Meet Our Safari Experts
Sharon's career includes over 40 years in the hospitality industry. Sharon's first time to Africa was in 1996, to fulfill a "once in a lifetime" dream. Sharon's dream turned into a life-long passion for Tanzania's wildlife, the captivating beauty, peace and inspiration she found on the Serengeti Plains. Sharon has returned to Africa several times each year since 1996, now well over 60 times spending up to 60 days on one trip just in the Serengeti. Her trips include extensive research safaris, humanitarian missions and leading special interest groups. She has traveled several times with the United Nations to Refugee Camps and Internally Displaced Camps as a peace advocate for the less fortunate. She has also been very active with safaris and mission trips to Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland, Malawi, Cape Verde Islands, Gore Island, South Africa, The Gambia, Senegal, Botswana, Victoria Falls and Zambia. Sharon has been a valued member of the ADS team since 2006.
Dawn Anderson has been a valued member of the ADS team since 2007. Dawn graduated at the top of her class with an Engineering degree from Kansas State University and was busy climbing ranks in the Corporate world, until she stepped foot in Tanzania for the first time. Inspired beyond measure by the vast wilderness of the Serengeti, Dawn promptly left all that behind to pursue her real passion for Tanzania. Dawn has since been back to Tanzania on over twenty (20) safaris including several intensive research safaris, and has worked closely with the world-renowned Serengeti Lion Project. Dawn is a published author, and has written several technical essays about the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire ecosystems. Dawn has also taught classes about East Africa at JCCC College. Dawn's favorite animal is the cheetah, so if you really want to hear her voice sparkle and maybe even see some of her favorite safari photos, just mention an interest for this graceful big cat.
Even from an early age, Ann always had an immense desire to get out and travel BIG, so a few years after graduating from KSU with a Degree in Education/Science, she decided to take a "leap of faith" and do just that! Applying for and accepting an overseas teaching position proved to be a truly transformational experience, affording her the incredible opportunity to travel abroad for years and to see the world. But it wasn't until the mid-90's, when Ann went on an African safari with a friend, that she knew she had stumbled upon her life's "truest" passion! Since that very first safari experience of over 30 years ago (when Africa literally stole her heart) she found herself returning to Africa often, traveling with others who shared the same passion. It was in 2007 when Ann was first introduced to the "private safari" concept while planning a safari with ADS, and was instantly won over by the unparalleled wildlife safari experience that it offered. Today she would say that her favorite animal is hands down the elusive leopard - but truth be told, she is also known to get "quite excited" about any and ALL "Serengeti babies!" What's the "best" part of her job, you might ask? She says, without a doubt, it's having the honor and privilege of helping others experience that same awe and wonder she felt on her very first safari!
