TR
The Absolute Best Trip EVER!
Big Time Safaris offers budget safaris but I cannot imagine a better tour company at any price. I am a traveler and have enjoyed many tours but have never received such caring, thoughtful service as I did with Big Time.
Martha in the office went above and beyond to help me with even the most minor details. Boneface, a delightful young man and great driver, welcomed me at the airport and then picked me up at my hotel to take me back to the airport for departure. And then there was James, our guide/driver throughout our safari tour. He was so outstanding that our group dubbed him James Bond for his prescience, thorough organizational abilities and talented leadership, and ultimately for his dexterous driving skills.
If you're looking for a true safari experience and don't expect frills or ostentation, Big Time Safaris is the only way to go!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
great safari and hiking tour in Tanzania
- Peter was a great and reliable organiser for our tour from 27.12.2015 - 07.01.2016.
- we booked everything with the internet and mails from Switzerland to him and it worked very well.
- our safari car was brandnew (7 seater for two people) and William was a very good driver and guide.
- the ice box was packed with free mineral- and sodawater and some wines ;-). All for free.
- we had only one small thunderstorm in Arusha NP and loved the climate and green landscapes after the short rainy season in the nationalparks.
- we saw a part of the migration (herds of 25'000 animals) in the Ngorongoro Conservation and around Ndutu aera.
- highlights were Tarangire NP and Ngorongoro crater with plenty of anmials. Next time we come for 1 1/2 days to Tarangire NP.
- the south and Seronera part of the Serengeti NP was very nice with all the high green gras, but not to many animals. We saw two times lions in the trees in Serengeti NP and every day cats ...
- highlights for the accomodations were:
* the new luxury tented camp Acacia in the Serengeti NP from Gosheni (we get a upgrade) was great and Anthony a very good cook. We been the only guest in the camp and enjoyed it very much.
* Maromboi Tented lodge (near Tarangire NP) and Ngorongoro farmhouse (near Ngorongoro crater) were very good with great food and atmosphere. Both had large rooms.
* Ndutu safari lodge was ok, good rooms. The dinner was not very good, but the breakfast with all the fresh fruits was superb. The landscape was also very nice.
- Lake Manyara NP was empty of animals. Next time we will stay longer in Tarangire NP.
- The Mount Meru trekking was good organised, but our guide has to learn a little more about the complicate park rules. We saw him the first and last day only in the mountain huts. We hiked up with a group of 3 other couples and had to "fight" with the officals from the National park that we are not a group of 18 people ...
- The trekking, the scenery and landscapes were absolutly georgeous and Robert our cook was great.
- Price/quality for the trekking and safari for two was very good.
Thank you very much for everything. All the best
Rainer & Susanna
SG
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Horrible Horrible Service from Hennie - Avoid at all cost!!
We booked a trip with Fleet Foot Safaris for 6D5N Vic Falls and Chobe National Park with Hennie last year in December. Once everything was finalised and payment was done promptly, there were delays in our vouchers and when the vouchers were given to us, we were told that the initial quote cannot be matched and there were reduction of activities given to us and no airport transfers for us!! It was explained to us that it was due to the changes we made earlier as there were supposed to be 3 person instead of 2. The initial plan was 3 of us and we were quoted with single sharing premium which doesn't make sense at all, we didnt want any trouble and wanted to make sure that was all the changes from the itinerary, Hennie confirmed that only reduction of 2 activities and no airport transfer. However, when we reached Chobe National Park, we were told from the resort that our lunches are not included as opposed to what's stated in the itinerary. We called Hennie and he told us he will only be back in office in a few days' time and by that time we will be finished with the trip and back home!!
Horrible horrible service from Hennie and please do not trust him on his final itinerary until you get all the vouchers. There are multiple shortchange and it was unfair to holidaygoers.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Skeleton Coast National Park by Marcellinissimo
Absolute great experience. A lot of wildlife there, despite the dry area. Desert adapted lion and elephants are there. And lots of Flamingos and Seals at the coast. Like to drive in the dry river bed of Hoanib.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Review about Damaraland by Marcellinissimo
We saw the Black Rhinos in wild, absolute amazing. Landscape is great.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely great landscape and wildlife
We saw a lot of different game, such as herds of Zebras, Springboks, Orys and lots of Elephants, Giraffes, Hyenas, Lion, Cheetahs and much more. The scenery was amazing, changing a lot from green to brown and green again. The pan is impressive too. We stayed at the Ongave Tented Camp just outside the park.
Wonderful - we could not have asked for more.
We went with Wild Wings and was guided by Simon. Three days at Sabi Sands, picked up by Simon in Jo'burg and staying in Skukuza. There were only four of us so the journey was comfortable and it was a great group. Simon was brilliant at finding and spotting game.
What we saw was amazing - within an hour of arriving we saw a baby elephant only a few days old, the hind legs of its mother still stained from the birth. By the end of the time we had seen just about everything except Cheetah. We even saw a pack of wild dogs.
The accommodation was very comfortable, in spacious bungalows with flushing loo and full shower. Simon cooked well for us and really looked after us. Out at 4.30 each day for the morning drive in an open sided vehicle, out again at 3.
Three things became clear - you need to be with an experienced guide; you need to be in an open-sided vehicle and you need to be based inside the park. Anything else and you are short-changing yourselves.
Bring binoculars, a good camera with a zoom lens and you will leave with a bright heart and a lifetimes of memories. We could not have asked for anything more.
US
Great times with great guides
We saw a variety of wildlife, had incredible weather and phenomenal food at The Hide. Our guides were very knowledgeable and found some of the best wildlife during our safari. We saw lions, wild dogs, a cheetah hunt, impala, zebra and so many other animals. I cannot wait to go back.
CA
Review about Ngorongoro Crater by Myles
Plenty of wildlife and a fantastic campsite. Loved every minute of it.
CA
Saw everything I could have hoped to see. Absolutely incredible!
Everything from the campground to the transportation was excellent. Our driver was great and the state of the park was fantastic. Saw pretty much every animal that is native to the area and walked away with some fantastic photos. Highlight was definitely the family of cheetahs.