AAC Privately Guided Family and Solo Traveler trips with our Tanzania Guides (Jul and Aug 2015)
AAC Privately Guided Family and Solo Traveler trips with our Tanzania Guides (Jul and Aug 2015)
The Shumway Family Safari with Emmanuel Mkenda
Our safari was, for the most part, wonderful and a grand reunion in a magic land for us all. The children and spouses who had not been there before were thrilled and “can’t wait to go again”!! Awesome, was the word I heard frequently. Our guides were knowledgeable and informative as well as pleasant to be with – especially Mkenda and Daniel. I am glad we chose to have 4 vehicles – it would have been crowded otherwise. We were met and greeted everywhere on time and everyone stayed happy and well, so I feel very lucky to have had such a wonderful 2 weeks with nearly our entire family.
Susan Shumway, Family of 19 people, Jul-Aug 2015
The Shumway Family in Tanzania
The Pearson’s Safari Expertly Guided by Hillary Mandia:
Day 1.July 23rd 2015 Arusha.
I met the clients at Kilimanjaro airport and after introduction and short briefing we drove to Lake Duluti Serena lodge for overnight.
Day 2.July 24th 2015. Tarangire.
The clients enjoyed their breakfast early followed by a full safari briefing. I answered all the questions pertaining to the itinerary, and then we were ready for safari. First stop was Tarangire National park. We were scheduled to stay at Maramboi Tented Camp and we arrived in for lunch.
Soon after lunch we drove to the park for evening game viewing. The clients were good photographer but not professional. Being the first time to visit Tanzania, the clients were puzzled by the number of animals in this park especially elephants and many other ungulates. After a few hours in the park we were luck to spot two lions, big herds of elephants, impalas, waterbuck, giraffes different bird species and many more without forgetting the beautiful scenery of this area. The time forced us to rush to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 3.July 25th 2015. Tarangire.
Today we enjoyed a full day of game viewing in the park. Soon we checked in the park, we took our own trail along the Tarangire River where our successful day began. Seven different species of animals include zebra, wildebeest, baboons, warthogs, impalas, hartebeests and giraffe drinking in the same water pond was the highlight. This followed by spotting our own leopard posing in an acacia tree. Though the leopard did not stay long enough, the pictures taken remain the best and top highlight of the entire trip. The day gave us the flexibility to drive further to explore this extensive park which did not only impress the client with its number of animals but also the giant baobab trees. We returned to the lodge allowing enough time for the clients to walk around the camp and enjoy the evening.
Day 4.July26th 2015. Lake Manyara.
After breakfast we started our day by visiting Lake Manyara Park for game viewing. This park offered an excellent experience due to its beauty especially its landscape and vegetation type. The flamingoes in the salty lake and hippos that come out to graze out earlier than they would were the highlights of the day. We were also fortunate to see one lion lying along the river. Also we saw good number of elephants, baboons, impalas, zebra, monkeys, etc. Later we proceeded to Sopa Lodge for Dinner and overnight.
Day 5.July27th 2015. Ngorongoro Crater.
We left the lodge very early with parked lunch to the crater for a full day game drive. The clients had their breakfast served at the Lodge as early as 06:00 am. The clients spent their first hour watching a large pride of lion with 18 individuals finishing the wildebeest carcass which probably hunted the night earlier. It was a day of cold, heavy dust and strong wind. This weather made the day somehow difficult tom find black Rhino as it was client’s goal of the day. Beside the number of animals seen in this area, the clients were impressed with the scenery and landscape of the caldera. Just before we went for lunch one black rhino showed up but not close enough for good pictures. Other interesting sights include hyenas, jackals, buffalo, foxes, and many more. The size of a few bull elephant in the area was among the highlight of the day. It was very successful day.
Day 6,July 28th.2015 Serengeti.
This morning we checked out very early after breakfast. We took a packed lunch and drove heading to Serengeti. We had a stop at Oldupai Gorge where the clients appreciated the visit. The speech from one of the anthropologist at the gorge reminded one of the client’s about 50years ago when he was studying anthropology. It was a nice stop.
We continued driving heading towards the Serengeti. As we were heading to Kirawira (western Serengeti), we decided to spend some time exploring the endless plains of Serengeti from Seronera Valley to Barafu Kopjes. It was a very successful day as we were lucky to spot two cheetahs along the road and two leopards among other ungulates. The highlight of the day was seeing some of the Great Migration mostly wildebeests and Zebra scattered all over Musabi plains and towards the Western corridor. Overnight at Kirawira Camp.
Day 7&8. July29th&30th 2015.Serengeti.
These two days were spent in western part of the Serengeti. We were not sure how we would top off what we had seen in previous days. The big question was what special in this area would make difference as the safari climax had come the previous days. We started by visiting the hippo pools along the Grumeti River and found two big male hippos fighting (surrounded by numerous hippos sunning themselves out of the water). Highlights included seeing various prides of lion, including one sitting in the tree. Later we witnessed the single female lion stalk a zebra a few yard from the vehicle. Though the mission failed we really had a great experience. Our success continued when we saw two more prides of lion, one of them mating. The mating couple was the highlight of the area and probably in the entire trip. We ended up witnessing a pack of hyena and hundreds of Vultures sharing two wildebeests who died from unknown reason. The clients enjoyed the camp and the services in general.
Day 9,July 31st.2015.
This morning after breakfast the clients checked out and we headed to the airstrip. The plane came on time and everything went nicely without incidence.
It was nice trip with very friendly clients.
Prepared by Hillary
Tammy Hendrix’sSolo Safari with Hillary Mandia
Speaking of guides, I absolutely LOVED Hillary. He welcomed me with a warm hug on the first day and we were fast friends. He was an excellent guide, and because he had such a passion for wildlife, he enjoyed the safari as much as I did. I felt like I was on safari with a friend, not a guide. He was extremely knowledgeable, and we had many fun and interesting chats not only about wildlife and nature, but also about African culture and general life stuff. I was sad to leave him when I went to the Serengeti.
Tammy Hendrix, Sep 2015
The McNulty Party Safari adventure with Guides, Daniel and Jabshir
This family trip was spectacular. I had the unique opportunity to travel to such a beautiful region of the world, with some of the most beautiful & majestic animals, I’ve ever seen.
The people, the places, it was sensory overload. I keep looking over my photos, but they just don’t do Tanzania justice.
We were fortunate to have Jabshir & Daniel, as our guides. They were experienced & extremely knowledgeable. They took time to educate each of us, on the beauty of Tanzania & everything it has to offer. The animals in their natural habitat, the Crater, the Maasai village, the baobab & acacia Tree’s—-there were so many different sights, it hard to pick a favorite.
Jabshir & Daniel made sure that both of our jeeps had ample time to witness all the natural wonder’s that makes Tanzania unique. Both vehicles saw the “Big 5” of Africa’s great animal kingdom Daniel showed us over 50 different species of birds. The final day, after driving for quite some time, Daniel found the most BEAUTIFUL Cheetah—–she was stunning.
I feel so blessed to have traveled to Tanzania. I have seen the most incredible sights. I pray that one day, I’m fortunate enough to visit Tanzania again. It’s something that can’t be expressed in pictures —you have to see & witness it for yourself- first hand.
Warmest Regards,
Lynn McNulty-Coullias, Jul 2015
The Klein- Fazendeiro Family Expertly Guided by Daniel and Mkenda
Daniel and Mkenda were AWESOME guides. Their knowledge was extensive and their enthusiasm for what we were seeing and doing was as great as ours. They were so good with the kids and kept them interested in what was happening around them. They afforded them the opportunity to see things that one could only dream of experiencing. When we asked the kids what they will miss most about Tanzania, they said “Daniel & Mkenda” and we couldn’t agree more! No doubt it is because of them that we experienced the things we did.
Again, thank you for making this such a magical experience for our family. We could not have asked for anything more!
All the best,
The Fazendeiro’s, Aug 2015
Kevin, Debby, Daniel and Jessica
Finally getting caught up and wanted to get you some feedback. First of all I can’t thank you all enough. “Trip of a lifetime” doesn’t begin to describe it. We had 7 family members from 11 years old to 78 and we were all happy with everything. That’s quite an accomplishment, especially with our family! We always had someone to meet us and never felt unsure about what was next, where we were going, or supposed to be.
We loved the routing of the trip and all the properties and wished we could have stayed at each longer. The food, staff, settings, tents etc were all A+…
All of the guides and staff were amazing but I’d have to give a special nod to Jabshir and Moudy along with Nicholas (who was part of the staff at Treetops) and Richard at Kimondo who was outstanding with my nephews in making sure they were having fun, liked the food etc. There wasn’t a person anywhere we didn’t like but the previously mentioned were really, really exceptional.
A huge thank you to you all. We never would have been able to do this without your knowledge, expertise and guidance. This was by far our biggest and our best family vacation. Every single one of us has said we would love to go back.
Tami Thomsen, Jul 2015
The Walinsky’s Safari with Naturalist Guide, Ephata
We had a truly enjoyable and fun trip to Tanzania. What a remarkable country and very talented staff that Africa Adventure uses. Ephata was amazing with his knowledge and experiences in northern Tanzania. Ephata took very good care of us. We could not have asked for a better guide. We saw and learned so much about the animals, birds, plants, national parks and people of Tanzania. Africa Adventure’s stateside personnel and African contractors made it very easy and enjoyable for us to experience the wilds of Tanzania. Thank you.
The five of us really enjoyed our trip to Tanzania and we will be talking about it for a long, long time.
Thank you Africa Adventure!
Bobbie and Stan Walinsky, Aug 2015
The Hazen Party Explorer Safari in Tanzania with Masha (Daniel)
The trip exceeded my expectations. Our driver, Masha (Daniel) was tremendous. He was a big factor in the success of the trip.
For me, the Maasai village tour was the best part of the trip. This was both for general interest but also because of the work that I have done on a philanthropic basis in East Africa.
Best regards
Randy Hazen, Aug 2015
