snyderwf
Google
As we lifted off from the Lamai airstrip after four unforgettable days at Ubuntu, I glanced across the aisle and saw one of my closest friends quietly crying. It was her first visit to Africa, and the emotion of the experience had overwhelmed her. The game drives, the breathtaking landscapes, the comfort of the lodge—everything was world-class. But what truly touched us all was the people. The genuine warmth, kindness, and joy radiating from every member of the Ubuntu staff made our stay very special. ||This wasn’t a typical safari—for a very special reason. My (now) wife and I exchanged our wedding vows at Ubuntu, making it an experience beyond anything we could have imagined. The planning process, with the help of our close friend and the deeply committed staff, brought us all closer together. In Tanzania, weddings are a big celebration—sometimes lasting a week or more—so the team embraced our day with genuine enthusiasm. It’s hard to put the results into words, but it was something quite extraordinary.| |We exchanged our vows in the heart of the savanna, shaded by an acacia tree, with endless plains and mountains behind us—and, to our amazement, a herd of elephants decided to wander by. It was just the three of us and our guide, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. What followed was an unforgettable celebration hosted by the staff, full of laughter, tears, dancing, singing, and pure joy. ||Though many staff members left a strong impression, Pascal and Levi deserve special mention. As our camp managers, they were not only effective leaders, but also truly kind-hearted individuals. Their genuine warmth and radiant smiles were evident in every interaction—and it clearly set the tone for the rest of the team. Their consistent engagement and eagerness to make our exchange of vows special went well above anything we could have expected. ||Eligard, our guide, was a highlight of our trip. You spend a lot of time with your guide, and it was clear that he was experienced and dedicated to making every game drive an unforgettable experience. By our fourth day, he felt like family, and we laughed together as much as we discussed the details of the wildlife and incredible savanna that spread before us. A special thank you to Eligard for being so patient (we can be excitable!) and making us feel safe every step of the way. ||To the incomparable Mohammed—thank you for taking care of us with such genuine warmth, thoughtfulness and that ever-present smile. You have that rare gift of knowing what someone needs before they ask, and your presence brought such ease and comfort to our stay. ||To Erick, we so appreciate the effort you put into making our wedding celebration so memorable. Your talent in capturing those unforgettable moments and the emotion of the day through photos and videos allowed us to share our special day with family and friends (and we’ve been flooded with crying emojis ever since). ||I’ve been lucky to go on many safaris through years of work travel to Africa, and while most were enjoyable, Ubuntu was in a class of its own. I’ve had good and even great trips, but only one has been exceptional: Ubuntu, based on a team that worked so hard and radiated such joy in make every detail of our stay and wedding unforgettable.