African Big Cats Safaris
- Offices 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)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email Kimberly | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Big Cats made our Safari Experience Exceed our Expectations!
From the very first enquiry with African Big Cats, we knew we had chosen the best! Throughout the planning, they responded promptly and efficiently to our enquires and requests for information. We booked the 5 day/4 night luxury private safari (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara) and it was perfect. We started our Tanzanian adventure in Moshi. Emmanuel met us there the day before to give us our briefing and our guide Kanti picked us up to begin our adventure the next morning. Our vehicle was a comfy and well equipped Land Cruiser.
Huge kudos to our guide Kanti, he was so incredibly knowledgeable about all the wildlife, the birds, the landscape…we learned so much from him. I don’t know how he was able to spot things of interest so quickly and often from a distance! He made sure we had an opportunity to stop whenever we wanted to for photos etc. It was clear that Kanti’s goal was to make our safari experience the best and he most certainly achieved that. He was funny and kind and it was a joy to travel with him.
All of the accommodations arranged by Emmanuel and staff were first rate! The staff at all the lodges were kind and helpful, the accommodations exceeded our expectations, the meals were five star + (out of five!)
We began our safari with Tarangire National Park and it was our favourite. We saw soooo many animals. Zebra, elephant, lions, hippos, giraffe, wildebeest and close up! The landscape of the park is varied and beautiful. Our first night was at the Escarpment Luxury Lodge, wow. Gorgeous huge bungalow with our own little patio from which we watched a family of baboons stroll by. The best dinner ever sitting outside overlooking the landscape as the sun set. Next day we were off to the Serengeti…a long drive but so much to see as the view changed. We spent two nights at the Serengeti Mbalimbali Soroi which was magnificent (sorry, loads of superlatives but they are well deserved). After a long day in the land cruiser it was lovely to return to our rooms and have an outdoor shower (so cool!) and then sit out either on our own balcony or on the lodges’ huge patio and watch the amazing sunset. Many thanks to Emmanuel at African Big Cats and the Soroi for arranging for/accommodating a last minute request regarding our booking there. Our days in the Serengeti were all that we had hoped for with so many animals in their natural environment. Then we were off to the Ngorongoro crater which is such an amazing site…a very different landscape from the Serengeti, lush and lots of animals in large groups by the water. It’s where we saw our first rhino (at a distance). Kanti made sure to get us in the best spot to watch the rhino through our binoculars. Our last night was at the Ngorongoro Retreat Lodge…I think our favourite lodge because we were able to walk around their beautiful grounds, something you can’t safely do elsewhere due to the other lodges’ more remote locations. Again, the staff and food were fabulous. Last day was Lake Manyara which was unique but there were fewer animals out and about and we had been so spoiled with the sights on the first four days. Then to Arusha to end our safari at the Cultural Heritage Centre. This place is a shopping experience and museum…our recommendation for the best opportunity to buy your gifts/memories. Beautiful craftsmanship and very good prices. We met with Emmanuel as he wanted to get feedback about our experiences (all 100% plus) and then Kanti took us to the airport for our flight to Zanzibar.
In summary, the safari exceeded our expectations. It was well worth the cost. It was apparent from the very beginning that African Big Cats is dedicated to ensuring we had the best experience, and they did.
Tips for travellers. Bring comfy clothing for hot weather and remember it’s quite cool overnight and in the morning. African big cats provides a list of items to bring with you…they have covered it all. There was a pair of binoculars provided but I was happy that I had brought along my own small ones so we could both watch the goings on. The people of Tanzania are some of the most kind and helpful people we have met in our travels. They made us feel so welcome.
Please don’t hesitate to contact African Big Cats to help you achieve the experience of a lifetime. Thanks to Kanti, Emmanuel and Naomi!
Kim and Peter
PT
Email Eduardo Sousa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A magical experience
Thank you big cats for the wonderful experience. From our guide, Ernesto, to the accomodation and the offered tours, everything was smooth and perfect!
ID
Email Tim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dedicated to customer satisfaction
An amazing week of Safari with African Big Cats. The end to end experience was well organised and the company went above and beyond to deliver against our agreed itinerary. Our guide was knowledgeable, professional and had a great sense of humour which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The owner was also very attentive, meeting us twice during our stay for both an intro briefing and to collect our feedback at the end. I would recommend this company to anyone looking to book a Safari in Tanzania.
AE
Email Ashis Swain | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Big 5 experience with African Big Cat Safari
We had planned to spend our anniversary vacation in Tanzania in July 2023. Since it was an important trip during the peak season, we made arrangements with Mr. Emanuel, the manager of African Big Cat, four months in advance. We meticulously planned and booked the luxury safari trip, which lasted for 9 days and 8 nights, covering Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. The highlights of the tour included breathtaking landscapes, private safaris, adventurous wildlife encounters, and the opportunity to see the Big 5. We enjoyed luxury adventures at Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Central and North Serengeti regions.
We flew from Zanzibar to Arusha with Precision Airways and arrived in the afternoon. Our tour guide, Mr. Ernest, greeted us with a private Land Cruiser 4x4, which remained with us throughout the tour. The package included all nights' accommodation, park fees, government taxes, Flying Doctor Insurance, unlimited drinking water, and food. We stayed at various accommodations throughout the safari, including Gran Melia Arusha, Manyara Serena Lodge, Mbalimbali Soroi, Mara Under Canvas, Lake Masek Tented Lodge, and Escarpment Luxury Lodge.
Throughout the safari, we did not encounter any mechanical or electrical issues with the Land Cruiser. We were lucky to spot the Big 5 along with other animals and birds abundant in all the national parks. Overall, our stay, food, guide experience, and immersion in African culture were outstanding. Our guide, Ernest, was in continuous contact with the radio, providing us with updates on wildlife sightings and the Big 5 spots.
We were able to capture valuable and unique photos and create unforgettable memories during our trip. We would like to express our gratitude to African Big Cat Safari for providing us with the most memorable and satisfying African safari experience. We took all necessary vaccinations and malaria medication as recommended and did not encounter any health-related issues. The entire planning, payment, travel, and execution of the safari tour were handled responsibly and professionally by African Big Cat Safari.
CH
Email Priska | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An operator who makes the wishes of his guests possible.
Thanks to the perfect organisation of Big Cads Safaris, we were able to experience the wonders of Africa on safari.
BR
Email Vicente | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Climbing Kili! Awesome experience with the best team ever.
Getting to know Kilimanjaro has always been a dream of mine, and Big Cat has helped me masterfully fulfill this dream. From the initial contact to the day of reaching the summit, everything was more than perfect and I was always amazed by the efficiency, kindness and professionalism of these guys.
From the first contact via email and whatsapp with Justice, William, Naomi and Emmanuel I managed to feel extremely satisfied and have all my doubts clarified. And I have to tell you that I had A LOT of doubts.
The hotel was cozy, with helpful people and great service. On the day of the climb I was apprehensive, but as soon as I met Imram, our guide, all apprehension disappeared. Imram and Steve, our guides, made us feel safe and helped us a lot during the climb, especially during the toughest moments at the end. A lot of information, a lot of stories learned, a lot of beautiful places and a lot of beautiful scenarios, a lot of great moments, that was only possible with their help and with the effort of the whole team.
Chef Tosh provided excellent lunches and breakfasts (I even learned how to make Kilimanjaro-style pizza \o/). Each day had something new, new experiences and adventures and in the end we ended up seeing everyone as one big family.
On the day of reaching the summit, I felt very ill (some sort of stomach upseting) and would never have been able to climb without the support of our guide. I only have feelings of gratitude for that.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart : Justice, Naomi, William, Steve, Tosh, Isaac, the other William, Peter, Luta, George, Samuel, Lucas, Nelson, Ababbo and a special thanks to Imram. You guys are awesome, best crew ever.
US
Email Vickie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Adventure!
I couldn't be more pleased with African Big Cats Safaris! From our initial contact to the end of our trip, the whole team was amazingly professional, helpful and in tune with what was important to us. Their Nine Day Safari to Sinya, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti provided opportunities to experience different elevations and eco-systems and view the Big Five and Great Migration. We added an extra day to hike the rim of the Ngorongoro and learn more about area culture and farming. Kanti was an amazing guide, so personable and fun to be with, daily making the trip a truly memorable experience. He got us up close to so many animals, helped us identify the many birds and new species we saw, and made sure we got the best photos to remember it all. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was delicious. The vehicle was comfortable, clean and in good condition, something we hadn't thought about until we met others who had breakdowns and flat tires. African Big Cats Safaris took care of all the details to make our safari an experience beyond our expectations, and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to visit Tanzania!
AT
Email Francesco | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great communication and support
We selected African Big Cats Safaris for our 7-days safari in Tanzania. Communication was excellent, via WhatsApp messaging or calls. They supported us in making the best itinerary and answered any questions we had. Upon arrival our driver was waiting for us at the airport, and stayed with us for the whole trip.
Very good value for money, which is why we selected them among the other tour operators. The tour itself was amazing, as Tanzania is a very beautiful country!
SE
Email Lisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful safari with experienced guide and professional throughout the booking
We can really recommend traveling with African Big Cats Safari. It was important for us to go with a local company and we did not regret our choice. They were very professional and so helpful already from our first contact when we had so many questions about where to go and how and all sorts of things. Communication worked very well in all aspects. When we arrived we were very well taken care of. Our guide Khaled was very experienced and we learned so much from him during these 6 days together in the Jeep. We saw that he was very careful about the animals but also very caring and kind towards other people. Such a nice guy! The Jeep was well equiped and our guide drove very well, even in the tricky parts. We were also very pleased with our accomodations, they were all so nice and comfy! Also the food was excellent, both for dinner and lunch. We are so greatful that African Big Cats Safaris helped us forfill our dream about a safari in Africa and to experience the fantastic wildlife. And it did not hurt that we also got to see all of the big 5 and more!
US
Email Alan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
African Big Cats Safaris provided an unforgetable and expertly guided 7-night safari!
We wanted to work directly with a locally based operator, avoiding any middlemen. African Big Cats Safaris' excellent reviews and extensive experience since 2013 further reassured us of their expertise. Before travel, Justice and Naomi answered all of our questions, addressed our concerns and worked closely with us to customize our safari. Upon arrival in Tanzania, we met the owner, Emanuel. He wanted to make sure that they would exceed our expectations. Our amazing guide, Lordi, more than exceeded our expectations. His extensive knowledge was like taking a graduate course in the wildlife and Tanzania. He always encouraged us to get an early start in the morning and stay out late in order to maximize our experiences. Under his guidance we always felt safe and cared for. This is a tour operator and guide that truly cares about their guest's experience.
Lordi picked us up at JRO and had lunch for us in the vehicle, for our long drive to Tarangire NP. Along the way, we saw many elephants. The following day, the park's breathtaking landscapes came alive with abundant wildlife sightings, including majestic elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, baboons, zebras and more!
We made many stops on our way to Serengeti NP to appreciate Lordi's insights on wildlife, insects, and plants. Witnessing the ever-changing topography, from jungles to grassy plains and swamps, was a testament to Tanzania's natural diversity. Further along, we saw lions, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, impalas, ostriches, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, & crocodiles.
Driven by Lordi's dedication to providing exceptional wildlife experiences, we embarked on a quest to witness the legendary wildebeest migration, which we found adjacent to the Grumeti River.
Our final safari was at Ngorongoro NP. Following Lordi's suggestion, we set our alarms early for 5am, eager to witness the wonders of Ngorongoro Crater. Our early start allowed us to reach the entrance road before any potential crowds. We saw an amazing amount of wildlife, including lions, bulls, hyenas, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, warthogs and a very rare black rhino. They even arranged for an amazing walking safari with two armed rangers!
On our last day, Lordi drove us back to JRO. It was sad to say goodbye. Lordi texted us 45 minutes later to make sure that we got checked in for our flight and we were okay.
I highly recommend African Big Cat Safaris and would not hesitate to work with them again when in Tanzania!
