Story of 17-year-old Denis, from The School of St. Jude

Denis is a student at The School of St Jude*, in Arusha, Northern Tanzania. He is currently in Form 3, the equivalent of 10th grade. He and another 47 of our students are busy working on writing essays for The Tanzania Bureau of Standards’ national competition among secondary schools. Last year, out of ten finalists, six were St Jude’s students. Denis, then in Form 2 (9th grade), came in second place. Soon after his great achievement, we invited him to write about a moment that meant something to him. We wish Denis and all the other students good luck in this year’s competition.

The Moment that Meant Something in My Life

My name is Denis, aged 17 years old. In my family I have my father, two brothers and one sister. My family is a single-parent family because in March 2007 my mother passed away from a heart disease. My hobbies are playing soccer and reading updated news. Also I have a plan of one day being a doctor.

In 2005 I had a moment which really meant something in my life and this was the moment I joined The School of St Jude. Joining the school meant a lot in my life because before I did not have any plan. Instead, I thought, I can never make it in life.

These thoughts came as a result of failing in my exam, getting tough punishments and having an unpleasant environment for studying. All this made me not to attend school in most of the days. Instead I would hide in the street until after school hours and I could return back home with my friend who went to school.

But after joining St Jude’s my life changed and I saw school as a better place to live. This is because I met good teachers, transportation, a conducive environment and fantastic learning resources. Also I started having plans and I saw that one day I will make it. That’s why I can say that joining the School of St Jude meant a lot in my life.

The School of St Jude put me in a place where I can never give up. Instead I will work hard so that I can fulfill my dream of becoming a doctor. I know that I can make it. This is because if anybody else can do it, I can do it better. This means that if people like Ben Carson were able to make it I can make it too. On the other hand I would like to thank my school and my sponsor for the support which I have been receiving and I promise to work extra hard so that I can make it and bring success and changes in my community.

* The School of St Jude provides a free quality education for over 1600 students. Besides the regular Tanzanian curriculum, we offer well-stacked libraries, computer and art rooms, science labs, sports fields, school buses, hot meals, boarding houses, free textbooks and uniforms. Sponsors from all around the world make it possible. We love visitors. If you are on a safari and want to drop in on your way in or out of Arusha, please let Africa Dream Safaris know in advance so they can incorporate this in your itinerary.

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The Reality Was Even Better Than The Dream!

Breath-taking…Amazing…Inspiring…Magnificent…just a few of the words that describe our October 16-28 safari created with ADS’s phenomenal planner Dawn and put into action with Guide Extraordinaire Simon.

Seeing the “Big 5” plus dozens or other animals up-close-and-personal during our first few days in the Northern Serengeti, without hordes of other vehicles, was a much more intimate and rewarding experience than we ever imagined.

Then, as we journeyed through the Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire, every hour brought surprises: a “new” animal or bird; an animal we had seen before, but with slightly different coloring for this new habitat; a herd/family playing, moving, eating; a carnivore with a kill; an animal coming closer to the vehicle than before.

We truly enjoyed traveling a parallel – and sometimes intersecting — route with ADS guests Dawn and Rob from Indiana and their Guide Patrick. Having Simon and Patrick share information as they surveyed a kopje from various sides, investigated different sides of the river, or evaluated different sections of a game loop, gave us extraordinary viewing advantages. Plus, having new friends to share experiences was wonderful.

Our sightings include: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, Nile crocodiles, cheetah, warthog, hyena, jackal, mongoose, python, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, Grant’s gazelle, eland, Klipspringer, waterbuck, topi, gnu, reedbuck, dik-dik, rock hyrax, baboon, vervet monkey, ostrich, pink flamingoes, lizards, and many, many raptors and birds.

Our comfy accommodations were staffed by warm and thoughtful folks intent on providing exceptional service to make us feel special. Favorite memories include:

• A 5:15am wake up call at Lemala Mara accompanied by a symphony of bird songs and coffee in bed.

• The awe-inspiring view of the Serengeti plains fading into infinity from our Loliondo hill perch at Buffalo Springs.

• The antics of an exceedingly acrobatic Baboon trying to join us for breakfast at Mbuzi Mawe.

• Watching “Bush TV” and enjoying a glass of South African wine as the sun dropped below the rim of the Crater at Lion’s Paw.

• Dining under the stars at Kikoti and being walked back to our tent under the watchful eye of a Maasai Warrior.

Walt Disney said, “You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” We could have “built” the most wonderful safari itinerary, but without the knowledge, skill, creativity, and sharp-eyes of the ADS Team, it would never have become a reality.

Larry and Jane M.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Safari Dates: October 16, 2013 to October 28, 2013

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Beyond Our Wildest Dreams

When Rob and I got married ten years ago we agreed that we would go to Africa for our 10th anniversary. For many years we talked and dreamed and two years ago we got serious and started searching for a company to supply us with our anniversary trip. When we first saw the ADS website we thought a private safari would way too expensive for us but, on a whim, I inquired anyway. Dawn Anderson replied almost immediately with an incredibly impressive brochure and a price that was so close to the “budget” group safaris that we were sold.

As the days flew by we kept saying “this time next year we’ll be in Africa” . . . “this time in six months we’ll be in Africa” . . . We were so excited and kept reading the ADS newsletters but we didn’t dare to hope that our trip would be so wonderful. But then we found ourselves saying “this time next week we’ll be in Africa” . . . and suddenly we were there!

From the ADS agent who met us at the airport, to the gentlemen who took us to our hotel that night, to the help at the regional airport, to our amazing and incredibly knowledgable guide, Patrick every single detail was taken care of. We literally didn’t have to think or worry about anything but watching for animals and wondering what incredible food waited for us in those yummy lunch boxes or at the lodge that night. (We are both engineers and are sticklers about details and about time so for us not to worry about these things is saying a lot!)

In our wistful thinking leading up to the trip we thought we might see a few animals but they would be at a long distance. So I bought my husband a very fancy camera for his birthday earlier in the year with a very powerful zoom lens. Imagine our excitement when we could almost reach out and touch these beautiful creatures. Other than a very shy leopard and a somewhat elusive rhino at the crater we scarcely had to use our zoom! What a thrill to have a male lion walk right up to your truck and snarl at you because you were in the shade of “his” bush! How incredible to see the wildebeast and zebra that blackened the plains they were so numerous!

Nothing in our dreams included elephants and their babies that would walk alongside your truck and treat you to a show while they shot water and dust over their backs! And the hippos! Who knew we’d be up close and personal with hippos while they got into a tiff and their voices echoed down the valley created by the Mara river? We had no clue that zebras “bark” or that hyenas are named “laughing hyenas” for a very good reason! And that was just during the day! During the nights we were treated with visits from elephants, giraffes, elands and lions – right outside (or under in the case of the lions) our room!

Our guide, Patrick, knew the name of every bird and every creature. I took notes on it all in my journal and Patrick was always patient for me – not driving off until he had located the animal in his guidebook so I could spell it correctly. Patrick told us about the “big five” (elephant, lion, cape buffalo, rhino and leopard) and then he made it his mission to make sure we saw all five – which we did! We weren’t sure if Patrick was a kindred spirit or if he could read our minds but he always was taking us places and showing us things that we wanted to see without us saying a word.

The lodges were wonderful and the people as friendly as any I’ve experienced in my travels around the world. We loved the Maasai people and enjoyed talking with them both in their traditional bomas as well as at the lodges where they worked. The lodge managers were great people with interesting stories and were constantly surprising us with their hospitality.

Our experience with ADS has been nothing but spectacular and, as the title says, it was beyond our wildest dreams of how great a safari can be. While we were out and about we saw some of the other big group safari companies with people crammed into vehicles following each other in a line like the animals we saw. We were so pleased we were with with a company that allowed us the freedom to be where we wanted and do what we wanted. Thank you ADS!!!!! Our 10th anniversary was more special than we could have ever imagined!

Robert and Dawn A.
Avon, Indiana
Safari Dates: October 18, 2013 to October 28, 2013

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By Patrick Kivumbi – On Safari With Group From Washington State

Good morning from Tanzania! My name is Patrick Clement Kivumbi and I am a driver-guide with Africa Dream Safaris. This time I was with a group of four persons from Washington State named Robert, Linda, Kristan and Darcie. We were in the bush from September 21st to October 01st 2013 and w had a wonderful time together with noteworthy wildlife sightings. The following are some of highlights during this great safari.

– Here you can see three lionesses around the lobo valley on the top of the Kopjes. They were enjoying the sun in the afternoon time.

– Two male lions again around the lobo valley.

– Another sighting in Lobo but this time with a big male leopard on the top of the tree with a grant gazelle kill. Everybody was amazed how big this leopard was. I was surprised the way the leopard was active and feeding without any shyness.

– Here you can see the leopard down from the tree protecting his territory.

– Now the leopard is resting under the tree after being full and exhausted.

– Here is a dik dik, the smallest antelope in the Serengeti.

– Zebras migration during one evening around Banagi hills heading to the safety of the Acacia woodlands for the overnight.

– It was a big party for the scavengers including vultures, jackals, and hyenas who were all fighting to feed on a fallen elephant.

–  We saw this action near Silale Swamp in Tarangire where a lioness successfully hunted a reedbuck antelope.

Thanks,
Patrick C. Kivumbi
ADS Guide

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A Wonderful Experience For Our Family Of Ten

The trip was beyond amazing and we could never have imagined what we would see. A zoo will never again be any kind of experience. To see the various animals sharing the same space was something we never imagined. As our guide Michael said, “the animals know when the lions are hungry and hunting!” And, the vastness of the Serengeti was unexpected. It seemed you could see forever in any direction.

The first days, when we were near Buffalo Lodge in the North Serengeti, we went all day and only saw a handful of other people, pleasingly surprising. We all preferred that to the Central Serengeti where there were so many more vehicles trying to see the sites that some times it seemed like a traffic jam. The night and early morning game drives let us see different animals and different experiences. Such as when a giraffe nearly walked right into our van, and the lions mating.

Our guides became friends. They were well informed, and answered endless questions about the wildlife, social, economic and political life in Tanzania. We enjoyed the meals that we shared with them.

And, the accommodations were outstanding, exceeding our expectations. The only improvement opportunity would have been to have more time at the lodge at the Ngorongoro Crater. Thanks for your help in planning our trip. We had a wonderful time sharing this experience as a family and would certainly recommend the trip to anyone.

Hoping to return some day!

Andrea B. and Family
Farmington, Connecticut
Safari Dates: October 15, 2013 to October 21, 2013

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By Godson Mbonye with Leslie, Emmaline and Ron

This is driver-guide Godson Mbonye reporting from Arusha, Tanzania. I am here to post my latest bush report. This time I was the guide for a group of 3 persons travelling from Oregon, USA named Leslie, Emmaline and Ron. The safari began on September 21, 2013 and concluded on September 27, 2013. It was a short but sweet trip! We enjoyed a total of 6 nights in the bush with 5 nights in the Serengeti split between the North and Central regions (Lemala, Buffalo and Sametu Camps) and 1 final night at the Ngorongoro Crater (Lions Paw Camp).

The wildlife activities started on September 21st at Kogatende Airstrip where I met the guests upon arrival at the Mara River or Kogatende Airstrip. We enjoyed the surrounding game drive circuit and had a good time watching the wildebeest migration cross the famous Mara River. We saw crossings on two different days.

The weather in the Serengeti was on cool side with the short rains taking place, which are small afternoon thunder showers. The bushes and grasses were green, which is a good sign for the grazers and browsers of the Serengeti. The cultural tour with the Maasai at Buffalo Camp was nice and I think a great experience for the clients.

The Central Serengeti game viewing did not disappoint and was as good as we would normally expect for this time of year. In the Ngoronogoro Crater we managed to see six rhinoceros in different areas. We ended with an early morning game to crater where we got enjoy some time with a large pride of lions.

Pictures are as follow:

– Two asinonixjubitus resting under shade by rocks land at Kogatende.
– The same family jubitus, second position.
– L’oxodanta siclotis, crossing Mara River in a way of wildebeest crossing migration.
– Wildebeest seen on crossing way at Mara River, number seven crossing way.
– The same herd on the same time heading on crossing way.
– Wildebeest seen wet after crossing the river. They were passing just in front of us.
– Family of cheetah behind a termite hill, not far from the Mara River.
– A fire ball lily flower shining in a bush as a red candle light during the early morning at Kogatende.
– A long line of Wildebeest seen on que into the water, with pretty vegetation on both rivers bank.
– Lions adults cubs seen hungry looking for prey on the plains at Kogatende.
– A King of jungle seen tired after having his lunch caught by the queen/lioness at Kogatende.
– Here the Queen of jungle prepared to catch a prey for the Kings Food.
– L’oxodanta Africana in a bush of acacia at central Serengeti.
– Food of King Lion eaten a half, had a pose for a while before keep eating his meal.
– Three leopards seen in these two trees while resting in its branches.
– Fish eagle seen standing on dead tree, within a nice view of landscape shown two horizons of Serengeti hills.
– Civet cat while hunting for small rodents in the Ngorongoro crater.

Thanks,
Godson Mbonye.

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Executive Safari

After having operated this very challenging CEO Group with Africa Dream Safaris I could never look at an alternative safari operator again. Your team and the logistical handling of this group with all their demands was fantastic, especially as this size group is a challenge on safari. The group of 36 absolutely loved the Four Season Lodge the facility enhanced the entire VIP safari experience and we even had elephants coming to drink at the water hole in front of the pool twice, it was our own private viewing without leaving our sunbeds.

The two highlights for everyone was the river crossing at Mara river where we had the private camp set up just for lunch right on the banks of the river, the service and food was all under canvas and was one of the tastiest meals we had the entire trip. Not sure how you guys got everything there, but thank you Sharon. The other highlight was the hot air ballooning which is an absolute must for any traveller to the Serengeti. The farewell dinner in the bush just put the finishing touch on an awesome safari experience.

We hope to see you in the Serengeti again soon!

Gail du Toit

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Your Way Of Doing A Photo Safari Is Far And Away The Best

The trip was outstanding. Having our own knowledgeable, and personable, guide and driver, plus a vehicle dedicated to our exclusive use, made all the difference in obtaining the extraordinary photos we were able to capture. When we return to East Africa it will definitely be with ADS, because your way of doing a photo safari is far and away the best.

Here are a few photos from our trip that I consider exceptional.

Best regards,

Chris and Sandy S.
San Diego, California
Safari Dates: September 10, 2013 to September 22, 2013

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Three Outstanding Safari Encounters

We had a great safari for which I thank you very much. We saw a huge migration of several thousand crossing the Mara River and it was an amazing experience of life and death. Three outstanding and unusual experiences for us, even though we are old hands on safaris :-

1. A mother cheetah and her cub, on the prowl for food, startled a civet cat out of its hiding, the cub started chasing the civet cat and a cat and mouse game started between the two. All this while the mother cheetah ignored the civet cat and her cub playing, as she was more concerned about her prey , some Tommies a long ways off. We managed to get great photos.

2. During the huge crossing of the migration, some of the wildebeest drifted into the territory of the hippos. One hippo was not particularly pleased and was so angry he chased one of the poor wildebeest, already exhausted from the crossing, bit into his stomach and killed him , before wandering off, having vented his anger! Amazing encounter for a herbivore!

3. At the same crossing , a crocodile came swimming , targeting a tired wildebeest on shore , who stupidly jumped back into the water, followed by the crocodile, who tried to take a bite off his rump but did not succeed. Both were swept away by the rapids, the crocodile first followed by the wildebeest, who landed right into the mouth of the crocodile but the croc did not attack him! They then swam towards the opposite shore, wildebeest first followed by the crocodile.

The wildebeest tried to get on the rocks , stepped on top of the crocodile , got on the rock only to fall back into the water, with the crocodile following. Again the crocodile opened his mouth as if to nudge the wildebeest on to the shore. The wildebeest lay its body semi in the water as it was tired. We were expecting the crocodile to take the opportunity to grab the wildebeest but it did not. After a couple of minutes watching the wildebeest , it swam away! Can you believe that? It must have just eaten and was full or it was a very charitable crocodile. The wildebeest survived to live another day!

Meileen C.
Singapore
September 8, 2013 to September 12, 2013

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By Emmanuel Kichao with William and Randi – First Time In Africa

This is ADS guide Emmanuel Kichao reporting from Tanzania. Having just completed my most recent safari dated September 2, 2013 to September 12, 2013 , I can say beyond a doubt that the game viewing in the Serengeti National Park whether it be in the North, Central or West Serengeti areas has been beyond spectacular this dry season. We have seen lots of amazing sights including huge herds of the wildebeest and zebra migration, big prides of lions hunting, families of cheetahs, large concentrations of elephants, giraffes and hippos, more then 10 species of antelopes, countless species of birds and we have even had several quality sightings of the elusive and solitary leopard.

Of my most recent safari with my two guests from Minnestota, USA named William and Randi we saw all of these things mentioned. It was a very wonderful experience for both myself and the clients, which this was their first time in Africa. After two nights resting in Arusha after their long plane ride from the USA, my guests arrived at the Kogatende Airstrip in the Northern Serengeti on September 2nd where I met them. From there we immediately started enjoying what nature has to offer!  Here are some of the pictures I would like to share from this trip with William and Randi.

Large male lion, Central Serengeti.

A leopard close to our vehicle, Serengeti.

A family of cheetahs, North Serengeti.

Zebras in Tarangire National Park.

My guests Randi and William overlooking the scenic vista of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Maasai dance during the visit to a Maasai village.

Beautiful giraffes near the bank of Mara river, North Serengeti.

Elephants at Silale Swamp, Tarangire National Park.

A pride of lions with cubs which we found after finishing an early breakfast near Lobo Hills in North Serengeti.

Sleeping lion around Lamai triangle, Noth Serengeti.

Huge group of elephants in Lamai Triangle, North Serengeti.

Lioness with a young gazelle kill.

Leopard in an accacia tree.

Lion pride in Seronera Valley, Central Serengeti.

Two brothers from the Sametu Pride, Central Serengeti.

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By Simon Sige with Jayne and Stratton from Texas

Good morning to the ADS community. My name is Simon Sige, a professional Driver-Guide with ADS, and I am providing my bush report at the completion of my most recent safari. This time I had a couple named Stratton and Jayne from Houston, Texas. They were very nice people and good clients too.

The safari began on September 10, 2013 and concluded on September 16, 2013. We spent a total of 6 nights on safari with 3 nights in North Serengeti, 2 nights in Central Serengeti and 1 night at the end of our trip at the Ngorongoro Crater.

We started our safari at the Mara River airstrip in the North Serengeti at Kogatende on 10th September where we started by viewing the wildebeest crossing. We enjoyed spectacular game viewing in the North Serengeti during our 3-night stay in this area. Not only did we see the wildebeest crossing but we also had magical encounters with both leopard and cheetah cubs. This is very rare! Also, in the Central Serengeti we came across the famous pride of lions at Sametu Kopjes as well as some quality moments with some elephants. Please enjoy my pictures below that I took on this safari.

The pride males (two brothers) of the famous Sametu Lion Pride spotted resting under a tree close to Sametu Kopjes in the Central Serengeti.

The wildebeest crossing the Mara River, North Serengeti.

A mother leopard in the North Serengeti at Wogakuria Kopjes that had two cubs and was shifting them from one kopje to another.

Cheetah with two cubs in the North Serengeti.

Elephant browsing in Seronera river valley, Central Serengeti.

Thanks,

Simon Sige
ADS Guide

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By Ellison Mkonyi with Sam and Keith – Wondeful Bush Experience

Jambo! This is your ADS driver-guide Ellison Mkonyi wishing all the ADS guests a warm greetings from the Serengeti National Park. I had the pleasure of having 2 guests on my most recent safari named Sam and Keith. They were from Missouri, USA. We enjoyed a very comprehensive safari itinerary together that took in all the wildlife highlights that can be found in the dry season.

The itinerary (September 5th to September 16th, 2013) was 11 nights in duration with 2 nights at Lemala Mara River Camp in the Northwest Serengeti, 2 nights at Buffalo Camp in the Northeast Serengeti / Loliondo Game Reserve, 2 nights in the Central Serengeti at Sametu Camp, 2 nights on the rim of the Crater at Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw Camp, 1 night at Lake Manyara at Escarpment Luxury Lodge and 2 nights in Tarnagire at Swala Tented Camp. It was a superb itinerary and an excellent safari experience. I would like to share with you some highlights from the trip and also some snapshots I took with my pocket camera that all the ADS guides are issued in order that we post pictures on this blog. It’s a great idea but I keep saying that I am a better guide then a photographer!

My guests and I enjoying a picnic in the middle of the Serengeti wilderness. It doesn’t get any better then this!

We saw this mother lioness and her cubs during a game drive in the long Grumeti circuit road in the North Serengeti. It was early in the morning and they were really active. We spent almost 2 hours enjoying the lions.

The wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River about 3 kilometers from Kogatende in the North Serengeti.

We found these lions as they were finishing their breakfast and others were drinking water after eating their full. We took beautiful pictures of one of the male lions with its reflection in the water. We also found a mother lioness and cubs near Wogakuria Kopjes and they were relaxing and very healthy.

Regards,

Ellison Mkonyi
ADS Guide

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By Arnold Mushi With Group of 6 From California

This is Arnold Mushi, senior guide for Africa Dream Safaris, with my latest slideshow of pictures from my most recent safari trip. This time I had another group of 6 persons where we had almost 9 days in the bush with beautiful sightings during the whole time.

My guests named Marie, Steve, Susan, Don, Karen and Marsha were from California and they arrived into the North Serengeti on September 6, 2013. We started exploring the Northern Serengeti around Kogatende including the Mara River habitat, Lamai Triangle and Wogakuria region. Next we headed to Buffalo Camp to explore the Loliondo Game Concession and also the Lobo Valley area of the North Serengeti. We finished our time in the Serengeti at Sametu Camp located in the Central Serengeti around Seronera. After departing the Serengeti we enjoyed game drives in Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Parks before finishing up back in Arusha.

Apart from that we had two nights at Lemala Mara, two nights at Buffalo Luxury Camp, two nights at Sametu Camp, one night at Crater Serena, one more night at Gibbs Farm and the other last two nights at Swala Tented Camp, which comprises the total of ten nights.

The below are the photos to support the fact, regarding the great sightings we saw during the safari.

-143 to 161 – Crocodile at Mara river and wildebeest crossing the Mara river, North Serengeti.

-162 to 165 – A hippo walking in front of a group of wildebeest close to the Mara river.

-166 – Crocs again in Mara river, North Serengeti.

-168 to 194 – Lion pride at Mara river.

-195 to 216 – Leopard at Wogakuria Kopjes – Northern Serengeti.

-218 – This was 6:30am when the pride of the lion finished all the meat from the wildebeest.

-230 – A lion cub at  lobo valley on the top of the kopjes, North Serengeti.

-235 to 237 – Leopard at Seronera valley, Central Serengeti.

-297 to 307 – Cheetah kill near Sametu Camp, Central Serengeti.

-309 – Ngorongoro at the rim – sunrise time.

-310 to 312 – Wildebeest crossing lake magadi at sunrise, Ngorongoro Crater.

-319 – Lion resting in the Ngorongoro Crater.

-321 to 340 – Male ion chasing a lioness.

-343 to 348 – Lions hunting.

-349 to 351 – Flamingos at lake magadi, Ngorongoro Crater.

-352 – Hyena’s trying to hunt flamingos on the crater floor.

-372 – Blue monkey at Lake Manyara National Park.

-379 – Pelican at Tarangire National Park.

-387 – Bee hive in a gardenia tree, Tarangire National Park.

-395 – King fisher , Tarangire National Park.

Regards,

Arnold Mushi.
ADS Guide

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We Would Drive For Hours And Never See Another Vehicle

We really enjoyed our trip to Africa. We saw more wildlife than we ever expected. Rented a 70-300 lens for most of the shots. Our guide was knowledgeable and excellent at finding wildlife and could spot things that we would never have seen if not for him.

We saw plenty of everything. I think when we drove “cross country” we had some of the best and most memorable views of the trip. We would drive for hours and never see another vehicle.

John, Lolly, Charles, Cynthia.
Baton Rouge and Sunset, Louisiana
Safari Dates: September 13, 2013 to September 25, 2013

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By Claude Shitindi with Don and Judy from Boston

Hello to all my friends out there! It’s me Claude here with just a quick report before I head back out into the bush for another safari. On September 11th we started our safari with my two new friends (Don & Judy) from Boston. We began our adventure in the Northern Serengeti. We had great and fantastic sightings of the wildebeest crossings, cats and other herbivores species from circuit to circuit in the Northern Serengeti.

Afterwards we moved on to Lobo Valley where there were more large herds of the migratory wildebeests and zebras and also amazing landscapes (valleys), lions, cheetahs, elephants, elands, and many more. The Central Serengeti was still dry and the good game viewing was along the Seronera river as it is one of few areas with running water and marshes.

On our last day in Tarangire National Park, we set up and watched a lioness stalking, crouching and finally making a sprint forward to catch a reedbuck right in front of us! Unfortunately, I couldn’t catch it on my small camera because the action was just too quick! It was amazing to witness such an action especially on our last day. It was a great way to end our adventure!

I hope you enjoy a few of my pictures from this trip:

– Male Impala at Kogatende.
– A leopard – Wogakuria Kopjes.
– Kogatende sunset.
– Vultures on carcass – Kuria hills.
– Baby zebra suckling – Nyamalumbwa.
– Retima hippo pool.
– Grazing zebras – Ngorongoro.
– Buffalo in the crater.
– Brown snake eagle – Tarangire.

Cheers,
Claude Shitindi
ADS Guide

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