Big Time Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Tour Types:
- Small & medium group tours (Budget & mid-range)
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CH
Email Yvander | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst experience ever and very rude manager
Ive done over 15 safaris in my life, been to Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania.This one here, in Kenya, is by far the worst Ive ever experienced!!! Its all about, squeezing out every single dollar of you and delivering the worst customer service ever. Here's my main points why i cannot recommend anyone to book with this company:
- Safety is not guaranteed
* No functional radio during the whole six day trip (see picture below), meaning not able to contact anyone in case of emergency.
* Safari vehicle in a very bad condition (we got stuck once and had to push the car out and that, is in middle of the national park, surrounded by wild animals).
* One screw of the wheel suspension broke during our game drive, so we lost two hours of game drive while waiting until the car is fixed (see picture), not even a glass of water was offered by the company while waiting.
- Not sticking to itinerary
* Left earlier than promised certain parks, to the extent that we missed to spot the leopard. Considering that we had to rush all the time and having problems with the car, i would have at least expected, to give us half an hour longer while seeing something great.
-brought us to different accomodation than planned (cheaper places)
* Changed the itinerary without giving any options
* Skipped certain destinations like Baboon hill and the Rhino sanctuary without giving any reason, was told is nothing special abt it.
* Food and beverages
We got basically every day the same, the lunch packages were just horrible. One juice, a chicken leg, a rotten banana and a sandwich with one slice of cucumber and tomato (see picture below)
- only 1 liter of water per day per person, even during a 8hours game drive and over 30 degrees
Communication:
According to my inetary, I was supposed to stay one night in Naiwasha. After leaving leaving Lake Nakuru, I was told i have to go to Amboseli first and come back afterwards. Obviously i did not agree on that, because it would mean, to have 5hours more driving instead of leisure time. I simply asked to refund me the money but instead of giving me back a 130 $, i only got back 50$. On top of that i was told, i refused to do it. I dont know... but having the audacity to blame me for refusing to finish the trip is just crazy. The company was not able to stick to the plan. First the manager Steve refused to talk to me and then it took them 3 days to tell me how much the refund is. And not once ive been told a sorry from Steve. Even worse he tried to twist the story and that everything is my fault. Honestly thats just bottom of the barrel excuse.
Conclusion:
On this trip, almost nothing went according to the plan and still the company insists, that they didnt do anything wrong. I really dont see any point why anyone should book with this company. The only highlight was Joseph the driver, he did what he could do but he had a lot of pressure from his Manager Steve. We were rushed the whole trip and had to leave several times earlier than according to the itinerary. I just hope this review helps people, not to do the same mistake as me, to book a nightmare trip with them.
CH
Email Yvandee | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Worst Safari ever
Ive done over 15 safaris in my life, been to Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania.This one here, in Kenya, is by far the worst Ive ever experienced!!! Its all about, squeezing out every single dollar of you and delivering the worst customer service ever. Here's my main points why i cannot recommend anyone to book with this company:
- Safety is not guaranteed
* No functional radio during the whole six day trip (see picture below), meaning not able to contact anyone in case of emergency.
* Safari vehicle in a very bad condition (we got stuck once and had to push the car out and that, is in middle of the national park, surrounded by wild animals).
* One screw of the wheel suspension broke during our game drive, so we lost two hours of game drive while waiting until the car is fixed (see picture), not even a glass of water was offered by the company while waiting.
- Not sticking to itinerary
* Left earlier than promised certain parks, to the extent that we missed to spot the leopard. Considering that we had to rush all the time and having problems with the car, i would have at least expected, to give us half an hour longer while seeing something great.
-brought us to different accommodation than planned (cheaper places)
* Changed the itinerary without giving any options
* Skipped certain destinations like Baboon hill and the Rhino sanctuary without giving any reason, was told is nothing special abt it.
* Food and beverages
We got basically every day the same, the lunch packages were just horrible. One juice, a chicken leg, a rotten banana and a sandwich with one slice of cucumber and tomato (see picture below)
- only 1 liter of water per day per person, even during a 8hours game drive and over 30 degrees
Communication:
According to my itinerary, I was supposed to stay one night in Naivasha. After leaving Lake Nakuru, I was told i had to go to Amboseli first and come back afterwards. Obviously, i did not agree on that, because it would mean, having 5hours more driving instead of leisure time. I simply asked to refund me the money but instead of giving me back a 130 $, I only got back 50$. On top of that I was told, I refused to do it. I don't know... but having the audacity to blame me for refusing to finish the trip is just crazy. The company was not able to stick to the plan. First, the manager Steve refused to talk to me and then it took them 3 days to tell me how much the refund is. And not once I've been told a sorry from Steve. Even worse he tried to twist the story and that everything is my fault. Honestly that's just bottom of the barrel excuse.
Conclusion:
On this trip, almost nothing went according to the plan and still the company insists, that they didn't do anything wrong. I dont see any point why anyone should book with this company. The only highlight was Joseph the driver, he did what he could do but he had a lot of pressure from his Manager Steve. We were rushed the whole trip and had to leave several times earlier than according to the itinerary. I just hope this review helps people, not to do the same mistake as me, to book a nightmare trip with them.
Email Gabor | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Avoid them !!! Robbed on safari !! No help whatsoever!!
Robbed on safari !
Stay away from them if you do not want a nightmare holiday !
An absolute disgrace to tourism and to foreign tourists
We have been robbed under this tour operator in their chooses hotel.
The hotel was guarded with 4 security, our door was locked but still got the door broken damaging the frame and hit the lock out without anyone hearing anything ?!?!?!?!! The theft walked out with our backpack on his back and the other guys £6K camera swinging it in his hand . If you wonder yes 2 of us door got jacked up and no one heard or saw anything.
The owner refused to come and show the CCTV to the police delaying everything! The hotel called HotelCityMax in Nakuru !!
When we finally meet Mr CEO John who by the way is an absolute joke and disgrace to the whole tourism industry and also to tourists! Didn’t even call the hotel or came to see us when the accident happened!
Was half way laying in his chairs while he was bullsh*tting us and lying to us constantly!
The way John was behaving, the posture he was maintaining, the way of his speaking, every single gesture he was making made to us very clear that he absolutely does care and we are just a pain in his a.. at that moment and would say anything to get rid of us.
Several times we caught him to lie about what action he took and how he will compensate us . When we challenged him to prove us somehow that he took actions I.e police report , asking the hotel what happened etc he couldn’t put anything on the table !
I never in my life meet someone like John in such a high position and still don’t care at all especially in a country that heavily relies on tourism!
He was keep telling us for 30 mins how his company operates and all of this filling stories what frankly we didn’t care as we had a bigger issue why we were there and wanted to sort it before we leave the country.
Of course no solution came from him ! Even He was not man enough to give me his business card at the end !
Honestly it was scary to see how much someone who is in charge doesn’t care at all about the 2 theft that happened under his watch and in his hotel from who is in charge !
At the end we have to leave without any paper or whatsoever. He didn’t care if we will return or not as he already had our money and he had no intention to ease up our pain to try to help us . He doesn’t care if you return or not !
Very poor customer service and lack of knowledge, Mr big CEO John clearly has no idea what this business is all about
Dear John let me tell you 1 thing it is all about trust reputation and returning clients !
Do yourself a favour and avoid him and his company!
I would highly recommend Super Eagles ! As I didn’t have any issues with them ! Always super helpful and ready to help Gents with a fantastic customer service who are truly appreciate us tourist visiting their country and would like us to return .
IT
Email Cristina | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
we suffered a very negative experience and a huge lack of care in our regards
We spent seven days in Kenya with Big Time Safaris, and we suffered a very negative experience and a huge lack of care in our regards. We can’t recommend this company for these reasons:
they have increased the price of the tour, we have booked in february, two weeks before our depart from Italy; the increase was of 40% the initial price that we have had to pay cash once arrived
despite the increase they have cancelled a safari included in the initial program
we paid for two days of safari in Masai Mara but we couldn’t enter into the park the second day, because the guide didn’t know the new rules of entrance into the park and changing the order of activities we missed the safari. We asked not to pay the 80$ per person of the second day of safari we didn’t do but they haven’t agreed
they booked a lodge where during a shower one of the group experienced an electric shock
the last day we should have a visit in Nairobi and we had to pay the highway toll for avoiding a queue on the normal road; the guide had no money for paying the toll
KR
Email Hyunae | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good
I enyoyed the safari with clinton he was a good guide and i recomend him and this tour company
RS
Email Sanja Sipka | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible experience with amazing team. It was PERFECT.
All the drivers were so commited to reach the goal-to fing the big 5. Drivers gave us plenty of information about animals and Kenyan culture. They were available in every moment, and also going on safari with them was really funny. I highly recomend this trip and safari with these people, i will probably go again.
HR
Email Ana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best
It was excellent. Our guide was Stanley. This Safari was beyond expectations, we saw everythin, and we are grateful for his efforts, excellent observation and knowledge of the terrain. I must especially highlight his commitment to bring us literally a few meters from almost every animal we saw, and thanks for the large amount of information about each animal that he selflessly conveyed to us. This was an unforgettable experience.
Email Greg | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Timo worked very hard to make sure we had a great trip.
I’m a solo Australian traveler. I did the 3 day safari in Massai Mara.
Timo was our driver. He did a great job.
A truly amazing experience.
DE
Email Marvin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very good value for money and a very professional operator
We have booked an 11 day safari through Kenia and Tanzania. Beforehand Big Time Safaris got in touch with us and handled everything very professional.
For the Kenia part Simon was our tour guide, who did an incredible job! He took care of us from the very first minute and we felt very safe driving with him. He gave very good recommendations e.g. to be aware of sellers that are popping up everywhere you stop and to not feel pressured by them.
When it came to game driving Simon was absolutely outstanding! He was very well educated and could tell us all about the animals and their surrounding. He maintained very good communication with the other guides in the park, he knew where to look for animals, he knew when we wanted to take a picture and achieved a great perspective without the need to tell him.
Beware that travelling through so many parks involves a lot of driving on very bumpy roads, which can get really stressful and should not be underestimated. Some days involved 12h of driving on those roads which has to be endured once onboard.
However, when looking back we remember all the great memories we could collect with Simon! Thank you!
AE
Email Gayn Lewis | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Money making scheme
DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS OPERATOR OR GO ON A TOUR TO MITI MING.
They say on the website a maximum of 7 people. At the start of our journey we was 6 which was great as everyone had a window seat and could stand up to watch the wildlife during the safari.
However on day 2, 2 people were forced to join us. Even though we all complained extensively we were told tough. This meant someone had to sit in the front (cannot stand up and only have view of one side - not 360 like all other window seats stood up) and someone stood in the middle (no window seat). We were very cramped up and couldn’t move much. Especially driving over rough terrain in a minivan (not 4x4 with small wheels).
This is a money making scheme so they didn’t have to paid for another driver and view of a minivan for a 12 hour tour. Yes 12 hours with 8 people cramped in a minivan. This is not what we paid for and nothing was resolved.
I will never go back to Kenya again, the people were so rude and any opportunity to get money from you. Tried to make us go to the village for 20USD, go on a 450USD balloon ride and also I boat ride that we didn’t care for the price as we knew it would be expensive.
AVOID THIS SAFARI COMPANY AND CAMPSITE. Join a safari you are going to enjoy and a company that stick to their agreement.