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
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Trip, But Very Unprofessional
First I'll start by saying that we had an amazing trip, saw many animals, our drivers were good, and Big Time was much cheaper than the other safari trips that I read about online.
However, I'm rating them a 2 because if you sign up with Big Time, you should understand what you may be getting into. They are slightly dishonest, and they consistently try to get more money from you.
It started by us agreeing to a 9 day safari online in advance of our trip. When we got to the Big Time office, we paid, but they made us pay an extra 5% to use credit card... And they do not accept checks. So they immediately violated the contract we agreed on, but after arguing, there was nothing we could do, because our whole trip depended on this safari, and we had no backup plan. So we paid extra.
Then, we learned that our 9 day safari was actually 2 smaller safaris with travel days in between. And despite the contract saying "all meals and hotels/campsites are included in the 9 day safari price," they made us pay extra for our hotel and meals in between the 1st and 2nd safari. They also charged us $20 if we wanted to use their sleeping bags at the campsite, when bedding was supposed to be included.
Now here comes the most ridiculous part. We were encouraged to change our safari plan by a Big Time manager instead of the one we originally decided on. We finally agreed to do the change. After we arrive from completing the safari, he says that we need to pay extra for changing the route! When this was never mentioned to us before! He even threatened to take the money that “we owed” out of the driver’s paycheck if we would not pay. It was completely unprofessional.
To sum up the experience, the actual safari was wonderful. Our drivers were very nice, and the vans were full (8 person van for safari #1 and 4 person van for safari #2), but we still had great views. However, the management uses too many sneaky tactics to get you to pay extra.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well organized, beautiful experience and they do what they promise!!!
We had a great time. Communication by mail and almost immediate response. Everything was possible, we made changes, and changes again.... And at the end, everything was 100% organized.
Correct driver, and the cook made nice meals. Accomodation as promised. The safari itself was superb, we saw the Big Five within 3 hours. Really enjoyed the tour with Big Time Safari.
Martha and John, and everybody else who made this such a great experience: 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.
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.
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...)
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.
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.
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!
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.
A real perspective on the animals in their habitat
The tour delivered what is expected. The accommodations connect well with the experience.