EXPERT TRIP LEADERSHIP, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
A Vantage Adventure Leader will accompany your group from start to finish of your Kenya and Tanzania safari journey — leading sightseeing tours, sharing insights, and connecting you to the wonders of your destination. You can count on your Adventure Leader to smooth the way, take care of the details, and turn your Kenya and Tanzania safari journey into a truly memorable experience. If you have chosen to add the optional Sweetwaters Tented Camp extension, you will also enjoy the services of a regional expert, who can help you plan your exploration.
Your Adventure Leaders
David Mwadime Kalama
David is the consummate safari guide. He lives just outside Tsavo National Park, has more than 13 years of experience as a ranger, tour director, and bush transport manager, and is an avid birder and photographer. But David brings much more to the table. “All guests traveling with me through Kenya and Tanzania will obviously enjoy the game drives, but the things they take with them are the moments shared talking about all things under the sun. A day will not pass without a small lecture on topics from education, economics, politics, and how modernity is affecting people across the destination.” David is a youth counselor through his church, and is very involved in conservation efforts and community service. What else does this self-described ‘jack of all trades’ do? “I teach Swahili songs that guests sing along to make the long drives easy.”
George Killas
Though his father encouraged a career in engineering, young George was fascinated by the wildlife he viewed on patrols with his uncle, a warden at Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. Now a guide, George loves interacting with travelers, learning their culture and forming new ideas, and showing them wildlife in return. Once, on a particularly memorable outing, a cheetah jumped onto the hood of George’s vehicle. Another time, a warthog dashed into a guest’s tent to avoid a lion chase. In his free time, George enjoys farming, and grows a variety of vegetables.
YOUR SAFARI DRIVER-GUIDES
During the safari portion of your trip, you will enjoy the services of Vantage’s experienced, English-speaking driver-guides as your group breaks into smaller parties for our game drives. Naturally, they are excellent drivers who safely navigate our vehicles across all types of terrain. But, they are also eagle-eyed game spotters who know just where to go to track the animals. You may be surprised when your driver-guide points out a speck on the horizon that turns out to be a cheetah, or when he explains the age and life history of a zebra simply by reading the pattern of his stripes. They’re that good! Aside from their deep knowledge of local flora and fauna, they’re great fun to be with. Getting to know them personally will enrich your understanding of African life.
COMPLIMENTARY WORLDWIDE CONCIERGE SERVICE
If you have a special request or personal interest you’d like to pursue during your journey, your Vantage Concierge is here to help. This complimentary service is available to all travelers — no matter what cabin category or flight class you’ve reserved!
Whether you want to plan an anniversary party, secure restaurant reservations, or organize a private experience for your group, our Concierge service can make your travel dreams come true. Concierge service is available before your journey. Simply log in to MyPortfolio, submit a pre-trip request to Concierge@vantagetravel.com, or call 1-888-982-6824 and you'll have your answer from our Concierge within two business days.
During your journey, a Vantage Destination Manager doubles as your on-tour Concierge and can assist with any personal requests you may have.
REGIONAL EXPERTS ENRICH YOUR DISCOVERIES
No one knows a destination better than an insider. If you add the optional extension to your journey, you’ll enjoy the services of experienced, English-speaking regional experts. Their deep command of regional history will certainly enrich your viewing of important attractions. But our ‘insiders’ go a step beyond, sharing insights on behind-the-scenes aspects of local culture that ordinary tours usually overlook. How do families in this area get by? What are some of the local legends? What do the decorations on a particular house mean? Your regional expert is eager to bring it all alive for you.
