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
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
ES
Email Luis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, impossoble to forget.
Absolutely satisfactory. Very recomendable, if possible I would like to repeat the experience.
BE
Email Wim | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great team, great safari!
Travelled with ABC Safaris in August 2024, doing the northern circuit (tarangire, manyara, ngorongoro and then on to central and northern Serengeti to watch the migration). Value was excellent, especially for the accomodation inside Serengeti. they helped us set up our trip, and the duide's communication was also much better then what we experienced previously with another company. The guide was also very nice to our kids.
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!
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 Adi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect team for the most amazing Kilimanjaro experience!
Imran and his team are nothing short of exemplary. Our group of 8 took the 8 Day Kilimanjaro package with ABC Safaris. The whole experience was like no other. By the end, we felt like a family, accomplishing the daunting yet satisfying task of summiting. Ask to get Imran and his team! I cannot have ask for a better guide/ team.
The whole team really provided a spectacular experience for us. Imran, the head guide is the perfect person for the job. He knows exactly what to do for the betterment of the group. There were instances of altitude sickness in our group and he immediately changed course multiple times to cater to us. The assistant guides David, EZ, and Elias were very knowledgeable and made the trip extremely fun- in the end I also learned a great amount of Swahili! Tosh the chef kept us satisfied with yummy food every meal while adjusting the menu based on our dietary restrictions and needs. All the 24 porters were extremely friendly and helped us in multiple ways, especially some of them going out of their way to join us on summit night. I could go on and on with reasons why you should choose this team on your trip to Kilimanjaro.
Email John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great Tanzanian safari which exceeded all expectations
We had good communication organising the tour, were able to have the itinerary modified to suit us. The mid range accommodation suited us perfectly. Our driver-guide Lavoi was a good driver, knew his animals and birds and a very good guide. The tour through the four national parks was great. A highlight was seeing the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park.
Email Raju | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Marvelous
Good service,reliable and value for money,good communication and very
reliable tour operator.
US
Email Andrew Krauska | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trip of a Lifetime with African Big Cats Safari, Tanzania
My wife Jane and I chose African Big Cats Safari (ABCS) for our 20th Anniversary trip to Tanzania after reading the over 300 reviews of other travelers who had loved their experience. We made the right choice. From start to finish it was a first-class, luxury vacation. In my working career, I was a Quality Management advisor so I know what a quality experience looks and feels like. In every way, ABCS "exceeded our expectations."
We spent the first two nights at the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha to recuperate from jet lag. What a beautiful hotel experience that was. You will love it.
ABCS tailored their 7-day, 6-night luxury tour to my requests, including an incredible Serengeti Balloon Safari which took us directly over the Great Migration and set us down right next to it, alongside eight lions walking parallel to the migrating animals. From the balloon, we could see the great migration from horizon to horizon. It goes on year-round and in February the migration is in the southern Serengeti in the Ngutu region where 8000 baby wildebeest are born daily. It is well worth the added cost to do the Balloon Trip; you won't regret it.
Our safari guide, Obedi (Obe), had been guiding for 14 years and he knew every road, turn, tree, and bush like it was the back of his hand. Without a GPS or map he guided the entire trip from memory. Other guides would flash their lights at him, to have him stop and they'd asked him how to get to their camp, as they were lost. This happened twice on this trip. My wife and I love Obe so much we adopted him and plan to keep in touch with him and use him as our guide when we do our next trip to the Northern Serengeti. He calls us Bebe Jane and Babu Andy now.
Obe always asked me daily what we wanted to see and always delivered.
I wanted to see lions in trees, he knew just the tree that they often climbed and we got great photos of 3 lions sleeping in trees. He did the same for finding lion cubs, newborn wildebeest, warthogs, hyenas, giraffes, elephants, rhino's, Cape buffalo, hippos, leopards, cheetahs on a kill, male lions, and even mating lions. We saw them all. We are avid birders as well and he knew them all and pointed out many that I had missed.
We had previously been to Krueger Park in South Africa and it was a great experience, but in terms of the number of big cats we saw in Tanzania I can honestly say, we saw more each day in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater than we saw in a week In South Africa.
The vehicle was a Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-top roof with seating for six passengers. Most all the other safari vehicles were the same make/model. I am so glad we paid extra for a private safari guide and vehicle as we could move from front to back of the vehicle easily with just my wife and me. The roads are bumpy from Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti but I was impressed with the great shocks on the Toyota. I might also add that after every safari trip, ABCS has the entire vehicle inspected to proactively make any repairs that may be needed.
Besides Obe's experience as a guide and knowledge of the terrain, he was also a skilled driver, both on-road and off-road, and you spend a lot of time going off-road in the Serengeti. He knew when to slow down and take it slow, he knew how to deal with mud and streams of muddy water, and he knew when to turn around and take another route.
ABCS goes far and above most companies would do. We received a free upgrade to a private Bungalo on Lake Manyara at the Maramboi Luxury Lodge which had our own private infinity pool right at the edge of the lake. The second day, after the morning safari I had an upset stomach and Obe took me to a local pharmacy to get some nausea medicine which corrected the problem. On the third day, I wanted an early start for the Ngorongoro crater and we ended up with a great view of the crater, even getting photos of rhinos far down in the crater. On our last night in the Serengeti, I wanted to try some Tanzanian food, specifically Ugali but was unable to get it made at the lodge we were at. Obe, calls back to the office and talks to Emanuel, the owner and when we return to Arusha, takes me to their office and surprises me with a full-course Tanzania dinner with Ugali! Now that's what I call "5 Star service."
There are hundreds of safari companies offering similar trips. They all use the same type of vehicles, stay at the same lodges, go to the same parks, and have comparable prices. I like supporting ABCS because they are a locally owned, small business and not owned by a foreign/European owner. Emanuel, the owner of ABCS started as a safari guide himself, and just as we in America pursue the American Dream, Emanuel is living his Tanzanian Dream, starting his own business, and employing local talent. I'm impressed with him, his Office Operations Manager, Naomi, and the entire team at African Big Cats Safari, and hope other Americans will choose them for their own once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Two pieces of advice:
1. After 25-30 hours of travel, take a two-night stay at the Gran Melia to start the trip.
Emanuel will come over the next day and give you a brief of your booked safari and answer all questions.
2. Pay the deposit and/or balance via a wire transfer as credit cards have an added 5% charge in Tanzania and they don't take international Bank Drafts.
I am a retired Naval Aviator, and a retired Senior Network Engineer, living in the Villages, FL (If you're a Villager, look us up in the Villages Directory if you want to talk). Anyone who wishes to contact me about my trip may do so. I will be posting a trip review, photos, and video within a couple of weeks on Youtube, just search Youtube for African Big Cats Safari and you should be able to find it
Here is Emanuel's YouTube intro to ABCS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm9pGWMd8wY
Andy and Jane Krauska
