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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Reviews
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...)
EG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Budget Safari
Everything was great, safe, and affordable (for budget safari). The guide was very helpful, Martha is too patient and answered all the questions and the concerns. The people tried to do their best to make my trip to Kenya a great one. I can say, I spent less money in Kenya than what I will spend in my country for the same period of time. Masai Mara was awesome, Hell's gate was too nice, I was very happy and the other tourist from all over the world had the same feeling.
All you have to take care about is the hotels, sometimes they try to deceive me to take more money (for ex. fees on Wi Fi !!!) but this happens anywhere in the world that's why it is ok for me.
If I come back, I will choose big time safari. I will recommend it to my friends too.
Thanks.
IN
20-35 years of age
value for money
My contact David is very helpful. I had taken the three day trip to masai mara. It was a wonderful experience and a must do for all wildlife enthusiasts. Had also visited the giraffe center and crocodile park in nairobi. Had recommended big time to many friends and everyone was all praises. Hoping to have more experiences.