English-speaking guide in Tanzania

We just got back from ten days in Tanzania. We were lucky enough to be guided by Gishaman. Always in a great mood, a good driver, and an excellent guide. Thanks to him, we not only saw the Big Five in one day but also loads of other animals. He works for the local agency Blit Safaris, which provided excellent support throughout our trip. Highly recommended!

Hello,

Basing a safari trip on this **Big5** idea is completely ridiculous: There are dozens of mammal species just as interesting and worth seeing as the Big5, and hundreds of bird species... to observe and admire. Besides, the giraffe isn’t part of the Big5, yet it’s the tallest animal you might encounter.

I’ll never understand why visitors keep harping on about the Big5 in this forum... ?!!

Don’t forget that the term Big5 comes from wealthy hunters in centuries past—you didn’t go to Tanzania to hunt animals, did you?... I hope you’ve seen and can now identify other animals besides the Big5!! ???

"Big5 = a stupid term for clueless Americans..."

Cheers.

Puma2A

...

This aggression is crazy! I’ve been on this forum for years and I share useful information with other travelers whenever I can, always with kindness (a word you might not know), and this is the first time I’ve been flamed like this! All this over a single expression that might be used by Americans but is also used a lot by locals. This isn’t my first safari, and just so you know, I didn’t go there just to see these animals, take a photo, and go back home to show my friends or post on Instagram! I’m not stupid, and your "safari police" comments are insulting! Every animal I saw, from the smallest to the largest, was magnificent and brought its own share of emotions in a breathtaking landscape! And all the scenery I traveled through, even without animals, was worth the trip!

Basing a safari trip on this **Big5** idea is completely stupid I’ll never understand why visitors keep harping on about the B5 concept in this forum... ?!!

VF, an extraordinary and invaluable site, a vast playground for adventures, a place where travels are recounted, impressions are elevated, and tips are shared—a space for exchanges where some inspire us to follow in their footsteps where we might have otherwise passed by.

So, to those who regularly assert their opinions like wielding a flamethrower. Who trample on enthusiasm. Who criticize the finger instead of looking at what it points to... couldn’t you leave your bitterness outside this space, still somewhat preserved (though barely) from the noise and madness of the world?

"Big5 = stupid expression for dumb Americans..."

And game drives, self-drives, night drives—what kind of idiots are those for?😏

"Big5 = stupid expression for dumb Americans..."

And game drive, self-drive, night drive—what kind of idiots are those for?😏

I don’t know!! Personally, I’m really careful not to use these English terms (except when replying to someone who uses them, like above). My safari trip reports are written using French words. I make sure of that.

Cheers.

Good for you if that seems important.

I don’t think there’s any obligation on this forum to speak "pure French" and avoid all foreign terms. If they better serve my point, I’ll continue using them, by the way.

There are many forum members who aren’t French—they’re Swiss, Belgian, Canadian, Moroccan, and others—so linguistic variations are all welcome! It’s about time we had a bit more open-mindedness.

I think what’s important on this forum is sharing, discovery, mutual help, and doing it all with respect and kindness!

Have a great day