Tag: Guest Review

We Ended Up Seeing Two Wildebeest Crossings

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Posted on by Michael

Equipped with Sharon’s visionary plan and our driver guild Petro’s extended experiences and great talent with animals, we have just completed our unforgettable African dream safari.

Our trip started from the North Serengeti. Someone told my husband that the chance of seeing the wildebeest crossing Mara river was 15%. We wanted to see it badly. However, we understood perfectly that nothing was guaranteed and a safari trip was supposed to be a surprised one. Petro knew where to take us and how to approach the potential crossing spot and the best time to get closer therefore not to disturb the animals. We ended up seeing two crossings. Second one with more wildebeests and lasted more than ten minutes and very exciting.

Around the Buffalo Spring area, we visited a Maasai village, had a guided nature walk and a night game drive. All the activities were fun and rewarding.

In the central Serengeti area, we saw the chases and hunts by lions, a mama leopard, and a cheetah. Some failed and some succeeded.

In the Ngorongoro Crater, we saw more hyenas than elsewhere. All the animals here seemed braver than those in the Serengeti National park. It is a good chance to take close up pictures of them.
Tarangire guaranteed us with more elephants and lions.

Over all, we have seen all the animals and most of their actions we wanted to see. We saw 65 lions, 5 leopards, 9 cheetahs, a family of African hunting dogs, and countless of a lot of other commonly seen animals and beautiful birds. I believe the land in Tanzania is magical. It became a habit of trying to spy an animal and animal seeing has continued in our dreams. The beauty of the land, people, and animals of Tanzania has printed in our hearts.

Ann W.
Fremont, California
Safari Dates: July 25, 2013 to August 5, 2013

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The People Of Tanzania Were Welcoming, Friendly and Helpful.

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Posted on by Michael

Jambo! We had a marvelous time with ADS. Our driver Thompson is the BEST!! I felt like after only after a 3 hour drive that I have seen everything and was thrilled to have 6 more days. Accommodations were 5 star and the staff could not do enough for us. The people of Tanzania were welcoming, friendly and helpful. I would do this again in a heart beat. Thank you Dawn, Thompson and everyone at ADS for a vacation of a lifetime.

Natalia R.
Bradenton, Florida
August 2, 2013 to August 9, 2013

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Better Late Than Never (old Swahili saying)

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Posted on by Michael

Just getting around to looking at my photos and enclose a few for you. The little lady in the village is Donna and that is Michael jumping. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our safari and with Russell as our guide. He was the perfect combination of extraordinary knowledge of the flora, fauna and history of the region and a warm, very likeable companion.

We have recommended ADS to many of our friends. Several physicians at our hospital have established a link to the FAME clinic that we visited and we were most impressed with all that ADS gives back to the region with support of the clinic and the local school.

Best wishes, and we hope to join you again in the not too distant future.

Len and Donna W. and Michael W. and Imtiyaz H.
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Safari Dates: August 6, 2013 to August 14, 2013

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Rhino Saved From A Pride Of Hungry Lions

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Posted on by Michael

Where do I begin? After months of research, I finally chose ADS as our safari company. I had been on safari twenty five years ago and had some ideas about the kind of safari I wanted. Lynn completely “got” my vision and planned our itinerary and accommodations accordingly. Planning was a breeze!

We were completely taken care of from landing in Kilimanjaro to our final flight out to Cape Town. The staff was very professional.

I thought since I had been on safari before, I knew what to expect. I was so wrong. Our first day we saw hippos, zebras, elephants and so much more! Our guide Pokea not only showed us the stunning wildlife, he talked about the flora and fauna as well. We saw more animals in the first couple of days than I saw on my entire safari twenty five years ago-including many that I had never seen before.

One of the many things we really liked about our guide was his deep respect for the animals. The only time he disturbed the wildlife was when he actually saved a rhino from being eaten by a pride of hungry lions. Very exciting! He was so skilled at finding the animals, it was uncanny. He was the perfect fit for our family even down to his sense of humor. Our night drive was highlighted by 100 cape buffalo crossing in front of our car, a rare bush Hyrax and a Carical.

The accommodations were all lovely, Lion’s Paw was everyone’s favorite. Amazing location, attentive staff, Water Buck and Zebra in the bushes and the Tropical Boo Boo bird with its many voices. The ‘treehouses’ at Kokoti were such fun.

I will definitely be recommending ADS to all of my friends, they gave our family the trip of our dreams and memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you!!
Jim and Tori O.
Rosie (Age 15) and Alice (Age 13) O.
San Rafael, California
Safari Dates: July 22, 2013 to August 1, 2013

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We Will Long Remember The Early Morning Sunrise Game Drives.

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Posted on by Michael

Our safari trip began with a call to ADS, and within a day we received a call from Lynn Newby-Fraser, who answered many questions from us who knew little about safaris. We were planning on a safari for seven—our daughter, her four children, and the two of us. Lynn addressed all of our questions and email correspondences promptly and worked to make our trip the best we could ever ask for. She is truly a very qualified safari consultant. Lynn worked with us, answering promptly the simplest, dumbest questions for weeks. She was so patient, polite, and gracious; we felt no fear asking her anything. In addition to keeping us reassured, she sent us many helpful hints and suggestions and checklists to make sure that we had everything we needed to have for the safari. Not a thing was missed or omitted. We even learned a few Swahili words before leaving. Because of Lynn, we were able to undertake this wonderful trip-of-a-lifetime with ADS, and we will do it again.

At Kilimanjaro Airport, we were met like celebrities by a representative who took us right through immigration with our visas and with no waiting in line; we were soon on our way to our luxurious hotel in Arusha. The “meet and greet” staff in Arusha was great, and the staff members promptly met us before and after the safari. Mathias and Francis patiently drove us to and from the airport and places of interest like the Cultural Heritage Center and the Tanzanite Experience. We shared our lunch, which the team at the Lemala Mara Camp packed for us, with Mathias and Francis. Richard and John from the Lemala Mara Camp were so gracious to even come say good-bye to us at the Mara River Airstrip, saying that they had a pick-up to do. Our last night with them was unforgettable. Like all dinners, theirs was delicious with a beautiful presentation. Ten of their workers sang the “Jambo, Jambo bana; Habari, Habari gama . . . .” song and presented us with a delicious good-bye cake. It was sad to think that was the end of our wonderful, memorable safari trip. We thoroughly enjoyed every one of the accommodations—there is something great and unique about each of them.

Ellson, our driver-guide who provided us the private safari, became part of our family, like Lynn, from the instant we met him. He personalized our safari, and we felt he was completely devoted to our interests and wishes. We had all-day game drives, and he knew the right places to go and which animals to look for, asking after each stop if we were ready to go on; he never took anything for granted. He gave us details on each animal, answered every question, and showed us pictures from his books. The very few times when he was not so sure, he admitted it, which we appreciated. With his knowledge, he could write a great book. We asked questions not only about our trip but about Tanzania’s politics, education, economy, people, etc.

We will long remember the early morning sunrise game drives, picnic breakfasts and lunches, and the many different animals, birds, primates, reptiles, raptors, and trees of the serene Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks, Ngorongoro Crater, the Great Migration, Lake Manyara, and the Mara River. All these priceless memories are thanks to ADS—Lynn, Ellson, the ADS Arusha staff, and all of the accommodations staff members. Everyone was beyond belief—gracious, polite, helpful, and always looking after our interests first. A footnote—Ellson kept our vehicle immaculate. Our ride was dusty and muddy, not to mention bumpy, and with four children, messy. Every morning he had it spotless like the first day he picked us up in Arusha. ADS should be proud of Lynn and Ellson, who have a deep love for their profession and are truly “people” employees.

Thank you for the beautiful t-shirts, hats, bottles of water, cokes, jar of cookies, and bags of candies, as well as use of binoculars and a cell phone. The kids AND adults enjoyed your thoughtfulness and are making good use of the t-shirts and hats still. Thank you very much for such nice gifts. Your brochures, CD, and materials were very helpful, as well. The Arusha staff gift of the traditional Maasai bracelet and stamped Tanzania postcard to send to friends and family are very special and a good remembrance of all of you gracious people. Sherrie sent her postcard to us, and it was awaiting our return home to the U.S. from the best safari experience. ADS is most thoughtful and considerate in all it does for its clients. Our sincere thank you and gratefulness to ADS’s entire team who made our safari adventure the best traveling experience in our ten years of traveling together as a family. The kids and we will never forget our travel with ADS and each one of its behind-the-scene staff who worked hard for us, also. Asante Sana, Asante Sana.

Finally, a day or two before our long-awaited trip to Tanzania, Oprah Winfrey was on Good Morning America, and she mentioned, “I’ve done a lot of safaris, but there’s nothing like the Serengeti. It is huge; nothing like it.” Soon after we returned, I saw her on David Letterman’s show. There she was again with a picture of her and a man in the Serengeti, exclaiming how wonderful it is. There is no question that we made the right choice with ADS and Lynn.

Asante Sana,

Sherrie E. and Family
Newport Beach, California
Safari Dates: August 11, 2013 to August 20, 2013

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A Piece Of Tanzania In Our Hearts

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Posted on by Michael

Jambo to All Considering a Safari,

If you’ve ever thought about exploring the African “bush,” we’d wholeheartedly encourage you to contact Lynn Newby-Frasier at African Dream Safaris (ADS).  Lynn turned our daydream, our “what if,” and our “maybe someday if we’re lucky” into reality.  For years, my parents, my children, and I have dreamed wistfully about a safari in Africa.  We’d watch nature television shows featuring lions, elephants, zebras, and other exotic African animals and wish we could have these experiences firsthand.  We’d linger over magazine articles about East Africa.  We’d pause at travel brochures featuring trips to Africa.

Finally, less than two months before the only two-week period that the seven of us would have free last summer, we decided that it was time to address that dream.  We surfed the web for safaris and contacted half a dozen companies.  Although each representative was helpful, it was Lynn, with such passion for her job and for Tanzania, who won us over.  After our first phone conversation with Lynn, it was obvious that working with her and ADS was the clear path to our dream safari.

However, I feared that as I shared our approaching dates, ages, and financial boundaries that her optimistic tone would wane or that she would even admonish us.  Never fear, Lynn was always supportive and accommodating, ensuring us that our dream safari would happen.  She listened carefully, suggesting accommodations and travel itineraries that fit our physical, budget, and curiosity needs.  Lynn worked quickly and efficiently to incorporate our suggestions and provide us with not one, but five separate safaris that all fit our interests and desires.  After we selected our favorite, she quietly and quickly worked behind the scenes setting each step of our safari into motion.

It wasn’t until we reached Tanzania, that we realized how much planning she had done for us before our trip.  Along the way, it seemed like we daily had questions, which we emailed to Lynn.  She cheerfully and graciously answered each one—some so mundane like whether there is lotion provided in the lodgings.  Her reminder lists and Swahili vocabulary lessons helped ensure that we were well prepared and excited.

When the big day of our departure arrived, we wondered how we would survive in Africa with our trusted friend Lynn remaining in the states.  Our worries were quelled by ADS’s Arusha team of Matthias, Francis, and Trevor.  They picked us up at Kilimanjaro Airport, took us to our beautiful hotel, and made sure that we enjoyed our stay in Arusha.

Then we had the great fortune to meet Ellson, our driver/guide.  We could not have asked for a more patient, knowledgeable, and skilled guide.  Being passionate about animals, we barraged him with questions daily, which he thoroughly and expertly addressed.  Curious about Tanzania and its wonderful people, we inquired about practices, customs, and politics.  Each day, we marveled at the wonderful sights he showed us and the volumes of information that he imparted to us. He quickly learned our interests and habits and tailored our schedule and itinerary to fit our desires exactly.

We met travelers with both ADS and other safari companies at our lodgings.  While we were impressed with what our fellow ADS guests had seen, we were sad to hear of the abbreviated game drives and inflexible schedules that guests of some other companies experienced.  For example, on a day where Ellson changed his initial plans so that we could see a leopard and python that fellow drivers had informed him about, these other tourists had no choice but to return early for lunch and an afternoon of leisure.

While other safari outfitters charged up to twice as much, we are certain that we could not have had a richer, more fulfilling, or memorable vacation.  Although my parents have kindly taken my children and me on an international trip every year, this has been our favorite.  It is our first experience, too, where our agent has stayed in contact with us upon our return.  We will always be grateful to Lynn, Ellson, and all those with ADS, the lodgings, and excursions who made our safari truly a dream come true and left a piece of Tanzania in our hearts.

Asante sana,

Janet, Henry, and Sherrie E. and Toby, Lani, Jamie, and Jesse M.
Newport Beach, California
Safari Dates: August 11, 2013 to August 20, 2013

 

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I Recommend ADS To Help Make That Dream A Reality.

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Posted on by Michael

My wife, my two teenage daughters and I are home from Africa, but find ourselves wishing we were still back in the Serengeti!

We recently returned from a 12-day safari organized through Africa Dream Safaris, and it was all that we hoped for and more. I wanted to make this trip to see the animals of the Serengeti and Tarangire in the wild before that chance is gone, and for my kids to have the opportunity to do the same and to be able to tell their children of all that they saw. If you share any similar dreams, I encourage you to pursue them. No documentary can compare to seeing first hand giraffes grazing amongst acacia, hearing the roar of lions nearby at night, or the sound of a multitude of wildebeests as they cross the open plains.

We were blessed with many great moments (thanks in large part to the abundant wildlife Tanzania affords and to the amazing spotting skills of our guide), but some of our favorites memories include the following:

– Seeing hippos in the Mara river from our small plane as we were landing in the northern Serengeti

– Immediately being amongst the wildlife and encountering crocodiles, hippos, elephants, giraffes, zebra, and wildebeests within 15 minutes of landing

– Game driving through the rolling hills and kopjes of the northern Serengeti and anxiously awaiting what we might find around each turn

– Seeing lionesses calmly looking for prey in the golden morning light

– Spotting a leopard, and then her cub, in a tree with a freshly killed impala

– Watching the same leopard cub inadvertently drop the kill from the tree branch to the ground, much to the annoyance of its mother

– The sight of a herd of elephants in the Lobo Valley crossing within yards of us and the sound as one turned and trumpeted at us

– Spotting a rhino and seeing how he dwarfed the wildebeests around him

– The call of hyenas at night immediately outside our tent at Seronera Sametu, and later the roar of lions as they passed through camp

– The incredible vistas and sunsets on the Serengeti

– Hearing the rush of the grass and seeing the speed of cheetahs as they took off after an impala

– Seeing the harshness of the wild as we came upon a badly wounded hyena in Ngorongoro Crater that had clearly lost a battle the night before and was limping up to take perhaps its last drink of water

– Getting another sense of the same upon seeing a pride of lions feast on a fresh water buffalo kill

– Experiencing the friendliness of the Tanzanian people as we stopped to shop for a Kanga in Mosquito Creek

– And, finally, trying to hang on to as many images as we could our last night on safari as impala, elephants, giraffe, and waterbucks all grazed within yards of our tent while dusk set in on the Tarangire. Some of our photos capturing these memories are set forth below.

As others have consistently spoken of, the help African Dream Safaris provides in planning a trip such as this is incredible. Our planning guide, Lynn, was fantastic. She was extremely responsive to our questions (which were endless), diligent in planning an itinerary and accommodations that matched our visions (which among the four of us were diverse), and invaluable with the additional ideas and suggestions she offered. We needed and wanted some guidance and direction on setting up our trip. If you are in a similar situation, I believe you will find those needs more than met by ADS.

If you are concerned about spending multiple days in the same vehicle with the same guide, don’t be. It’s clear that ADS invests in finding quality people to lead their safaris. Our guide, Claude, was perfect. As mentioned above, his game spotting skills and wildlife knowledge were impressive. But more importantly, by the end of our safari, we felt we had a true friend.

Claude’s warm greeting and easy going demeanor immediately set us at ease. He welcomed our questions (which, again, were endless), was interested in getting to know us and in hearing of our experiences, and shared some of his with us. In between game viewing and learning about all the wildlife we were seeing, we talked of things that ran the gamut from backpacking to books, from football to fracking.

While always willing to talk, Claude was sensitive to allowing some quiet time to just take in all that we were seeing. He wanted to be sure we saw as much game as possible and offered suggestions on plans for each day, but respected whatever schedule we wanted. As I say, by the end of our trip, we felt we were saying farewell to a good friend, and we sincerely miss him.

If you’re thinking of going on safari, I encourage you to do so. And based on our experience, we are very comfortable recommending ADS to help make that dream a reality.

Ed, Sandy, Shannon and Kelly T.
Santa Barbara, California
Safari dates July 14-July 26, 2013

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Our African Adventure

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Posted on by Michael

Our Family Safari began with the spotting of 10 lion cubs and their mothers near a water hole. We were able to watch two of the lionesses unsuccessfully chase a warthog family for lunch.  This was just in the first hour of our landing at the airstrip on our way to Ngorongoro Crater and Lion’s Paw camp!  Immediately after that sighting, we came upon a cheetah hungrily eyeing a few impalas. Then in the distance a lone very large elephant appeared strolling purposefully toward an unknown destination. While we watched the elephant, the giraffes appeared as if on cue, then the zebras, impalas, Tommy gazelles, wildebeests, and countless other animals.  The birds put on their show with incredible displays of bright colors as they tried to outdo the furry four legged creatures.

The above barely describes our excitement and joy at seeing Africa’s offerings during our first hours on the ground. Our enthusiasm grew as we went through the days of our safari with Thomson and Arnold our drivers and excellent guides.  They answered all of our questions with thorough and  knowledgeable facts about any and everything we asked, like “What does that bird eat?”  “What is a termite mound made of?”  They even showed us what hyena poop looks like.  They shared the Swahili names for all the animals and birds and some of us were quite able to say the name for each animal before we left our Safari.

We entered each camp with a great sense of anticipation, wonder and surprise…that it could even be out there in the bush with all the conveniences, excellent food, caring and attentive attendants and hosts, and with the feeling of safety and comfort. Because of the size of our group (10) we were the only guests at a couple of the camps.  What an experience to feel as if it is your very own private place in paradise! It was amazing to see our “city” grandkids adapt so easily to their new environments at each place. The grownups managed very well also as they sampled the local refreshments at the camp bars.

The following note from our granddaughter, accompanied by a sketch of a leopard lounging in a tree, pretty much says it all about the joy and pleasure we experienced on our family African Dream Safari:

—–
Dear Bibi and Babu, (Swahili for Grandma & Grandpa)

Asanta sana for the trip! It was by far the best trip in the world.  I had so much fun and learned a lot. I’ve seen things so amazing I’ll never forget them. I got to spend time with my grandparents and cousins. I had a wonderful time in a place that is impossible to forget.  I cannot say how thankful I am.

You took me to see God’s glorious creation and there are no words to thank you for that.  I made memories that I treasure far more than any trinket. The fact that I was in AFRICA still blows my mind. I have amazing tales and funny stories and I cannot thank you enough for that.  I love you.
—–

That little note speaks volumes about our African adventure.  Our thanks and appreciation to you, Sharon, for all your work in coordinating and arranging every detail of our trip for 10 people from the time we set foot on the ground at Kilimanjaro until we boarded our plane back to the U.S.  Your guides, drivers, and hosts were exceptional and are commended for their attention and caring  manner for all of us. They were always cheerfully ready to go above and beyond to make our trip the best ever. While we absorbed the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangiri, Lake Manyara, Mara River, Lobo Game Reserve and the incomparable Maasai village near Buffalo Springs luxury camp, one might say they OVERACHIEVED, and we loved it!

These are our comments on the trip .  Our daughter Christine wrote a great description which you published earlier with the heading of “ 84 lions.”

Asante sana,

Ruth Ann and Bob R.
Accompanying us were Chris, Mark, Mason & Kylie Mark, Kathi, Elizabeth and Robert
Hobson, MT and Scottsdale, AZ
Safari Dates: July 17, 2013 to July 28, 2013

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Within 15 minutes We Were Watching Five Lions A Cape Buffalo

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Posted on by Michael

We have been back for two weeks from our Tanzania Safari. As you can well imagine, none of our group of eleven wanted to come home at the end of our week stay.

You did a fantastic job Sharon, of planning our trip. We started with the Ngorongoro Crater and working our way up to the northern Serengeti and flew back to Arusha on our last day.

Our Drivers, Francis and Ema, meet us at the Kilimanjaro Airport and took us to the Mount Meru hotel our first night. We had a easy time getting through customs with the help of the Arusha office crew.

Our second day drive to Ngorongoro went very well and we did a game drive en route. The highlight of day two was going down into the crater. We parked along a river bank and within 15 minutes we were watching five lions consume the last of a Cape Buffalo they had captured. It was interesting to watch the surrounding area to see the Hyenas and Jackals who were gathering and waiting their turn with the Buffalo. We returned to the same sight the next day and there must have been 35 Hyenas gathered around, but only one of them had a small scrap from yesterdays kill.

The Sopa Lodge on the lip of the crater was a perfect transition into our safari experience. As we drove into the Central Serengti we had a real treat. Our driver, Francis, spotted a Black Rhino that was wandering out of the protected area of the National park. This is not good because given the chance, poachers waiting just outside the park and would have killed the Rhino. Francis radioed a relative of his who worked for the conservation department, and reported this situation. Within a half hour, a truck load of Park Rangers arrived and began to herd the Rhino back towards the park. It was very exciting to follow the drama as it unfolded. Things would go fine for awhile, and then the Rhino would get dissatisfied with the whole thing and he would stop and spin around to have a face off with the truck. We could have followed them all afternoon, but had to leave so we could reach our lodging at the Seronera Sametu Camp.

The Sametu Camp was more than anyone expected. The consensus was, we want to stay here forever. Sleeping in the middle of the Serengeti is an experience everyone should try just once in their lifetime. The next morning we did a morning game drive and were rewarded with a Cheetah and her cubs, playing in the track.

Going north to the Buffalo Springs Lodge was an adventure. Stopped at the Hippo pool. Seeing 150 Hippos lounging in the mud is quite a site.

Got to Buffalo Spring and guess what? Every one wanted to “STAY HERE FOREVER”. The setting is beautiful, and the food was great!

The Wildebeest migration was amazing. There must have been a million of them in small herds, and one long line of wildebeest, streached from left to right for as far as you could see in either direction.

We departed the Lobo Airstrip and flew back to Arusha in a Cessna Caravan. Being a recently retired pilot and riding right seat up front was a special treat for me.

We returned to Amsterdam with so many special memories. Your group does an amazing job. You truly did create a Dream Safari.

Asante Sana,

Hank & Judy H.
Carrollton, Texas
July 22, 2013 to July 29, 2013

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She Made Her Lighting Fast Move To Claim A Zebra For Dinner

AFRICAN WILDLIFE

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Posted on by Michael

This was our third safari to East Africa, second to Tanzania.  Each experience is unique, however this was truly an African Dream come true.  The gift of having just your party in a safari truck with your own guide, tutor, caretaker and protector was a five-star experience.  The beauty of the countryside , the stillness of long plains, waist-high bleached grass, acacia trees shading accompanied by the sound track of the wildebeest’s gentle “Gnu” broken by the  elephant breaking down bushes and limbs, the almost silent padding of the cats crossing in the soft dirt all create a never to be forgotten experience.  The colors of Africa, from the red robes of the Maasai to the tawny coats of the cats to the bright colors of the birds blend with the landscape.  The light remains in the memory long after we traveled back to the rush of everyday life.

The countless photos try but cannot capture the startling awareness of exotic animals carelessly near to you.  Is there a high as high as looking into a lion’s golden eyes, as curious about us as we are about them?  Watching the animals move, run, hunt, love, nurse and cuddle their young is indescribable .

The cheetahs did not jump on our truck, but a male lion padded around and down the side of the truck, staring up at us, inches from the camera.  Several trucks were parked around a watering hole with hundreds of zebras pushing each other for a drink.  The truck radios were alive that a single lioness had been spotted in the area.  I moved my camera to get a shot of the large group of trucks with cameras all posed on the zebras when the lioness was spotted casually lying between two trucks with no one aware she was there.  When a truck started up the noise distracted the zebras and she made her lighting fast move to claim a baby zebra for dinner in the middle of the stampede.   The leopards and cheetahs were beautiful but the lions on their “honeymoon” and with their cubs hold a special place in our memory.

Most of us make this journey for the experience of the great migration and the animals.  Some of our most memorable experiences were to step away from the discovery channel of animals to the people of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.  Sitting by a campfire on the rim of the Crater discussing Africa today with two ADS guides, talking to the man who oversees a coffee plantation and the women carefully picking future Starbuck coffee beans, or visiting  FAME and meeting Dr. Frank and Susan whose remarkable clinic and hospital care for the Maasai are experiences that we recommend highly.

A special thank you to our wonderful  guide and teacher, Emmanuel “EMA” who treated us as fellow travelers not tourists and to “Mama Simba”, Sharon  who designed our trip for June, 2013.  What a great Birthday for us!

Asante Sana

Susan and Joe
Orange County, California
Safari Dates: June 13, 2013 to June 21, 2013

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We Saw 84 Lions, 9 Cheetahs and 7 Leopards!

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Posted on by Michael

We’re still enjoying our safari ‘high’ and are very excited to share our adventure with you!

The trip you planned for us was a fabulous overview of all of Tanzania. We started at the Ngorongoro Crater, turned south to beautiful Tarangire, traveled through the central Serengeti, headed north to track the wildebeest herds along the Mara River and concluded our adventure in the Lobo game reserve.

After our group of ten arrived at the Ndutu airstrip, we were met by our guides Arnold Mushi and Thomson Maleki who were fabulous! They were always eager to find exciting animal encounters, eternally patient with our unceasing photography demands and full of detailed information about any animal/bird/reptile we saw. Arnold would frequently shout out, “How is everybody??” and we would enthusiastically respond! The bar was set extremely high right off the bat as we saw not only a lioness hunting warthog, but a group of ten lion cubs who came down to the water to drink right in front of us! Absolutely magical!!

Though a few of our days were long and we covered many km, when we arrived at each camp there were smiling faces, eucalyptus-scented cloths to wipe away the trail dust and a chilled beverage to refresh us! Each camp was more amazing than the last. Our ‘tent’ accommodations were absolutely top notch with all the comforts of home. Our favorites were Lion’s Paw at the Ngoronogoro Crater and Swala.

At Lion’s Paw, our sundowner was the perfect place to watch a beautiful sunset before we enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Jonas and his staff before we snuggled into our beds in the chilly air. The hot water bottles awaiting us were the perfect touch!

At Swala, we were delighted to have front row seats for a controlled burn of the grass during dinner and lions roaring virtually in our ears at night. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the crazy antics of an African Harrier Hawk as he hung upside down in a nearby tree. Chris and his crew were spectacular hosts.

Our stay at Seronera Sametu was highlighted by a ‘close encounter’ with a lioness who was stalking buffalo near camp. She popped up out of the tall grass and gave my husband and one of the camp guards quite a start! Very exciting!!

Our trek to LeMala Mara was chock full of African wildlife; the hippos crowding the hippo pools of the Mara River and seeing a lion family devour a freshly killed wildebeest were truly memorable sights.

Our final days were spent at the beautiful Buffalo Luxury camp. My daughter, a budding artist, loved that they had drawing supplies available in the lounge so she could put some of the amazing animals we saw down on paper. Our host, Chris, took us on a wonderful walking safari and even organized a hilltop sundowner for our last evening. The food was spectacular (loved those loaf-sized dinner rolls) and they even baked a birthday cake to help celebrate a special birthday for Kathi. Another truly memorable experience was the opportunity to visit a nearby Maasai village and learn about their lifestyle. They welcomed us warmly and we thoroughly enjoyed their melodic singing, jumping and dancing!

Our animal encounters were amazing! All in all we saw 84 lions, 9 cheetahs and 7 leopards along with countless elephants, giraffe, hippo, monkeys, wildebeest, Tomi’s and many beautiful birds. As a group, we took over 10,000 photos! Despite what we thought Africa would be like, it was so much MORE than we expected and the fabulous planning and attention to every detail sets Africa Dream Safaris apart. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!

As Arnold would say, “Every day is a good day… in the bush!!”

Thank you Sharon for putting together our adventure, we sincerely hope it is not too long before we can return to the magic of Africa.

Asante Sana!!

Chris, Mark, Mason & Kylie (Naperville, Illinois)
Mark, Kathi, Liz & Robby (Avondale, Pennsylvania)
Bob & Ruth Ann (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Safari Dates: July 14, 2013 to July 29, 2013

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We Witnessed Close-Up The Many Wonders Of The Serengeti

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Posted on by Michael

From the warm greeting at Kilimanjaro Airport to the waves goodbye at the Lobo Airstrip eight days later, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our Africa Dream Safari experience. Our guide, Michael, couldn’t have been more pleasant and knowledgeable. His instincts expertly positioned us to witness close-up the many wonders of the Serengeti, and his information and insights were fun and fascinating. The accommodations were all first-rate and the friendly service was greatly appreciated.

Our first morning at the Ngorongoro Crater was so exciting, I feared the trip could only go downhill from there. To our delight, each day in the Central and Northern Serengeti brought new and different experiences.

That first full day on safari, we were awakened at 6 am when coffee was delivered to our luxury tent at Lion’s Paw, and after a hot and tasty breakfast, we drove to the Crater floor. Within the hour, Michael spotted hyenas trailing a water buffalo and her calf and suggested we follow. To our amazement, we witnessed the killing not only of the calf by the hyenas, but the subsequent attack on the mother by four lionesses. Two kills before 8:30 on the first morning! Micheal said we were lucky, but the next day when he positioned us perfectly to see a leopard ambush a gazelle, I realized just how lucky we were to have him as our private guide.

Dawn Anderson couldn’t have been more helpful and the safari she designed for us was everything we hoped it would be. We had been referred to Dawn and ADS by close friends, and we have already recommended ADS to other friends.

Asante sana, ADS Team. Here are just a few of our favorite photos.

Bill B. and Lisa W.
Walnut Creek, California
July 22, 2013 to July 29, 2013

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Family Safaris with ADS!

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We’ve just added a whole new section to the ADS website that highlights our family safari offerings! Take a peek through tons of photos and testimonials of families who have traveled with ADS in the past and view fun-filled a sample itinerary for a private and custom-tailored family vacation.

ADS Puts Your Safety First

Tanzania is a very safe, secure and tourist-friendly country. Your family’s comfort and peace of mind are our first priority when you travel with ADS. We have offices both in the U.S. and Tanzania to support all segments of your trip. All safaris are 100% escorted and chauffeured from arrival to departure.

Custom & Flexible Itineraries

Flexibility is key when traveling with children. ADS specializes in private safaris and helps you set your own agenda so you won’t be tied to rigid itineraries and fixed timetables. You can depart on any day of your choice and for any duration of your choosing. While out on game drives, you’re free to make stops when you want and return to camp when the children tire.

Fun-Filled Family Activities

Choose which fun and educational adventures the whole family will enjoy! From full-day game drives and educational nature walks, to balloon safaris, visits to the Maasai tribe and Poli Village School – there’s so much to learn and fun to be had in Tanzania! ADS will work with you to plan a safari adventure that suits every family member’s bucket list. Your professional guide will be your companion, your teacher, and at your service for the duration of your safari.

Please feel free to take a look at our new family section of the ADS website featuring loads of helpful information to help you plan your dream vacation!

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At First We Were Scared, But…

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Posted on by Michael

We had the most amazing safari imaginable!  It wouldn’t have been the same without our guide Anglebert (pictured above with a friendly cheetah we encountered).  His timing was just right and he captured every opportunity to see and experience the animals in their natural habitats.

He enticed a cheetah to visit us in our car after eating its kill.  At first we were scared, but then he explained that it wouldn’t hurt us.  He knew how to manipulate the car just right and give the cheetah every opportunity to jump on.  At first, it sat on the hood, looking at us through the front windshield as it showed us its teeth. Then, it began eating the antenna and canvass top.  As it became more comfortable, he began exploring the entire car.  As he began walking to the back, over the top, it almost slipped in.  It came within inches of touching us and our guide.  He stayed for about half an hour and it was one of the most exciting parts of our journey.

As we traveled through the Serengeti, we saw many animals enjoying their kills, lion’s mating, baby leopards in their den, a black rhino, and elephants standing right next to us.  Another highlight was that we were lucky enough to see three river crossings as the wildebeests migrated across the Mara River.  Our game drives lasted from early morning to dusk, which allowed us the best times to see the animals.

We kept a list of every kind of animal we saw, and were amazed the Anglebert could identify every kind of bird, insect, and animal.  He was respectful, thoughtful, and considerate of our needs.  He even spoke with many of the chef’s at the different camps and provided us special meals.

Through the combined efforts of Dawn, at ADS and Anglebert as our guide, the trip was fantastic and unforgettable!

Marla G. and Lauren R.
West Bloomfield, Michigan
July 5, 2013 to July 12, 2013

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The Serengeti Is Not A Petting Zoo!

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Posted on by Michael

Day 4 – June 15, 2013, Serengeti National Park

Heather and I were standing on the very back seats of the Land Cruiser sticking out of the roof hatch from the waist up. The big bull elephant that was slowly walking up from behind was just about close enough for a pat on the trunk. Just one more step. Mom began offering cautionary driving tips to our guide, “Francis, you might want to pull ahead just a bit!” Her concern met an instantaneous and derisive chorus of, “No Mom! Come On! Let’s see how close he gets!”

Suddenly, the radio crackled in Swahili, the engine erupted and the Land Cruiser bucketed to a safe distance, much to the dismay of elephant and would-be elephant petters alike. Our poor mother was paying for her over-caution with a severe tongue lashing until Francis set us straight. The radio call had come from Ally, another ADS driver some 50 yards up the road advising a look in the side-view mirror. There, Francis had seen the elephant for the first time (objects in mirror are closer than they appear). Hence the speedy retreat. “Elephants are very dangerous”, he scolded. “This car weighs two tons and they can weigh six. They can easily flip us over. The Serengeti is not a petting zoo!”

Oh, but it almost had been. Disappointed, but safe and sound, we drove on. That night we were heading to new accommodations. We were seasoned enough by now to know that where you stay at night is every bit as fun and intriguing as what you do and see during the day. So when we came upon a quasi-military-looking cluster of tents at sunset, we figured it was another utilitarian, ranger outpost that we would pass by on our way to lodgings more distant and more in keeping with the luxury to which we were already accustomed. But the Land Cruiser pulled up and stopped.

“Oh, is this it? Really? What, we’re staying here?” Reluctantly we disembarked at the Seronera Sametu Camp. Our spirits lifted a bit when our host, Jonas greeted us with the customary hot towels and fruit juice. We found more encouragement in the comfortable lounge and fully stocked bar where Jonas delivered the welcome briefing. He cautioned us against any unaccompanied sorties after dark, and it began to hit home how in the wild our little tented camp was.

Our individual tents, despite their inauspicious exteriors, were quite inviting on the inside with carpeted floors, sinks, toilets, hot showers and queen-size beds complete with mosquito netting. But the best part of staying in a tented lodge happened after nightfall. During our two evenings at the Seronera Sametu, separated from the African night by nothing but a zipper, the camp was visited by running zebras, some very vocal hyenas and baboons, various other unidentified rustlers and squawkers and who knows what sort of silent stalkers and slinkers that we never even heard. It turned out that this most spartan of our overnight lodgings became our favorite, because it put us smack in the middle of wild Africa with precious little protective insulation.

Next, we moved on to the Ngorongoro Crater where many theretofore unseen animals awaited us as well as our last two nights in Africa at the luxurious Serena Lodge. If the near elephant petting episode was the most exciting moment of our safari, there were at least a dozen close seconds. We saw cheetahs successfully hunting gazelles, lions successfully hunting zebras and baboons squabbling over troop leadership. We saw a wildebeest spot a lurking crocodile and decide against drinking from that spot in the river. And there was the thrill of each first-time sighting of each new animal.

Robert M. and Family
Wellington, Florida
Safari Dates: June 12, 2013 to June 19, 2013

A word about Francis:  Our ADS driver guide spoke five languages, knew every animal and plant species that we encountered, and knew every twist and turn in the impossible tangle of roads that crisscross the Serengeti National Park.  He also seemed to have the respect and admiration of his peers, because nearly every driver guide passing from the opposite direction would flash his lights – the signal to stop and have a chat.  While the stateside team at ADS did a wonderful job of putting our trip together, here where the rubber met the dusty, bumpy road, Francis made it obvious that we had chosen the right safari outfitter.

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