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 Amit | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
they delivered what they promised
I went to Kenya in September 2015 and booked a day tour of Nairobi with Big time. The driver and services were excellent and thus I booked a 4day Masai Mara plus Lake Nakuru tour with BigTime and I am glad that I made that choice. Martha in particular is very helpful lady . She attended to all my queries very patiently and gave me the best advice to choose among the various tour options. I was not having any local SIM card till we started the journey and I was looking to buy one. Manager John , ever energetic, instructed driver to help me get a local SIM card enroute and with the help of one local guy I could get that within the luch break itself. You can always make a call from the environs of Masai Mara as its a open grassland and signal coverage is pretty good (I wonder whether anybody has studied the negative fallouts of this heavy signal coverage on the wildlife of the park) .... I had chosen camp stay so the services in the camp were basic.. You just get one bulb in bathroom and one more in another partition of the camp used as space for two beds... Electricity was available for just three hours in evening ...from 7to 10pm. then lights would be switched off as the generator would be shut down. One can recharge his camera /mobile at a common dining space .. no TV (except at a place near common dining place) no radio, free Wifi which would work intermittently. Definitely that is not for luxury... but then I had not gone there for luxury. The chef tried his best to accomodate my vegeterain eating preferences. The place was very quiet in early evening...and when the lights were out it was really very interesting to feel like 1950s, something our generation missed completely. Safari itself was very good. We saw all the big 5 plus my darling-Cheetah (twice). We were lucky to see pride of lions crackling the bones of a fresh buffalo kill in early morning safari and then in evening we saw two male lions stalking a baby giraffe, their plans foiled by the head of giraffe family who came very close to two lions threatening them with dire consequences in case of any misadventure. There was only one nuisance... driver chatting ceaselessly on microphone with his fellow drivers. Sometimes it was for good as they gave each other directions of wildlife spotting, but certainly the chatting could have been bit lesser for same effect otherwise he was a braveheart ,taking his vehicle very near to the animal . Dont expect perfect peaceful watching of wildlife as shown on Discovery /NGC as drivers' microphones make noises continuously. Though it was a budget Safari , Stay in Nakuru was very comfortable, a pleasant surprise for all of us travelling together. Overall it was a nice experience with BigTime Safari. Special thanks to Martha and John.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great six day safari to Samburu, Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru
I rarely write reviews but BigTime Safaris gave me an excellent trip and there aren't a lot of reviews for safaris, so I thought it would help people by seeing a review. I did a six day safari to Samburu, Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara. Martha was extremely responsive to all my questions and always replied back to my emails within day. She scheduled my pickup to and from the airport also. Martha was phenominal. Rarely have I had someone be so responsive and helpful. Animal (or Animo) was my guide and driver and was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable about the animals we saw and had a great personality. Big Time Safaris was priced well. Lucky for me, no one signed up for the Samburu portion of my trip, so it was just the guide and myself. The fourth day we picked up a second tourist for the Masai Mara portion of the tour. Even though I went in April and in the rainy season, it only rained two days. One day it rained 20 minutes, the other day it rained for 1.5 hours. So even if you can only go in April, still go as the weather was gorgeous and I had no issues. Also, Samburu was better than the Masai Mara in my opinion. There was a higher density of animals and the landscape was a bit more hilly/picturesque. Lake Nakuru was nice to see rhinos and rock hyrax.
Email The Nomadic Diaries | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Would do it again
Everything was amazing. I came in without expectations and the team at bigtime. Within 24 hours of my inquiry I was placed on a bus with a group and had a great 3-days seeing every animal Africa could offer (aside the rhino and leopard) with a knowledgeable and funny guide\driver who answered every question with patience and had some great anecdotes from past safaris. He has sharp eyes and spotted the two lions stalking the herd of buffalo on our first sunset safari.
The next day, a full day in the park, he drove us around for 120 K's keeping the same patience and level of professionalism throughout the entire day. And that was the day we saw everything. Of course, no animal sightings are guaranteed and we were pretty lucky.
The camp had all the necessary facilities and great food and hosts. The local Maasai are friendly and happy to show you their village and home.
All up, it was a memorable Africn experience that will stay with me until I hit old age and lose my memory.
Thanks Bigtime Safaris!
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.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Total Guarantee above expectations
My personal experience with Bigtime is nothing short of excellent in all aspects, they're very efficient and reliable and professional. The guide/driver we used ie Stanley was extremely great. I'd use Bigtime any other day to whatever safari destination no doubt
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!
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.
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...)
The best holiday ever!
big time safari had a very quick response and offered us great services. also the price was really reasonable. i would love to join the tour again:)
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very nice tour :)
I booked this tour by e-mail. The person in charge of tour replied soon, and she was very kind.
Though I asked many questions,she answered correctly and what she wrote was actually correct.
The tour is great. I could see more animals that I had imagined.
I could see BIG5 all!!
The Driver(joseph) was kind and reliable. He found many animals, and told me that, so I didn't miss animals that I wanted see:)
Tent is confortable. There is mosquito net. And food is good as well.
The tour cost is very nice!!
I'm surprised that tour quality is so nice, but cost is cheap.So, I could go to safari though I'm student.
And boat safari was exciting ;) I could see many birds and rhinoceroses.
I joined bigtimesafari tour for 4days.The time passed by in a blink of an eye.
I have never such an great experience ever. I'm so glad.
Especially, special thanks for Martha and Joeph. Because of you, I think I could enjoy and have a safe trip.
Before going to kenya I was worry a little bit, but I was wrong. There is big nature.I relaxed too ;)
The nairobi city was not safety maybe, but this company is very safety and kind!
I want to join another tour of bigtimesafari someday. Thanks.