Thank you for the most professional, well organized dream trip! Everything went like clockwork from the easy, efficient entry into Tanzania, meeting our terrific Arusha guides, to our very last goodbye in the amazing Serengeti Park. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we developed a great friendship. The accommodations were all special and everyday, from 6am to bedtime, was filled with highlights. We never believed that we could be so close to all the animals and experience the sights that left us gasping with wonderment. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime.

Jim and Susan Campbell
March 2010

We have just finished our ADS Safari and WOW! March is a great time to go on Safari. It all started with a visit to the web site which was one of the best I encountered while researching our trip. From start to finish this was one of the best organized trips we have ever taken thanks to all those who took such good care of us. Upon arriving in Tanzania we met our driver and our adventure began. We could not have asked for a more enthusiastic and knowledgeable person to share Tanzania with. We did not just point and shoot wildlife. We would spend time understanding what was happening and learning about the Serengeti, the Ndutu Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater. We saw soooo many creatures up close and personal. It is hard to explain how amazing it was. It was one of the best trips we have ever taken and much of it was due to the organization, the accommodations, the people, everything that ADS provides to make it GREAT.

We flew into Nairobi and had to transfer to Tanzania to start out Safari and ADS did a fabulous job of taking care of all our needs along the way. We felt safe and comfortable with everyone we met and everything we did. ADS is the way to travel to Africa and we would not hesitate to use them again.

Larry and Diane Hays
March 2010

We’re back! We had THE most fantastic trip! It was so incredible. We saw a lot of cubs, baby elephants and one of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Leopard walking on the road. In [our guide’s experience] he told us he has never before seen one that close. Every place we stayed was so unique and each had its own character. The Ngorongoro Crater was THE most perfect way to end our trip! WOW! What an incredible place that is – it is the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. I was so moved by our trip to Africa and the Tanzania people. Because of this trip, Dean and I can’t wait to go back to see more of Africa.

Dean and Shauna Kattler
March 2010

My father and I both had a great time on safari, everyone we met and worked with at Africa Dream Safaris was great. We did get some fishing in (while at Ras Nungwi, Zanzibar) and my Dad managed to hook a Dorado, which he was really happy about. It was an amazing trip!

Andrew Dabb
March 2010

From the moment we got off the plane in Tanzania to the minute we left for home, our time with Africa Dream Safaris was very special. The greet staff was wonderful and took our paperwork through customs while we relaxed in the airport lounge. The first night in Africa was very comfortable, and we felt so welcomed. On Safari, our driver was very knowledgeable about all of the wildlife, including the many species of birds we saw and heard in our travels. We saw each and every creature we had hoped to see, and more! Highlights were the mating lions, the frolicking adolescent elephants, snoozing leopards, playful cheetah cubs and the wonderful people in the Maasai and Iraqw villages. The camps were clean, comfortable, quiet and welcoming. We received white glove treatment from the helpful smiling staff at each of the camps. I got spoiled by the wake-up tea service brought to our tent each morning! Food was delicious, and we had a great time. Thank you for all your help in working with us to plan this once in a lifetime trip. We will never forget it.

Jane and Ralph Anthony
March 2010

We’re back! We had THE most fantastic trip! It was so incredible. We saw a lot of cubs, baby elephants and one of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Leopard walking on the road. In [our guide’s experience] he told us he has never before seen one that close. Every place we stayed was so unique and each had its own character. The Ngorongoro Crater was THE most perfect way to end our trip! WOW! What an incredible place that is – it is the most beautiful place we have ever stayed. I was so moved by our trip to Africa and the Tanzania people. Because of this trip, Dean and I can’t wait to go back to see more of Africa.

Dean and Shauna Kattler
March 2010

Where to start? When I began planning over a year prior I did a lot of research on the web and Africa Dream Safaris really rose to the top, I guess because it felt so much more personal – you followed up with me after my inquiry and receiving the DVD. You patiently answered all of my questions. It was so easy to be able to do the planning with you as you were always so prompt in returning my emails. As time went on, and we got into the actual planning I always felt like you were working to make my trip the best it could be for me, not ADS. You listened and adjusted, your suggestions were always spot on.

As for the actual trip, there really are no words to describe this experience. I know that’s what everyone says, but it is so true. It is an experience that I really wish that everyone on the planet could have before they pass. […] Everyone representing ADS (from the meet and greet, to the drivers) were so genuinely warm and friendly and welcoming. I truly felt as if they are so happy that I was there visiting their country. The incredible network of folks that you have to make this all happen is impressive. I felt completely safe the entire time, and as a single woman traveling alone that was a concern of many of my friends at home. Hakuna Matata!

The safari itself was so beyond my expectations, every day was another amazing adventure. The animals put on the most unbelievable show just doing their daily survival thing. My guide was incredible – the way that he could spot things that were so well hidden, the way that he always knew when to stop or slow down and let me take pictures or just watch, patient, respectful, good humor, willing to make things easy for me and incredibly knowledgeable about the plants, animals, insects, birds, etc. He also was willing to help me learn some Swahili words. The people there that I encountered all spoke really good, understandable English but it was so nice to be able to say a few words to them in their own language in their country. And, they always appreciated it – you could see their faces light up with beautiful smiles when you try!

The extensions that you arranged on either end were perfect. The accommodations were great, the transfers all worked like clockwork, there was never a worry – hakuna matata! Take Care, Asante Sana, Rafiki!

Brenda Rau
March 2009

Roger and I were so happy with our trip to Africa. It was truly an amazing experience. From the minute we were met, so graciously, at the airport by Jane, to our meeting with Steven and Joy for our trip to the River Lodge, and then our many adventures with [our guide], I can’t say enough about how professional and kind everyone was. It was obvious from the start that everyone associated with ADS always had OUR best interest at heart.

On our first day in the Serengeti, we got to see a pride of lions make a double wildebeest kill. It was soooooo exciting. [Our guide] spotted the lions lying low at the edge of the watering hole waiting for the wildebeests to approach. We watched for about 5 or so minutes as they came closer and closer. When the lions pounced, I almost jumped out of my seat. We got to see the victims put up quite a struggle but of course in the end were overcome. Following the kill, five cheetahs then approached from behind us, passing within feet of our truck. They were looking longingly at the dead wildebeests and making a kind of moaning sound. They were finally run off by one of the lions. It was so interesting and a real highlight for us.

Susan Weaver and Roger Sanders
March 2009

A dream come true! I will be the first to admit that I never expected to have such a fantastic trip. On our first day we saw more species of animals than we ever imagined would be possible for the entire trip. We were especially thrilled with seeing the leopard in the tree within a few hours of arriving in the Serengeti. The time we spent watching our first lion pride was exceptional, the little ones are so playful. Though it is hard to choose, I will have to admit the big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs) were my favorite. Our sighting of fourteen of the black rhino in the Crater was a real treat. I still can’t believe the number of the animals we would see at one time; the herds of elephants, the rafts of hippos, the journeys of giraffes, the troops of baboons and monkeys, the dazzles of zebras, and of course the many wildebeest, I am still in awe. One afternoon we were in the midst of over 300 elephants. Our driver/guide was the best and could spot the animals so easily. He continually challenged us to find the animals ourselves and then helped us spot the many we couldn’t see as he counted them off for us. The facilities were all great but I especially enjoyed our first two nights at the Private Luxury Camp and our single night at the Plantation Lodge. Asante sana Africa Dream Safaris for making my dream come true.

Christina Scharff
March 2009

My wife Anne and I have been home reflecting on the most wonderful experience we have ever had. We spent 12 amazing days with George and Michele Ryan, visiting Arusha, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Understand, we normally spend our time like most people, working very hard at our jobs and hardly ever looking up to smell the roses. After I reintroduced myself to my wife on the plane I remember how excited we both were about the wonders we were soon to see. I have wanted to take this trip to Africa since I was 12. I am now sorry I waited 40 more years. After talking to [our ADS rep] for 10 minutes there was no turning back, we were going to Tanzania.

We, like everyone else who chooses ADS, were met as soon as we landed in Tanzania by an ADS person and we were coddled from that point until we got back on the plane to go home. After ADS took care of the visa and customs
process we retrieved our luggage. We walked to the front of the terminal and saw all the other tour companies waiting for their guest to clear the customs issues on their own. ADS was the only tour company that met their clients on the runway. We knew at that point we were in good hands.

[Our guide] was sent to us by the hand of God. [Our guide] was so many things to us on this trip. He taught us anthropology, archeology, architecture, geology, the big cats, wild life, birds, botany, tribal customs, scatology, politics, religion. He is a linguist, choir director; life coach, expert driver and he had too many other attributes to list them all here. I was a sniper in a former life and have good spotting ability but [Our guide] spotted a leopard at 250 yards through a five inch hole in the canopy of a tree while driving. It took me minutes to find the leopard with [our guide] pointing to it. I have the pictures to prove it. We saw more animals than some people I know who lived in Tanzania for three years. We saw every animal but the Rhino and wild dog on the first day in the Serengeti. [Our guide] taught us so much about life and the beautiful people of Tanzania that his memory will be with us for life. I will never forget [our guide] teaching us Swahili and the song “Jambo.” We have truly met a great man. [Our guide] required us to smell the roses.

The tents we stayed in were outstanding. The lodges were so beautiful. Our camp staff was always so happy to satisfy us. The food was so good and way too plentiful. Our chef even gave us the recipes to the meals we loved so much. I have traveled the world and have never had such great service as ADS provided. Saying “Goodbye” to the staff and at the airport was not easy but we knew we had made some new friends. Anne and I agree, we have been changed forever.

Anne and Eric Baugh
March 2009

The highlight of our trip was the Private Luxury Camping. The first night we were in our tent, wondering why it was so quiet outside, when other reviews we had read talked about hearing lions roaring and hippos grunting. Not 10 minutes later, we heard a lion grunting and roaring inside our camp. As we waited quietly, the lion started drinking out of the water basin right outside our tent. You cannot imagine the thrill of knowing a lion is five feet away from you with only a tent flap to protect you! Adding to the experience, our guide found the pride of lions the next morning less than 500 feet from our camp!

Jessica & John Blitchington
March 2008