African Big Cats Safaris
- Offices In:
-
United States
Australia
Canada
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Member Of:
- Tanzania Tourist Board
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $380 to $600 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
DE
Email Elise | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream come true
Better than hoped in the wildest dreams.
Already before you trip you will notice that the team of Big Cats really takes care about your wishes and concerns and will consult you to find the best individual plan for your group. We opted for a 5 day safari including Tarangire, Ngorongoro Krater, Lake Manyara and most importantly Serengeti.
Once stepping out of the aiport, you find your guide for the Safari waiting for you. The expert guide and expert driver will make sure you will have a great experience. In our case, we cannot imagine having a better guide that Venance.
We instantly knew we were in good hands, experiencing Venance driving the spacious 4WD through the roads (and passages without roads) of Arusha while already explaining interesting facts all along. Based on previous experiences in Tanzania we know that it is not a given that a guide is pro-active in explaining what, why, how, when is coming next. With Venance however, we had not only a guide and expert that explained everything, but also a great conversation partner during the whole trip.
He said that we were lucky to see all the animals and their interactions (all big five and much more like a lively cheetah etc.) in our limited time (late December 2023). It is however evident to us that it is mostly due to Venance, who was never tired of finding the right spots and most importantly getting the right information through exchanges with other guides (4WDs without a radio, might be rather at a disadvantage information wise).
So all in all very very recommended. Enjoy!
DE
Email Paul & Ilaria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply the best!
We trusted African Big Cat Safaris for our honeymoon and we can say we made an excellent choice! They carefully guided us and structured the itinerary according to our wishes, suggesting which park to visit according to the migration of the animals. Communication was excellent not only during the organisation phase (we are from Germany) but also once we arrived in Tanzania. The team was very kind and well-prepared. They provided us with all the information, itinerary and phone numbers both before the trip and on site. On our first day, the company manager Emanuel explained us the itinerary again and gave us useful information about the customs and traditions of the people in Tanzania (Asante sana Emanuel!). Throughout the organisation and the safari we felt listened to and cared for. Our safari was 5 days and four nights and we visited: Tarangire, lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti. Our guide Endeni was highly prepared not only about the animals but also about the sightseeing and places we visited or passed through.
He always gave us interesting information about tanzanian history, economy and also about the social and political changes. Careful driver and incredible observer Endeni always strived to make our safari experience exciting and romantic. We spotted many animals and all the big 5 thanks to Endeni's experience and good communication with colleagues and park guards. He always drove us to areas where we could enjoy the animals without being surrounded by 30 other jeeps.
All the location booked for the night were nice and clean. We felt welcome and the food was delicious.
ASANTE SANA African big cat safari for the fantastic experience and for guiding us through the wonders of Tanzania!
US
Email Laura | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
See the big cats and more!
This was an amazing trip! We took a 4-day safari from Arusha to Mwanza and African Big Cat Safaris was fantastic from communication before the trip until we said good-bye. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area, how to get the best views, local culture, and all the animals. He knew the genus and species of all (almost 100!) birds! This was a great value for money. We stayed in beautiful lodges with good food. Everything was taken care of. I would highly recommend them! We did indeed see the big cats-- lion, cheetah, jaguar-- in addition to so many more animals.
GR
Email natalie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Accommodating, responsive, experienced !
African Big Cat Safari surpassed my already high expectations of what our safari was going to be. I picked them because they were very responsive from the beginning of the planning process, they added me on whatsapp and we discussed all options at length.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by our amazing guide Obed, and felt in very good hands.
The lodges we selected were excellent, we decided to book a range of accommodations from luxury tents to five star hotels - simba lodge, four seasons hotel, intimate zebra camp, Melia Ngorongoro lodge.
Obed was very knowledgeable, flexible, an expert at finding where the animals are, explaining what they’re doing etc and overall a great companion/ fun guy to hang out with!
We had the best time. We visited local tribes and had an especially amazing time at the hadzabe tribe visit, which was a completely last-minute request from us, that african big cats immediately accommodated.
I recommend them highly !!
FR
Email Leslie Bakouche | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A second amazing safari with African Big Cats Safari
Our second safari with African Big cats Safari and we were not disappointed! Our guide LOVOY was absolutely perfect, he showed us the Big five and much more! He was very professional, funny and understanding (some of us got sick with the flu during the safari ). Our hotels were stunning (I recommend Melia Ngorongoro and Serengeti), breathtaking landscapes, we witnessed the great migration of wildebeests and zebras... in a word, it was magical! And I will absolutely go for a third time with this agency
CH
Email Sam Drummond-Brown | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our safari - a blend of adventure and luxury
Our four-day safari across Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Lake Manyara turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable and well-organized adventure. From the get-go, our guide, Lodi, impressed us with his easy communication style, making us feel comfortable and in good hands from the start. We were also able to meet Emmanuel (Managing Director) at the start of the Safari, who gave us a good briefing about our journey including all the information we needed. We met Emmanuel again at the Airport when we flew to Zanzibar – he made sure everything was perfect!
Lodi's in-depth knowledge of the parks and wildlife was evident, helping us spot the Big Five within just two days. His understanding of animal behavior allowed us to be in the right place at the right time, ensuring our safari truck always had the best views.
The only minor tweak we'd suggest is a more relaxed pace. The four days were packed with incredible sightings, leaving us yearning for a bit more time to soak in the experience without feeling rushed.
The accommodations at the lodges were exceptional. From the views to the design and the attentive staff, each lodge contributed to a comfortable and enjoyable stay. The only downside was the limited time we had to fully appreciate the lodges amidst the whirlwind of the safari. For that we recommend a longer trip with more rest time in between.
In essence, this safari, was a balanced blend of adventure and luxury. It showcased the beauty of Tanzania's wildlife and landscapes while providing a comfortable retreat at day's end. Despite the slight time constraints, it was undoubtedly our best holiday, and we would recommend it to those looking for a well-rounded safari experience.
US
Email Joyce | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable and professional company.
We loved our safari. In the months leading up to the safari African Big Cats was very helpful and responsive to all emails. Helped us select the best Safari for our time in Tanzania. We did a private 5 day 4 night comfort safari. We started at Tarangire National park, then Ngorongoro Crater, then two days in the Serengeti, then Lake Manyara on our way back to Arusha. Our accommodations at Eileen’s trees inn and Embalakai Camps we both excellent.
I would definitely recommend staying two days in the Serengeti. And Lake Manyara is lacking but we did have a cool elephant encounter there, otherwise I would skip that stop. Our guide Ernest was excellent and very knowledgeable, we saw it all and enjoyed our time together! Such a memorable trip. I recommend a camera with a good lens, as you will have many opportunities for excellent pictures.
NO
Email Dimitri | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable operator, interesting program of parks and made our dreams come true
We went on 5-days safari tour in december 2023 with Khalid as a guide and driver. We really enjoyed how the African big cats safaris built up the program with the Ngorongoro and Serenghetti as the climax of the safari. We managed to see all big five! We chose the mid-range accomodations offered by the safari operator and were satisfied with our choice. Khalid really knows his stuff and you can ask him any questions that might pop into the head. We also liked that the African Big Cats Safaris values their clients and does both debrief before the safari and does the evaluation of the trip afterwards.
US
Email Jonathan | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Tour Operator in Tanzania with the Best Safari Guides
We clearly made the right decision in going with African Big Cats Safaris. We can talk all day about the incredible landscapes, the unbelievable wildlife, and the delicious food served at great and comfortable accommodations, but I want to talk about our guide and friend, Endeni. Endeni is an incredible guide, educator, family man, and simply put, an amazing human being. Given the care that Big Cats puts into planning and executing its safaris for customers, I am sure that our trip would have been great whoever the guide, but Endeni made it special. He knew when and where to look for animals, which was further facilitated by his tapping into his many connections and frequently listening on the radio for updates. Or, just based on his past experience, his instincts led us to where the animals were. It was no problem for us to see the big five and is worth noting that we spoke with other travelers being guided by other tour companies on the exact same itinerary, who did not see the big five and other great animals that we saw. Endeni's ability to spot animals with the naked eye from long distances was extraordinary, and when other drivers were stuck in the mud, he really knew how to utilize the Toyota Land Cruiser and consistently drove us right through deep muddy waters with no issue. His knowledge of wildlife, vegetation, and local culture was incredible. When not on a game drive he would give us history and culture lessons to prepare us for the next destination we were heading to. He also taught me a lot of Swahili! I kept asking him for new words each day so that by the end of the trip I could have a basic dialogue with the locals (and it really came in handy after our safari, in Zanzibar). Endeni was also passionate about sustainable tourism and respecting the landscape as it is, so that these incredible places can be preserved for generations to come. We respected this about Endeni and Big Cats because not all other tour operators feel the same way. When Endeni was not guiding us on a game drive or teaching us the language, he was putting our lunches together and serving us delicious meals in a heavy cooler that he carried. He was cleaning the car every evening after a long game drive. Endeni and the guides of African Big Cats are superhuman and will contribute heavily to the incredible experiences you will have if you go with African Big Cats.
NL
Email Rutger | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good and reliable tour operator
We hesitated between two tour operators, but we are glad we went with African Big Cats Safaris. They have a diverse program (which they also tailor to your wishes). Well set up in terms of diversity in parks, accommodations, activities, and culture/nature. Our guide Lodi was very enthusiastic and well trained, so he knew a lot about what we saw in terms of nature, animals, culture and infrastructure.
Accommodations were always good, clean, and very friendly staff. Food was always well prepared, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. You really won’t be short of anything.
We also saw the big 5 and many other animals up close, sometimes a few meters from the car, partly due to Lodi’s experience.
All in all an unforgettable trip, and we can recommend African Big Cats to everyone!
(automatic translation from Dutch)