African Big Cats Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
Australia
Canada
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $380 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
LK
Email Gayanthi John | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
8 DAYS COMFORT RIVER CROSSING MIGRATION SAFARI & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
When we 1st decided to travel to Tanzania, I was nervous about selecting a good travel company because I knew it would either make or break our trip. After doing countless research we finally settled on African Big Cats Safaris as they had amazing reviews online. I think I exchanged over 70+ emails with Justine and Naomi to finalize our plans and they were always extremely helpful and answered all my questions.
On the actual day of the trip our flight from Kenya to Kilimanjaro got delayed by over 24 hrs which meant that we would miss out on the 1st day of the Safari. We were heartbroken and when we contacted Emanuel (owner of ABC) he provided us with several options one of which included him sending us a private vehicle to pick us up from the airport. We ended up getting a different flight the same day, but the fact that we were able to contact him and get a solution from him during that very stressful time was a lifeline to us at that moment.
Our guide Khaleed was superb, we were able to see the river crossing, a cheetah hunt, 2 lions feeding on a buffoala kill, leopards and many many other rare sights all because of his exertise.
We stayed at different lodges and undertook various activities such as balloon safaris, walking safaris, night game drives and various visits to different tribes. Every activity went smoothly and seamlessly. Every single activity and lodge was already booked and ready for us. We were very impressed with the level of planning and experise shown by African Big Cats Safaris.
If anyone is thinking of traveling to Tanzania, do not hesitate to book with African Big Cats Safaris. I can confidently say that they are one of the BEST in the business!.
US
Email Naomi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible guide and team on Kilimanjaro
We had an incredible time with African Big Cats Safari in Tanzania! We did a 7 day Kilimanjaro Trek and then a 6 day safari. Imran and his team (our Kilimanjaro guide and crew) particularly impressed us, as they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and very well taken care of. We felt like we were all good friends by the end of the trip, and the team took the time to patiently teach us some Swahili. Isaiah, our "waiter" and Elias, our assistant guide, were incredible kind and attentive to us. Our chef, Tosh, was incredible and even accommodated my gluten-free diet, we were always surprised by how much food we were served and how creative they could be on the mountain! The team worked so well together and was always so cheerful to interact with- we could not have made it to the top without them!
We also had a great time on our safari- we saw all the animals we were hoping to see and even lucked out by seeing the great migration in Northern Serengeti. The accommodations were all comfortable, we particularly enjoyed Embalakai Tented Lodge in the Central Serengeti, where you can sit on your private porch and look for animals. All interactions with the office for African Big Cats Safari were great, they were very responsive to emails during the planning process and answered all of our questions promptly.
US
Email Angela | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Obed was an absolutely outstanding, knowledge, personable guide!
Highly recommend African Big Cats Safaris! This was bucket list and birthday celebration trip and it did not disappoint! Everything was spectacular from our guide Obed, to the accommodations and food, the staff at every camp, and the amount of animals we saw!
Obed is an outstanding guide. He has an answer for everything and taught us so much! He is extremely experienced, knowledgeable, personable, and knows his way around the parks! Do yourself a favor and request him as your guide!
All of the accommodations were amazing. We stayed mostly in tented camps on our 12 day safari which all had solar power, private bathrooms with plumbing and hot water, and comfortable beds with mosquito nets. They even turn down your bed and put hot water bottles in them to warm them up on colder nights. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious and I especially enjoyed the soups! They sang for us every night and made my sister’s birthday extra special with a cake and birthday song and then had a dance party!
We saw ALL the animals and many up closer than I could have ever imagined from the safety of our Land Cruiser of course!
It was the trip of a lifetime made easy and very affordable with African Big Cats! Thank you for making our dreams come true!
US
Email Michele | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing customer service, fully prepared for everything and unbeatable attention to detail
We just returned from a 12 day safari with African Big Cat Safari tour group. They offer a full service all-inclusive package that far exceeded all my expectations. I found them to have amazing customer service, fully prepared for everything and unbeatable attention to detail. Our guide Obeti picked us up the first day and stayed with us the entire trip. He was incredibility knowledgeable about the animals, history, landscapes. The people at the camps are so friendly and eager to share their culture making us feel at home and safe. The tour included fabulous meals, and we even tried local beers and wines.
We saw the big 5 and much much more. We enjoyed meeting the local tribes and learning about their cultures. Everything about this trip was absolutely amazing. If you are considering a safari I would book this trip and ask for Obeti, you will not be disappointed. It is a trip of a lifetime. Be prepared to see the most amazing things, have a lot of laughs and be treated like royalty.
US
Email Brenda C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best trip ever!
I am a travel enthusiast, and I wanted a BIG adventure for my 50th birthday. African Big Cats delivered x10! Joshua and Naomi enthusiastically and patiently answered all of our questions and made accommodations for a party of 6. They provided helpful pre-departure information that ensured we had what we needed for our adventure.
We opted for the “comfort” level and the tented camps were very comfortable, clean and beautiful. It is amazing to be able to stay so close to nature in the actual parks and wildlife management areas! The staff at each camp were welcoming, helpful and attentive.
Our driver, Obed, taught us so much about the wildlife, parks, Tanzanian culture and even some Swahili phrases. His driving was excellent and safe and he got us close to wildlife while respecting the animals and other drivers. Every day we looked forward to our hot picnic lunches followed by the best Africafe coffee, yum! He sang with us and we laughed together the whole trip. By the time our 12 days were over, we were so incredibly sad to say goodbye to him.
We visited West Kilimanjaro, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara. We saw innumerable elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, cape buffalo, hippos, nile crocodile and nearly 100 lions and lion cubs. We saw the great migration of wildebeest and zebra and saw the wildebeest cross the Mara River! We even saw cheetahs, a rock python, a leopard and two of the critically endangered black rhino! The beauty of the natural places in Tanzania is unmatched. Best vacation ever. Trust me, take the trip!
US
Email Rebecca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome!
I and my friends had a fabulous and memorable 7-day Safari trip with African Big Cats Safaris. We were impressed on how smooth the whole process flowed. We were able to see the big 5 (black rhino from in Serengeti which is very rare!) and even witness lions eating prey, lions milking, and elephant chasing lions. Our guide Endeni is very knowledgeable in animal behavior and patient in answering all the questions, professional in dealing with tricky road condition / time planning, taking care of us throughout the trip caring our needs,and very humorous bringing us a lot of joy. He also has sharp eyesight that helps in spotting animals fast! Thank you, African Big Cats Safaris, for this wonderful journey that will last in our lifetime memory :)
CH
Email Adam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Safari Experience
My girlfriend and I had a wonderful 4 day safari with African Big Cats Safaris. All of the logistics were organised very smoothly ahead of our trip. It was an incredible experience to visit Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater, the Serengeti, and Tarangire. We were able to see the big 5 (black rhino from a distance) and even witness lions hunting their prey. Our guide Venance was amazing. Without his sharp eye we would have missed out on numerous sightings of rare animals. His knowledge was also extremely impressive and his comments added to each sighting of a new animal or even native trees/flowers. I can't stress enough the importance of a good guide.
Thank you Big Cats Safaris, and in particular Venace, for an unforgettable trip!
US
Email Beth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our tour guide, Obed was one in a million!
We just returned from an 11 day safari with African Big Cats and I can’t recommend them more! From our planning stages to being dropped back at the airport they were responsive, friendly, organized, and helpful. We had a few ‘wants and needs’ beyond their original itinerary and they responded quickly and gave us options so we could determine what would work best for us. All of our accommodations were great and every camp was very welcoming, knowledgeable, safe, and every meal was great! Even our lunch on the trail was hot, fresh, tasty and not a boxed affair like others that we saw. Our guide, Obed was A+++ and was a huge part of our amazing safari. He is knowledgeable, informed, kind, and fun! He knows everything about Tanzania and understands what a magical place it is. Our vehicle was clean and well-maintained. You will spend a lot of time in the Rover so this is an important factor! He shared his knowledge of animals, birds, geography, history, culture…basically everything you would have a question about. He has great relationships with other guides so he always knew where the ‘happening’ spots were. We really felt immersed in Tanzanian life and felt more like travelers than tourists. Our trip was more than we could have imagined! If you put your faith in Big Cats you will not be disappointed!
US
Email Bryce | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding in every way!
I'd give them 6 stars if I could!
From pre-planning to saying goodbye to our guide after 2 weeks together, the entire experience was outstanding! Great wildlife, great scenery, great interactions with indigenous peoples, wonderful accommodations - The Original Masai Lodge is an absolute must! The people of Tanzania are so friendly and helpful! Lordlugard, our ABC Guide, went above and beyond every day and in every way. We're already thinking of going back, and if we do, we will tour again with ABC Safaris.
KR
Email Keera | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dreams come true.
• Managing
- The total manager, Emanuel replied so fast that you can solve all of your questions and problems.
- He answered detaily as much as you want, so feel free to ask. He always answers kindly :)
• Guide
- Our guide is Venance, he is the best guide I swear.
- He is so professional that you can be a master of safari if you are with him.
- He explained detaily about animals of safari, and tried to show much animals as he can.
- He was always wating for us even though much early in the morning.
- He is also a really good driver. He drived well and calmy, s omy husband often fell asleep as like he was in bed:)
- He was so kind, and perfect to travel safari. I strongly recommend him!
- If you are worried about guide, go for Venance without any hesitant. We already miss him.
• Food
- It was really great with lunch box
- I have a really picky taste, but I ate it all every lunchbox :) haha
•Accomodation
- It was really comfortable with all accomodations Bigcats apply for us.
- You can manage yours well with talkig to Emanuel.
•ETC
- Washrooms in the safari are really clean.
- You don’t have to worry about this.
Hakunamatata, all is well with Bigcats.
Our dreams came true with Venance in Bigcats. Asante sana!
