African Big Cats Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United States
Australia
Canada
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,100 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
US
Email Deborah | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An Amazing Experience with African Big Cats!
Wow! What an amazing trip! African Big Cats arranged an amazing 10 day safari for us!
Our guide, Obedi, became one of the family (Kaka). He knew exactly where to take us to find the elusive rhino, leopard, cheetahs, hyenas, lions, and MUCH more. And he did an excellent job of avoiding the crowds so we often felt like we were the only ones in the vast wilderness.
The vehicle was large and comfortable. The extra padding on the seats was much appreciated during the many bumpy roads, aka "african massages". The pop top made it easy to view and photograph the majestic wildlife.
Each lodge they selected was top notch. The staff was very welcoming and attentive. The facliities were clean, large, and very comfortable. The en suite bathrooms were large, the showers had wonderful hot water, and several had amazing outdoor showers. The food was great! And picnic lunches in the bush were a fun experience.
Going with African Big Cats made this incredible journey something that we will remember forever.
US
Email Donna Cleary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Endeni was exceptional.
Endeni, our GUIDE EXTRORDINAIRE, is the KING OF THE SAFARI.
Our trip started off with a bang. The resort, Tumbili Lodge, is gorgeous with wonderful food and staff. On our first day, we were able to settle in and prepare for the rigors of our Safari.
We met Endeni on day 2. He is, in fact, the KING OF THE SAFARI because of his unparalleled ability to multitask under pressure.
DRIVER - over some incredibly difficult terrain. As a result, each day provided a free African Massage. :)) EDUCATOR - about Tanzania, its people, its history. About the animals - their names, their status, their routines, how to spot them.
EAGLE EYE - while driving over washboard roads riddled with giant pot holes and deep ravines, Endeni spotted Lions, Giraffe, Elephants, a Leopard, a Cheeta, Hyenas, Baboons, Warthogs, Zebra, and Wildebeast (which were everywhere), Secretary birds, Ostrichs, Water Buffalo, Hippos, Eagles, Vultures, Hornbills, an Owl, a variety of small birds, Crocodiles, and every iteration of Antelope, Gizelle, and Deer-like being.
WRESTLER - at times, stealth-like movement of the Land Cruiser was needed to ensure the best viewing, photos, videos, and comprehension of the animals' behavior. There were often other vehicles and an unspoken coordination between the guides. With his big smile and outgoing personality, Endeni somehow always landed in the right location.
PERSONALITY - he did all of this while skillfully managing the personalities of a group of six friends.
PROVIDER - Endeni brought us to various locations for our midday meal, laid out some delicious food, cleaned up, and gave our leftovers to the needy. All with a smile while answering a barrage of endless questions.
COORDINATOR - Endeni knew where we needed to be and when. He worked with us on timing and ensured we arrived at our lodging safely and in a timely fashion. HERO - Endeni came to the rescue of a young couple who had rented their own vehicle and were stranded on the side of the road - in the middle of the Serengeti. We spotted a crowd of trucks up ahead. Others had stopped to look and watch while a young man struggled to figure out what to do next. No one had gotten out of their vehicle to help. But Endeni didn't hesitate. As soon as we arrived, he jumped out and jumped in. Soon, he was under the truck, found out what was wrong, and helped this young couple put their truck back together - using a seat belt - so they could continue their adventure.
Because on top of everything, Endeni is also an EXPERT. Endeni has a deep knowledge of the workings of the Land Cruisers and helped a few other drivers figure out what was wrong with theirs, imparting sage advice.
FRIEND - We had a flat tire. This was no surprise based on the roads. Out of nowhere, Endeni's best friend drove by and helped him change the tire - in stifling heat under the hot sun, while we all sat in the shade of our covered vehicle. There was no complaining, but it was clear there was a deep sense of camaraderie, and their get-it-done attitude prevailed.
We stayed in a variety of beautiful accommodations, some tents guarded by Masaii warriors while we slept, while wild animals moved around us. It was at once terrifying and exhilarating, knowing we were safe inside and would not be disturbed.
If he hasn't had one in a while, Endeni deserves a raise. This trip would not have been the same with anyone else. He is a PHENOMENON. Hold onto him.
There was a lot of coordination and back-and-forth, putting this trip together. Ensuring that three couples living in different parts of the US were accommodated was no small task. Naomi did a great job, and we're grateful for her skills as well.
Great job, African Big Cats Safari. Keep up the good work.
Email Maree | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trouble free tours
African Big Cats Safaris arrange two tours for my husband and myself. One was to Rwanda to trek to see the chimpanzees and gorillas and the other was an 8 day safari with our friends, 8 people together.
The whole process of arranging and booking both tours was seamless. We communicated with Justice to begin with to organise what we wanted to do - he organised our itineraries. Once we had finalised our programmes and paid the deposits we dealt with Naomi. Both staff members were very competent and efficient. All our driver/guides were very knowledgeable and careful drivers. They went above and beyond to take care of us. The days were long, but they were always ready to pick us up in the morning at whatever time we had arranged the night before. They gave us so much information about the places we went and the animals we saw.
Our tours were of a high standard and the accommodation was fabulous and very comfortable. The modes of transport were suited to the type of tours we were undertaking - we had a comfortable sedan in Rwanda and 2x 4WD's for our safari. The 4WD's had a top that 'popped up' which was excellent for viewing the animals, they seated 6 persons, but we only had 4 in each 4WD, so it gave us extra room, so we were not in each other's way to take pictures.
I cannot recommend African Big Cats Safaris highly enough with whatever you would like to do, they are very accommodating and will organise a tour to suit your needs and budget. There are a lot of safari companies in Tanzania but these guys were exceptional.
US
Email Maureen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome đź‘Ź !!!
First, African Big Cats Safari could not have been more professional and responsive to our needs.
Second, Festo (our guide) made the entire experience absolutely magical for all of us. We were four women celebrating a big birthday and I will always remember his knowledge, humor, big heart, and patience in every circumstance. He is a true gem, and I hope that others will request him.
Team Kudu ❤️!
HU
Email Abigél | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable experience!
If you are looking for a great experience, look no further!
We started with a slight hiccup, but Naomi was extremely professional, handled everything with empathy, helped us patiently.
Emanuel, the owner was very nice, he personally made sure to greet us and to explain the itinerary.
But the biggest shout out is to our safari guide Khaled, the animal whisperer. He drove safe, he knew the answer to every question about the wildlife and he somehow was able to spot every animal from the distance. We got to see the big 5, cheetahs , leopard babies etc.
An unforgettable experience. Thank you!
MY
Email Celeste | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Smooth and flawless experience
I chose African Big Cats Safaris in part because of the reviews by previous travelers and I am glad I did. My initial inquiries with their representative, Frank (and later, Naomi) were met with not only prompt and informative responses but also, with utmost patience when I made adjustments to the itineraries along the way. The planning phase did not encounter any hiccups at all.
Our guide, Rick was a gem. He was very accommodating and went out the way to ensure that we were not only comfortable but felt secure throughout the 6N 5D mid luxury safari we eventually chose in Aug 2025.
The cherry on the cake was the fact that Emmanuel (whom we later found out is the Managing Director of the company) made it a point to personally greet us on our first day of arrival to brief us on what to expect during the safari and also, to meet us on our last day to get our immediate feedbacks as to how it went. This shows the care and effort African Big Cats Safaris put into ensuring that their clients have the best experience in their safaris.
I would definitely recommend going with African Big Cats Safaris should you decide to tick that item in your bucket list.
CA
Email Leilah | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding!
By far the best tour company and safari experience I have participated in. Using this company will ensure you have the best memories to bring back home. Our guide was fantastic and our adventure will be etched in our memories for a long time!!!!! Thank-you so much for a dream come true :)
Email Miriam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable honeymoon with Big Cats Safari—perfect planning, amazing guide, Big Five, migration &
We had an unforgettable honeymoon with Big Cats Safari. From the very beginning, Salim provided excellent tailored planning that made everything smooth and stress-free. On the first day, we were warmly welcomed by Emanuel, the operations manager, who gave us a helpful briefing about the week ahead and ensured everything was perfectly arranged.
Our guide, Frank, was absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and always making sure we had the best views. Thanks to him, we saw the Big Five, countless other animals, and even witnessed the Great Migration at the Mara River crossing, which was truly breathtaking. If you are planning a safari, definitely ask for Frank—he made our honeymoon trip exceptional.
All of the accommodations were wonderful—comfortable, welcoming, and set in beautiful locations. The food throughout the trip was consistently delicious. A special highlight was visiting a Maasai village, where we had the chance to learn more about their traditions and way of life.
Everything exceeded our expectations, and we would highly recommend Big Cats Safari to anyone looking for a truly memorable safari in Tanzania!
Email Fiona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Patient, Kind, Learned and Friendly
Wonderful safari experience from being picked up at the airport and dropped off. Our guide, accommodation and food were first rate. We learned a lot from our guide on our travels around the Serengeti and saw the big five and more. I couldn’t recommend this experience more highly.
PL
Email Yuvaraj Mohan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari with African Big Cats – Professional & Caring Local Operator
We had an incredible safari experience with African Big Cats and would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Highlights:
Our guide was polite, knowledgeable, and patient, explaining species and behaviours in detail, which enriched the drives.
Lodging was excellent at Lake Burunge Tented Camp and Moyo Tented Camp (Moonbow was more average).
Food was outstanding — especially for Indians, with many familiar flavours.
Accommodation staff were warm, courteous, and eager to engage in explaining wildlife.
The safari vehicle was well-equipped (drinks, chargers, binoculars, etc.), and despite the unforgiving terrain, we had no breakdowns.
The game drives were unforgettable: elephants, giraffes, and zebras in Tarangire, the unique ecosystem of Ngorongoro, and Serengeti’s breathtaking wilderness with lions and even a jaguar sighting.
Operator Service:
What stood out most was the professionalism and care of African Big Cats. They provided clear briefings and debriefings, were open to feedback, and when our AC failed during the long, hot, and dusty drive from Ngorongoro to Serengeti, it was very inconvenient. But technical issues are understandable in such unforgiving terrain. Impressively, our guide Ben fixed it the same evening and the team even upgraded our accommodation as a gesture of goodwill and compensation — a truly appreciated touch that showed how much they care about customer experience. Being a local operator, choosing them also means directly supporting the local community and economy.
Suggestions for Tourists:
Be prepared for long transfers between parks on unpaved, bumpy roads. Carry a dust mask if you’re sensitive, and check vehicle AC beforehand.
Manage expectations — spotting big cats is not as frequent as in documentaries. The thrill lies in the unpredictability and seeing wildlife coexist in their natural habitat.
Discuss pacing with your operator so you have enough downtime between drives. If your stay is under one week, spend more time in Serengeti and skip Lake Manyara park.
Overall:
An extremely satisfying safari with African Big Cats — professional, hospitable, and authentic. With small adjustments to vehicle readiness and realistic expectations, it’s close to perfect.
