Tailor-Made Journeys Through East Africa's Most Iconic Landscapes

Fellow Traveler,

Imagine endless savannas teeming with millions of wildebeest, towering boulders sprawling with tawny lions, and collapsed volcanoes brimming in mist. Imagine a place completely unaware of civilization where wildlife still reigns supreme. It is hard to believe a place like this still exists, but it does. It is called Tanzania. The first time I experienced this wilderness, it captured my soul. I felt compelled to share this experience with others. This calling, this passion, this dream – was the start of Africa Dream Safaris.


As other safari tour companies organized bustling caravans of minivans, packed with tourists, I saw them missing the true African wilderness experience. An alternative became apparent to me: The Private Safari. Group safaris and packaged tours meant unpleasant congestion, generic itineraries, and bickering clients with competing agendas. The value of a Private Safari became as obvious to me as a million thundering wildebeest. Wildlife-focused itineraries, personalized service, and off-the-beaten-path adventures quickly became hallmarks of Africa Dream Safaris.


Driven by passion, Africa Dream Safaris has grown. We now engage over 100 individuals, most local Tanzanians, including over twenty of the finest driver-guides in all of East Africa. From our personal safari planners in the U.S. to our gracious meet-and-greet staff in Tanzania, the entire ADS team aims to exceed our guests' expectations. From the moment you sign up with us, you will become one of our family. We've all fallen in love with Tanzania, and we know you will too. We can't wait to take you there!

Michael Wishner


Co-Founder / Africa Dream Safaris

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We Create Unique Experiences Just For You.
 Why We’re Different:

Private Vehicles

Your Vehicle. Your Schedule. Your Safari.

Your experience should never be compromised by a stranger’s itinerary. With Africa Dream Safaris, you enjoy the exclusive use of a private vehicle, ensuring no mixed groups and no competing for the perfect view. Whether you want to spend an hour silently observing a pride of lions or move quickly to find the Great Migration, the choice is yours. This is your private sanctuary in the bush, offering maximum flexibility, superior comfort, and a guaranteed “window seat” to the wild.

Watch our ‘Best Safari Vehicle’ Video > 

Tanzania Specialists

Insider’s Perspective: Depth Over Breadth

We have made a deliberate choice to focus exclusively on Tanzania. While “generalist” travel companies offer standard tours across the continent, we have spent decades mastering the nuances of a single country. This specialization makes us true experts in Tanzania’s specific wildlife patterns, regional secret spots, and seasonal transitions. By focusing our entire operation here, we provide an depth of knowledge and a level of curation that generalists simply cannot match. When you travel with us, you aren’t just visiting Tanzania—you are experiencing it through the eyes of those who know it best.

Adventure Game Drives

Escape the Safari Circuit

We don’t “shuffle” our guests through crowded viewpoints. While many operators follow the same well-worn paths, our adventure game drives are designed to leave the convoys behind. Because we understand the geography of the Serengeti better than anyone, we have the expertise to navigate the isolated regions where “tourist traffic” doesn’t exist. The result? A private, high-impact viewing experience where the only witnesses to the wildlife are you and the vast African horizon.

Sunrise Safaris

The Golden Hour

The bush comes alive at dawn. To ensure you witness the Serengeti at its most active, we set out before the first light to catch predators on the move and herbivores in their most vibrant states. While standard “package tours” are confined to a dining hall for a buffet breakfast, you will be deep in the wilderness, enjoying a private picnic breakfast in the pristine morning air. There is no experience quite like watching the sunrise over the savannah, coffee in hand, with the sounds of the wild as your only soundtrack.

Signature "Fly In - Drive Out Itineraries"

Maximize the Magic: The Fly-In Advantage

The ultimate way to begin your journey is to bypass the long, dusty vehicle transfers and soar directly into the heart of the action. On your very first day, we whisk you into the majestic Serengeti via a scenic flight, landing you amidst the world’s most spectacular wildlife concentrations. Why spend your first hours on a highway when you could be witnessing the thundering herds firsthand before the sun sets on day one?

Unlimited Game Drives

Truly Unlimited: Your Safari, Your Rhythm

We believe that the best wildlife encounters don’t happen on a schedule or within a set radius. While many operators impose strict mileage restrictions and rigid time limits that keep you tethered to the lodge, Africa Dream Safaris offers truly unlimited game drives. With no mileage caps, you have the freedom to venture deeper into secluded, wildlife-abundant areas that others simply cannot reach. Whether a rare sighting takes us ten miles or fifty, your journey is dictated by the movement of the animals, not the constraints of a fuel tank.

Flexible Travel

The Luxury of Flexibility: Your Agenda, Your Pace

Your time in the Serengeti is far too precious to be dictated by a rigid, pre-set schedule. At Africa Dream Safaris, we replace the “fixed timetable” of standard tours with the luxury of choice. While other companies require you to adhere to strict departure and return times, we empower you to set your own agenda. Whether you want to linger for an extra hour at a river crossing or return early to enjoy a sundowner from your tent, your day is shaped by your whims—not a group’s itinerary. We provide the expertise and the framework; you provide the inspiration.

 

VIP Visa Service

Skip the Queue: The ADS VIP Welcome

The journey to East Africa is a significant one, and we believe your adventure should begin with ease, not a queue. To ensure your entry into Tanzania is as smooth as possible, we offer an exclusive VIP Visa service. While other travelers face long lines and administrative delays, our guests enjoy a streamlined, fast-track process. From the moment you touch down, our priority is to get you through the airport and into the comfort of your private transfer, making your arrival efficient, effortless, and entirely stress-free.

Watch our VIP Experience Video ›

Variety of Activities

Beyond the Vehicle: A World of Discovery

A safari is more than just a drive; it is a multi-sensory immersion into the heart of Africa. To complement your journey, we offer a curated selection of unique optional activities designed to deepen your connection to the land and its people. Whether you wish to soar above the plains on an iconic balloon safari, engage in intellectual field talks with local experts, or experience the thrill of an intimate walking safari, we help you tailor your adventure. From secluded bush picnics to authentic cultural encounters and breathtaking scenic flights, you have the freedom to craft a truly multifaceted Tanzanian story.

Watch our Cultural Tours & Excursions Video ›

Personalized Experience

Total Autonomy: You Command the Journey

With Africa Dream Safaris, you aren’t just a passenger; you are the architect of your day. We believe the perfect encounter cannot be rushed, which is why we put you in complete control. You decide when to set out, which wildlife to track, and exactly how long to stay at a sighting. Whether you wish to spend a full morning observing a single lion pride or move swiftly across the plains in search of the rare and elusive, the choice is entirely yours. Your private guide is there to provide the expertise, but you hold the compass.

Watch our Why Our Safaris are Different Video ›

Professional Driver Guides

More Than a Guide: Your Private Expert

A great safari is defined by the person behind the wheel. At Africa Dream Safaris, your guide is more than a driver; they are an expert naturalist, a master tracker, and your personal storyteller. Because your safari is private, you receive the unwavering, focused attention of a professional dedicated solely to your interests. With a deep well of regional knowledge and the intuitive skill to anticipate wildlife movements, our guides are the primary reason we are able to consistently deliver the trip of a lifetime.

Watch our Professional Driver Guides Video ›

Safety

Seamless Support: Your Peace of Mind

Your safety, comfort, and peace of mind are the cornerstones of every Africa Dream Safaris journey. We provide a dual-continent support system, with fully staffed offices in both the United States and Tanzania overseeing every segment of your trip. From the moment you touch down until your final departure, your safari is 100% escorted and chauffeured by our professional team. This seamless, “door-to-door” care ensures that you are never left to navigate logistics alone, allowing you to focus entirely on the wonder of the wild.

Credibility

Vetted Excellence: Our Professional Credentials

Trust is the foundation of every great journey. Africa Dream Safaris is proud to be a fully accredited and bonded operator in both the United States and Tanzania. We hold a Class ‘A’ Tourism License, the highest designation for conducting safaris in Tanzania, and maintain active memberships with the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB). Furthermore, our commitment to ethical business practices is reflected in our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau’s Reliability Program—a testament to our decades of unwavering service and client satisfaction.

Welcome Package

The Adventure Begins at Your Doorstep

Your journey with Africa Dream Safaris starts long before you board your flight. Once your booking is confirmed, we mail a meticulously curated Welcome Package directly to your residence. This signature kit is designed to immerse you in the spirit of the Serengeti and ensure you are 100% prepared for the path ahead.

Inside, you’ll find your detailed day-by-day itinerary, high-quality maps of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro ecosystems, and branded ADS safari gear, including our signature hats and shirts. Most importantly, you will receive our 100-page Comprehensive Handbook—an encyclopedic guide covering everything from packing lists and health recommendations to wildlife checklists and expert photography tips. We leave nothing to chance, providing you with every tool you need for a seamless and inspired adventure.

Binoculars

A Clearer Perspective: Personal High-Quality Optics

In the bush, the most dramatic moments often happen in a heartbeat. To ensure you never miss a second of the action, Africa Dream Safaris provides a pair of high-quality binoculars for every individual guest throughout the duration of your safari. While other companies often require passengers to share a single pair, we believe that “sharing” leads to missed opportunities. With your own dedicated optics, you have the freedom to stay locked on the action, from the subtle twitch of a lion’s tail to the vibrant plumage of a distant lilac-breasted roller.

The Ultimate Safari Destination

Tanzania: Nature’s Greatest Stage

There is no place on Earth that can compete with the sheer density and diversity of Tanzania’s wildlife. As the biological epicenter of Africa, Tanzania boasts unparalleled concentrations of animals and is the proud home of the Great Migration—the largest overland wildlife movement on the planet. With more national parks than any other African nation, including two of the most renowned wilderness sanctuaries in the world, Tanzania offers a scale of natural beauty that remains unrivaled. Beyond the wild, it is a land of peace and stability, where a culture of gracious hospitality ensures your journey is as safe and welcoming as it is awe-inspiring.

Unsurpassed Service

A Legacy of Care: Service Without Compromise

At Africa Dream Safaris, “service” is more than a department—it is our primary mission. We are tirelessly committed to providing an unsurpassed level of care that begins the moment you first contact us and continues long after you return home. Our passion for Tanzania, our commitment to your vision, and our decades of logistical expertise are the hallmarks that set us apart. We don’t just plan trips; we take personal stewardship of your lifelong dream, ensuring that every detail is handled with the precision and heart it deserves.

Private Safari Advantage

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The Freedom of Private Exploration

Whether your heart is set on tracking the elusive leopard, witnessing the thundering Wildebeest Migration, or photographing a black rhino in the morning mist, your priorities are our command. On a standard group safari, conflicting interests often lead to compromise. With Africa Dream Safaris, your journey is 100% private. This means you have the total freedom to linger at a lion sighting or head out at dawn for the perfect photograph—the schedule is dictated only by your curiosity.

Meet Our Safari Experts

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Sharon Lyon

Experience

40+ Years

Trips:

60 Safari Trips

Favorite Animal:

Lion

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Dawn Anderson

Experience

20+ Years

Trips:

20 Safari Trips

Favorite Animal:

Cheetah

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Ann Eilert

Experience

5+ Years

Trips:

13 Safari Trips

Favorite Animal:

Leopard

Sharon Lyon

Sharon brings over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her first journey to Africa was in 1996, fulfilling what she believed would be a “once-in-a-lifetime” dream—one that quickly became a lifelong passion for Tanzania’s wildlife and the captivating beauty, peace, and inspiration she found on the Serengeti Plains.

Since that first visit, she has returned to Africa several times each year—now well over 60 trips—often spending up to 60 days at a time in the Serengeti alone. These journeys have included extensive research safaris, humanitarian missions, and leading special interest groups. She has also traveled multiple times with the United Nations to refugee and internally displaced persons camps, serving as a peace advocate for the less fortunate.

In addition to Tanzania, her safari and mission work has taken her to Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland, Malawi, the Cape Verde Islands, Gore Island, South Africa, The Gambia, Senegal, Botswana, Victoria Falls, and Zambia. She has been a valued member of the Africa Dream Safaris team since 2006.

Dawn Anderson

Dawn Anderson has been a valued member of the ADS team since 2007. She graduated at the top of her class with an engineering degree from Kansas State University and was quickly climbing the corporate ladder—until her first trip to Tanzania changed everything. Deeply inspired by the vast wilderness of the Serengeti, she left the corporate world behind to pursue her true passion for Tanzania.

Since then, Dawn has returned on more than twenty safaris, including several intensive research expeditions, and has worked closely with the world-renowned Serengeti Lion Project. She is also a published author, having written multiple technical essays on the ecosystems of the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. In addition, she has taught classes on East Africa at JCCC College.

Her favorite animal is the cheetah—so if you want to hear her voice light up and maybe even see some of her favorite safari photos, just mention an interest in this graceful big cat.

Ann Eilert

From an early age, Ann felt a strong desire to travel big. A few years after graduating from KSU with a degree in Education/Science, she took a true “leap of faith” and accepted an overseas teaching position—an experience that proved transformational, allowing her to live abroad for years and see the world.

It wasn’t until the mid-1990s, however, when she joined a friend on an African safari, that Ann discovered her life’s truest passion. From that first safari more than 30 years ago—when Africa quite literally stole her heart—she found herself returning often, traveling alongside others who shared the same love for the continent.

In 2007, while planning a safari with ADS, Ann was introduced to the private safari concept and was immediately won over by the unparalleled wildlife experience it offers. Today, she would say her favorite animal is, hands down, the elusive leopard—though she’s also well known for getting especially excited about any and all “Serengeti babies.”

When asked about the best part of her work, her answer is always the same: the honor and privilege of helping others experience the same awe and wonder she felt on her very first safari.