masai mara
Bigmac Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2011)
- Member Of:
- Kenya Association of Tour Operators
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $300 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CA
Email Dean | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Trip to Amboseli National Park
Michael was a very good driver, and an excellent guide. He was friendly, helpful, and accommodating throughout the trip. He is knowledgeable about the park, the birds and animals, and their habits.
The accommodations (Kibo Resort) were comfortable, and the meals were first rate.
We very much enjoyed our three days with Michael in Amboseli National Park.
Email Josette | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We had amazing wild life experiences with a very knowledgeable guide.
Magdalene was very kind and helpful and arranged a well organized safari for us, 3 couples at Sweetwaters Olpejeta. Thank you to our excellent guide and driver Antony ! Because of his knowledge and ability we were close to the wild life and could even see a lion with her cub in her mouth and a little one running behind. We highly recommend this safari
DE
Email Betty | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best safari ever!
I searched through the internet for a reputable company to book our family safari with. I landed on Bigmac Safaris and after interacting with Magdalene I felt safe. The safari was fantastic, our guide James was the best, he sawed us the big5 and many other animals. He explained alöt about animals. Also the 4x4 Jeep is the best, it was quite comfortable. I would recommend bigmac africa safaris anytime.
US
Email Tim W. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Budget Safari Experience
Bigmac met and exceeded all expectations I had for my first African Safari! Across 5 game drives at 3 different parks, we saw more than 50 species of animals and birds and also visited a Maasai village which was a very unique and enriching experience. We had an EXCELLENT driver/guide Johnny who was knowledgeable, personable and a great driver - we were one of the few vehicles that never got stuck in the muddy paths of Masai Mara after unusual dry-season rainfall. Communication was good at all points, Magdalena at the office has excellent customer service.
Pros:
- Johnny knew Masai Mara National Reserve "like the back of his hand" and found so many animals, and his patience during our full-day drive rewarded us with our first lion sighting, a dream come true for me. He did everything he could to make sure we were happy and enjoying ourselves.
- The touring vans had outlets for charging small electronics! This was totally unexpected and a huge bonus.
- Price!!! For what we experienced this safari is a TREMENDOUS value, great for first-time visitors wanting a taste of Kenya. Everything is included, the only extra money you need to bring is for souvenirs, snacks (many gas station stops along the way) and tips for waitstaff and the guide.
Things to be Aware Of: (None of these are the fault of Bigmac, just FYI)
- The drives between parks are long and torturous, from 4 hours (Nairobi to Masai Mara) to 7+ hours (Nakuru to Amboseli). The van isn't the most comfortable especially if you are a larger person like me, but be sure to bring some music and good headphones to pass the time. But the positive of traveling by road is you get to see all of Kenya, how people live and the vast difference between the run down strip malls and the beautiful countryside.
- The drive into Masai Mara is EXTREMELY bumpy, and rough! It's about 75-90 minutes of herky-jerky toss and turn driving. If you are easily motion sick it may be an issue, but it's the only way into the reserve by road!
- The food is mediocre and fairly similar day-to-day, served buffet-style at all of the lodging locations. Usually 2-3 vegetable/potato options and 2-3 meat stews or curries and a soup. AA Amboseli Lodge had by far the best food and most variety.
In conclusion this safari was the greatest and most memorable experience of my life, you will not go wrong if you choose Bigmac Africa Safaris!
Email malcolm | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Masai Mara with Big Mac
Firstly, Magdalena, the coordinator for big Mac was super efficient at dealing with any inquiries or information required and the whole operation went all according to plan.
We were picked up at the airport late at night and driven to our overnight stay at the hotel and picked up promptly in the morning to go to the mara.
Anthony, our driver was very informative and friendly and he was very well connected with other guides as we saw the big five on two consecutive days. Anthony was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble for him to make our safari memorable.
The accommodation was excellent at the Masai Mara Game reserve - excellent service and friendly - worth staying for at least three days, I in fact stayed for 4 days.
The Masai Mara is an excellent destination for a Safari.
Thank you Magdalena and Anthony for a great holiday
PL
Email waldam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything as expected
Great, fast communication. We started quoting for safari just 2 weeks before the safari and there were no problems. Despite low season there were many animals (lucky especially with lions and cheetahs).
We were a little bit dissapointed with food at Rhino camp but it is not the fault of the tour operator. Everything was as in itinerary.
US
Email Corey | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Value for Private Safari
Our 4 day private safari was great. We really loved our guide, Amos. He was super friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. We felt the Safari was a great value, and definitely worth every penny. We really enjoyed the Land Cruiser upgrade-I think that makes a huge difference in the comfort and overall experience.
The only thing that could have been improved is if we had spent a bit more time at Lake Nakaru our final morning. It felt a bit short. We didn’t know what to expect but found Nakaru to be very photogenic and filled with great sights.
Also Jarika Lodge in Nakaru was a bit noisy until midnight or so, as they put us on second floor right above noisy lobby and parking lot. We asked to change rooms twice but they refused. It’s also not the best location in Nakaru as there’s nothing to really do around there. But we understand this was the budget option. The food there was good and especially the waiter Ben was one of the friendliest people we encountered.
We really enjoyed Jambo Mara aside from several power outages but understand that it is hard to maintain generators in the remote area. The staff was really friendly and the food was fine.
We will definitely recommend this trip. Thanks for all your help, Magdalene!
PL
Email Iwona | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
One of a kind adventure that I won't forget
Our driver, James was absolutely amazing, he drove carefully, but as fast as possible, so we arrived early to the Masai Mara and went on a game drive right after arrival. The 3-day safari was even better than I expected - we saw sooo many animals, it was astonishing! James cared so much so we could see every animal from as close as possible, I couldn't imagine a better driver and a better adventure than this. I highly recommend it! Also the contact with Magdalene was very good and professional, everything was as she promised and me and my boyfriend are both really exited about the adventure that we lived. Best time of my life!
EG
Email Injie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Breathtaking Safari Experience!
I’m a thorough trip planner, so I did my research when organizing our 3 day/2 night Masaai Mara safari. I had contacted several different companies before settling for Bigmac Africa Safaris. The main reason for my choice was that while all companies offered identical packages (right down to the camp sites you can stay at), Bigmac Africa offered the most competitive price (I mean, why pay more for the same services when you’re on a tight budget?) and I found Magdalene very helpful and professional when replying to my (very numerous) emails and requests!
In retrospect, the only thing I might have changed in our safari was the campsite which we stayed at (which is of no fault to Bigmac Africa), but even that was a unique and interesting part of the safari experience. At Magdalene’s request our driver allowed us the chance to look at Lenchada Camp and Rhino Camp 5 minutes away before deciding which to stay at. Both campsites were conveniently located minutes away from the Masaai Mara National Reserve Oloolaimutia Gate, and had almost identical less-than-luxurious accommodation options with the only advantage of Rhino Camp being that it had the option of a room with walls instead of just tents. Of course, if you don’t prefer roughing it out, and would enjoy hot showers at night and fewer bugs under your pillows, I would suggest staying at a lodge instead of a camp (if you can afford the extra cost)! To be fair, the staff on campsite was extremely friendly and welcoming, and the food, although lacking in variety, was really quite edible, particularly the breakfast!
The Safari itself was a spectacular experience! Our driver and guide, Richard and Dennis, were very friendly and good-natured and incredibly intent on helping us get the best possible angles and views of the plethora of wildlife the Mara has to offer, and always willing to go the extra mile for that perfect shot. We had a setback at the beginning of the trip, where a 1.5 hr delay at the rest-stop waiting for the rest of our group to join us set us behind schedule. Despite this late start, we were on the reserve at 5 PM and before sunset at 6:30 PM Richard and Dennis had managed (in record time) to take us to see wildebeests, antelopes, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches, elephants, and lions on just our first drive! The other days were equally fascinating where we spotted many of these animals again as well as buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, vultures, guinea fowl, hyenas, and jackals, and even came within meters from lions and cheetahs!
The highlight of our trip was a mother cheetah and her two cubs we saw on the second day which casually strolled beside our car as if we were simply part of the landscape! We held our breaths for 30 minutes as the mother inched her way towards her prey and we were lucky enough to witness a breathtaking albeit unsuccessful chase which ensued!
The only suggestion I would have for Bigmac Africa would be to supply more drinking water (at least a bottle per day). We were provided water bottles on the first day and were under the misconception that this would be a daily occurrence and so we did not bring our own water the next day. We were quite dehydrated to say the least, but this actually came to our advantage since we spent a full day on the reserve (we didn’t need to “take a walk in the bushes”!).
On a final note, kudos to Richard for his punctuality everyday and his crazy driving skills! Also, Magdalene proved to be as professional in person as she was in correspondence. She met us both before and after our safari, and even helped us to arrange airport transfer the next day at a very reasonable cost (our driver here was also very punctual and reliable). Thank you Bigmac Africa Safaris for this very special experience of a lifetime!
BD
Email Mehedi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was great. The guide was very cooperative. I think they asked the minimum price.
My expectations was very less as I paid only 200 USD for 2 nights and 3 days. But I was really surprised to get all the facilities they provided.