Our trip with Africa Dream Safaris was an experience of a lifetime! We went on safari with Africa Dreams in July 2010 with my parents and sister; it was the first time for all of us to Africa. We truly feel we had the most amazing experience possible.

Lions, cheetah, leopard, black rhino, elephant….we saw it all. I am continually amazed by the diversity and sheer number of animals that we encountered. It was mind-boggling. Our guide was wonderful. He was able to spot animals in trees, sleeping in the grass, or in the distance that we never would have found on our own! [He] was truly an expert on the wildlife of Tanzania; he not only showed us the animals, but explained their behavior in ways far more detailed than any guide book. At one point, I commented to my family that I had learned more from [our guide] than I had in a year of high school Biology!

We were amazed by how close we were able to get to the animals. Some of my favorite moments were watching the elephants; how with a quick look you knew they were watching you as closely as you were watching them; how they always kept the baby in the middle of the herd for protection; the way they interacted with each other as family.

Another memorable experience came at the end of our trip. We had stayed in Swala Camp the evening before, and were having a leisurely start to the morning. We had woken up to the sound of vervet monkeys running across the top of our tent, and when we went outside, there were animals everywhere! What an amazing place. After showering in their outdoor shower, I came back inside the tent; a few minutes later, my husband went running outside. I asked him what he was doing, and he laughed and said ‘A monkey just turned on the shower!’ Sure enough!

Christine and John Collings
July 2010

Our trip to Tanzania in July 2010 was truly a dream come true! An African safari had always seemed like one of those trips that might never happen – it’s so far away, how do you chose when there’s so many safari options to pick from, is it really ok to take our son and the biggest obstacle – my husband really didn’t have a desire to go! Fortunately a friend traveled to Tanzania with ADS in 2008 and after hearing about her trip we were convinced we had to go (thank you Sally!)

From the moment we landed in the Northern Serengeti until we departed a week later we couldn’t stop smiling! The week flew by for us with something exciting every day. Our guide was amazing – we would give him our “wish” for the day and somehow he made it happen – including spotting the elusive black rhino in the last 30 minutes of our safari! People in vehicles next to us couldn’t see them, so apparently our binoculars were superior (thank you ADS!).

We can’t say enough about our guide. We would be driving down the road at 30 kph and he would stop and back up and point to an owl in a tree that couldn’t have been more than 6″ tall – and it had a mouse in its claws! I loved that he didn’t always point out the wildlife to us, he let our 16 year old son do a lot of it, which added to the excitement for him. While we were in the Central part of the Serengeti, where there were a lot more tourists, our guide took us off the beaten path and we only saw a couple of other vehicles in several hours but LOTS of wildlife. One day we saw FORTY-SEVEN lions! Another day he spotted a leopard sleeping in a tree – how he saw it we’ll never know! We were the only vehicle there and were able to watch quietly for as long as we wanted – what an awesome experience.

I’d like to stress to anyone considering a safari the importance of having the freedom to control your entire day. Obviously our guide had recommendations, but he would defer to us on how long we wanted to watch the martial eagle, a lion stalk her prey, the vultures finishing off a wildebeest or crocodiles feasting on a hippo. It was always hard to leave one area, but the excitement of what was around the corner was constantly urging us on. I would highly recommend at least a couple of nights in a tented lodge – there’s nothing quite like getting ready for bed and hearing lions roar in the distance!

Thank you ADS for helping to make this trip so memorable!

Debra, Chip, Preston Cazale and Mark Swierc
July 2010

We spent two weeks in Tanzania with Africa Dream Safaris and already are thinking about going back! From the moment we were greeted by the “meet and greet” staff at the airport (bypassing the very long line for immigration and so on) through each “check in” and our final drop-off at the airport, every detail went smoothly and we never spent a minute worrying about our next destination or check-in or anything. During the preplanning phase when I had endless questions and concerns and changes, [our ADS rep] answered each question thoroughly, patiently, and quickly. Those quick and thorough responses did a lot to convince us of ADS’s professionalism, and our experience confirmed it.

Being on the Serengeti at sunrise, with an endless plain around you and only the sound of wind as you watch lions only 10 feet away, is an experience we will never forget. But it’s only one of many such experiences! A cheetah and her three cubs under a small acacia tree, wildebeest and zebra crowding down a river bank to drink, a martial eagle plucking and devouring its kill, jackals fighting vultures over the remains of a zebra … each experience was new and unique and incredible. And the experience isn’t simply a visual one! Hearing the crunching of bones as a lion devours its prey, the grunts of the hippos in a lagoon, the screeching of guinea fowl or the sound of grass being pushed aside as a leopard walks past in the bush … all so memorable. And for our most memorable sounds, we’d have to include the night at the private camp when nearby lions growled and roared, along with the trumpeting that an elephant “mom” made when she thought we were too close to her and the “kids.” Did we mention that she then took off after our car? No problem driving quickly away though!

Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. He helped give us a picture not only of the abundant wildlife (birds, reptiles, animals) but of life in Tanzania too. He was working hard so we could have a tremendous trip, and we’re so appreciative. All of the staff we encountered were friendly, and the experience at the private luxury camp was not only a highlight of this vacation but of any vacation we’ve taken. Incredible new tastes with African food prepared in camp, served under the stars, with candles and starlight and the sound of distant (at the time!) lions. A camp where you are the only people for miles and miles. An incredible sky overhead. That meal and night could have gone on forever.

We would highly recommend the experience and the Africa Dream Safaris company to anyone. We’ll be back for a rainy season trip in another few years (wish it could be sooner!).

Tracey Tomashpol and Farron Brougher
July 2010

A procession of giraffes marching over the Serengeti plains.

 

A family of young cheetahs relaxing in the shade with their mother.

 

A confident leopard, pausing momentarily in a regal pose, as he pads through a grassy clearing.

An African safari had been a dream of mine for many years and the ADS adventure far exceeded my wildest expectations… a private custom safari is the only way to go… it definitely proves the paradigm less is more…

Thank you! The picturesque/vastness of the surroundings and its countless inhabitants was unimaginable … the experience to go off road and view from the open top vehicle on the move will never be forgotten. The countless lions and lionesses, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes… I could go on and on. There was no shortage of animals from the moment we touched down in our small aircraft in the Serengeti… ’til the moment we departed. I thought you might like a couple of the pictures/attachments (we took 1254… can you believe) … I.e. Mother good morning kiss to young son… and the youngsters wetting down playfully in the mud… there were too many so I kept it simple hadn’t seen anything like these so here they are…

I’ve been on your ADS Safari distribution mailings and pictures for almost a year… after reading the many great messages, I must say I attribute the complete success of our safari to [our guide]… You matched us perfectly with him… He made my grandson, Thomas a 15 yr old, feel completely relaxed as if he were a long lost friend from the moment we met him at the air strip. [Our guide] never failed to meet any of my grandson’s expectations… they became close buds and often would go off just talking of the animals and the country… He made it a point to ensure his curiosities’ were always satisfied. He was enjoyable to have about us and contributed to much laughter. His knowledge of the animals, their habits and social behavior, the terrain, and skills as a guide never ceased to amaze me. He was uncanny at spotting game we had not even seen with our binoculars… then he would go off road and position us perfectly to observe and photograph them. His extensive and detailed knowledge of the animals and the countryside was amazing. He was great at explaining their behaviors and bringing us into their world. His patience, expertise and gentle humor made him the perfect guide! It was clear that he listened to our special animal interests and never failed to find what we were hoping for… Please say “Hello” to him for us and wish him the happiest of Holidays and a healthy and “Happy New Year”. Thank you…

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the ADS staff and your planning of our entire adventure… from the schedule to the selection of our lodging… it was just superb as were the staffs and service at each facility. The food and wine likewise surprised me and far exceeded my expectations… we were always treated like royalty. Thank you.

So many people have asked me, since I’ve returned, about my trip to Africa. I encourage them not to wait too long to take a safari and especially an ADS safari. Thank you again for facilitating my grandson’s and my ADS…

Sal & Thomas LaForgia
July 2009

An African safari had been a dream of mine for many years and the ADS adventure far exceeded my wildest expectations… a private custom safari is the only way to go… it definitely proves the paradigm less is more. Thank you! The picturesque/vastness of the surroundings and its countless inhabitants was unimaginable … the experience to view from the open top vehicle on the move will never be forgotten. The countless lions and lionesses, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes… I could go on and on. […] I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the ADS staff and your planning of our entire adventure… from the schedule to the selection of our lodging… it was just superb as were the staffs and service at each facility. The food and wine likewise surprised me and far exceeded my expectations… we were always treated like royalty. Thank you.

Thomas and Sal LaForgia
July 2009

From the first moment of our arrival in Arusha, where we were warmly greeted by the cheerful and professional ADS staff on the tarmac, to the final moment of our departure, we could not have been made to feel more cared for, welcomed and relaxed. The accommodations at each and every place we stayed were outstanding and comfortable, and we were exceptionally well fed – whether it was in our semi-permanent tent, our permanent tent, in our private luxury camp, or in a lodge. (We experienced them all!) And our safari guide that met us when we landed in the Serengeti – what can I say about our guide to do him justice? After watching and listening to the many other groups that we saw on safari in the lodges, camps, and on the wildlife circuits, I now truly believe one’s safari is going to be only as good one’s guide…and our ADS guide was absolutely exceptional – truly, he was beyond compare! […] This trip by far exceeded any travel experience I have ever had in the past– bar none! It really was a dream-come-true. Thank you, ADS, for taking all of us on a true ‘trip of a lifetime!’

Ann Eilert
July 2008