Tanzania safari

When we decided to see the wildebeest migration in Tanzania, we researched different companies online and in ITN and decided on Africa Dream Safaris (4825 Torrance Blvd., Ste. l4, Torrance, CA 90503; phone 877/572-3274 or visit www.africadreamsafaris.com).

Wildebeest in the Serengeti. Photos: Klein

Michael Wishner arranged our entire trip, which went off like clockwork. He was easy to talk to and would add or delete things on the itinerary that we wished. He also advised us as to timing the migration, which can be different each year depending on the weather. We went June 15-July 1, ’05.

The land cost, for 14 days, was $3,365 per person, with international air about $1,600 extra.

Serengeti resident.

Our guide/driver throughout the trip was Christopher, who really knew how to find the animals we were looking for. He was an absolute joy to spend two weeks with. Our vehicle was a stretched 4WD Land Cruiser.

There were six of us (all good friends) on this photographer’s-dream holiday. Our cameras clicked constantly, as each animal was more exciting than the previous one. Having been on safari two years before in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, I must say that the quantity of animals and our close proximity to them was much greater in Tanzania.

Cheetah — Serengeti.

Our main purpose for the trip was to see the annual wildebeest migration. To our surprise, there were just as many zebras migrating, which added to the spectacle.

We spent most of our time in northwest and central Serengeti National Park and in the Ngorongoro Crater, which are “must sees.” We also interacted with the Maasai on walking tours of their villages and were able to visit a school — a great experience. In addition, we visited Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park.

From our camp at Olduvai Gorge, we walked to a Maasai village.

Some of the lodges we stayed at were great. We highly recommend Migration Tented Lodge in the northern Serengeti, Kirawira Tented Lodge in the western Serengeti and, for Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

If you go, make sure you take plenty of film and videotape. We went through 28 rolls of film and four hours of videotape.

SIMON & ARLENE KLEIN

Sugarloaf Key, FL