ES
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience. I'd rate it with 4.5 at least.
I booked with James on the same morning of departure, and everything we got in the safari was as he had previously explained to me. In the jeep we were 6 (plus driver and cook), and only some of us had booked thru Big Five Voyage, other travelers booked thru other companies and in the end we all got the same trip.
Both the cook and the driver/guide were very nice and professional, they deserved the tips (and probably a better salary!)
The first and only issue was a flat tire just an hour after departure, but it was quickly fixed in minutes.
To me, the only negative aspect would be the picnic lunches... Didn't enjoy them. The rest of the meals were good; I am a vegetarian and the cook always made sure that the veggie/rice/pasta portions were bigger, coz, you know what? In the end the vegetarian plates emptied faster than the meat dishes!
The overall experience was great. It is expensive for most travelers, especially budget/backpackers, but this exclusivity keeps those wonderful spaces wild, quiet and untouched. Enjoy the bargaining, too... Try to get a good price!
IL
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience with Big Time Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania
Our experience with Big Time Safaris was simply extraordinary! We took a 9 day safari in Kenya and Tanzania and also a daytrip to Amboseli and couldn't be happier we chose them! We were well taken care of since the moment we arrived in Nairobi until the moment we left.
Everything went smoothly and according to the itinerary. The guides were punctual, kind, very knowledgeable and they made it their priority that we saw as many animals as possible; always trying to get us close to them and always looking for the best angles for pictures. John , our guide in Tanzania, was exceptionally good. He was amazing tracing the animals -thanks to him we saw the big 5- but he was also fun to talk to. We learned so much about the Masai and the wildlife in general thanks to him.
The accommodations and the food provided were both good and just as promised. Special food requests are accommodated without a problem.
If you have the opportunity to visit a Masai village, do not skip it. It's really a memorable experience. Just make sure you bring some goodies for the kids (they love candies and coloring books for example) and a little money so you can buy some of the beautiful things the Masai women make and sell over there.
Special thanks to the lovely Martha, for impeccably preparing and coordinating our whole safari to the smallest detail, and for kindly answering all of my questions and attending every request I had. Since the first time I e-mailed her she stayed in touch and within reach, even while we were on the safari, which we really appreciated.
Thanks to Geoffrey as well, who drove us within Nairobi and was always so friendly and kind to us.
I can't praise the Big Time Safaris team enough for the once in a lifetime experience they gave us. It was simply incredible!
BE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
excellent service
My friends and I climbed Kilimanjaro with Kilimanjaro Budget Safaris. After the climb we went on a 5 days safari with them (Tarranguire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara). It was a great experience! The did a good job. I highly recommend them! Don't hesitate and book you Tanzanian adventure with this company!!
RO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really nice experience in Ruaha and Selous
We had a great experience with Usambara Expeditions. We visited Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve in 5 days. The car was great, safe and comfortable for our group of 5 people.
Yunus, our guide and driver has done such an amazing job with bringing us safe from place to place, being flexible with our requests, showing us a lot of animals in the little time we had. His driving skills are also really good :). There were times when we were looking at the road and it seemed impossible to pass it. However, Yunus always handled it really good.
Moreover, we have been so lucky to have a great cook with us. Alto provided a lot of food and everything was really tasty. More than that, he is really nice to talk to, very fun and outgoing.
Yunus and Alto did a great job together.
The company helped us with buying the ferry tickets from Dar to Zanzibar and they also brought them at the ferry, as we were short on time. Thank you also for that. Also, it was nice to have Zacharia around in the first days.
NL
Gorilla track Uganda
My mother and me went to see the Gorilla's in June. It was truly an amazing experience, something we will never forget. Partly this experience was so good due to the great organization of Gorilla bookings and the good company of our tour-guide Ben. They arranged literally everything for us, so we did not have to worry about anything and could just enjoy the beautiful country of Uganda.
This trip has been a blast and I can strongly advise everyone to book with this company. They make your trip very easy.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
More experiance with Dunas Safari
I have had the possiblity to join and experiance again the professionell Organisation Team at Dunas Safari.
The complete trip, starting with the car, the different lodges and adventure tours was organized by Dunas and I have to say that it was again very precise and perfectly organized. I was treated very good and all my questions had been answered promptly and if problems occured I got help immediately.
If I would have to mention something special I would recommend to visit the new Lodge La Rochelle. A wonderfull spot with fantastic food and good service. Please book the bush dinner, unforgettable! Thanks to Pedro on site, well done!
Finally again I am looking forward to see this impressive country again and Dunas Safari, with Pedro, Janine, Ivo and the team made this trip just outstanding. Thank you Dunas
NL
Safari tour to manyara, Serengeti and ngorongoro
We had a very nice trip with Safari guide and driver Harun. We saw all the big animals and had the luck to stay in very nice accomodations with Kubu Kubu as best experience ever!
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Not what was agreed or paid for
I agreed and paid for a 'safari' covering the Mara and Serengeti, with some other parks. This was Jan-Feb 2017.
The bottom line to my problem with it all was that I did not get what was agreed (in detail) and paid for. I also lost days off my holiday as a result. I have e-mail evidence etc to support all of this.
It became apparent that some of the things that were agreed were unlikely anyway due to distances and travel connections, in which case, why were they agreed?
I (mostly) enjoyed my safaris, but this was thanks to the actual providers, not to TAAS, who as far as I could tell were only sub-contracting me anyway.
I was meant to be mostly mid-range, but ended up mostly budget, and some of that was severe end of budget.
In practice, especially for solo travellers or couples, you are likely to be passed on to other companies. Many companies barely have offices never mind their own vehicles, etc, they just sub-contract, sometimes many times, and slice money off the top.
As such I would advise paying a little more and sticking to firms with actual offices and their own vehicles and some history, and make your own group if you can. If Serengeti, perhaps wait till you get to Arusha and have a good look at the numerous options available.
The economics and logistics of all the above is understandable and acceptable, but only if clear and transparent. What I can't accept is being promised one thing and then being given another, largely inferior thing.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A wonderful experience!
Oakland tour and safaris organised a splendid budget safari for us. Our safari guide was most enthusiastic, and the company was very responsive to my email queries.
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic service!
It was a last minute booking and our main condition was a private game viewing vehicle. In google search I have come across krugerpark.com and consultant Ruben helped me to narrow it down to number of suitable places. He worked with us all through the weekend and even at the late hours to make sure that we find the best place for the best price and with the vehicle we wanted. I never thought it will be possible but he did it! We have spend the most amazing weekend in Kapama Karula and I have had a best birthday in my life! And without Ruben it wouldn't have happened.