Big Time Safaris
- Located 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)
Reviews
CN
Email Winnie | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience beyond my expectations that almost felt like being LIVE in National Geographic.
If I was to give a title to the whole experience, I would call it "Arrival Before Departure". Sounds vague, does it? Well, at least I will try defend the title by narrating my experience.
To some extent I felt like I was already at the national park and yet I had just gone for the safari bookings at Big Time Safaris Ltd. The friendly atmosphere created in the not so big office was just the beginning of the whole adventure. And soon the D-day was here... but wait, did they call to confirm how far we were? Oh yes they did. This was going to be one of the best moments of my life. My Honey moon. I had indeed arrived to my destination even before departure.
And for some moment, while waiting for the other tourists to arrive, since all the people we were to travel with had already arrived, I kept wondering if this was worth it. Would it meet my expectations? Would it be that I was looking for something that I couldn't find.. you know.. like looking for a needle in a haystack? Well, the answers to my questions started flowing promptly like the waters in River Mara immediately the driver who happened to be the tour guide showed up and our journey began. He was so friendly and knowledgeable that it felt like were already at that wonderful scenery that was was well described during our conversations.
Although it was a long journey, it didn't feel like it maybe because the transport van was spacious and not normal. By that I mean it did not feel like it does when one travels in a public transport, the feeling of rough roads, bumps e.t.c.
And finally the most awaited moment arrived. Late in the evening, when the sky had opened to let loose tiny droplets otherwise known as drizzles, we were there, at the camping site. Surprised? Don't worry I was too at first. But then before the twinkle of an eye, I just confirmed that i needed not be troubled. I also realized that one does not need to marry a prince for them to become a princess, ceteris paribus.
Warm welcome, wonderful food prepared by the management at the camping site and the number of people I saw there, families, friends, tourists, all visiting the place for different reasons was just amazing. And as if that wasn't all, I entered the tent that my hubby and I were to camp in and i was really astonished. Has anyone seen a tent with this wonderfully set/made bed, restroom, with shower... just try to picture an hotel room. I had gone camping once in my life but no time had I ever seen such thing. Maybe it wouldn't surprise you but for me, I was. And one of the craziest experience I remember while in the tent was when i was trying to have this warm, me-time shower when this ice-cold water was released from the shower-head and I stood there frozen like a statue. But that was before we called the management who helped us turn the heater on.
Am sure all of us want to hear the Game drive part. Well, here it comes. I know most of us have watched National Geo on their TV sets. Allow me to say that during the whole experience, It felt like being there. With all the wild animals being in the open and not in closed cages and the best experience ever...I saw one of the 8 wonders of the world...you heard me right...WILDEBEEST MIGRATION.
Need I say more? I don't think so. All I can add is that it really felt sad when my tour days were over. But do not forget that that I had arrived even before departure and so this should not be an issue to me.
My appreciation to the Big Times Safaris Ltd crew, the Mara rangers and management at the camping site. You indeed made my Honeymoon the Best it could ever be.
Great time with Big Time Safaris!
My dad came to visit me in Kenya, and I just knew we had to see Masai Mara together, and Big Time Safaris really came through for us. They were easy to book with, very "on top of it" when it came to communicating pre-safari, and extremely accommodating during the safari. They were able to not only pick him up at his hotel in town, but they braved the traffic to pick me up at my private residence outside of town as well. They were a bit late picking both of us up, but this is Kenya, and I think all tourists should be open to adapting a little bit to "Kenyan time."
The "budget camping" accommodations were actually very nice - the fixed tents were like little homes, and it was a pleasant surprise that there was always hot water. You need to want to camp and have "that experience" if you go for the camping trip though; if you want Grand Hyatt or Hilton-esque accommodations, that's not the trip for you.
Our driver, Joseph, was excellent. Lots of friends who've been on safari in the Mara say that your experience really depends on your driver, and Joseph was able to spot four out of the Big Five for us (five, if a cheetah counts as a leopard to you!) His persistence with spotting and finding the two black rhinos that he found - we were the only vehicle that day to see them - was amazing and made for a very exciting drive.
Definitely also make it a point to visit the Masai village while you're there. It will be obvious that they make a lot of money from selling their goods to tourists, but being able to see their homes and ask questions about their lifestyles will be worth the hassling to buy goods at the very end of the visit.
Overall, such a great time with Big Time Safaris!
Email HV | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very disappointed
Extremely disappointed with this company. They had good reviews on tripadvisor so I signed up to a safari with this. At 9am I was excited to be leaving my hotel and going on safari. However, it became clear very quickly that I had not been picked up by a Big Time Safari car, but by another company. Big time passed me on to another company without telling me. The company they had sold my trip on to was called Right Choice, and believe me, it wasn’t the right choice. The bus was broken, and it took 9.5 hours for us to drive from Nairobi to Masai Mara. When we finally arrived it turned out that our rooms hadn’t been booked at the camp. Once that was sorted out it turned out that the driver didn’t know what time dinner would be. We went for a terrifying 1 hour game drive that evening. The rain was pelting down and the ground turned into a swamp, and the broken bus (with even less power than these buses normally have) got stuck several times. Fortunately we didn’t end up stuck in the mud in Masai Mara overnight, but between the broken bus and the rain it was more luck than anything else that we didn’t. I cancelled my trip the next morning and returned to Nairobi with a much more professional company. Big Time safari expressed no apology for selling on my trip to another company without notifying me. Nor have they been willing to refund any part of my failed safari.
Reply from Big Time Safaris
Posted on Feb 27, 2015Hello Hillary. Greetings of the day.Thank you for communicating,we really feel sorry for all that happen while on your trip.We confirmed your trip hoping to give you good services and schedule to start your trip with our group which was doing six days.Their flight was delayed and we ended up getting you a group so that we will not delay you too,we did not know this was going to happen and when it happened we were not notified at all.All the decision made including you coming back was not communicate. It happened that there was some wallet which was let at the camp and our camp manage send it to Nairobi.I have being informed that it was yours and when you came for it nobody was aware that you had fallen back to Nairobi.I admit there was poor communication between the two offices.The office is really sorry for this and we really regret having have subcontracted you without being informed.Please it was a quick decision which we though to be the best way but it wasn't. We kindly apologies for all that inconvenience we caused you and letting you down on your holiday.Please if all what happen we are really disappointed and wish such a decision will not be repeated. We are going to investigate this and see what we can do please. with regards Albert
NG
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
My rushed, totally unplanned but enjoyable safari experience.
I was looking forward to a week in Paris but at the last minute I made snap decision to go to Kenya. On ym flight I read a magazine that suggested going on a Safari while in Kenya. Being my first time I didn't know anyone and had no reservations, luckily while I searched for a cab service at the airport I spotted the Big Time Safaris desk. The men who attended me where very pleasant and polite. I told them all about my lack of hotel reservations, or an itinerary. I got help with all that. I didn't want a long safari experience we figured it out and I left for my hotel. The hotel was the same one I used for my entire stay and I appreciated the staff and how helpful they were.
The second day I was off to the Masai Mara in the company of my fellow tourists and we bonded with our witty driver. The meal stops where nice. He showed us where to shop for the basic necessities. And his advice proved very useful.
The camp at the park was very comfortable and close to a Masai village which I visited on the last day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and took several photos and made friends with my co travelers. I definitely recommend the Big Time Safaris Ltd to any first time and repeat travelers to Kenya. I will certainly use them when next I visit Kenya but I will make the necessary reservations this time. LOL!
EE
Email Jaak | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Our trip to Masai Mara, Amboseli and Mount Kenya
We were recommended Big Time by a local friend and in short - we are quite happy with the choice.
They helped us with hotels in Nairobi, took us to a very very nice trip to Masai Mara (do climb the hills there with some Masai guides, it's very nice if you don't leve it to the middle of the day, better temperature in the morning), took us to Naivasha lake, from there we went to Amboseli and Mount Kenya. We were very happy with both the drivers snf guides we got assigned during our trip and also happy with their help in Nairobi (one of our companions needed a bit medical help).
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Total Guarantee above expectations
My personal experience with Bigtime is nothing short of excellent in all aspects, they're very efficient and reliable and professional. The guide/driver we used ie Stanley was extremely great. I'd use Bigtime any other day to whatever safari destination no doubt
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a lifetime experience
It was an incredible experience. Right from reception at the Bus stop to the accommodation, everything was catered for. Would like to specially appreciate the personal help given by Mr David and all the staff.
I am sure this attitude will take you to greater heights.
NP
Email MADAN THAPA KSHETRI | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
amazing, best out put
iIt was the excellent experience in my life to visit MASAI MARA. Management of BIGTIME SAFAI was well. Thank you all who were attending for making our travel much more adventurous. Specially DAVID, TR GD STLIN, N NJERI.
AR
Email Sebastian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Experience!
Me and a friend were looking for a budget Safari starting from Arusha. The alternatives were a lot, and is really imposible to do a good choice with all the guys taking you to diferent offices to tell you the same speach, but we ended up picking the one we felt more faithfull.
We were really lucky, the couple Driver/Cook was supreme (Godfrey and Alifa). They were young, funny, helpfull and really profesional guys, and I think that there lies most of the quality of a Safari. If I could do it again I'd maybe avoid some of the smallest parks to spend 1 or 2 days more at Serengetti.
I'll surely recomend the company to my friends.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
EastAfrica holiday
A wonderful EastAfrica holiday Dear John, Dennis, George and Peterson Happy New Year to you all too!Thank you for making my holidays in East Africa such a memorable one. Adeline,Alvin and myself really enjoyed ourselves. From