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:
- 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
CA
Email KAYLIE | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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.
Email Richard & Jane | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Tim | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Vilma | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
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
Email Sussy | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
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.
SA
Email Lein | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
He was the best !
What an incredible experience! We couldn’t have asked for a better safari and would highly recommend this company to anyone visiting Tanzania.
From the very beginning, everything was smooth and well organized. Communication before arriving in Arusha was excellent, with clear information and support throughout. A special thank you to Joshua for being so helpful and making everything seamless.
We were lucky to have Samuel as our safari guide. His knowledge, professionalism, and passion truly made our trip special. He went above and beyond to ensure we had the best views of the animals, taught us so much along the way, and made every safari drive comfortable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
We cannot thank Samuel enough for his outstanding work. He is truly an expert, and we would recommend him to anyone looking for an exceptional safari experience.
A huge thank you to the entire team at African Big Cats Safari for making this adventure so special. Your professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail made everything feel effortless.
We’re leaving with beautiful memories that we’ll cherish for a lifetime. Highly recommended! ❤️
NL
Email Arno | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best safari ever!
Excellent, extensive and friendly communication before, during and after safari. Flexible in customizing the itinerary, although that was hardly needed since the route and parks suggested as well as the accommodations suggested were perfect for us! Accommodations are all in the best location, luxurious and comfortable. Transportation is very good, clean, spacious, comfortable and well-maintained. Service and guide are excellent! Aside from the trip being very well organized they also add value with thoughtful personal touches, like a personalized bottle of wine for our anniversary and a fridge in the car with our favourite drinks. No surprises. A lot of value for your money, so we can highly recommend!
DE
Email Emre | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfectly organized, Kind and experienced Tour!
As a couple (ages 30 and 29), we had a very positive experience on our safari with this tour operator. A big thank you to the team at Big Cats Safari! We would recommend them to anyone! Making initial contact was very easy, and the customer service team was very helpful and responsive. We received replies very quickly.
The tour operator handled all the planning, so we just had to pay a deposit and then wait for the safari to begin.
The safari is very well organized, and the safari guide is very experienced and knows the area inside and out. In the morning, you drive to the national parks, where the guide picks you up and accompanies you. At noon, there’s a lunch that’s both delicious and generous. This also supports local businesses, since the packed lunches are sourced from them. The accommodations booked by the tour operator are very nice and well-located.
We found them through a recommendation and would highly recommend the tour operator, Big Cats Safari.
We took these photos ourselves while visiting Tarangire National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Email Justin Chen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
great experience with African Big Cats Safaris
An absolutely unforgettable first safari experience with African Big Cats Safaris! We were initially nervous about our fully customized luxury itinerary (which included a 1 AM JRO airport pickup and transfer to the Arusha Serena Lodge, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge, and both central and northern Serengeti), but the team delivered flawlessly from day one.
Our guide, Khalid, was phenomenal. His deep tracking knowledge helped us spot the entire Big 5 in just one day, including the rare black rhino! As a photography enthusiast, I deeply appreciated how Khalid always anticipated the best lighting and perfectly positioned the vehicle for my shots. If you are looking for a highly tailored, seamless luxury safari, I cannot recommend them enough!
Email Lisa and Tish | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding
Our whole experience with African Big Cats Safaris was outstanding from beginning to end. We started planning our safari about 2 years ago. Both William during the planning phase and Naomi in Operations were extremely professional, organised, patient, helpful and flexible while still providing a warm, personalised and individual service. They were quick to respond to emails and messages (of which there were many) and were also happy to speak over the phone. They arranged everything from the time we landed in Tanzania to the time we left Northern Serengeti, including our hot air balloon ride. It was great not having to worry about anything. Emanuel, the owner, met with us at the beginning to make sure that everything was in order with our itinerary, to ensure our expectations were understood and to reinforce that we were on a private safari, so we were able to choose how much or how little we did each day. He also checked in at the end to hear our feedback.
We added a 1 day hike of Kilimanjaro to the beginning of our itinerary and we are so glad we did. It was a great way to start. Our Mountain Guide Imran was fantastic. He was so encouraging, experienced and full of knowledge about the mountain which he shared with us throughout the hike.
After a day in Arusha, we then spent 7 days on safari visiting Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti and Northern Serengeti and what an incredible experience this was. We had high hopes, but everything exceeded our expectations.
Our Safari Guide Obedi was just amazing and he made our trip what it was. His love of Tanzania, nature and what he does was evident from the beginning. He was like an encyclopaedia of animals and could spot and name them from such a distance. We learnt so much from him. He was patient and calm and went out of his way to give us the best opportunity for every possible sighting and position our vehicle well, while still showing great respect for the animals and other vehicles. He knew and handled the roads so well and had so many contacts within the parks, so if there was a sighting in a different location, we could get there quickly. We will never forget having a pride of lions circle our vehicle and watching them position themselves for a kill. He looked after us like family and for that we are truly grateful. We trusted him and always felt safe and in good hands. He has the best smile and we had so much fun and so many laughs along the way too. We made a new friend.
The animals…WOW. We saw everything we hoped for and way more. The Great Migration and Mara River crossings, a kill, The Big 5, The Ugly 5, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, baboons, cheetahs, serval cats and so many beautiful birds to name a few. We didn’t just want to tick off a list but wanted the time to stop, observe and take everything in and that is exactly what we did.
Our mid-range lodges and camps were all unique in their own way, clean, comfortable and welcoming and the meals were great. There was so much food.
Our safari vehicle was comfortable and well maintained. We called it our office. We loved the space to move around, the ability to both be on the same side when viewing animals, the cold drinks from the fridge, the power for charging our phones and cameras, the storage pockets for sunnies, sunscreen, wipes etc and standing up with the wind blowing on our faces as we moved around the parks. We appreciated the fact that the inside of the car was cleaned each day and that there was a bottle of water waiting for us every morning.
There are so many safari companies to choose from and we wanted to book direct and support a local company. We read so many reviews, watched social media, checked credentials and in the end just had to go with our own gut feeling. African Big Cats Safaris provided us with and incredible experience, so many ‘pinch me’ moments and memories that we will treasure forever. As experienced travellers, we have no hesitation in recommending African Big Cats Safaris. We loved every minute.
Asante sana Obedi, Imran and African Big Cats Safaris!
