$2,846 to $3,133 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateThis Tour Is Offered By
African Big Cats Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
TZ
African Big Cats has distinguished itself from the crowd for its commitment to excellent service and innovative itineraries. Our safaris are conducted with optimum care to provide our customers with a truly memorable experience. We strive to introduce you to the country, its culture, its people, as well as the wildlife. We have a closely knit team of professionals to guarantee your satisfaction.
Reviews750
CA
Seamless Safari from start to finish
For so many of us in Canada, an African safari is a dream. It’s one of those experiences you imagine, read about, and see on TV, but can hardly conceptualize until you’re actually there, living it.
Choosing the right country for a safari is daunting enough, but narrowing it down to the right company is another challenge entirely. We didn’t have friends or family who could offer recommendations, so we did the research ourselves. Thankfully, we chose African Big Cats Safaris, a smaller, locally owned company, and we couldn’t be more grateful that we did.
From the very beginning, the experience exceeded our expectations. In the lead-up to our trip, we had A LOT of questions LOL but every single one was met with a prompt, professional, and thoughtful response. We always felt informed, supported, and confident that we were in good hands.
And then we landed at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
From that very first moment, we felt 100% taken care of. Every aspect of our journey had been thoughtfully considered, every detail accounted for, and nothing overlooked. We could simply be present and take in the experience, knowing that we were being looked after every step of the way.
We also had the pleasure of meeting African Big Cats’ owner and director, Emmanuel, in person on the second day of our journey. He took the time to walk us through our itinerary, explain what lay ahead, and answer any questions we had. That personal touch gave us even more confidence that we were in excellent hands, and from that point forward, everything was seamless.
Every accommodation was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was exceptional. And the hospitality? Honestly, I have travelled to many places around the world, but I have never experienced anything quite like the warmth and generosity we encountered in Tanzania. The people are truly beautiful, inside and out, and the kindness we were shown throughout our journey left a lasting impression on both of us.
What really stood out about African Big Cats was the thought and care behind every decision. From the accommodations they selected to the transfers, logistics, and countless details connecting each part of our itinerary, everything felt polished, intentional, and effortlessly coordinated. We never had a moment of uncertainty about where we needed to be, what was happening next, or whether we were being taken care of. We could simply relax, be present, and enjoy every moment.
As luck would have it, the best guide in all of Africa was available to accompany us on our adventure.
We met Venance at the airport, and he introduced us to two words that would become a theme throughout our journey: pole pole, which means “slowly, slowly” in Swahili. It was exactly what my mom needed to hear, and perhaps a reminder that we all need from time to time.
Venance’s patience, kindness, knowledge, and gentle way of being are difficult to put into words. He had a remarkable ability to make us feel comfortable, safe, and completely at ease. We trusted him wholeheartedly, and that trust made all the difference in the world.
And when it comes to driving, Venance is hands down the best driver I have ever seen. Navigating everything from winding roads to rugged safari terrain, he handled it all with a level of skill and confidence that was nothing short of impressive. We felt 100% safe at literally every turn. Pun intended. 😂
And then, of course, there was the safari itself. There is simply no way to fully prepare yourself for the feeling of being out in the African wilderness, surrounded by landscapes that stretch endlessly into the horizon, never knowing what might appear around the next bend.
Thanks to Venance, we didn’t just see the Big Five; we experienced wildlife encounters we could never have imagined. From a mother cheetah feeding her cubs and leopards perched in trees, to lions feasting on a zebra, countless giraffes, tiny baby warthogs, and even a black rhino — a rare and incredibly special sighting — our days were filled with moments that felt almost surreal.
But what truly set Venance apart was the effort behind every single sighting. He was constantly observing, listening, scanning the landscape, communicating with other guides, and looking for opportunities to give us the best possible experience. His knowledge, instincts, patience, and sheer dedication were extraordinary. He wasn’t simply driving us around hoping to spot wildlife; he was actively working to make sure we didn’t miss the magic happening all around us.
Looking back, we know that the incredible experiences we had were no accident. Having a guide who cared that much about what we saw, what we learned, and what we would take home with us made all the difference. These are the kinds of moments you dream about when you imagine an African safari, and Venance helped turn those dreams into memories we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
After the safari, African Big Cats also arranged for us to fly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar International Airport.
Venance took such exceptional care of us during those days that when we landed in Zanzibar without him, we felt lost and had to recalibrate. We missed our gentle teacher, caretaker and friend. It sounds cliche but we became a little family on that magical journey through the Serengeti.
We spent one night in Stone Town at the Seyyida Hotel before settling into three nights of rest and relaxation at the beautiful Z Hotel on Nungwi Beach.
Zanzibar was an incredible way to end our journey. The food was amazing, the accommodations were beautiful, and the location was immaculate. We spent our days relaxing on the beach, taking in the beauty of Nungwi, and watching sunsets that were truly to die for. Every detail made the experience feel special and effortless.
Although the Zanzibar portion of our trip was arranged through African Big Cats’ partner company, Tima Tours, it was still organized as part of our overall journey by African Big Cats. It was another example of the care they put into every detail, ensuring that our trip didn’t simply end with the safari but continued with a beautiful, peaceful, and unforgettable experience in Zanzibar.
African Big Cats didn't just organize a safari; they created an experience that exceeded anything we could have anticipated. From the initial planning and personal attention to the exceptional accommodations, seamless logistics, and an outstanding guide who went above and beyond, every element came together perfectly.
This was, without question, one of the most incredible experiences of our lives.
We are so grateful we chose African Big Cats, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering a safari in Tanzania. If you're researching companies and wondering whether a smaller, locally owned operator is the way to go, our experience speaks for itself. We couldn't have asked for anything more.
Exceptional Tour guide - Festo
Your safari is only as good as your guide ! As a couple spending up to 10 hours a day in a vehicle with just you and the driver/guide it has to be enjoyable. We first met Festo at the airport and from the moment on he was a joy to be with. Funny, enthusiastic and great to be around, at the same time the ultimate professional and knowledgable guide. On Safari he know his stuff, every off beaten road and an eagle eye for spotting every animal from a far. For english or french guest - Festo is your man! We would recommend you request him specifically.
Behind every great man.... is a a great company, and from our first contact with African Big Cats Safaris through to our final day, everything ran smoothly and they were easy to deal with via email/whatsApp and in person.
We had a memorable Safari !!
Thank you Festo and ABC team
Amazingly responsive, capable,knowledgeable and expert safari guide!
About a year ago I researched safari companies and African Big Cats Safaris rose to the top easily. The initial itinerary was developed by Mr. Frank. The fine tuning, details and logistics were developed by Naomi Kavishe. Naomi was responsive, professional, friendly and extremely efficient in finalizing and coordinating our safari. It was absolutely and positively a fantastic experience. Our guide in Tanzania was Endeni and he was fantastic! Knowledgeable, professional and so proud of his country! He not only knew how to find wildlife, he also knew Tanzania history that was enlightening!! So if you're looking for a wonderful safari, absolutely contact African Big Cats Safaris! They are the best!!
GT
My dream safari
For years I was dreaming of this trip and African Big cats made it possible beyond our imagination. The detail oriented in all our Hotels, our tours was incredible. William help es us arranging everything for months and then Naomi was in change of the operations. Our guide Claus has over 20 years in experience and that made a huge difference. He Payed attention to all our requests and small details ma king this trip more special. I would recomend it to anyone with my eyes closed.
GT
Personalized Excellence
My mom’s dream trip was a Safari and we had no idea who could help us. Through some friends we got in touch with this amazing company and started communicating with William since February. We had so may questions regarding itinerary, places to visit, lodges etc and he was amazing in answering with detail and patience all of them. He made sure we got the best out of our time and budget. It felt custome made for us since day one. We asked for a tour in spanish and got Claus as our guide for all the trip. He was extremely helpful, took care of every single detail and made sure all our expectations were met. The company made us feel listened to and safe in every possible way and they had so much attention to detail it was amazing. We would definitely travel again with African Big Cats Safari.
Other Safaris & Tours42 – Offered by African Big Cats Safaris
-
5-Day Best Tanzania Safari Where Comfort Meets Luxury
$2,093 to $2,295 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti NP, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)
-
7-Day Wildebeest Calving Retreat
$3,206 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Southern Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
-
9-Day Unique Honeymoon Safari & Zanzibar Beach Vacation
$3,656 to $4,016 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, Nungwi (Zanzibar), Zanzibar Airport (End)
-
10-Day Unique Safari + Cultural Experience
$3,544 to $3,960 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Lake Eyasi, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
-
8-Day Great Migration Safari in Tanzania
$3,701 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Central Serengeti NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
-
6-Day Soul of Tanzania Luxury Safari
$3,313 to $3,836 pp (USD)
Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Arusha (Start), Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)