Safari Adventure
Big Time Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My rushed, totally unplanned but enjoyable safari experience.
I was looking forward to a week in Paris but at the last minute I made snap decision to go to Kenya. On ym flight I read a magazine that suggested going on a Safari while in Kenya. Being my first time I didn't know anyone and had no reservations, luckily while I searched for a cab service at the airport I spotted the Big Time Safaris desk. The men who attended me where very pleasant and polite. I told them all about my lack of hotel reservations, or an itinerary. I got help with all that. I didn't want a long safari experience we figured it out and I left for my hotel. The hotel was the same one I used for my entire stay and I appreciated the staff and how helpful they were.
The second day I was off to the Masai Mara in the company of my fellow tourists and we bonded with our witty driver. The meal stops where nice. He showed us where to shop for the basic necessities. And his advice proved very useful.
The camp at the park was very comfortable and close to a Masai village which I visited on the last day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and took several photos and made friends with my co travelers. I definitely recommend the Big Time Safaris Ltd to any first time and repeat travelers to Kenya. I will certainly use them when next I visit Kenya but I will make the necessary reservations this time. LOL!
Email HV | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very disappointed
Extremely disappointed with this company. They had good reviews on tripadvisor so I signed up to a safari with this. At 9am I was excited to be leaving my hotel and going on safari. However, it became clear very quickly that I had not been picked up by a Big Time Safari car, but by another company. Big time passed me on to another company without telling me. The company they had sold my trip on to was called Right Choice, and believe me, it wasn’t the right choice. The bus was broken, and it took 9.5 hours for us to drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara. When we finally arrived it turned out that our rooms hadn’t been booked at the camp. Once that was sorted out it turned out that the driver didn’t know what time dinner would be. We went for a terrifying 1 hour game drive that evening. The rain was pelting down and the ground turned into a swamp, and the broken bus (with even less power than these buses normally have) got stuck several times. Fortunately we didn’t end up stuck in the mud in Masai Mara overnight, but between the broken bus and the rain it was more luck than anything else that we didn’t. I cancelled my trip the next morning and returned to Nairobi with a much more professional company. Big Time safari expressed no apology for selling on my trip to another company without notifying me. Nor have they been willing to refund any part of my failed safari.
Reply from Big Time Safaris
Posted on Feb 27, 2015Hello Hillary. Greetings of the day.Thank you for communicating,we really feel sorry for all that happen while on your trip.We confirmed your trip hoping to give you good services and schedule to start your trip with our group which was doing six days.Their flight was delayed and we ended up getting you a group so that we will not delay you too,we did not know this was going to happen and when it happened we were not notified at all.All the decision made including you coming back was not communicate. It happened that there was some wallet which was let at the camp and our camp manage send it to Nairobi.I have being informed that it was yours and when you came for it nobody was aware that you had fallen back to Nairobi.I admit there was poor communication between the two offices.The office is really sorry for this and we really regret having have subcontracted you without being informed.Please it was a quick decision which we though to be the best way but it wasn't. We kindly apologies for all that inconvenience we caused you and letting you down on your holiday.Please if all what happen we are really disappointed and wish such a decision will not be repeated. We are going to investigate this and see what we can do please. with regards Albert
Great time with Big Time Safaris!
My dad came to visit me in Kenya, and I just knew we had to see Masai Mara together, and Big Time Safaris really came through for us. They were easy to book with, very "on top of it" when it came to communicating pre-safari, and extremely accommodating during the safari. They were able to not only pick him up at his hotel in town, but they braved the traffic to pick me up at my private residence outside of town as well. They were a bit late picking both of us up, but this is Kenya, and I think all tourists should be open to adapting a little bit to "Kenyan time."
The "budget camping" accommodations were actually very nice - the fixed tents were like little homes, and it was a pleasant surprise that there was always hot water. You need to want to camp and have "that experience" if you go for the camping trip though; if you want Grand Hyatt or Hilton-esque accommodations, that's not the trip for you.
Our driver, Joseph, was excellent. Lots of friends who've been on safari in the Mara say that your experience really depends on your driver, and Joseph was able to spot four out of the Big Five for us (five, if a cheetah counts as a leopard to you!) His persistence with spotting and finding the two black rhinos that he found - we were the only vehicle that day to see them - was amazing and made for a very exciting drive.
Definitely also make it a point to visit the Masai village while you're there. It will be obvious that they make a lot of money from selling their goods to tourists, but being able to see their homes and ask questions about their lifestyles will be worth the hassling to buy goods at the very end of the visit.
Overall, such a great time with Big Time Safaris!
CN
Email Winnie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience beyond my expectations that almost felt like being LIVE in National Geographic.
If I was to give a title to the whole experience, I would call it "Arrival Before Departure". Sounds vague, does it? Well, at least I will try defend the title by narrating my experience.
To some extent I felt like I was already at the national park and yet I had just gone for the safari bookings at Big Time Safaris Ltd. The friendly atmosphere created in the not so big office was just the beginning of the whole adventure. And soon the D-day was here... but wait, did they call to confirm how far we were? Oh yes they did. This was going to be one of the best moments of my life. My Honey moon. I had indeed arrived to my destination even before departure.
And for some moment, while waiting for the other tourists to arrive, since all the people we were to travel with had already arrived, I kept wondering if this was worth it. Would it meet my expectations? Would it be that I was looking for something that I couldn't find.. you know.. like looking for a needle in a haystack? Well, the answers to my questions started flowing promptly like the waters in River Mara immediately the driver who happened to be the tour guide showed up and our journey began. He was so friendly and knowledgeable that it felt like were already at that wonderful scenery that was was well described during our conversations.
Although it was a long journey, it didn't feel like it maybe because the transport van was spacious and not normal. By that I mean it did not feel like it does when one travels in a public transport, the feeling of rough roads, bumps e.t.c.
And finally the most awaited moment arrived. Late in the evening, when the sky had opened to let loose tiny droplets otherwise known as drizzles, we were there, at the camping site. Surprised? Don't worry I was too at first. But then before the twinkle of an eye, I just confirmed that i needed not be troubled. I also realized that one does not need to marry a prince for them to become a princess, ceteris paribus.
Warm welcome, wonderful food prepared by the management at the camping site and the number of people I saw there, families, friends, tourists, all visiting the place for different reasons was just amazing. And as if that wasn't all, I entered the tent that my hubby and I were to camp in and i was really astonished. Has anyone seen a tent with this wonderfully set/made bed, restroom, with shower... just try to picture an hotel room. I had gone camping once in my life but no time had I ever seen such thing. Maybe it wouldn't surprise you but for me, I was. And one of the craziest experience I remember while in the tent was when i was trying to have this warm, me-time shower when this ice-cold water was released from the shower-head and I stood there frozen like a statue. But that was before we called the management who helped us turn the heater on.
Am sure all of us want to hear the Game drive part. Well, here it comes. I know most of us have watched National Geo on their TV sets. Allow me to say that during the whole experience, It felt like being there. With all the wild animals being in the open and not in closed cages and the best experience ever...I saw one of the 8 wonders of the world...you heard me right...WILDEBEEST MIGRATION.
Need I say more? I don't think so. All I can add is that it really felt sad when my tour days were over. But do not forget that that I had arrived even before departure and so this should not be an issue to me.
My appreciation to the Big Times Safaris Ltd crew, the Mara rangers and management at the camping site. You indeed made my Honeymoon the Best it could ever be.
A real perspective on the animals in their habitat
The tour delivered what is expected. The accommodations connect well with the experience.
BD
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant - very helpful staff
Trip was well planned and the driver experienced and very helpful; he even provided us free wifi along the road. hotels were alright for the budget range we paid although stopover restaurants for lunch cud have been better . Over and all , fantastic tour operator and very friendly staff.
CZ
Email Evgenia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All was perfect!
I had safari in Kenya, Masai Mara with Big Time Safaris in the November 2014. It was just perfect!
I brought home memories for the rest of my life, great pictures and new plans to go again!
Big Time Safaris did their job in a perfect way, all was safe and smooth. I was comunicating a lot before arriving to Kenya with Martha, she was always friendly and ready to give advice and answer one of questions, that i had really a lot, cause was travelling to Kenya alone. It was all safe there. They met me from the airport when i arrived to Kenya at 3 in the night, took me to the hotel and than picked me up in the morning to go to safari.
We had very nice and professional driver during safari-Stanley. He knew all about animals and was trying to do his best to show us the wild life of african savana, so we could also make good pictures. Special thanks to Stanley, my 3 days at Masai Mara were really one of the best days of my life!
The camp itself was good, staff there polite and friendly. Food was also good, especially dinners. Tents were big enough, clean and had all i needed inside. I was alone and had one tent for me only. Electricity is during the morning and evening only. If i am not misstaken 5-7 and 20-22. Or smth like this. When we were there was no wifi. But you dont really need it there, you can just enjoy the nature and that few days you have there.
Big Time Safaris were helping me till the day i left Kenya. After safari i was flying to Mombasa, they took me to airport and after Mombasa picked me up from airport to také me to the hotel, where i slept before flying home.
Now i am planning new safari in Kenya and Tanzania, for one week. And of course i will book it with Big Time Safaris. Also i m giving them good feedback and advise it to ppl who are thinking of visiting Africa for safari.
Thanks again guys and hope to see you soon again!
NL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Overall a very good operator, also for the budget traveler.
I had an unforgettable experience in Kenya with Big Time, seeing the Big Five! The program was custom made (3 days Masai Mara, 1 day Nakuru) and they are very flexible in setting up this program! Accommodation is average, but the food is luckily good for African Standards! Furthermore, program is fixed and punctual. I would like to thank everyone, John and in particular Stanley + Joseph for being great drivers during the Game Drives.
IT
Email Andrea | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Terrible
On the fourth day, when we came away from the masi mara I saw that the driver did not come out of the gate by which we entered, he made a very long ride in the mountains, at least three times the way he should have done, we lost a lot of time .
In the middle of the road told us if we could come up with the wife, we said that was fine.
At one point it was stopped at a checkpoint of the tickets, gave our ticket to the ranger and the driver did not wait for the ranger give back the ticket, he left very quickly.
After about 20 minutes by road stopped in a village and came down from the bus.
While we waited Jackson arrived a ranger and when jacksone back talked a bit with him, then the ranger climbed on the bus with us and made us go back to the point of checking tickets. I asked what the problem was and the ranger said he had to ask questions to Jackson.
the driver came down and it was a long time talking in the office.
While we waited, the ranger came up to me and my wife and asked us how many game drive we did.
I said the truth, 5 game drive, the ranger was surprised and asked me to explain when we made them. I explained what days we did the 5 gamedrive, the ranger asked me how many nights we slept all'Ashnil and I put 3 nights.
At this point, Jackson has returned very angry and menacing tone told me that I had not done as he had said, to say only one day.
I understood that the problem was in the park tickets and I put that I have paid for 3 nights and that was his problem.
The driver is back with the ranger's office and after a while came back and we left.
We lost a lot of time, my wife and I were very scared and did not know what to do. We had lost all faith in Jackson and we wanted to come down and let us return to Nairobi by a taxi.
We decided to continue because the driver was calmer, he drove very fast to recover the lost time.
At Lake Nakuru did his wife get off the bus and arrived at the park after 17.00
It 'was a very bad experience, my wife and I have had a lot of fear and we have lost all faith. We lost a day of safari. We had to get to lake nakuru for lunch and we arrived in the evening before sunset. There you have cheated and deceived.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari but the driver and car could have been better
I went on a three day Masai Mara trip and the Masai Mara is just awesome. But Tom, our guide: 1) had a pretty old minivan, what made it bumpy sometimes, 2) was distracted on the phone many times instead of looking out for animals and 3) everyone was promised a window seat but we were 9 people the last two days so the van was very crowded.
I know there are other more encouraged drivers with better cars at big time safaris. I would not recomend a safari with this guide (ok maybe he had a bad week... but still...)