Travel with us for a journey of life time
Big Five Voyage
- Located In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2007)
- Member Of:
- TATO, USTOA & AIATA
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $180 to $550 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Laurence | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Budget Travel Option
My parents and I were in Arusha looking for a cheap 2-day safari option to Tarangire and Ngorongoro crater. We couldn't afford expensive packages, so a hostel connected us to James from Big Five Voyage. When we heard about the $300 pricetag each for a two day adventure we were excited, yes, but skeptical. Other trips of this sort could be well over double the price but we gave it a try. Are we glad we did! We booked the day before we left and our time with Big Five Voyage surpassed our expectations by a long shot. The communication was great throughout the process, and James even offered to refund our whole trip when a few hours after paying I called saying my dad was sick. What a good guy! He didn't have to offer the full refund but was very understanding. We're glad my dad recovered in time to go, of course. We enjoyed the safari vehicle, old but in good condition (we were expecting a clunky van), the plentiful home-cooked meals (we were expecting dry sandwiches but enjoyed feasts instead), and the good company. We were also expecting to be squished in a vehicle, but had a private one to ourselves on the first day since others cancelled. Bonus! The campsite was basic, but had nice showers with a good view. Plus, the tent even had a cot and a small mattress, when we were expecting a sleeping bag on the ground. There was a short acrobatic show after dinner where one guy balanced another guy on his head, no hands, which impressed us. Dinner conversation was fun because we met travelers from all over. The next day we saw lots and lots and lots of animals, and made good friends with the two others who joined our vehicle. The $300 really included everything, from water, food, and tent (minus the tip, of course). If you're a budget traveler, this travel company is for you.
BE
Email Rafael | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nightmare. Tourist trap!!! Bad food!!! Only one our game drive
Wast off money. Every day we leave the camp as last one and be back as first. The tents and sleaping bag were full off mold. The lunch was poor. Just cookies and chewey chicken. But most off all. We only spend 1 our off game drive in serrengeti. It takes 7 our to get there and 7 to go back. The second day the Car broke down. It's not big 5 butt big zero!!!!
Be wise. Don't give this compeny your money.
Reply from Big Five Voyage
Posted on Dec 4, 2019Dear Mr. Rafael, We are very dis-pointed for your bad review to us. During your safari our driver Patrick doing everything to make you and other people in group to be happy, You saw everything during safari and about the tent our driver Patrick was doing his part to give you new tent after you tell him the tent is not good he fixed and everything went well. We are surprise to see you rate us 1 star as all 5 clients in your same safari give us 5 star. This is not good and you give us bad feedback and recommendations to other clients. On the third day during safari you compliant about Balloon 1 hour was not enough for you to fly, i called balloon company to cancelled and to give you back your money , but at the end you agree to fly and you was happy. About the car broken Patrick and other clients dined that the car was perfect until the end of safari and you tip the driver good tips and we called at our office after safari to give us feedback you said everything is okay and you enjoy your safari.
Please Mr. Rafael this is a business we don't have bad reputation to our clients , so please don't spoil our brand .
CH
Email claudia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
well organized!
very friendly, helpful and talkative staff. nice dinners in good company and tasty lunchboxes!
BE
Email Lore | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Never book with this company. Horrible experience!
Don’t book!! Please, choose another company if you don’t want to worry during your safari.
Read this for more information ( long story, below a summery)
The hostel were we stayed, recommended Big 5 voyage. The boss came to talk to us
We agreed on a 6 days safari. With 1 night in a tent, 2 nights in a camping tent and 2 nights in a hostel in Seregenti park. With WhatsApp messages we got the planning and more details about the safari. In the morning we confirmed to do the safari the next day. We agreed on a total price of $2200 in tota.
We got a message back that the hostel was full and for only $120 per person per night we could have a lodge with swimming pool in Seregenti. We agreed on a total price of $2500, 2 persons 6 days safari, everything included (- $45pp cost of the hostel we first agreed on)
We got to the office in Arusha to pay, and there it was 5% more to pay with card, that was never told to us (we had cash at the hostel!). After again discussing this, he dropped the commission fees, and we got receipts.
Then next day, we started the safari.
We arrived at the meeting point to start. Nobody of the company was there, all of the sudden our program was changed and we had to go with another company on safari, also another group.
We had no communication about it, even if we asked for it.
After day 1 of safari, I got messages from the boss of the company, that we had to pay more money. We called him after this and then he asked for more money: we paid only for 1 night at the lodge he said. So we had to pay $240 more. Also he talked again about commission fees we had to pay. We paid everything in the office so we didn’t understand why he was again talking about it..
The lodge was already booked and confirmed (see photo of WhatsApp message)
We didn’t want to pay extra, so we asked for another option. He said we sleep in tents then and get money back. Then all of the sudden the call ended..
We worried all night, because we started already the tour and now we got really bad vibes.
The day after we got $240 back. We had a great 6 days safari with tour operator: Meru Slopes
We slept 2 nights in a bed and 3 nights in tents at public campsites. Our safari with the other company, meru slopes was really nice. We enjoyed the great migration!
Summery: the company asked 3 times for more money, even when we agreed on the price and paid it.
No communication during safari or changing plan
So book with another company if you don’t want to worry, even if you already started your safari!!
Reply from Big Five Voyage
Posted on Oct 6, 2021Dear Lore.
Thank you for your review , but seems for the second day you told me that you will write everywhere but the good thing you stay in the lodge at mto wa mbu 2 nights instead of Serengeti that was suppose to stay and i told you to add the money for concessions fees but you refuse and i pay you back your money for accommodation. I wonder why are you write liars and try to put bad reputations on my company? Am very disappointed with you, your the only clients out of 6 who are complaint on me since the first day.
I thank God i refund your money and what you pay you deserve it for our service.
This is what you told me that you will write the bad review , and you block in whatsapp because your a liar . When you come back from safari we ask you how about safari and you said everything was perfect and you want to pay for extra day at Arusha National Park.
I strong disagree with your bad reputation to my company , and am very disappointed with your liars .
ES
Email Ane | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
TWO YEARS WAITING FOR OUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our history is summed up in that they do not give us back 2000 dollars. Our experience is being HORRIBLE.
We booked the safari in 2020 and they told us to pay all the amount, we did it (we shouldnt have done it, but now its too late). We couldnt go because of the Covid, so we ask for our money.
I have written them lots and lots of emails and whatsapps in this TWO YEARS and their answer is always the same: soon we will pay you the money. AND IT NEVER HAPPENS.
They give us excuses all the time, like: I've lost my cell phone, I've been away, we have few reservations... It's absolutely exasperating. We have been waiting for 2 years for the refund. We did not even demand 100% of the money, because they told us that 40% is used to reserve, so they would return 60% to us.
If you can, book the safari with another company, because this company is anything but serious.
FR
Email Ann | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Irresponsible and chaotic
My safari was « subcontracted » out to Big Five. I was supposed to go to Tarengire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater with an experienced guide-driver. The first day, we went to Lake Manyara (huh???) with a « guide driver » that didn’t know the place ( he kept going around in circles until we pointed this out, with pictures to prove it) or the animals (he tried to brush up with some borrowed notes when he thought we weren’t looking). The next day, he drive too fast, missed a bend and ended up ploughing through a ridge. While the passengers were more scared than anything else, he apparently damaged the radiator. The last part of the very long drive to a Serengeti campground was dangerous for the cook and driver, since they had to get out and refill the radiator several times. The last was in the dark, and we discovered afterwards that a mother lion and her three cubs had been very close. We arrived very late to the campground. The cook managed everything (setting up the tents, calling for another vehicle, cooking a very late meal) while the driver pretend to be busy. Big Five did not call to let us know about a replacement vehicle. I had been in contact with the people who I booked with, and they put pressure on Big Five. The next day, we had another car and driver (yaaay) and the day after yet another. The people I booked were surprised to find out that I had not gone to Tanengire. They came and got me and took me to Tanengire instead of an initially planned cultural visit.
This company is irresponsible !
HK
Email ara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything you need to ask is attended to and answered well
I did 5 days safari private safari with Big 5 voyage and I saw all the Big five animals .. My drive John was amazing he knows how to spot animals.. I recommend Big 5 voyage .
Hope I will come back for mount Kilimanjaro next year
7 days safari fantastic Tours with Big 5 voyage
I did 5 days safari private safari with Big 5 voyage and I saw all the Big five animals .. My drive Idris was really very good and happy everytime . He's best driver ever help us to make our dream to come true to see some amazing game drives with a lots of animals
Hope I will come back again with my family and friends for Zanzibar and Cultural tour
HK
Email Li Na | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 days safari Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater best experience
We did 5 days safari private safari family from Hong Kong with Big 5 voyage.. It was amazing safari and everything went well as we planned and Mr. David help us to make our Best experience in Tanzania .. Our drive Juma was really very good and happy everytime . He's best driver ever help us to make our dream to come true to see some amazing game drives with a lots of animals
Hope I will come back again with my family and friends for Mount Meru or Kilimanjaro
thank you Big 5 voyage
SK
Email Ivan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great trip to Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Big Five organized for us a safari taking us to Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Serengeti (2 days) and Ngorongoro crater. This was linked to a successful Mount Kilimanjaro climb the previous week, organized by them as well. It was an amazing trip during which we got to see myriad of animals in all kind of situations, including the Big Five - most of them from a very close distance. We went also to the south of Serengeti where the Great Migration is during the dry season to see the endless plain filled with wildebeests. Each day was a really unique experience.
A big thanks goes to our guide Idrisa, who was very knowledgeable, with a great instinct where to take us for the best views and experience.