If a Serengeti safari isn’t on your bucket list, it should be. When my wife and I first discussed the possibility of a trip to see the Great Migration I was very nervous. I felt this type of vacation was outside of my comfort zone. We researched dozens of safari companies and after much deliberation ultimately decided on Africa Dream Safaris. Michael was extraordinarily patient with us and happily answered every question we could come up with.
With retirement from full-time careers, we were finally ready to fulfill one of our lifetime dreams of a safari. We wanted the full experience of wildlife in their natural habitat as well as learning about the people, history, geography and environment of the region. Since this was our first visit to Africa, there was a bewildering range of options requiring a significant amount of planning and preparation to select the best company which could maximize our chances for a successful trip.
What an incredible, life-changing experience! We’ve traveled a lot but this was our first safari. From the moment we touched down in Kilimanjaro, Africa Dream Safaris made sure this trip was special.
It is just before daybreak. A slight chill is in the air. The promise of a pristine day. Two majestic lion brothers come strutting down the road toward our Land Cruiser just 10 minutes outside of Sametu Camp in the Central Serengeti. What a sight, so close it took our breath away!
ADS was the perfect fit for our Bucket List trip of a lifetime! A week of private safari – just the two of us, a “beast” of a jeep, and our wonderful guide/driver, George, made for an unforgettable trip. George obviously loves his job and would plan each day to be more special than the previous one – quite an achievement!
Location. Location. Location. The golden rule of real estate is also the golden rule of safari. And ADS put us in the right location.
I am a professional cinematographer/photographer and a lover of Tanzania. With regards to wildlife, the two go hand in hand.
Like everyone leaving their comments here, I recently returned from the Serengeti. And again, it has left a huge impression. The fact that this was my 5th safari with Africa Dream Safaris alone speaks volumes… and writing an ordinary glowing “review” seems redundant. I’ve done that previously. So I’ve decided to include some pictures and address something that my friends often inquire about when I tell them about my trips to Africa… let’s call it “ What do I do next?”
We landed at the Kilimanjaro Airport and were met by African Dream Safari representatives and, from that moment on, they took care of every single detail. After spending two nights in Arusha we flew to the Grameti Airstrip in the Western Serengeti and met Bennett, our driver-guide, who immediately became our friend. He quickly honed in to what we really wanted to see and do over the next eight days. It became obvious that he had an uncanny ability to know where our favorite wildlife were and he took us there. Although we saw thousands of migrating wildebeest and zebras, most of the pictures which follow are of single, or just a few, of a given species. We were amazed at how close Bennett could get our vehicle to the animals and/or get the animals to come to us.
I am not a person who is easily impressed, but simply put, my 10 day solo ADS adventure in late April was the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken. I live in Colorado, which is an impressive place in its own right. I’ve traveled to Europe, 47 states and Canada and I’ve seen some terrific sights in my life, but this trip was amazing from the time I stepped off the plane until the time I got back on it.
We recently returned from our Africa Dream Safari vacation and from our first contact with Michael to start the planning process, to the moment we hugged our wonderful driver guide Bennett goodbye at the Kilimanjaro airport, the whole experience was nothing short of AMAZING!
For anyone wondering whether or not the last part of the rainy season is a good time to visit the Serengeti, we can testify that for 2017 it was a great time to go. During our 10 day safari, we saw just a few rain sprinkles and only a couple short-lived downpours. The rain was a non issue for us. It kept down the dust, and everything was green and beautiful.
Like all the other reviews you’ve read about ADS and their Serengeti Safaris, our trip was fabulous! Dawn at ADS tended to all the details and it ran like clockwork – top drawer the whole way. We can’t imagine you could do any better.
We have just recently returned from our safari to Tanzania which was arranged by African Dream Safaris. After researching many private safari operators we selected ADS and this was the best travel decision we have ever made. From the time our plane landed in Kilimanjaro until our departure eleven days later everything was handled in a professional, friendly manner by competent ADS personnel.
We came home some weeks ago from the most amazing trip we have ever made. Elizabeth and I went to The Serengeti in Tanzania, and had a wonderful safari. We can only describe it as awesome, amazing, unforgettable! It was certainly the trip of our life!
The entire trip was meticulously planned and handled by Africa Dream Safaris team. Dawn in the US and the staff in Tanzania managed our trip with utmost knowledge as well as friendliness. I was surprised to see that a trip as complex as this was, had not one unexpected surprise or something out of schedule. Every single thing was carefully orchestrated even in our end of the things.
We were so well prepared with all their suggestions! Specially the day bag and the photography! I would recommend ADS change the name of their little handbook to: “Everything you need to know about A PERFECT SAFARI.”
From the moment we landed on the Grumeti airstrip we saw small groups of wildebeest and zebras as well as giraffes. Our guide was waiting for us and our vehicle was ready with cushions on the seats, binoculars for each one of us and cold bottles of water and sodas as well as snacks. Immediately after loading our bags, we went game driving and not even a mile from the strip we ran into the first of many prides of lions we would see throughout the safari.
I have to mention our guide David. His knowledge on tracking, allowed us sightings of animals as elusive as the leopard, and also a tree where 7 lions had climbed in search of cooler breeze. He has an eagle eye spotting far away animals. Also his experience in photography allowed us to get some very good pictures, and he would position the vehicle so we could get better lighting and view of our subjects.
The camps were fantastic. Much more than we had expected. Tents, facilities, food and the attentiveness of the staff was unbelievable. Every time we came back after a game drive they were waiting for us with warm wet towels to wipe our faces and cups of cold juice! We have traveled a lot and the courtesy and service in these camps is comparable or better than a five-star hotel.
I want to mention specially the staff of the Seronera Sametu camp. JJ was always making sure we had the best experience possible and in our first night during the campfire we admired the most beautiful sky, the stars were countless and so bright. We could see the Milky way and so many other constellations. And we watched the most fabulous red full moon rising in the horizon. It was a splendid view.
Getting up early was also a magic experience. Watching the moon and the rising sun in opposite sides of the sky, finding the lions that had just made a kill moving slowly to rest by the edge of the road and the energetic cubs playing around with each other was also fantastic.
In those early hours we witnessed several hyenas moving their cubs to another den. And in another early morning we were elated when our guide followed a group of lions hunting zebras, and yet another early day we watched a family of hyenas hunting and devouring in a fast minute a young wildebeest.
We had so many wonderful sightings, elephants, 2 rhinos some 70 lions and countless numbers of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, cape buffalo, Topi, Impala, Hart beast, Grant gazelle, Thompson gazelle, dik dik, hyrax, hippos, baboons and crocodiles among others.
There were many elephants moving lazily thru the savanna and some young elephants were playing in the mud. We were surprised by an adolescent male who got behind the vehicle and trumpeting stomped on the ground and moved his ears as giant fans trying to impress us with his mock fierceness, and I have to confess he did!!
We saw many large groups of wildebeest and zebra following their migration instincts and the rain. They would stop for a short break and then resume their journey north. It was amazing to see so many of them in every corner of the Serengeti, all going in the same direction.
In our way to the Ngorongoro Crater we stopped at a Masai village and had a unique experience visiting their villa. They were very friendly and welcomed us with a dance and Elizabeth had a blast dancing with them. We learned some of their customs and showed us the interior of a hut and we visited the school for the youngest children.
The Ngorongoro crater view from the rim was spectacular. We got to see herds of buffalo, zebras and wildebeest. We couldn’t wait to get down there to explore. As we drove down the winding road we came to a fresh water lake surrounded by green reeds. Some hippos were there, floating in the water. We reached the end of the lake and were allowed to exit the vehicle to stretch our legs and use the facilities that are there.
The next part of our safari took us right across the dry center of the crater where we found herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra, along with lots of birds and some hyena. In the distance behind the wildebeest we could see the shimmering surface of Lake Magadi filled with lines of pink. As we got closer we could see that those pink lines were hundreds of flamingos. It was a beautiful sight. As we got closer to the lake we could see a lion relaxing by the shore.
As we were watching a herd of buffalo in the distance we could hear our guide in the front seat getting excited. He spotted a Black Rhino in the distance. We couldn’t see it at first and had to look through our binoculars. It was mixed with some buffalo. We saw our first rhino, and our guide mentioned we had just seen the Big 5. We couldn’t take our eyes off of the huge, majestic, massive figure walking along the other side of the road, slowly coming closer into view. As the buffalo left, the rhino started moving slowly towards our vehicle and he crossed the road right in front of us. We were ecstatic!
That night we stayed on Lion’s Paw camp located inside the Ngorongoro Crater park gate. Next morning, we left after breakfast and we were the first vehicle in the Crater at dawn. We had almost immediate access to the wild animals that live on the Crater floor below. The rim of the Crater was completely immersed in fog that day. Quite beautiful sight.
We were so lucky in our second drive in the Crater, that we saw another rhino. This one was further away but we took some good pictures. We noticed the animals were far fewer as compared to the Serengeti plains, but they are not as skittish which is good to see them close up.
As we drove up the dirt road leading out of Ngorongoro Crater and took the road to Arusha, we looked back at what we had experienced for the last 10 days. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro are special and unique. I’m pleased to see them so well taken care of and protected. These two places in Tanzania are very effectively guarded against poaching, making these animals some of the safest in Africa. We hope that this great conservation effort continues forever, because these amazing places need to be protected for future generations.
We will be back and of course we will do it with Africa Dream Safaris!
Asante sana.
Martha D. and Elizabeth H.
Montclair, California
Safari Dates: May 18, 2016 to May 29, 2016
We especially wanted to thank you for being so perfect with all the arrangements. No slip ups or problems. We also want to thank you for our wonderful safari guide Emmanuel. He was so smart and so willing to share all of his encyclopedic knowledge of history, geology, and all aspects of biology. He had an amazing eye for creatures that were barely visible until we were right on top of them. Only glowing things to say about Emmanuel.
We loved the Land Cruiser too. I have a 1985 Land Cruiser here in San Diego that I still drive, so the new updated and stretched Land Cruiser was perfect. In every way we felt at home (and of course we were – we came from east Africa the same as all hominids back when).
We were there from May 11 to May 22. I was a little bit worried that it might be repetitious, but was I wrong. Every day was better than the previous one. We are looking forward to coming back, maybe during the rainy season when the babies are being born. The baby mammals were our overall favorite, esp the cheetah cubs, giraffe babies and elephant babies. All of the accommodations were excellent, but we particularly liked the Lake Masek Tented Lodge and the Ngorongoro Manor Lodge.
We knew it was going to be wonderful when we landed at the Grumeti Airstrip and the giraffes were running to get off the landing strip as the plane came down. Then seeing the crocs basking in the river with the hippos. When we got to Seronera Valley there were hundreds of thousands of wildebeests surrounding us.
Other highlights were the leopard carrying a wildebeest up a tree, all the birds, the lions and cheetahs feeding their cubs, the Masai herding, the Oldupai Gorge (there was a picture of Hillary and Chelsea visiting there in the 90s), the very lovely people also traveling with ADS, and the crazy road out of Ngorogoro crater.
I have attached a few favorite pictures out of the 2,000 or so that we ended up taking.
Alan A. and Karen G.
San Diego, Calfornia
Safari Dates: May 11, 2016 to May 22, 2016
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