Tag: Guest Review

Small Wonders

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Posted on by Michael

Our safari turned out to be a different experience for everyone of our family members. For me; personally, our safari was a collection of small wonders and a big finale. I found wonder in being surprised by animals that had become almost too familiar to us as the days went by.

Antelopes were a plentiful sight. Just when I thought I had seen enough of them they turned up at the center of a wonderful moment. I was under their spell as they hesitated before jumping over a small creek; puzzled over another group as they surrounded our moving vehicle in a sudden stampede; and surprised at the sound they make (a loud hiss/growl) when they warned each other about the close presence of a predator.

I heard baboons “barking” to warn a heard of wildebeests and zebras about coming near the watering hole where three lions awaited. I saw hippos doing 360 turns; their bellies and stumpy feet floating above water as they rolled over. I locked eyes with a servile cat for a long time as he confused my moving swatter with perhaps a tasty bird. We played hide and seek with a bush baby during our night game drive.

The big finale was a close encounter with a black rhino. Unbeknownst to us, Claude (our wonderful guide) had dreamt about the black rhino the night before our encounter. It was our last day on safari and we descended the crater at 6 am. Claude kept saying that if we were going to see it, the area we were driving around was the spot. We had looked for a while and I was feeling my eyes were going to pop out as I pressed them against the binoculars to “see better”. Then I spotted it amongst a close herd of buffalos and zebras. We were the only vehicle around. The rhino crossed the road twice right in front and behind our vehicle, strutted in circles and stopped several times to look right into our camera. This was our moment. Only ours!

Did we see the big five? The ugly ones and the small ones? Of course we did. For me; however, it was the small wonders like the ones I described above that stayed with me the most.

I savored every minute of our 12 hour drives with Claude. He was our wild life teacher and our window into Tanzania’s people, economic aspirations, and culture. I came back to the tented camps every day with my face covered in dust and with a feeling of having conquered the world. Every animal sighting felt like an accomplishment. Every little one of their movements filled me with joy.

Here are a few pictures. Erick reminds me they are not our best pictures. I say he is right but they are the best reminders of my small wonders.

Thank you Lynn, Claude and ADS for making possible my collection of small wonders!

Ana and Erick C.
Alec and Adrian C.
McLean, Virginia
Safari Dates: June 27, 2013 to July 4, 2013

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A Fantastic Family Safari

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Posted on by Michael

Sharon, the animal encounters were amazing. We started seeing zebras before our entrance into Tarangire National Park. The pictures that we took do not do the safari justice. We experienced a lion and lioness mating and saw a deep cut on the lion’s hind leg from a former battle as he walked away from his mate. A lioness was resting at the side of the road to where we thought she was full from breakfast, but in fact was pregnant and ready to deliver any day. The ostriches were flapping their wings across the Serengeti to call their mate we then experienced them mating as well. Baby lion and cheetah cubs were playing at the side of the road while towers of giraffes were munching on the treetops.

One of the highlights of the trip was on an early morning game drive. We observed a cheetah surveying 3 gazelles for her tasty snack. The cheetah bolted like lightning speed and conquered the gazelle in a matter of minutes. We were fortunate to stumble upon this great feat along with the vultures picking up the pieces once the cheetah left the area.

Another highlight was the buffalo confrontation. While on a walking tour, a buffalo came out of the bushes unexpectedly. Our guide threw his walking stick at his head to steer him in another direction while the African warrior shot 3-4 rifle shots at the buffalo to scare him away. The buffalo was literally 30-40 feet away from our group and we could clearly see the magnitude of this animal up close and personal.

While we watched the elephant parade, an enormous elephant blocked our path in the road. We waiting patiently, but the big guy wasn’t going to let us drive down “his” road. Our guide drove around the elephant as we weren’t going to tangle with this huge elephant. But to see that large beast up front was incredible as you can see the wrinkles in his hoofs and eyelashes on his eyes.

The birds and trees were truly something that you have to experience firsthand. The colors and shapes are pictures of artwork. We purchased a large African mask from the Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha and had it shipped back to USA. It arrived safely in North Carolina about 3 weeks after our departure and it hangs beautifully on our wall to treasure for years to come.

The visit to the Maasai tribe was an experience like no other. The African people are so very genuine and we felt welcomed at every place that we explored. Sharon, & Africa Dream Safaris did a fantastic job with our animal observations and our experiences were very memorable and will be treasured for many years to come!

David and Mary D. and children
Cecilia (age 13) and Henry (age 6)
Burgew, North Carolina
Safari start date: July 7, 2013

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Spectacular, Serene, Superb, Magical!

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Posted on by Michael

Lynn: My wife and I just got back from our safari last night. Your company made our safari adventure, truly a trip of a life time. And although we never return to the same place twice in our travels, we are already considering returning. Everything met or exceeded our expectations.

And I cannot say enough about the professionalism shown by your guide Russell (who actually became “our guide” for the 7 days of safari). Although there is definitely danger out in the bush, we never once felt unsafe. He also made the other challenges of the bush enjoyable and inspiring. And while the number of animals and their environment presented all kinds of questions from our group, Russell knew the answers and provided additional insights that were not only educational and informative, but also pleasurable. He made our safari an adventure that we already cherish.

We asked out group to describe the safari in one word and here are the words suggested: Spectacular, Serene, Superb, Magical. Thank you again for putting us in such good hands while we were in Africa.

Patrick and Nancy S.
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Safari Dates: June 25, 2013 to July 1, 2013

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My 50th Birthday Celebration

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Posted on by Michael

When I decided to go on safari for my 50th birthday celebration, I chose African Dream Safari because they are ranked in the top 3 with the National Geographic. After I landed in Arusha, I knew I made the best decision to let Lynne with African Dream Safari handle everything for this trip.

Our tour guide, Wilford, was second to none. His ability to spot the animals from huge distances is very impressive, as well as his vast knowledge of the biology of the animals that we were able to see. Our pictures speak for themselves…I highly recommend ADS and if given the chance would definitely choose ADS again. JAMBO!!

Jerry and Gina S.
Arnaudville, Louisiana
Safari Dates: May 25, 2013 to June 1, 2013

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The Wonders Of Tanzania

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Posted on by Michael

We cant say enough good things about our experience with ADS and the wonders of Tanzania and we are more than happy to share some of experiences.

An upclose safari has been a dream since watching David Attenborough on TV as a child and the experience with ADS more than lived up to our wildest expectations. We wanted to do something special to celebrate our 50th birthdays this year and it seemed time to fulfill those childhood dreams. I did feel a certain skepticism about the other testimonial pictures as they did seem almost too good to be true. But now look back at our pictures this is not definitely not the case.

Our guide Ally picked us up from the airport and the adventure began! Ally took great care of us for the entire stay and the welcome at the hotel has now set new standards for all of us. Peter gave us a wonderful introduction to Arusha and the experience of driving through a Sunday afternoon market, watching women cook maize at the side of the road and drooling over some enormous tanzanite stones at the cultural heritage center set the stage for the most amazing trip.

On our flight out to Seronera, we all wondered whether we would really see animals within a few hours of starting our safari. It must have been less than 15 minutes before we saw the first family of elephants and it was a completely jaw dropping sight. From family groups, to a lone elephant having a good scratch on a tree that first 30 minutes set the stage.

We all came with a list of what we would like to see and we were all delighted. From watching baboons coming down from the rocks at sunrise at Mbuzi Mawe to the sounds of migrating zebra and wildebeest, lions enjoying a siesta under an acacia tree every day was full of surprises. Watching a pack of hyenas nursing, playing and “laughing” with a couple of cheetahs off in the distance while the sun came up was magical. Some of the smaller animals were also fascinating: bat eared foxes running around was always a source of amusement and the antics of a serval cat were completely out of the ordinary and we all laughed at the many warthog families running through the grass with their tails held high.

Ally was a fantastic guide, his passion and knowledge covered interests of both adults and children. The drive almost up to the border with Kenya was amazing, remote yet beautiful and we really got to see what the great migration looks and sounds like! The accommodations were fabulous. The intimacy of Mbuzi Mawe and their wonderful staff (and the elephant, giraffe, buffalo and sounds of lions roaring around the camp) made this a very special place. The food at all the lodges was delicious both for adults and children and we all loved the Tanzanian hospitality. Mbalageti lodge was amazing and we loved the views from the dining room, the luxury of a post game drive and watching the sun go down from the deck.

We all found the 6 am drives magical, watching the sun rise while cheetahs wander through the grass or lions showing cubs how to hunt zebra were amazing experiences. The drive across the Serengeti, through Nabi gate and down to Ngorongoro reinforced the scale of the Serengeti and there and then we started planning a return trip during the rainy season. The thought of those incredible plains covered with animals seems incredible.

By the time we left Ngorongoro we had seen everything on our pre-trip lists (including the reclusive rhino) and so many unexpected delights and Ally made sure we had time to absorb as much as we wanted. Including on our return trip back to the airport during a lovely clear view of Kilimanjaro and he stopped so that we could collect some final pictures. He seemed to find the most secluded and interesting spots: enjoying a breakfast picnic one morning while watching a family of baboons play and groom beside a river, while crocs and hippos swam past and the occasional group of impala stopped by was magical.

Many thanks also to ADS for the after dinner surprise during our final dinner at Ngorongoro Sopa lodge. The staff were fabulous but then when the lights went down and they came over to our table carrying torches and singing we couldn’t believe it was for us. The children still talk about this and hearing the phrase “hakuna matata” was a highlight for them too!

This was a completely fabulous experience from the first info package with DVD and sample itineraries, through the pre-departure planning with Dawn through to kindness of everyone we met in Tanzania. ADS and Ally took great care of us and we cant wait until the next time.

Karen, Alan, Alexander (age 13) and Isobel (age 9) S.
East Lyme, Connecticut
Safaris Dates: June 23, 2013 to July 1, 2013

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We Were In Awe Of The Beauty Of Pure Africa!

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Posted on by Michael

Hi Sharon we just wanted to thank you for the wonderful safari you planned for us. Bill and I had a super time; we have so many great memories. The animals and the experiences went way beyond what we could have imagined. Not sure if you heard but we did have an encounter with a Cape Buffalo, pretty scary at the time but what a story. The lodges were all so beautiful and the service at each one; 5 star!

From our first 15 minutes into the park we were in awe of the beauty of pure Africa! We saw so many animals, to the smallest little turtle to the most amazing elephants. We had so many experiences that we never thought could never happen to us. A lion and a lioness mating, a cheetah kill, a encounter with a cape buffalo and dinner in the middle of the Serengeti as a spotted hyena walked up to us to get a better smell.

The photos can only remind us of the wonderful time we had and then bring our memories back to the most real moments. I loved every minute of our experience from the dust on my face to the picnics under the acacia trees to the many remarkable, stunning and truly inspiring natural wonders of Tanzania. We truly appreciated the knowledge, professionalism and patience our driver Petro gave us each day with a smile. ADS made our trip of a lifetime a most enjoyable one meeting every expectation and beyond.

Asante Sana!

Bill and Cindy B.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Safari Dates: July 8, 2013 to July 19, 2013

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Six Days On The “Endless Plains”

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Posted on by Michael

Marty and I want to thank you Lynn for helping bring our once in a lifetime trip to fruition. It was truly memorable in the very best sense. Marty caught a cold the day of the flight back home and hasn’t yet shaken it off completely, but that has been the only down side. I love telling everyone about our trip and love looking at my favorite pictures. Yes, I have culled through my literally hundreds of pictures that I took and have chosen about 20 as my fav’s. Let me summarize as succinctly as possible our thoughts/feelings.

We came away with so much more than we expected, even though I hadn’t really know what to expect. Actually I thought it would all be desert sand – that’s how little I really knew! It was such a good idea to spend an extra day recuperating first recuperating from our long flight to Tanzania. We then took the internal flight up north and were greeted by our guide and driver, David Chando. He turned out to be not only knowledgeable but also enthusiastic about sightings, as well as patient about stopping for my photographing as much as I wanted.

As you know, we spent 6 days on the “endless plains” (July 3 – July 8. We were driven from the Northern Serengeti down south into the Ngorongo Crater and then through Lake Manyara National Park. Even though we went in during the country’s winter, we saw so many animals. Some of my favorites were the beautiful zebras and giraffes, who became more numerous in the south. I also loved seeing some of the mothers and their young ones, especially when they were nursing, though I wasn’t able to photograph any. I even grew somewhat fond of the wildebeest.

I’m about to describe photos shown below. Marty and I found it most exciting to see two different lionesses laying in wait and then pounce and run after a warthog, but they were too slow to catch them! However, we did see the end result of a lioness dragging her kill – a lovely Thompson’s Gazelle. 1) That is pictured below. 2) Another special picture is the leopard, since they’re often difficult to spot. Indeed, I can see the details of this leopard better in the photo than I could that day in person.

I also loved viewing the elephants. We saw many different compositions of them – in small groups and a larger herd. Actually, we saw the different groups then walk from different places, as we were driving, and then come together at a large pool. Very cool! 3) The photo below of the two young elephants was taken at a distance. I think it’s so cute! 4) I also love the 2 hippos play fighting on land, since we so often see them resting their large bodies either on land, or in the water. 5) an adorable set of zebra I had to include, and 6) finally, a cheetah and her cubs hidden in the shadow of a tree and the grass; that might be too difficult to really see, but I couldn’t resist including it. I’ll stop myself from giving you more. I love so many of them.

Thanks again for ushering us through what was an extraordinary event.

Warmly,
Louisa and Marty L.
New York, NY
Safari Dates July 3, 2013 to July 8, 2013

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If An African Safari Is On Your Bucket List Do It Now!

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Posted on by Michael

We returned from our safari on June 11, 2013.  I am the Director of an Animal Shelter in New York and this trip was my life’s dream.  I am very thankful to Sharon and Africa Dream Safari for making that dream come true.  The attention to detail was impressive.  The planning packet and handbook provided was extremely helpful.

Our adventure started in Arusha with a short flight to Western Serengeti.   We decided to combine tented camps and lodges on our journey and each was more comfortable and amazing than the next.  We were met at each destination with a warm towel and cool drink.  Who could ask for more!  BUT there was oh so much more.  The food was extraordinary and the staff made you feel like family.

Now, the wildlife!  Words really can’t describe seeing animals living free in their natural environment.  We were able to see elephant families travel together, lions and their cubs play, hippos graze and swim, alligator’s fish and even what I labeled a baboon parade.  The birds were spectacular in colors, sizes and numbers.  The great migration of wildebeest and zebra should be one of the wonders of the world.  A special moment was having lunch in our truck alongside a lone Cheetah.  She gave us the opportunity to share her world.  We saw numerous youngsters – elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, zebra, water buffalo and wildebeest.

It seemed like a dream BUT I have thousands of pictures and memories to share.

A special thank you to our guide Peter.  His knowledge of the country, its people, plants and wildlife made our safari complete.  He encouraged us to experience Tanzania from sunup to sundown…..we didn’t want to miss a minute!

If an African safari is on your bucket list do it now!

Louise M.
Huntington, New York
Safari Dates: June 2 – June 10, 2013

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Guest Testimonial With Rare Puff Adder Video

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Posted on by admin

Wow!! From the moment we were picked up at the airport in Arusha to the point of being dropped off at the end of our safari, ADS made sure every detail was handled so we could relax and have a phenomenal life time adventure. Immediately, it was apparent that the key to an incredible safari experience is the bush guide leading the way.

It is essential to have a guide that is knowledgeable of the animals, birds, trees and vegetation to completely understand the wildlife on safari.  That makes the difference between an average safari and a superior safari. Our ADS guide was an expert and like no other guide we encountered. He was extremely educated and skillful in putting us in the proper position every time to see the wildlife up close. Our safari photographs are extraordinary due to our ADS guide. ADS made sure that all our needs were taken care of throughout the trip. ADS provides a superior safari experience that is second to none.

Brad C. and Bradi L.
Orange County, California
Safari Dates: June 7, 2013 to June 20, 2013

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This Was An Adventure I’ll Never Forget

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Posted on by admin

Well, no words I can come up with can describe how amazing my whole safari experience was! It was definitely one of the most remarkable experiences of my life, every day was a new adventure, full of the most amazing sights I’ve ever seen. Although it was nice to sleep in my own bed last night, I definitely missed the sounds of Serengeti streaming through my tent, lulling me to sleep each night. As well, the people we interacted with in various capacities were the most helpful, welcoming, patient, and most gracious and accommodating I’ve ever met. From our guide, Francis, to all the people at the various lodges, to our Masai hosts, everybody was amazing! This was an adventure I’ll never forget, and hope to experience again someday. Thanks for putting it together for us!

Thanks (Asante Sana) Dawn. This was the trip of a lifetime!
Todd M.
Keystone, Colorado
June 12, 2013 to June 19, 2013

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We Were Blessed To See The Elusive Caracal.

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Posted on by Michael

My wife, mother and I recently returned from a 10 day safari organized by Africa Dream Safaris. Everything about our trip exceeded our very high expectations: the animals were more plentiful, the scenery was more stunning, the accommodations were more luxurious, the food was more delicious, the service was more attentive, and our driver-guide was more knowledgeable and solicitous than we could have possibly imagined.

From our first contact with Dawn Anderson in ADS’s US office to checking-in for our return flight, our experience with every ADS employee was positively enjoyable. Every request, large or small, was attend to promptly and efficiently. After two rest days in the Kilimanjaro area, we flew to Grumenti airstrip at the western end of Serengeti National Park. There we went on two game drives and a hot air balloon ride, relaxing in the evenings at the five star (in our opinion) Mbalageti Tented Lodge.

On the first afternoon alone, we saw lions, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, hippos, cape buffalo, baboons, elephants, impalas, warthogs, wildebeest, topis, waterbucks, jackals, gazelles – well, you name it. It seemed that every turn in the road brought a new flock of birds or herd of animals into view. It was the same for the remainder of our safari.

On our game drives in the Musabi Plains, Seronera River Valley, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park we saw elephants fighting, cheetahs hunting, leopards resting, ostriches mating, hyaenas scavenging, flamingos feeding and vervet monkeys getting into all sorts of mischief. And we saw all this not from a great distance, but up close and personal. Finally, we were blessed to see the elusive caracal and the endangered black rhinoceros.

My wife and I have traveled all over the world: from the top of Norway to the deserts of Australia, from the Siberian steppes to French Polynesia and judge our vacation with Africa Dream Safaris to be far and away the most enjoyable trip we have ever been on.

All the very best,

Jeff Holzgrefe
Decatur, Georgia
Safari Dates: June 16, 2013 to June 23, 2013

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We Spent The First Day Searching Out Huge Crocs

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Posted on by Michael

On June 12th my husband and I left for Africa to fulfill a dream that I had had since I was a little girl. Africa had been on my bucket list since I read ‘Bomba the Jungle Boy’. The real experience was much better.

I can’t say enough about how helpful Sharon was in planning and organizing the whole trip. She answered all my questions and she made the best plans for tent camps and arrangements for travel. Each camp was more beautiful than the previous one.

Our guide, Arnold was a wonderful choice. Not only was he knowledgeable about all of the animals and birds we encountered, but he was exceptionally fun to be with. Each day was a new adventure and we never failed to see copious animals and birds wherever we were. As Arnold was prone to saying, “Each day is a good day in the bush!” Boy was he right!

By the 4th day, we had seen the Big Five and most of the Little Five also. Since I had told Arnold that my favorite animal was the crocodile, we spent the first two days searching out huge crocs and hippos. I was sooo excited! My husband loved cape buffalos and we saw many of those as well as lions, cheetahs, leopards and more gazelles, wildebeests, and zebra than we could count. A highlight was having lunch in the middle of the Great Migration.

Everything that we saw in Africa was beautiful and exciting. It was all I had hoped for and much more. Ever since we got home, we have been showing our over 800 pictures to our friends and family. We are hoping to make another trip back to Africa within the next year and a half.

Thank you to Arnold and Sharon for making my childhood dream a reality.

Kathleen S.
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Safari Dates: June 13, 2013 to June 23, 2013

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Africa Dream Safari Is The Way To Go!!

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Posted on by Michael

I could not be more pleased with our entire safari experience from beginning to end. We worked with Dawn and she is wonderful; she answered every e-mail promptly, courteously and accurately. Most people don’t describe a safari as relaxing but it was to me because I did not have any decisions to make once we arrived in Tanzania except what delicious food to choose for my meals. Everything was taken care of for me.

A month before we left my 22 year old son Jeremy called to gently tell me he needed knee surgery but the doctor assured him he would be fine for the safari. A week before we left he called again to let me know that the doctor had just told him he would still need his crutches on our adventure. My heart sank. I immediately e-mailed Dawn and she assured me that he would be fine on the safari and she was right. Jeremy loved the adventure and did not miss a thing, including crutching his way across two swinging bridges!

The safari experience was 7 days in paradise. Much of the credit goes to our driver Petro who was amazing; knowledgeable, kind, humorous, and handled well our dynamic group of seven! We saw every animal I hoped to see and then some! He read the group well and catered to our wishes and wants. We chose to be out for 10-12 hour days and loved every minute of it from the first lion we saw to the last wildebeest. We chose a variety of accommodations and enjoyed each one. I may have to adopt the traditions of being greeted with warm moist wash cloths after a long day outdoors and using a hot water bottle in my bed at night! We felt so pampered.

I had high expectations for our safari and between Dawn from Africa Dream Safari and Petro all of my expectations were more than met. Thank you Dawn and Petro for creating a vacation our group of seven will never forget! It was an experience of a lifetime.

Laura J.
Derwood, Maryland
June 20-June 28,2013

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My Honeymoon Safari To Tanzania

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Posted on by Michael

We have to start out saying what an amazing time we had! We’ve traveled around the world and our safari was, by far, the best trip we have ever been on!

We booked our safari in the spring of 2012 (for travel in April/May 2013)  through Sharon at the U.S. office for our honeymoon. Sharon was so helpful from the get-go, explaining the difference in lodge and camping types and assisting us in picking the dates, type, and duration that was best for us.

We arrived through London to Nairobi in Mount Kilimanjaro and were immediately welcomed by our ADS representative. We sped through customs and were quickly in a van on our way to the airstrip in Arusha. Within the afternoon, we were on a plane on our way to the Central Serengeti airstrip to meet our guide Francis. Right away, we knew Francis would be an amazing guide as he had a picnic lunch waiting for us in the car (and we were starving!).

The first day was absolutely breathtaking. The landscapes were beyond description, the savannahs were endless, and the sky was a cloudless, bright blue. Right out of the gate, we were amazed by the sheer number and volume of animals. We obviously knew we’d see lots of animals, but we were shocked that we’d leave our hotel and run into a lone hippopotamus, or a family of giraffes.

To say that each day was as good as the last would be inappropriate. Everyday seemed to bring something completely new and exciting that all of us, including Francis, didn’t expect. On day 2, we saw a leopard in a tree with a half-eaten gazelle. And according to everyone we excitedly told a leopard was a very rare sight indeed!

On day 3, while out on a run near the Gol Kopjes, we came across two black main lion brothers patrolling their area. We were able to be witness to the lions roaring as they marked their territory. It was an amazing, and awe-inspiring sight.

Day 5 started out as a slow day, but near the mid-afternoon, we happened across a honey badger! Francis started excitedly yelling, “honey badger! Honey badger!” as he swerved to follow it around and around. It circled frantically, darting every which way trying to shake us as we finally caught sight of it from about 10 feet away. It was only after it went underground that we understood how rare a honey badger sighting is – in his 8 years leading safaris, Francis had only seen a honey badger once before, and that was only 3 years earlier. We were ecstatic!

On day 7, as we were heading back to Lake Masek Lodge, we happened across an elephant blocking the road as he scratched his behind on a tree. We had to off road to pass the elephant, but we were soon confronted with three elephants (an adult and two juveniles) playing and splashing in a large watering hole about 300 feet away. We watched as all three elephants played in the water – swimming around, splashing each other, and spraying water every which way. It was heartwarming to see them having such a grand old time.

On day 8, we began the morning following two cheetahs as they appeared to be stalking prey. To avoid freaking them out, we followed at a safe distance for almost two hours. We were almost despairing two hours later, thinking maybe we were wrong. When suddenly, one of the males began trotting, then jogging, then running as we sighted a baby wildebeest in the distance it had seen from miles away. In awe, we watched as the lead cheetah got up to full speed, grabbed hold of the wildebeest and took it down. As we drove closer, one cheetah had hold of the neck and was slowly suffocating the prey, while the other had his jaws clenched tightly around the hind quarters. Slowly, the animal died and the two cheetahs ate their way through most of it.

We spent our last two days in the bush in the Ngorongoro Crater – which was amazing in so many ways. It truly is a microcosm of the Serengeti. The views, from the morning fog to the dense afternoon cluster of animals were amazing. We truly appreciated the concentration of animals after spending so many days in the Serengeti and understanding how truly inspiring it was.

In addition to all of the nature beauty, we also enjoyed every lodge/camp we stayed at. The people were so beyond nice, helpful, and celebratory of our big event! We frequently came home from game drives to bottles of champagne, special seating for dinner, or romantic decorations.

Our trip was amazing, and every day truly was different and phenomenal in so many ways. Every day we had to pinch ourselves to make sure it was real. We can’t wait to go back in 5-10 years and see everything we did see again as well as several new sights!

Stacey and Brian B.
Safari Dates: April 30, 2013 to May 12, 2013
New York, New York

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Our Safari Was The Trip Of A Lifetime

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Posted on by Michael

Our safari with ADS was more than we could have hoped for. Lynn was extremely helpful in planning the trip, making the arrangements and giving us many suggestions on what to bring and how to pack. We flew Delta from Tampa to Atlanta to Amsterdam and then KLM to Arusha (Kilimanjaro) airport and arrived May 16. We were met at the airport by an ADS representative and taken through Tanzanian immigration. The ADS meet and greet team picked us up and transported us to our hotel in Arusha luxurious Mt. Meru Hotel.

The following morning, we flew to the Grumeti airstrip in the northwest Serengeti where we met our driver/guide, David. We began our first game drive with David and saw Nile crocodiles and a monitor lizard in the Grumeti River, impala, topi, a lioness, black faced monkeys, and warthogs. Continuing on, we saw a leopard tortoise, Cape buffalo, zebras, giraffes, ostriches before arriving at the Serengeti Soroi Lodge for our first night in the field.

The Lodge, while not conveniently located as it was a 45 minute drive from the main road, was our favorite hotel. With the cottages located on the side of the hill, we felt we were part of the Serengeti but safe from animals. Our accommodations were wonderful and the food and service were 5-star. We also enjoyed our stays at the Mbuzi Mawe Tented Lodge and the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. Both were wonderful as well and food and service was 5 star.

Each day proved to be as exciting as the last with a never ending view of the Serengeti (endless plains) and sightings of lions, leopards, giraffes, wildebeest migrations, zebras, elephants, cheetahs, buffalo, black rhinos, baboons, Grants and Thompson’s gazelles, eland, jackals, hippos, hyenas, and the many varieties of beautiful birds. We especially like the superb blue starlings and crowned cranes.

David was an expert at locating and identifying all animals, birds, trees, and flowers. He outdid himself in finding elephants (my favorite), cheetahs, black rhinos, and leopards. He was extremely helpful in organizing our daily game drives and made sure we were happy with our accommodations. We had a boxed breakfast and lunch for many of our game drives, and he always found a good place for us to eat. We especially enjoyed eating on the gong rock at the Moru Kopjes.

David paid attention to the land cruiser and each morning, it was clean and supplied with bottled water, soda and cookies. He was always smiling and attentive to our needs. We would recommend ADS to anyone who wants a personalized and unforgettable safari. For us our safari was the trip of a lifetime and exceeded our expectations.

Bonnie and John S.
Brooksville, Florida
Safaris Dates: May 16-23, 2013

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