African Big Five Safaris
- Located In:
-
Canada
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2012)
- Member Of:
- AUTO, UTB & UWA
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $80 to $350 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CR
Email David Stein | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
African big 5 helped me make my dream safari come true!
I can not say enough good stuff about African big 5 safaris. I have been a professional wildlife photographer for years. Now in my older years getting around has become tough. My wife and I chose Uganda for our safari for various reasons, knowing full well that it would have some limitations not present in other safari areas of Africa. I had a specific agenda ranging from Kidepo in the northeast, and hitting all the major wildlife areas including doing chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla tracking and finishing with lake Mburo in the south central area. We had somewhat limited time, and a limited budget. African big 5 helped us design what amounted to our own private safari (with a couple exceptions where joining others was not avoidable.) I spoke with Geoffrey, the owner over the course of 1.5 years putting together things the way we wanted. Geoffrey was amazing! Our needs and questions were numerous, and he answered all, as well as accommodating our needs, and and offering suggestions for us where needed. He/they were flexible both prior to the safari and during as well. we upgraded to some 5 star places and downgraded to some lesser places per our interest. Our Driver/guide Musa was great, understandably pushing us a bit when we needed to move our buts, but always with the intention to get us the maximum game viewing times possible. he found us all we wanted to see. I had set my expectations for Uganda differently not expecting to see Cheetah or leopard, and we did not see those, as they are harder to see there. But, we saw many other unusual critters that I had not expected to see. And, as I had previously seen leopard and cheetah in Kenya was delighted to get to see the other animals. We took lots of luggage to ensure our equipment and necessary clothes made it even if all the bags did not. He helped us everywhere with our things and even gave us his backpack on a couple occasions where we needed one and had inadvertently forgotten to bring our own. If Uganda is your destination and you want personalized care - I can not recommend them enough. And, though not all was perfect, any problems were always dealt with expediently and with understanding..... We will miss Uganda, and the personalized care we received.....
BE
Email Olivier | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was perfect
Thanks to Maria for the good advices and the help she provided to develop the project, thanks to Geoffrey for the organisation, and a lot of thanks to my driver Edmond who was was great. It have been a very nice experience.
CA
Email Lori | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic experience
We (family of 4 with 2 teenagers) recently did an 8-day safari with African Big Five Safaris, that combined all the main elements of the 7 Day Gorilla and Wilderness Safari and the 3 Day Murchison Falls tour. We also added on the 1 Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour in Kampala. We loved all parts of the trip and everything went extremely smoothly. Everyone we dealt with at African Big Five Safaris was very helpful, friendly and professional. Mary and Geoffrey were fantastic at organizing the trip exactly to our specifications and helping us decide on which lodges were best for us. They were also quick to respond to my many questions. We were on the move every day so stayed in many different lodges that they recommended (mostly mid-range) and all were very comfortable and enjoyable. The food was included everywhere and was very good and very plentiful (usually 3 courses for dinner and sometimes also for lunch). Our driver, David, was great and always very organized and on time. He was also very knowledgeable and friendly, and we were sad to say goodbye to him. At the end of the trip, Mary made a special trip to our hotel in Kampala just to meet us and thank us for our business, which was a very nice personal touch. I highly recommend booking any travel with this company; with such fantastic service and reasonable prices, you cannot do any better than this.
CA
Email Ray & Alyssa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5 Day Gorillia / Queen Elizabeth - "Big 5" made it amazing!
If you are planning a Ugandan Safari, you have to get in touch with Big 5! Geoffrey is prompt at replies, and can work with you to arrange your perfect Uganda experience! We had the choice of 3 price levels for our accommodations and chose the mid-level. It far exceeded our expectations!
- Our driver, Richard, was amazing! A fine gentleman who ensured the 4x4 SUV had plenty of water & pop, and drove like an excellent driver.
- Gerrard was the perfect guide/host (Big recommendation if you are there for birding! Its his passion!!). He provided lots of information and has eyes like a hawk. He saw Lions from a mile away!
- Our lodges were Buhoma Lodge in Bwindi, and Twin Lakes Lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP. Both were incredible! (see other reviews)
- The food was very accommodating and flexible. If you're a picky eater (thats too bad you miss out on lots!!) you will have no problems eating the food.
Don't hesitate to email Geoffrey at Big 5, and get the ball rolling! Enjoy!
Email Terry | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent team to deal with
From the time of our initial enquiry, through to booking, the joining instructions, the trip itself, they are a very competent & friendly company to deal with. The trip to Murchison Falls matched the very comprehensive itinerary, the accommodation & food at Fort Murchison more than matched our expectations. The guide/driver was absolutely superb and went out of his way to make this a most memorial safari.
US
Email Danielle Shubert | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic
Everything about the tour was excellent.. communication was warm and welcomed, our guide was lovely, kind, informative and accommodating. Our lodgings were exceptional. Wonderful!
US
Email Linda | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Normal trip became uncoventional due to broken ankle- AB5 support caring/support absolutely awesome
HIghly recommend AB5 to anyone taking a trip to the East African area. We scheduled an 11 day trip that included Nile River Rafting, Gorilla, Chimp and Bird trekking, Murchison Falls, and the mountains and lake areas of Uganda. Had back and forth e-mail discussion to build custom itinerary with dates of our choice.
Didn’t happen as planned because I broke every bone in my ankle the 1st hour of being in Kampala on a self-scheduled afternoon tour with Keefa Motors (AB5 tour to begin next day). It was a strange and unusual, fluke accident that occurred at the Baha’i House of Worship - definitely not anyone’s fault. Solomon of Keefa Motors (http://www.keefamotortours.com/#_=_) was excellent in staying with us and doing his best to make sure I got the needed immediate medical care.
Due to the injury severity and that I am an active person, the ER doctor (most likely British educated) recommended follow-on surgery to insert plates and screws which we decided to do in Uganda due to his glowing endorsement of the surgical competence at a nearby orthopedic hospital (approx 1 hr drive). This decision resulted in hours of hospital prep work at various spots, acquiring and changing money (hospital didn’t accept credit cards so needed large cash amt for anticipated a 3 night hospital stay), stops at airline offices to acquire documentation for airline cancellations/changes and other misc needs. Originally I was scheduled at end of Uganda tour to fly to Zimbabwe for two weeks of volunteer work while my husband was to fly back to the US. Instead of facing the challenge of changing both my husband’s and my return to the US we just changed my flight to return on his flight and do as much as my very limited mobility would allow of the scheduled Big Five itinerary in between the medical associated stuff.
The support provided by African Big Five Safaris was awesome. Not only did our guide (Edmond) continue to support us (lots of carrying me even though we rented a wheelchair because Uganda is not handicap friendly), but the owners of AB5 (Maria and Geoffrey) spent days with us during pre-surgery testing and as we worked through all the above. Making cancellations since parts of the trip were no longer possible was expected, but while in the operating room the doctors decided not to do surgery thus giving us two more days that required re-planning and AB5’s addition of a couple additional unexpected outings so I wouldn’t be just sitting around was well above and beyond of what could be expected of any tour organization. AB5 facilitated every twist and turn that occurred with smiles and enthusiasm.
So to all that read this I say if AB5 does safaris in an area you want to see in East Africa select them as your outfitter. I can’t praise them enough for all the time, effort, flexibility, support and caring AB5 gave us during this unconventional trip.
After review American orthopedic doctors feel the insertion of plates and screws is necessary(even though the alignment and healing looks good). Scheduled for surgery 8/12/16.
Best holiday of my life!
African Big Five Safaris is an incredible tour company! They are extremely friendly and are also flexible to make a tour which suits you. Our guide was very knowledgeable and he did everything he could to make it a wonderful experience. They lived up to every expectation and more. They think of all the little things that other tour companies don't. I highly recommend them!
US
Email Kris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Phenomenal Guide!
Overall, this was a fantastic experience. Our guide was friendly, very knowledgable and really made the trip more enjoyable. I cannot say enough about his expertise, ability to spot well-hidden game and his efforts to ensure our safari was amazing. He succeeded! He is the reason I gave a 5 star rating.
I did not care for the lodging at Fort Murchison and cannot recommend it. I realize that we chose a medium accommodation and the price was good however, our room had a mouse that kept us up at night scurrying around and the electricity was out on the wall the fan was wired to. We were unable to charge electronics or run the fan on what were very warm nights. Also, there are large numbers of black ants in the dining room. They were very aggressive and got into our food and drinks many times despite our best efforts to remove them from our table. The staff at Fort Murchison were all friendly and welcoming.
Email Cathy and Andrew | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional but personable, knowledgeable, experienced, fun to be with, fantastic guide Edmonde!
We booked this safari at short notice. All communication was prompt and any inquiries dealt with in a professional but personable manner.
Our guide Edmonde was the best! We are pretty easy going people and it was great to have someone who was willing to chat and share their experiences. We loved hearing tales from the past and had many a laugh. Edmonde is very experienced and it showed in the way he dealt with any problems that arose. The two safari tours were great. We saw many wonderful animals, the majestic giraffes being my favourite. The lions missed meeting us as they were on holiday! The boat trip along the Nile River was relaxing and so scenic with hippos, the mighty Nile Croc (who is up there on par with the big Aussie Crocs), elephants and birds. And the Murchison Falls, amazing! If you are going to see these falls please do consider walking to the top. It is amazing. The Rhino Sanctuary was breathtaking. Such wonderful creatures and so close. Sharing lunch and chatting after was great. Also meeting the baby warthog being cared for by the owner of the Sanctuary The trip back to Kampala was slow (!!!) but fun. Lots of chatting, discussion and laughs. Even though this was only a short 3-day safari it was packed with experiences. Just a taste of what is out there. Thank you.