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:
- $250 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
US
Email Lynzie Rockett | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lack of communication
Complete lack of communication. Had us pay for a person that wasn’t even there! If a deposit means something different in Tanzania than America it would have been nice to know. African Big Cats advertises one lodge on their website but downgrades last minute to another. The downgraded lodge is on the complete opposite side (East/West-of Zanzibar) and rooms smell terribly of mold/mildew. Two safari days were not needed (the first and last). Those need to be removed from the itinerary completely. Note that most of these safari companies go to the same exact spots. As evidenced by the massive amount of jeeps at every stop and animal sighting. Skip African Big Cats and go with one of the MANY other companies. Our guides (Zab and Jumma) were good!!
Reply from African Big Cats Safaris
Posted on Sep 7, 2023Dear Lynzie, Thank you very much for your review, and i am very sorry to hear that the trip wasn't to your satisfaction.
I want to take a moment to address some concerns and provide clarity regarding your recent safari experience with us. It's essential for us to ensure your understanding and satisfaction.
First and foremost, regarding the issue of a participant who couldn't join the trip at the last moment, I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when plans and expenses are already in place. Originally, the safari was booked for seven people, but just two days before your arrival, we received notification that one person had to cancel. According to our policy, cancellations made within 15 days of travel would result in a 100% loss of the trip cost. However, recognising that this situation was beyond your control, we decided to deviate from our policy and charged only 50% of the cost. This decision still resulted in a loss for us, but we wanted to accommodate your circumstances as best as we could. We genuinely wish we could have offered a full refund, but unfortunately, we couldn't pursue this option due to the policies of the accommodations involved. Please know that we tried our best to assist you in this matter.
Concerning the accommodations themselves, we want to clarify that we never altered the options we initially quoted. When the trip was booked in January, it was based on a pre-made tour that Crystal, the person who booked on behalf of your group, selected from our website. While we do provide the flexibility to change accommodations, Crystal opted to stick with the original itinerary. Upon confirmation, we sent a comprehensive itinerary, which included the accommodations she had chosen. However, in the low season (April), our website underwent renovations, which involved changes to some itineraries and accommodations. One of the affected itineraries was the one Crystal had selected. The accommodation in Zanzibar was changed from Amaan Bungalows to Nungwi Dreams. We were unaware that Crystal was using the website itinerary as a reference for your entire group instead of the final itinerary sent to her via email. This miscommunication led to the belief that you were to overnight at Nungwi Dreams instead of Amaan Bungalows, as per your original quote.
Lastly, regarding the duration of the safari days, it's important to understand that the length of the safari significantly influences the quality of the game drive. Your arrival flight on the first day was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon, making it impossible to arrange any game drive on that day. Furthermore, your subsequent flight directly to Zanzibar meant that you could only accommodate a half-day game drive at Manyara on the last day. Given the limited number of days your group had, extending the safari was not feasible. Please note that the duration of the safari directly impacts the quality of the experience, as more extended periods allow for better exploration of the parks and more private game drives, as our guides have the opportunity to venture beyond the standard routes.
I sincerely hope that this clarifies the concerns you had about your recent safari experience. We greatly appreciate your feedback, and I apologise that the trip did not meet your expectations. Our commitment is to continually improve and ensure the best possible experience for our valued clients.
ES
Email Luis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic, impossoble to forget.
Absolutely satisfactory. Very recomendable, if possible I would like to repeat the 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.
CN
Email Zhixiong | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari, professional guide and warm-hearted businese manager
Our Itinerary:
Sep 29~Oct 3, 4 days safari from Arusha to Ngorongoro and serengeti. Roads in and fly out.
Business:
Manager Emanuel is very polite, warm-hearted.
We contact 4 or 5 safari company to check the availability, itinerary and price before leaving China. Only Emanuel make the whole safari plan for us and modify it according to our situations. For example, we only have 4 days to safari and need to go Zanzibar after it, Emanuel recommend us 2 best park to visit and select flying out to save time. Actually, this selection do help us save a lot of time, reduce our tiredness and help us have more chances to see the all "Big five".
He also help us a lot when we in Arusha. When we arrive in Arusha hotel the first day, we need to withdraw some cash, he drive us to the closest bank without hesitation which take him more than 1h on roads and missed another meeting. He always try his best to provide us convenience when we in Tanzania.
Guide:
Guide Ernest is very professional. He‘s good at communicating and speak English very well. We saw the all “Big five” in his help which include a cute baby cheetah. Ernest is older than all of us, he take good care of us in both physical and mental in 4 days safari.
Accommodation & Foods:
We select Hotel Melia in Ngorongoro and Lahia tented logde in Serengeti.
Melia is new and have a great view to see all the creator. We take lots of great photos in there. The foods in Melia is fresh and delicious.
Lahia tented lodge is best hotel we lived in Tanzania, which has seperated wooden house for each guests, and also have a great view to see the plain & stars. The foods in there is also good.
Conclusion:
Perfect safari!
We see many species of animals, beautiful sightseeings which are beyond our imagination by Big Cats Safari's help.
Before we leave, Emanueal told us their company is not too big nor too small. But we all think ther're the best.
If one company is not too big, It definitely have a group of original, warm-hearted staffs who are keen to help all the guest they meet.
If one company is not too small, It definitly have skilled guide who can help you enjoy your safari a lot.
How lucky we are to select this company when we visit Tanzania for the first time. Hope we have chance to meet your guys again!
US
Email Alex F. | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Experience - Above and Beyond!
My wife and I went to Tanzania for our honeymoon and chose to do our safari through African Big Cats Safaris. I have previously done a safari in Uganda so I had some idea of what to expect, but the trip honestly was better than I ever could have imagined.
We cannot stop talking about how impressed we were with Endeni, our guide for the trip. Endeni really went above and beyond every single day of the trip; we ended every day feeling like he had done everything that he possibly could have to make our safari that day as amazing as possible. In addition to his knowledge of wildlife (especially birds - wow!), he knew so much about photography and never failed to get us in a position for the best lighting possible.
Obviously a lot of what you will see is dependent on nature, but Endeni did everything he could to make sure we saw as much as possible. We saw all of the big five - we did not expect to see any rhinos, but ended up seeing six (three in Ngorongoro and three in Serengeti!). We also saw a leopard carrying a zebra in a tree in the Serengeti, which was a truly unforgettable experience.
While there were countless things that Endeni did to make our trip perfect, there are two examples that I want to share. The first was in the Ngorongoro Crater. We had been there all day, and the park was closing soon, but Endeni went out of his way to take us to a hippo pool. We were the only car there, and got to watch three hippos get out of the water and walk right in front of the car. It was such a special experience and made possible by Endeni choosing to stay as late in the park as was permitted. The second was in the Serengeti. I asked if there were cheetahs in the area that we were in, and Endeni deducted that I was hoping to see more cheetah. Somehow, he knew exactly where to go to find two cheetahs that had been hiding and let us spend an hour with them getting tons of great pictures.
For the entire trip, we never felt rushed or pressured. Endeni always made sure to give us enough time with the animals, but could sense when we were ready to move on.
Everything else was great as well. The company was great to work with during the planning phase and helped a lot with selecting our lodges. We stayed at Gran Melia Arusha, Maramboi Tented Lodge, Kitela Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena, Elewana Pioneer Camp Serengeti, and Z Hotel Zanzibar. I will write separate reviews for each of these, but they were all great. Pioneer Camp was by far our favorite (the coolest place we have ever stayed), but we also loved Gran Melia, Maramboi, and Kitela. Serena Ngorongoro was good, but it was definitely an older crowd (as honeymooners, we were in our late 20's and felt like we didn't see anyone at the hotel below the age of 40 while we were there). But the views were excellent from our room and we didn't really have any complaints. The transportation we received to our first hotel in Arusha and to and from our last hotel in Zanzibar was also excellent.
If I had to mention one bad part of the trip, it would probably be our flight from Seronera Airstrip in the Serengeti to Zanzibar (but this really wasn't African Big Cats Safaris' fault). The airport is just very chaotic and it wasn't even clear to us when our flight was leaving - we basically just got on a plane and hoped for the best. Our flight also had a longer layover in Arusha than we expected. However, I took a regional flight within Uganda when I was there and had a similar chaotic experience, so I think it is just something to be prepared for when taking flights from smaller airports in Africa. Again, nothing African Big Cats Safaris could have helped - Endeni got us to the airport in plenty of time and waited there until we were through security and situated.
Overall, it was the trip of a lifetime and we really couldn't have been happier. I would recommend using African Big Cats Safaris to everyone I know - the cost was fair and I can't imagine how we could have possibly had a better experience than we did with them. If you are on the fence, just book with them! You will not regret it!
Email Natasha Peters | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Dream Honeymoon!
Where do we start?
From booking the 5 Day 4 Night Luxury safari, throughout our trip and beyond, the communication was amazing. Any questions we had, we had a reply super quickly (within 24 hours).
We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport and our transfer was ready and waiting. Everyone who we met along the way was super friendly and kind.
Our operations Manager (Emanuel) came and spoke to us the evening before our safari, giving us an in detail itinerary and answered any questions we had. This made us super excited (more than we already were!)
The next 5 days were nothing but EXTRAORDINARY. The safari exceeded all of our expectations. Especially having Ernie as our guide everyday.
The animals that we encountered and how close we managed to get to them just made it that even more special.
We have learnt a lot about the animals at each national park due to the 20+ years Ernie has been doing safaris.
The food throughout our trip was beautiful. I am a fussy eater but there was nothing that I didn’t like!
And not to mention the accommodation - breathtaking. Please look through my photos and see for yourself!
If you are considering African Big Cats Safari then our experience is enough to encourage you to go with them! They are incredible.
Thank you Ernie and the team - you made our honeymoon the best we could ever imagined!
CA
Email Kimberly | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
African Big Cats made our Safari Experience Exceed our Expectations!
From the very first enquiry with African Big Cats, we knew we had chosen the best! Throughout the planning, they responded promptly and efficiently to our enquires and requests for information. We booked the 5 day/4 night luxury private safari (Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Manyara) and it was perfect. We started our Tanzanian adventure in Moshi. Emmanuel met us there the day before to give us our briefing and our guide Kanti picked us up to begin our adventure the next morning. Our vehicle was a comfy and well equipped Land Cruiser.
Huge kudos to our guide Kanti, he was so incredibly knowledgeable about all the wildlife, the birds, the landscape…we learned so much from him. I don’t know how he was able to spot things of interest so quickly and often from a distance! He made sure we had an opportunity to stop whenever we wanted to for photos etc. It was clear that Kanti’s goal was to make our safari experience the best and he most certainly achieved that. He was funny and kind and it was a joy to travel with him.
All of the accommodations arranged by Emmanuel and staff were first rate! The staff at all the lodges were kind and helpful, the accommodations exceeded our expectations, the meals were five star + (out of five!)
We began our safari with Tarangire National Park and it was our favourite. We saw soooo many animals. Zebra, elephant, lions, hippos, giraffe, wildebeest and close up! The landscape of the park is varied and beautiful. Our first night was at the Escarpment Luxury Lodge, wow. Gorgeous huge bungalow with our own little patio from which we watched a family of baboons stroll by. The best dinner ever sitting outside overlooking the landscape as the sun set. Next day we were off to the Serengeti…a long drive but so much to see as the view changed. We spent two nights at the Serengeti Mbalimbali Soroi which was magnificent (sorry, loads of superlatives but they are well deserved). After a long day in the land cruiser it was lovely to return to our rooms and have an outdoor shower (so cool!) and then sit out either on our own balcony or on the lodges’ huge patio and watch the amazing sunset. Many thanks to Emmanuel at African Big Cats and the Soroi for arranging for/accommodating a last minute request regarding our booking there. Our days in the Serengeti were all that we had hoped for with so many animals in their natural environment. Then we were off to the Ngorongoro crater which is such an amazing site…a very different landscape from the Serengeti, lush and lots of animals in large groups by the water. It’s where we saw our first rhino (at a distance). Kanti made sure to get us in the best spot to watch the rhino through our binoculars. Our last night was at the Ngorongoro Retreat Lodge…I think our favourite lodge because we were able to walk around their beautiful grounds, something you can’t safely do elsewhere due to the other lodges’ more remote locations. Again, the staff and food were fabulous. Last day was Lake Manyara which was unique but there were fewer animals out and about and we had been so spoiled with the sights on the first four days. Then to Arusha to end our safari at the Cultural Heritage Centre. This place is a shopping experience and museum…our recommendation for the best opportunity to buy your gifts/memories. Beautiful craftsmanship and very good prices. We met with Emmanuel as he wanted to get feedback about our experiences (all 100% plus) and then Kanti took us to the airport for our flight to Zanzibar.
In summary, the safari exceeded our expectations. It was well worth the cost. It was apparent from the very beginning that African Big Cats is dedicated to ensuring we had the best experience, and they did.
Tips for travellers. Bring comfy clothing for hot weather and remember it’s quite cool overnight and in the morning. African big cats provides a list of items to bring with you…they have covered it all. There was a pair of binoculars provided but I was happy that I had brought along my own small ones so we could both watch the goings on. The people of Tanzania are some of the most kind and helpful people we have met in our travels. They made us feel so welcome.
Please don’t hesitate to contact African Big Cats to help you achieve the experience of a lifetime. Thanks to Kanti, Emmanuel and Naomi!
Kim and Peter
AE
Email Ashis Swain | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Tanzania Big 5 experience with African Big Cat Safari
We had planned to spend our anniversary vacation in Tanzania in July 2023. Since it was an important trip during the peak season, we made arrangements with Mr. Emanuel, the manager of African Big Cat, four months in advance. We meticulously planned and booked the luxury safari trip, which lasted for 9 days and 8 nights, covering Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. The highlights of the tour included breathtaking landscapes, private safaris, adventurous wildlife encounters, and the opportunity to see the Big 5. We enjoyed luxury adventures at Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Central and North Serengeti regions.
We flew from Zanzibar to Arusha with Precision Airways and arrived in the afternoon. Our tour guide, Mr. Ernest, greeted us with a private Land Cruiser 4x4, which remained with us throughout the tour. The package included all nights' accommodation, park fees, government taxes, Flying Doctor Insurance, unlimited drinking water, and food. We stayed at various accommodations throughout the safari, including Gran Melia Arusha, Manyara Serena Lodge, Mbalimbali Soroi, Mara Under Canvas, Lake Masek Tented Lodge, and Escarpment Luxury Lodge.
Throughout the safari, we did not encounter any mechanical or electrical issues with the Land Cruiser. We were lucky to spot the Big 5 along with other animals and birds abundant in all the national parks. Overall, our stay, food, guide experience, and immersion in African culture were outstanding. Our guide, Ernest, was in continuous contact with the radio, providing us with updates on wildlife sightings and the Big 5 spots.
We were able to capture valuable and unique photos and create unforgettable memories during our trip. We would like to express our gratitude to African Big Cat Safari for providing us with the most memorable and satisfying African safari experience. We took all necessary vaccinations and malaria medication as recommended and did not encounter any health-related issues. The entire planning, payment, travel, and execution of the safari tour were handled responsibly and professionally by African Big Cat Safari.
CH
Email Priska | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An operator who makes the wishes of his guests possible.
Thanks to the perfect organisation of Big Cads Safaris, we were able to experience the wonders of Africa on safari.
PT
Email Teresa Gradim | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, ONE OF THE BEST EXPERIENCIES IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!
Big Cats Safari were just amazing. We booked directly with them and everything went 100%. Speed in responding to our queries was very important. From the JEEP vehicle, always clean and with fresh drinks. Possibility of loading equipment, very useful.
Our guide, Venance, always careful and tireless in the search for animals. We saw them all. Venance loves his job. He was tireless throughout the tour and very knowledgeable about all the Parks.
We visited Taranguire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara.
We did the comfort circuit. The proposed accommodations were excellent. We couldn't ask for more. Thank you Big Cats Safari and Venance.
We also did a tour of Arusha on the first day, very interesting, especially Massai Market. Thanks all team Big Safari Cats
