Tanzania was everything we hoped it would be – and more. With one of us extremely eager to go and the other more reluctant, the fact that we both enjoyed ourselves so much is a testament to the breadth and knowledge of our experience. From the meticulous attention to detail in the printed information we received before the trip to the prompt personal service each time we had questions, every concern of ours was addressed. This led us to be well-prepared for our safari. But once again, nothing prepared us for the reality of it. On the second morning, as we watched dawn break over the Serengeti, we arrived at a vast plain still green from recent rains. Herds of elephant, zebra, giraffes, impala and even buffalo, munched together peacefully on their morning meal. It was as if we had arrived back in time to the Garden of Eden, a singular privilege we will never forget.

Rhoda and Ken Leffler
May 2009

I don’t think there are enough correct words in the English language to aptly describe our trip. It was the most amazing, exciting, exhilarating vacation we’ve ever experienced. Correction, it was not a vacation, it was an adventure! Tanzania is a beautiful, beautiful country. And the Tanzanian people are wonderful. I am having a difficult time putting it down in words, but we were so overwhelmed by everything we saw and the places we stayed. On our way to the Mbalageti Lodge we saw a HUGE herd of wildebeest take off running through the tall grass. There must have been hundreds of thousands! The sound of them running through the tall grass was amazing. It took our breath away. We saw every animal we could think of and some we never knew existed. To see these animals in their own environment is something we will never forget.

Sam and Don Kaeser
May 2008

“It [our safari] was the best experience beyond the birth of our kids.”

Sandy Bagley
May 2008

As this was our third safari to Africa, and our second to northern Tanzania, our expectations were remarkably high and yet ADS [Africa Dream Safaris] managed to meet or exceed all of them. The structure of your safari itineraries, specifically geared to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities, is what initially attracted me to ADS. I must say the safari did not disappoint. The vast quantity of wildlife we encountered on this safari easily outnumbered the other two combined. From eating breakfast in the midst of the famous wildebeest migration to the 80+ lions we encountered on our trip, the safari was nonstop excitement. Yet as remarkable as all of those sightings were, I am not sure anything will ever top having a young cheetah jump on the hood of our safari vehicle. It was straight out of Big Cat Diaries, and as a lifelong cheetah lover, it was a truly magical experience. […] Please accept my sincere thanks for all of your team’s efforts in planning and executing a remarkable experience that my family will never forget.

Chris Scislowicz
May 2008

We have been back from our Safari nearly two weeks and have yet to come down from our emotional high. We have been trying to find the right words to describe the beauty that is the Serengeti – it is truly a unique place in this world, filled with magnificent animals and incomparable landscapes [… ] The experiences we encountered on our trip felt almost surreal at the time, but we now have so many incredible and vivid memories that will always remain dear to our hearts. However, it was not just the natural beauty of the environment which we’ll remember so fondly, but also the people we met along the way. The care and thoughtfulness of the ADS team had a huge influence on making our trip special. Never before have so many people made us feel so welcome. From the early planning stages to our welcome home, every detail was carefully planned to accommodate our best interests. It would seem that only family or friends could be so thoughtful, but each and every member of the ADS team treated us as such, and for that we sincerely thank you. Rest assured that we will go back again someday, but until then we will remain advocates for ADS and serve as ambassadors for the country of Tanzania! Thank you so much for making our experience so incredible!

Mason and Nandi O’Dell
May 2008

Pat and I found that our trip far exceed our expectations. Talking to other travelers, we found that African Dream Safaris has done an outstanding job in comparison to other companies. We felt very fortunate to have chosen the right company for our adventure. We were extremely please with the service and attention to detail which started with [our initial contact] and continued through our trip.

Simone and Pat Campbell
May 2008

Let me start by saying I am 57 years old and have never sent a letter of thanks for a paid vacation before. I have traveled for 57 years for both business and pleasure, Tahiti to Amsterdam, Alaska to the tip of Chile, Calif. to Maine, Asia Pacific to Central American, Cambodia to Singapore…..Never have we been treated as well and professionally as Africa Dream Safaris treated us. Nothing could have been better; they were always accommodating our needs and always there to deliver beyond our expectations. We could have booked higher priced tours but not anything that delivered as ours……Thanks for making our vacation a real “Africa Dream Safari.

Gary and Simone Campbell
May 2008

A gazelle birth and “first steps” picture, taken by Al and Jennifer Behr (ADS clients) on safari in the Southern Serengeti in March 2008.

As far as the actual trip and ADS is concerned, absolutely topnotch from the very first phone call [planning our safari] until the minute we were back at the airport in Kilimanjaro! Everything was as described and met or exceeded our expectations in every way. […] We saw all the big 5 several times over and in fact saw big cats everyday of our safari. Some of the many highlights being the cheetah and two cubs [our guide] found well off road in the short grass plains and the lion pride with 5 little one not more than 6 weeks old at the lake bed leaving Ndutu at sunrise. In both cases we were able to park within feet of these incredible animals and observe their behavior. All areas we went to were full of animals (and almost devoid of humans) and it was almost comical that on at least three separate days when we entered a new area and [our guide] stopped to talk to another passing driver/guide the response from them was that they hadn’t seen any cats all morning and within ten minutes [our guide] found us a Cheetah and cubs, a leopard with a fresh kill in a sausage tree, and a lion in a tree in Ngorongoro searching the grasslands for prey. These other drivers had literally driven right by these cats and the unfortunate passengers with these other tour companies missed out on some great animals as a result of their guides’ inexperience and/or lack of interest.

The trip was amazing in every sense… the experience life changing. For anyone reading this toying with the idea of going on a safari, don’t hesitate any longer, it is an adventure and experience not to be missed.

Karin and Clint Carter
May 2008

What can I say? Do you have all week???? […] There are no words that can aptly describe the scene as it unfolded. Even pictures cannot do justice. You have to be there to experience it to really understand – no picture can tell the tale. […] But I need to pause to speak about [our driver guide] – he truly made this such a special safari – and I will admit that we were all long in the face when we had to say goodbye to him – I admit a few tears also! He was amazing – nothing was too difficult – he offered before asked – he knew just what was needed – he never gave up the illusive hunt for the leopard […] Honestly his knowledge was vast but his character and kindness far outweighed anything we could ever have hoped for. He truly made our safari spectacular.

And oh did I forget the wildlife?????? […] To have seen over 70 lions – and our first sighting day we saw 27 – some only a couple feet away – to have seen baby cubs including one only a few weeks old – to have seen a pair of lions mating right there in front of us (we had to close Sammy’s eyes) Ha – to have seen the playfulness of a cheetah who put on a wonderful show for us only a few feet away – to be rewarded with spending 45 minutes with the illusive leopard and her cub right next to our vehicle – something I know was a very special gift which we will not take for granted! To see a kill right in front of our eyes with 3 lions climbing up on a buffalo to take it down and then to return the next day to see the pride taking turns finishing off the spoils! To have seen the migration – hundreds of thousands of animals many blocking our path – even [our guide] said that we were really blessed to have seen the amounts we saw right in our view. To have seen lions hiding in the grass waiting to pounce and the way the zebras all stared at the lions waiting to see their next move. And then the rare black rhino in the Crater – wow. I have not spoken about the thousands of zebras, hundreds of elephants some waddling in the muddy water, wildebeest, countless gazelle of all kinds, wart hogs, wildebeest, buffalo, baboons, monkeys – everything – WE SAW EVERYTHING! Including an encounter when in our tent – with a buffalo right outside breathing hard, eating and pacing – was a bit worrisome to say the least!!!!!

The lodges were all great – service exceptional – food great – Maasai escorts wonderful – in fact the Tanzanian people are really special – I can say this having visited Zambia right after – quite a marked difference in hospitality!

We will never forget this experience and adventure – and will always promote ADS as the way to go. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from us again in the future! Thank you thank you thank you!

Debbie Simpson
May 2008