Two items I cannot leave home without when I go on safari:

1.) A regular American extension cord with a multiple outlet power strip so I can charge more then one item at a time and only need to use one plug or outlet.

2.) A flashlight that straps to my head so I can be hands free if need be in the middle of the night and all the lights are off or I have no clue where the switch is. I actually wear it on my wrist sometimes at night so I always know where it is located.

Sharon@africadreamsafaris.com
www.thelionlady.com

Safari Photo by Brit Huckabay with wildebeest migration in background. From left to right: Hunter Huckabay, Crosby Huckabay and Callie Huckabay (sun glasses) with Grayson Huckabay seen through the window.

Dear Lynn,

The entire Huckabay tribe joins me in thanking you for an absolutely wonderful safari! I don’t mean to sound sappy, but it really was like living out a dream that Prestine and I had cherished for years. Ever since our first safari in 2004, we have wanted to take our children and grandchildren on the same kind of adventure–but we just did not think it was possible. Thanks to the careful planning and hard work that you and Prestine did together, it became possible and we were able to enjoy that dream as a living reality–and to build happy memories that will last for a lifetime.

We cannot say enough good things about African Dream Safari, and your attention to every detail. Every where we went, we were met and cared for by representatives of your company, and they left no stone unturned in meeting our needs and doing all they could to make everyone happy. That did not happen by coincidence or accident, and we thank you. As you and Prestine worked out details of the trip, I felt that you were taking a deep personal interest in us, and almost adopting us as a family. We felt your personal touch in all that happened, and we thank you for that.

All of our drivers (Pokea, Petros, and Thomson) were excellent–each with his own particular personality and special skills– and we came to love each one. Each of the lodges and hotels was different and special in its own way. The game drives were productive and thrilling–“awesome” as the kids say. Prestine and I rotated from land cruiser to land cruiser each day, so that we could experience each group. Our big payoff came in hearing the excited cries from our kids and grand kids as they saw the Big 5 plus gillions of wildebeestes, zebras, gazelles–not to mention giraffes, hippos, hyenas, crocodiles —we even saw a couple of honey badgers! Every day was mind blowing–and we loved it.

We did experience the great beers–Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tusker and Safari. Our three college students tried to drink it all–and though they put a serious dent in the beer supply, I think there is some left. This is not to say that the adults did not enjoy it as well–my personal favorite was Serengeti. Of course the South African wines are some of the best in the world–and we enjoyed our share of them.

Thank you for planning and executing every detail which made us comfortable and happy. The first day in Arusha, when we had a chance to rest up from the long flight and visit a school to bring supplies to those children was special. It touched us all. And when the safari was over, we especially appreciated the nice touch of having a day room back at the Mt. Meru Hotel so that we could clean up and change into our travel clothes. We also enjoyed a delicious light meal at the hotel before heading to the airport–again a tribute to your thoughtful planning.

As an added bonus, Prestine and I thoroughly enjoyed being anointed “Babu” and “Bibi” by our drivers and receiving special treatment the entire time–it was great!

My only regret, Lynn, is that we did not get to see you in person–and I hope someday, somewhere–we will make up for that. Certainly if you ever come to our part of the world, we will be delighted to show you some southern hospitality as our guest! Thank you again for all you did for us–all of the Huckabays join me in sending our best wishes and love. God bless you.

Hunter Huckabay and Family
Chattanooga, Tennessee
July 2012

Confused by african safari vaccinations? You are not alone! This may be the most common question I get from clients as they are preparing for their upcoming safari!

Although we ALWAYS recommend you visit with your own doctor or travel clinic before making any decisions, here’s my own special cliff notes version to help the casual safari traveler navigate through the waves of conflicting information out there:

Lucky for us Tanzania is an easy country to travel to and not much is required in terms of vaccinations.  As far as what vaccinations you *should get*, ultimately the decision is up to you, I can only tell you what I would personally choose for myself (that’s my quick disclaimer!) That being said, personally I would get a “Hepatitis A” vaccination, a “tetanus booster” (only as needed) and “polio” vaccination (only as needed, many people have already had this one as a child). I would also get a prescription for “anti-malaria medicine” (Malarone is a good one) and a broad spectrum anti-biotic such as “Cipro” (to bring with you as a precaution, to combat a common annoyance we like to call “traveler’s diarrhea”).

A few words about a couple specific vaccinations that I am commonly asked about:

**Yellow Fever: There is a lot of conflicting information out there about the Yellow Fever vaccination and whether or not it is required. Basically, a Yellow Fever vaccination is NOT required as long as you are traveling to Tanzania directly from the US or Europe (most of our clients fall into this category, and consequently most clients do not need to get a yellow fever vaccination). You can even see from the CDC website that a Yellow Fever vaccination is “generally not recommended” for travelers to Tanzania only.  However, if you transit through a yellow fever endemic country such as Kenya or Ethiopia on your way to Tanzania, and remain in transit in one of these countries for over 12 hours, then a yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania. Also, if you have other countries besides the US or Europe on your travel itinerary, check to see if you need a Yellow Fever vaccination for those countries. For example, A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry into South Africa for anyone traveling to South Africa after visiting East Africa.

**Typhoid: Typhoid is a very low risk situation while on safari and a vaccination against Typhoid is generally not recommended for the casual safari traveler. Typhoid is generally spread by food or water poisoning in unsanitary conditions, and may be a problem in rural villages of developing countries. But since you are staying in very nice lodges and only drinking bottled water you can rest assured it is all safe for your consumption.

Travel clinics will generally take a very conservative approach to vaccinations and you may feel like a pin cushion by the time you leave! Nothing wrong with that viewpoint either and the decision is obviously yours, but the casual safari traveler just isn’t at high risk for many illnesses. Of course, if you were working with sick people in a medical clinic in Tanzania or if you were going to be living in a remote Tanzanian village for several months and drinking tap water, my recommendations would be different.

Please also make sure to discuss any medications or vaccinations with your personal physician to ensure you can take them safely. For example, some types of anti malaria medications conflict with some types of heart medication. Not something you want to find out while you are out on safari!

It’s worth noting that some family doctors are not very familiar with travel abroad and may not carry all the vaccinations you need, in which case you’ll likely need to pay a visit to your local travel clinic (most major cities have one).

If you choose to get some or all of the vaccinations, please try to schedule them several weeks ahead of your trip. Best not to save this type of thing for the very last minute!

For even more information on vaccinations, visit the subject at the Company’s FAQ section:  Safari Health

So don’t let the subject of vaccinations scare you!  Travel to Tanzania doesn’t require much except for an appropriate amount of awareness and maybe a few precautionary pricks.  But trust me, it’s SO worth it.

NOTE:  *This advice represents personal opinion only and is no substitute for a doctor or nurse’s professional recommendations.  Africa Dream Safaris always recommends that each guest seek advice from a local Travel Clinic and/or Doctor regarding what vaccinations and medications are appropriate for each individual’s situation.*

For the vast majority of our Africa Safaris Tours we are proud to offer VIP Tanzania Visa service where Kilimanjaro International Airport is your first point of entry into Tanzania, East Africa. This service is highly recommended as after the long flight you will surely appreciate the quick processing of your visa allowing you to begin your african safari before the overwhelming majority of other passengers. Please note that the Tanzanian Government has instituted new security procedures for passengers arriving into Kilimanjaro Airport including the issuance of a new visa application form with additional informational fields. Due to these new procedures we are requesting that you fill out the new visa application form in advance and bring with you to Tanzania in order to help expedite the issuance of your visas. Simply tuck the completed form in your passport and give to our private security officer upon arrival. These new visa forms are sent to all guests the month prior to the start date of your trip. Please contact your African Safari Specialist with any questions.

Check out this thrilling video submitted from Gina Cross, one of our returning safari guests, who has the courage to ‘pop up’ and capture the ending of this amazing video. It’s quite extraordinary how habituated several cheetahs in the Serengeti have become to safari vehicles over the years. This trait is passed down from mother to offspring as young cheetah grow up in the presence of vehicles just as soon as they are old enough to their den. We have been seeing this behavior for at least ten years though it has become more pronounced over the last couple of green seasons.

There are a handful of cheetahs in the Serengeti that our guides know by sight that will exhibit this behavior of jumping on vehicles quite regularly. Our guide Anglebert, featured in the video, is especially adept at getting several cheetahs that he knows quite well to jump on the bonnet of his vehicle. It probably doesn’t hurt that his favorite animal also happens to be the cheetah!

Make sure to watch at about 2 minutes and 53 seconds into the video when the cheetah starts calling to the rest of its family. A cheetah’s vocalization is quite different then other big cats in that it chirps with a bird like call to communicate.  It’s really extraordinary to catch this chirping on video in this fashion. Also, watch at about 3 minutes as the cheetah jumps down from the vehicle to reunite with the rest of her family. Awesome!

Thanks again Gina Cross for sharing this video (and also to Ann Eilert who took the photographs below from a second ADS vehicle). We were certainly impressed to see Gina had the courage to ‘pop up’ as Anglebert said!

Close up shot below of the cheetah peering into the front windshield.

‘Pop Up’?

Way to go Gina!

Have a look under the rear bumper!

Here is ADS guide Anglebert posing with his favorite cheetah. It looks like another rough day in the office!

ADS guides JP and Anglebert content with a great day in the bush!