Dream Safaris, better than we ever dreamed possible. We loved having our own guide and vehicle, and the freedom to choose our own pace, according to the interesting sights and the weather. There were 4 of us, so we had room to spare for picture taking and for our daypacks as well as boxed lunches some days. From the moment we landed in Kilimanjaro, we were guided skillfully and patiently throughout our trip, even getting through customs smoothly with extra assistance from our guide.
We saw everything we could have imagined, in abundance. We encountered dozens of elephants and baboons at a time, filling the road and crossing it, lion, zebra, and cheetah and zebra families, and beginning of the wildebeest migration. On our first day, a pair of cheetahs made a surprise raid on a warthog family, stealing one of the young. The distraught mother chased the other cheetah at an amazing pace. While watching a large group of baboons all around us, we spotted a male feasting on a small animal right next to us. Our guide, David, said it was rare for baboons to eat meat so openly, but he sat at the side of the road picking the carcass clean.
One elephant actually approached and circled our truck, stopping twice to let her infant nurse within a few feet of us, before ambling away. And we witnessed a large pack of hyenas try to approach a lion kill, only to be successfully driven off by 3 determined lionesses. Two hippos appeared to clash repeatedly in the water with their mouths open, although no blood appeared. We witnesses real and novel adventures every day, not just a long distance peek at wildlife! Also, Tanzania is a bird lover’s paradise, we was a wide variety of birds, including birds of prey, at close range. Some even landed on our vehicle.
Our guide, David, was the best we have ever known, very knowledgeably responding to every inquiry imaginable (a young person in our group was especially eager for understanding of not only wildlife, but Tanzanian culture and customs). He saw wildlife with his naked eye that we had trouble locating with binoculars, and was a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge about every creature we saw – and we saw it all! Not only the big five, but dozens of smaller animals, lizards, and birds as well. He filled us in on every detail about the various acacia trees, the baobab and sausage trees, and gave us advice when we visited a Masaii village. We stayed a long time watching some animals and never felt rushed to move on, as long as one of us was standing. And he frequently moved us into a better viewing position as animals moved about, no request necessary.
I would urge anyone interested in a Tanzanian safari to book with Africa Dream Safaris, which we will surely do when we return!
Gratefully, Diane & John Shoemaker
Holland, Michigan
Safari Dates: December 5, 2013 to December 15, 2013
Cheetah With Cubs
Cheetah Escapes With Baby Warthog
Mother Warthog Chasing Second Cheetah
Leopard Awakens
Lion Cubs Asleep By Road
Elephant Calf Nursing
Hippo Confrontation
Hippo Mom And Baby
Hornbill At Nest
ADS Blew Us Away
My parents and I have been home for over two weeks and as we reflect on our many pictures we are still in disbelief! Africa Dream Safaris was a dream come true! Our Tanzania safari exceeded our expectations every single day! Throughout our 12 day visit we were fortunate to see all of the major African species. It is impossible to select a favorite memory or experience from our trip because so many were breathtaking!
We saw a cheetah hunt and kill an antelope and then watched as the mother called for her young to come eat. We were welcomed into two separate, very large lion prides and were able to observe cubs play and wrestle while the adolescents learned to hunt. We also saw a recently born zebra foal learning to stand and young elephant calves suckling their mothers. Aside from the common animals, we were also extremely fortunate to observe a few very rare species including the side-striped jackal, porcupine, cerval cat, and a large pack of wild dogs!
Awe-inspiring animals aside, ADS blew us away with their accommodations, welcoming staff, and knowledgeable driver guide. All of our accommodations were absolutely beautiful including the private tent which was pitched just a day before our arrival specifically for the three of us. The staff at all locations were kind, welcoming and very helpful! We were even fortunate enough to have wildlife visitors at each of our lodges – absolutely unbelievable!
Our driver guide (Peter Huka) was very kind, accommodating and informative! I vividly remember him saying “This is my goal” on several occasions in reference to finding various animals that were of our interest. He made our interests his priority and was sure to keep us comfortable throughout the safari.
While in Tanzania we also visited an indigenous Maasai tribe and the FAME hospital. Both of these experiences were life changing! The Maasai warrior welcomed us into his tribe and their home. He answered all of our questions openly and was very informative. They are truly beautiful people and we feel so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share some time with the tribe.
The FAME hospital opened our eyes to the state of medicine in Tanzania and has inspired us to act and help. We felt very privileged to meet Dr. Frank, the founder, and to see firsthand all of his hard work and efforts in motion helping the people of Tanzania.
Sharon, our time in Tanzania was unforgettable. We couldn’t feel more blessed to have found you & ADS!
Damian, Mickey and Ann
The Villages, Florida
Safari Dates: December 1, 2013 to December 12, 2013
