2011 was yet another remarkable year for Proud African Safaris. Safari sales sky-rocketed, we increased our number of expert guides on the ground in Tanzania, and we established various new partnerships in order to strengthen and expand our service offerings. Most notably, we now offer our clients the opportunity to participate in the highest quality climbs available to “The Roof of Africa”; Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The successful growth of business has not been our doing alone. In fact, many of our accomplishments this year must be credited to our clients due to their immeasurable and continued support. We would like to recognize our biggest achievement in 2011 as establishing meaningful and lasting relationships with our clients. We realize that being a smaller, independently-owned company has its benefits. Particularly because it enables us to engage with people on a highly personal level; throughout the planning process, while on safari, and after the adventure. It has been, and will remain to be, our goal to be the best in our industry by providing the highest quality service possible to our guests. We intend to accomplish this by truly understanding their needs and interests and by treating every individual the same as we would close friends and family. In return, our new friends have created the “backbone to our business” by sharing their incredible experiences with others. For this we thank you!
We would like to share a few cherished remarks from guests that travelled with us this past year:
“Another of my favorite times was when we were visiting the Hadzabi tribe. They had taken us on a hunt in the early morning and we were to go with them again after breakfast. Truthfully, they had worn me out on the first hunt, so I asked Adam if I could just stay behind on the second. He opted to stay with me and we had a great conversation. Adam is a very unique individual, a very simple man, but also a very complex man, extremely professional, yet very personable. We talked of everything from our families, raising children, our countries, our governments, environmental issues, and world politics. It was honestly a few of my most treasured hours spent there.” -Steve Mong, November 2011
“Adam, I’m not sure if I can “thank you” enough for the wonderful time you showed me. Each day you expressed your dedication and love for your country, Maasai heritage, family and the wildlife. This was my first trip with PAS, but it will not be my last.” -Rita Jagoditz, September 2011
“We saw other safari groups and I am sure they had wonderful experiences as well, but the knowledge and professionalism of PAS cannot be surpassed. We looked into booking with other companies… all I can say is that when we return we will not consider booking with any service other than PAS. Adam is an Owner/Operator, not a hired driver. His knowledge of the culture and ecosystem must be one of the best if not the best on the continent, certainly in the region. The respect that he has earned was immediately apparent everywhere we went. He is humble and will not boast but it was readily apparent after getting to know him that we were with someone that has truly distinguished himself and is in demand as a guide. We have relatives going this December and have insisted they book any safari time with PAS, they are hands down that good. Even after our trip our friendships continue with Nandi, Zubeda and Adam. This trip has touched our lives and especially the lifetime friendships that were made with PAS.” -Lorraine & Mark Shipman, May 2011
“You provide a unique approach and are all so caring about your clients that you should take off quickly and be on top soon. I know there is a lot of competition there (I heard 22 safari outfits out of Arusha), but ya’ll’s approach should boost your company. As companies grow, they often lose track of their reason for success – their clients. The little things mean a lot – the mattress change at Ngorongoro Lodge; the provided pillow for me to sit on; the little gifts from Zubeda; the caring attitude and the unhesitancy to go above and beyond to assist (my lost bag), all are important to the experience each client takes away.…I thank you all for what you did, and more importantly, how you did it. I was confident I made the right choice with Proud African and was not disappointed.” -Dr. Joseph Ward, January 2011
We are also including below some of our favorite client photos from our most memorable safari sightings in 2011. We hope you’ll enjoy viewing these and let’s look forward to another successful year by building more lasting friendships and by simply having a heck-of-a-good-time on our safari adventures in 2012!
Regards,
Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team
Please note the following credits specific to the gallery of images above:
Wild Dogs, Ngorongoro Conservation Area.Photo taken by Dr. Russ DeFusco, January 2011
Leucistic Baboon, Arusha National Park. Photo taken by Dr. Russ DeFusco, January 2011
Lioness sisters & their cubs, Ndutu Woodlands. Taken by Nandi O’Dell, February 2011
Endangered Black Rhinos. Ngorongoro Crater. Photo taken by Bill Carr, April 2011
Young cheetahs training to hunt. Photo taken by Bill Carr, April 2011
Tanzanian children. Photo taken by Mark & Lorrain Shipman, May 2011
Zebra. Photo taken by Lorraine & Mark Shipman, May 2011
Young leopard. Photo taken by Steve Saxe, June 2011
The Great Migration at the Mara River, Tanzania-side. Photo taken by Desire & Brian Shorey, August 2011
Hyena stand-off. Photo taken by Desire & Brian Shorey, August 2011
Hippo pool. Photo taken by Rita Jagoditz, September 2011
Eagle hunting Bat-eared Fox. Photo taken by Adam with Dave Erickson & Jay Howland, October 2011
Friendly Maasai. Photo taken by Racquel & Steve Mong, November 2011
Young leopard. Photo taken by Racquel & Steve Mong, November 2011
Mature male lion. Photo taken by Racquel & Steve Mong, November 2011
Elephant herd, Ndutu Woodlands. Photo taken by Katy Gill & Heather Scarlett, December 2011
Baboon Troop, Ngorongoro Crater. Photo taken by Katy Gill & Heather Scarlett, December 2011