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)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IN
Email Karthik | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good service and great value for money!
When i was doing my initial search for a safari operator it wasn't easy to zero in on one. After researching quite a bit on the internet I decided to go with Big Time for my 12 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. My contact person Martha was amazingly responsive to all my queries/suggestions/changes in plans etc... She accommodated all my requests to ensure I got what I asked for. Though there was a problem with too many people in the group at one time (9 in the vehicle for our game drive at Lake Nakuru), it was handled reasonably well to ensure the safari went on well from there on. Here is my take on safaris with Big Time.
The Good:
- Very efficient and customer focused team at Nairobi.
- One could trust them to ensure all logistics are taken care of - right from the moment I landed, to transfers of all kinds, right till I was dropped at the airport, all I had to do was text/call Martha and she would have something arranged for me. Very efficient and makes things simple for a newbie in Africa.
- The price is very competitive. There are very few operators who offer safaris at this price. Though it's imperative that this is a 'budget' safari and you get more than what you pay for.
- Animal sightings - well, this shouldn't be a problem if you are in the right place at right time. There was no dearth of animals at Masai Mara at this time of the year and the drives were just awesome.
The Bad:
- The safari vehicles weren't the best of conditions.
- The drivers (all the 3 i dealt with) weren't interested in spending much time in the parks. Despite the whole of our group insisting that we wanted to continue with the game drive, our driver at Amboseli was adamant about getting back to the camp a good 1.5 hrs before the park closing time.
- My plan in Tanzania was altered so that I could be accommodated as a part of a group (a day in Serengeti was replaced by a day in Tarangire). Though I was indifferent to the change, I would have preferred being consulted before deciding what I should be doing than telling me what I would be doing!
Tips:
- Ask as many questions as possible before you agree on your safari - how many days? what time do you start and spend at every park? how many people in the van? is water included? will the vehicle be in good condition? It's good to have these things in writing before you embark on your safari with any operator.
- On your day one, before you start on your safari it is a good idea to sit with the driver and your contact person at the office to confirm all that was agreed on in your communications, so as to ensure everyone is on the same platform.
- Keep in touch with your contact person when on safari (if you happen to have local phone number or whenever there if Wi-Fi access). This could help the office handle any problems that could pop up.
- And, enjoy your days in the wild... At the end of the day, that's what we take all this fuss for! :)
All said and done, if i were to go on a safari again, I know who to get in touch with!
TW
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing
Everything is good. I love Africa, I will come back again.
AR
Email Sebastian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience!
Me and a friend were looking for a budget Safari starting from Arusha. The alternatives were a lot, and is really imposible to do a good choice with all the guys taking you to diferent offices to tell you the same speach, but we ended up picking the one we felt more faithfull.
We were really lucky, the couple Driver/Cook was supreme (Godfrey and Alifa). They were young, funny, helpfull and really profesional guys, and I think that there lies most of the quality of a Safari. If I could do it again I'd maybe avoid some of the smallest parks to spend 1 or 2 days more at Serengetti.
I'll surely recomend the company to my friends.
NP
Email MADAN THAPA KSHETRI | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing, best out put
iIt was the excellent experience in my life to visit MASAI MARA. Management of BIGTIME SAFAI was well. Thank you all who were attending for making our travel much more adventurous. Specially DAVID, TR GD STLIN, N NJERI.
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!
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.
MA
under20 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Splendid holiday!
The people at Big Time Safaris are helpful and very friendly and always try their best to accommodate you as best as possible. Special thanks to Martha for organising a fantastic trip and to Patrick for being a fantastic guide!!
CN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very rich experience to see a lot of animals
During the safari, the guide is quite experienced and kind to help us find a lot of interesting animals including some rare ones such as cheetah.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great 7 days safari
My 7 days safari to Amboseli, Lake Naivasha/Hell's Gate, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara was great. I'm satisfied with the service, accommodations (camps and budget hotels), guide/driver: everything was well organized and I will definitely recommend Big Time Safaris to my friends.
A big thank to Martha and Stano!!!
AE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of Kenya tour
Very good service and excellent hospitality...will definitely recommend to my friends and relatives.