African Big 5 Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $81 to $96 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Britza | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most exciting adventure ever with the best possible guides who spotted animals galore for us.
Excellent, couldn't have hoped for more. I learned heaps about Kruger and how the animals work. The tour exceeded my expectations with information and photographic advice as well as great service by out tour leaders and the restaurants we ate in.
Email Mike Bream | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely brilliant. I learnt a lot about my camera and photography in general.
I was apprehensive about going on this safari as my photographic knowledge was limmted but I need not have worried as Laurens helped me gain so much knowledge and experience in the time i spent with him. It will not be the last safari i do with him. We were exceptionally lucky to have him and a very knowlegeable guide/driber in Bernard. Their enthusiasm was great. We saw the big 5 every day except the day of departure when we only saw 4 of the 5. The photographic opportunities were endless and i believe I got photos that I could only dream of seeing on postcards. Worth every cent.
Email Nick and Jacqueline | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First timers - Chobe
A safari, something that had never really crossed my mind, it was something other people did! We were pondering a holiday and Africa was mentioned, we visited a travel expo in Perth and one of the first displays we saw was Lourens Lee and African Big 5 Safaris. We stopped and chatted and were pretty much hooked. It all sounded too good to be true....we booked a tour to Botswana, staying at a lodge on the Chobe River, the trip included a day trip to Victoria Falls and a village tour into Namibia as well as a multitude of river cruises and game drives.
We met Lourens a couple of times before the trip and were amazed not only by his attention to detail but with his absolute interest in making sure his clients had the best trip ever, he didn't disappoint!
The trip to Botswana went by in a flash, and we were soon ensconced in our little piece of Africa.
The next morning we left in darkness - a holiday where we were happy to be up before dawn - for the park entrance, the image of a herd of elephants crossing the river in the pre dawn light is firmly embedded in my memory, as is the flurry of radio traffic telling us about a leopard, this led us on a wild ride back to the sighting and well worth it it was. We saw two Honey Badgers including one with a kill and I was also stared down by a Cape Buffalo after using 'the facilities'. The river cruises had their own allure, we got up close and personal to crocodiles, elephants and hippos and the African sunsets over Chobe were something to behold.
We managed an extended game drive and whilst straining our eyes for any sign off wildlife, we managed to spot an anti poaching patrol 'camouflaged' in the trees, their boss was not too impressed that they were spotted by a group of tourists!!!!
The Chobe wildlife was a great introduction to Africa and coupled with the trip to the Victoria Falls had us hooked, any concerns of it being too good to be true were blown out of the water, Lourens was a great guide, spotter and his knowledge of these locations was second to none.
Wildlife documentaries haven't been the same since.
Lourens and African Big 5 Safaris will only leave you wanting more.....
Email Nick and Jacqueline | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya and Tanzania - amazeballs
Our second African adventure and it didn't disappoint, from sitting out on our luxury tent deck at midnight listening to a roaring lion across the Sweetwaters watering hole to a wildebeest stampede past a coupling lion and his lioness and the weird excitement of a wildebeest being held by a huge croc in the Mara river, Kenya and Tanzania didn't disappoint. Lourens leaves nothing to chance and with his experienced game drivers is a fantastic guide, knowing many great secluded areas to see a wide range of Africa's finest. We saw way too much too list in this review, the only things we missed were Wild Dogs and another Honey Badger!!!
The accomodation was excellent with different amazing sights and sounds at each 'campsite' there was also a great selection of good food at all like locations. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend African Big 5 Safaris to anyone planning a guided safari.
Email Julie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Namibian safari- journey through a wildlife wonderland!
Our African Big 5 Safaris trip to Namibia and South Africa was an amazing experience. The organisation of our trip was first rate from the incredibly varied itinerary, allowing us to sample a range of different regions throughout Namibia from the beautiful vast Etosha Pan to the stunning landscapes of Damaraland, the harshness of the Skeleton Coast, the desert landscape of the Sossusvlei, the wild Fish River Canyon and finally the beautiful remote Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; to service provided by the tour operator. The communication line was always open- both before and during our trip- and our wishes were catered for very well. I wanted to see meerkats and an excursion to see the Meerkat Foundation was organised and on the itinerary from the outset.This was an amazing experience - one I will not forget. All travel arrangements during the tour - airline tickets, safari vehicles - were efficiently organised. We were met on arrival in Windhoek so there was no hanging around wondering and waiting, it was straight into our safari. The accommodation organised for us could not be faulted. It was extremely comfortable and there were no hitches at all. Likewise the food was well organised and any personal requirements - vegetarian etc were well catered for. The game drives were an absolute highlight. Lourens' knowledge of the African wildlife was excellent and provided a good insight into understanding the countryside. His photographic expertise also meant that there were plenty of opportunities to get those wonderful precious shots of the game to keep as memories of the trip. Having someone who understands Africa so well as African Big 5 Safaris means that you will have memories to last a lifetime. There were many different types of activities offered to us so you didn't feel like you were doing the same thing every day. So if you love wildlife, the wild African landscape and want a memorable safari experience African Big 5 Safaris are the way to go.
Email Charles & Jan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Have been twice & hope to repeat .
Were the highlights the migration in Tanzania , being bogged in Kenya with the Jumbo's approaching,or buzzing the Ostriches off the dirt strip so we could land !?? It was all great ,exciting & 4/5 star all the way . Please Lourens devise a new Safari (not in the desert ) So we can start a new adventure !.
Email Mark | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Photo Tour in Kruger National Park
This was a small scale and informal trip within Kruger NP for 11 days which is designed especially for keen photographers.
The vehicle is equipped with swivel mounts which work well and our hosts/guides Lourens and Bernhard were very knowledgeable.
The trip exceeded all expectations as we saw plenty of animals. Importantly, we had no time pressure to move on, so we were able to stay with good sightings and get plenty of photos.
For safety reasons, you are required to be back at camp between sunrise and sunset, and you can only get out of the vehicles at designated stops. Hence there little prospect of doing landscape photography! We travelled a long way into the park and spent 2 nights at each rest camp. We used both sealed and gravel roads and both provided us with plenty of opportunities.
The accommodation, food and facilities provided by the National Park operators were reasonable but lacked polish, and service levels were often low (as you would probably expect in a NP). Usually there was no WiFi available so you need to have your own plan.
Highly recommended if you want to see plenty of wildlife , and like no fuss, good value, informal touring.
High standards
Lourens is efficient and precise in organising. His knowledge of the bush and wildlife is astounding. Furthermore, he has an excellent sense of humour which makes it fun everyday.
Email Ken and Norma | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Indescribably the most amazing experience of Africa with the utmost professional tour guide
From the very first time we met with Lourens in the comfort of our own home we knew we were in for the experience of a lifetime. He was the utmost professional showing his love of Africa in every photo and sentence. He was always available for any information and we even had a group meet and greet before leaving Perth. Every place we visited was magical, the Big5 found easily, the drivers so friendly and Lourens always guiding us brilliantly. It was the very best experience of our life and I don't think we will match it again ... until we go on another African Safari with Lourens of African Big 5 Safaris.
Email Terry & Vi Blenkinship | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing photographic adventure of a lifetime.
A trip to Kenya and Botswana with the Big 5 Safari was the highlight of 2015.
In fact it was a highlight of our many travels over the years, and a photographic journey which both I and my husband thoroughly enjoyed.
The attention and care shown to us during this time was exceptional with all our needs met by Lourens Lee, who tried his hardest and succeeded in showing us the Masai Mara and its animals in all their glory with some great photoshoot opportunities.
A memorable experience which I can highly recommend to one and all, to join the “Big 5 Safari” for the adventure of a lifetime.
Thank you Lourens for a wonderful photographic adventure.